Fodor's Expert Review Manzanilla Beach

You can find picnic facilities and a pretty view of the Atlantic here, though the water is occasionally muddied by the outflow of Venezuela's Orinoco River. The Cocal Road running the length of this beautiful beach is lined with stately palms. This is where many well-heeled Trinis have vacation houses. The Nariva River, which enters the sea just south of this beach and the surrounding Nariva Swamp, is home to the manatee and other rare species, including the much-maligned anaconda. To get here take the Mayaro turnoff at the town of Sangre Grande. Manzanilla is where this road first meets the coast. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards. Best for: sunrise; walking.