Eastern Trinidad

East

Trinidadians say anything east of the Port of Spain’s lighthouse is considered ‘D East’. Eastern Trinidad remains largely unspoiled and underpopulated. Many of the densely populated areas lay along the ‘east west corridor’ from Laventille the Arima. A Journey along the Eastern coastline reveals the 4km long Manzanilla Beach and the magnificent beaches at Mayaro. Both of which are lined with miles and miles of coconut trees which are a sight to behold. The area is largely undiscovered by tourists and is virtually void of hotel development although many locals have guest houses for rent.

Start your journey eastward with a trip to the Lady Young Lookout in Laventille to get a fantastic view of the Caribbean Sea, the city of Port of Spain and the Queen’s Park Savannah. You can also get light refreshments at one of the vendors onsite. 

 

Visit The Angostura Distillery one of the Caribbean's leading rum producers with a superb collection of rum brands and the world's market leader for bitters. Tour the rum factory and learn about the world-famous Angostura Aromatic Bitters which has not been changed since the first bottle was introduced in 1824.

 

The National Science Centre is just off the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway heading east in Maloney. It's an enviro-lab and a robotics area where kids can conduct their own scientific experiments and experience different intensities of earthquakes in the Raging Planets section, or gaze at the changing night sky in the planetarium.

 

Mount St. Benedict, is a mere 20 minute drive eastward from Port of Spain and is the largest Benedictine Monastery in the Caribbean. Towering 800 feet above the plains the monastery can be seen for miles around, and offers visitors spectacular panoramic views of Central Trinidad. Occasionally artists hosts exhibitions at the Upper Room Art Gallery and the monks make and sell a delicious yogurt and religious items at the Pax Abbey Shop.

 

Asa Wright Nature Center is located 1,200 feet high up in the northern range, in what used to be an old cocoa-coffee-citrus plantation. With such an abundance of nature all around you there is plenty to see, with a large population of colourful birds, crawling reptiles and fluttering butterflies you will feel like you are hiking through the heart of the rainforest. While AWNC is a nonprofit organisation it is actually one of the most successful eco-tourist locations in the world. There are birding trips, guided walks and an excellent buffet lunch you can enjoy on the veranda overlooking the jungle.

 

Manzanilla Beach is about 2 hours’ drive from Port of Spain along the East Coast Road. The beach is about 3 miles long and is bordered by the restless Atlantic Sea on one side and bowing palms on the other. It’s much less crowded than Maracas but does attract its share of sunbathers and swimmers. Lifeguards are on duty within bounded areas and there is a snack bar and well maintained changing facilities.
 

Mayaro Bay is a popular destination for holidays and long weekends in Trinidad. Lifeguards are on duty from 10 am to 5pm and there are a number of small hotels and guesthouses along the beach as well as several private properties. This is the perfect place for a long walk, its beachs ] lined with coconut trees and riddled with small lagoons the sunrises and sunsets are ultra-romantic. Swimming can be tricky in these waters so its best advised to check with lifeguards and observe flags along the shore for safe areas.