Edition 103: Trinidad & Tobago

The twin-island nation of Trinidad & Tobago is a melting pot for the very best of the Caribbean. These two islands bring together the highlights of a tropical vacation [The Discoverer]( [Trinidad & Tobago] Edition 103 | 4:13 read time [Trinidad and Tobago]( | [@bradjaved]( The twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago is a melting pot for the very best of the Caribbean. These two islands bring together the highlights of a tropical vacation — we’re talking diving, hiking, waterfalls, nightlife — with an unmatched local culture. Unspoiled by mass tourism, this country is the perfect place to experience island life like a local and forget your worries for as long as you want. Fun Fact: The steelpan was created in Trinidad & Tobago and continues to be a main instrument in Caribbean music. Trinidad and Tobago N 10.69° / W 61.22° [#trinidadandtobago]( | pabst_ell January-May Sunny skies, cool weather and the chance to experience the biggest Carnival festival in the Caribbean? Sign us up! Visit Trinidad and Tobago in the early spring for the best weather to enjoy the islands’ activities. The region’s best Carnival festivities take place every February and March, and if you want non-stop sensory overload, this is the place to get it. [Rio Seco Waterfall]( | [@steve.n.83]( Water You Looking At? Though only 50 miles apart, Trinidad and Tobago have very different landscapes. Trinidad is a blend of bustling cities and marshy wetlands while Tobago is best known for stunning beaches and palm-lined coves. Spend some time getting to know both landscapes on foot. One of the best activities is hiking from waterfall to waterfall. Both islands offer beautiful trails that end in refreshing views, from [Argyle Falls]( on Tobago to [Edith Falls]( on Trinidad. Another worthy trek is [3 Pools]( in Trinidad’s Northern Range which features natural watering holes, waterfalls and nearby coastal villages. [Pigeon Point Heritage Park, Tobago]( | [@odhunte]( Seas the Day If you’re after beaches, slip over to Tobago where you’ll find dozens of secluded sandy stretches and quiet coastal towns. Sail to Cotton Bay, which is only accessible by boat and offers excellent snorkeling, or [Englishman’s Bay]( which will fulfill your deserted island dreams. Then head to the busier [Pigeon Point]( where you can join a glass-bottom boat tour through the still turquoise waters of Nylon Pool. While Tobago is best known for its beaches, Trinidad also has its fair share of spots to take a dip, from the famous Maracas Beach to Grand Riviere Beach where leatherback turtles lay their eggs from March to August. [Queen's Royal College]( | [@howsiett]( Buss a Lime With a smaller tourism industry than many of its Caribbean neighbors, Trinidad and Tobago makes it much easier to experience local island life. During the day, wander around Queen’s Park Savannah, viewing the historical mansions before exploring the exhibitions at the [National Museum and Art Gallery](. When night hits, roam Ariapita Avenue in Port of Spain for an evening of “liming” or hanging out with locals. Hop from bars to clubs to food stalls selling late-night treats until the sun comes up. [#ttunseen]( | [@xploreoutdoortt]( Marshes and Tar Get off the grid and explore the unique parts of the twin islands’ landscapes. Trinidad especially has plenty of wetlands, like the Caroni Swamp and the Icacos Point Swamp, where bird-watching boat tours dominate. Take a trip to [Pitch Lake]( a 100-acre deposit of tar that produces much of the world’s asphalt. Then hike through the limestone caverns of the [Gasparee Cave System]( on Gaspar Grande off the coast of Trinidad. [@marisasrm]( Marisa’s Discovery [@marisasrm]( "From the beaches, to the waterfalls, diverse flora and fauna, the landscape, the people, the food, the music, the festivals - Trinidad and Tobago has it all. One experience that really stands out to me is getting to witness the leatherback sea turtle hatchlings emerge and be sent off to sea at Grand Riviere which is where this photo was taken." [Richard's Bake & Shark]( | [@wanderlust_foodie1]( Double the Trouble You can’t escape the islands without trying two signature dishes — Bake and Shark and doubles. You’ll find Bake and Shark, a fast food dish of fried flatbread and shark meat, at many of the stalls along Maracas Bay, but [Richard’s]( is a local favorite. Head to Curepe for the best doubles, a snack made with two fried flatbreads filled with curry channa. Experience all the local treats at [Chaud]( a Trinidad staple that blends home cooking with fine dining, or [Upmarket]( where local producers sell everything from fresh produce to gourmet goodies. [Mt. Irvine Bay Resort]( | [@mtirvineresort]( | [@russelcharles]( Under the Canopy Sure, you can find a few brand-name resorts scattered along the more popular beaches and in the busiest cities, but the best way to sleep in this nation is in its nature retreats and guesthouses. For a quiet respite, visit [Castara Retreats]( on Tobago, where you can relax among the treetops. Rent [Hummingbird Villa]( or enjoy the suites at the [Magdalena Grand Beach Resort]( and [Mt. Irvine Bay Resort](. [#instatrinidad]( | [@jeevyg]( Carnival Time "If you visit during the carnival season, a pan crawl is a must. A pan crawl is basically moving with a massive group of spectators through Port of Spain from pan yard to pan yard to enjoy bands playing their selection of the year for the annual steel pan competition. As you may know, the steel pan was created in TT and is the only instrument created in the 21st century." – [@marshelle.andrew]( Island Hop "You can easily travel between Trinidad and Tobago. A ferry ride is about 2.5 hours, you can also transport your car. We opted to fly. The flight is 25 minutes and has separate gates at the airport making travel very easy! Caribbean Airlines - purchase your airfare ahead of time!" – [@girlfoodgang]( [SUBMIT TO UPCOMING DESTINATIONS!]( How Did We Do? 1 2 3 4 5 1550 Wewatta Street, Denver, CO 80202 Are we coming on too strong? [Update your preferences.]( Want to call it quits? [Unsubscribe](