Experience T&T
Please note there are exciting activities planned
for you during the Conference ( go to ACTIVITIES ). However,
attendees can feel free to explore Trinidad and Tobago at their leisure. The following is a list of supplementary sites
you can visit on your own.
Be advised that during the weekend of the Conference, there will be Divali celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago. Consequently, activities in south and central Trinidad after 6:00 pm will be affected by heavy traffic.
POINTE-A-PIERRE WILD FOWL TRUST (Tel.: 868 658-4200 ext 2512)
Opening hours: Weekdays – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; Weekends – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
This 25-hectare non-profit organization is home to many rare bird species (both free-roaming and caged), with a unique opportunity to get close to Trinidad’s national bird, the scarlet ibis. Bucolic wooden walkways take you right around the compound’s two lakes. There is a learning centre at the entrance, with displays and Amerindian artefacts, a boutique hotel, and restaurant.
CARONI SWAMP & BIRD SANCTUARY (Tel.: 868 645-1305)
Opening hours: Daily – 3.30 pm to 6.30 pm (Reservation required)
Cost: US$10 (Adults); US$5 (children under 12).
This nesting site of the national bird is one of the island’s best known attractions and is a rewarding excursion for any nature lover, especially birders. Boat trips leave at 4pm, meandering through fresh water marshland and mangrove forest. Look for a variety of birds, marine life (including caiman) and tree-dwelling animals like the silky anteater and tree boa. Be sure to walk with insect repellent on this excursion.
ASA WRIGHT NATURE CENTRE (Tel.: 868667-4655)
Opening hours: Daily – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; guided tours between 10.30 am and 1.30 p.m.
Cost: US$10
This is Trinidad’s most popular bird-watching retreat. The 193-acre Centre offers day visits and guest rooms for longer stays. Highlights include the Dunston Cave oilbird colony, the verandah where up-close encounters with hummingbirds, honeycreepers and bananaquits are frequent, and freshwater pool.
GASPAREE CAVES (Tel.: 868 749-2956)
Cost: US$25
Gaspar Grande is the largest offshore island and home to the Gasparee Caves. After a boat ride from Chaguaramas, a short hike leads to a descent into the limestone cavern, the electric blue waters of the Blue Grotto, and caves of stalagmites and stalactites sweating percolating groundwater. Some say pirates buried treasure here.
MARACAS BEACH
After a winding drive through the Northern Range’s rainforest – with beautiful views of Cyril’s, Balata and Maracas bays and the lookout where food vendors and serenading guitarists await – you’ll find cosy Maracas. It’s refreshing sea breeze and a good mouthful of bake and shark or aloo (potato) pie can cure most anything.
PITCH LAKE (Tel.: 868 651-1232)
Opening hours: Daily – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Cost: US$5
The largest of only three natural asphalt lakes in the world, covering about half a square kilometre and producing some of the world’s finest asphalt (mined and exported since 1859). Natural springs, said to have healing properties, appear at its centre during the rainy season. Most parts are hard enough for foot traffic. Legend has it that a tribe of Amerindians were swallowed by the lake as punishment for eating hummingbirds, which hosted the spirits of their ancestors. An on-the-spot museum houses artefacts (some bizarre) that have been recovered.
SAN FERNANDO HILL (Tel.: 868 653-9563)
Opening hours: Daily – 9:00 am to 5.30 pm.
Admission is free
San Fernando Hill (officially known as Naparima Hill) is a 180 metre (600-foot) hill that rises majestically out of the Naparima Plains. The hill is a landmark in south Trinidad and the city of San Fernando has developed around its flanks. San Fernando Hill is a place for recreation and relaxation. There are covered areas for picnics and functions, plus barbecue pits for outdoor cooking. Numerous benches are located on the hill so that you can enjoy the view, which is stupendous.
MACQUERIPE ZIP LINE TOURS (Tel.: 868 634-4364 ext 181, 182, and 183)
Cost: US$20
Zip lines are the best way to get a bird’s eye view of Macqueripe Bay’s breath-taking beauty while at the same time experiencing all of the exhilaration that comes with such a heart-stopping experience. The entire zip line course of seven lines, (the highest being 100 feet) takes between 45 to 60 minutes to complete and is an added attraction to the ever-growing popularity of Trinidad’s western peninsula.
MOUNT ST. BENEDICT (Tel.: 868 622-4084)
Open daily.
Admission is free
Established in 1912, Mount St Benedict is the oldest Benedictine monastery in the Caribbean and lies on the flank of the Northern Range 800 feet above St Augustine. Apart from being a religious retreat, this Monastery offers spectacular views of the central plains, as well as nature trails, a guesthouse, and a tea shop. Afternoon tea is always a popular attraction at the monastery, featuring freshly baked bread and cakes and delicious Pax yogurt made by the monks.
NATIONAL MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY (Tel.: 868 623-5941 or 868 624-6477)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 10:00 am to 6.00 pm; Sunday – 2.00 pm to 6:00 pm; Closed on public holidays.
Admission is free
The National Museum and Art Gallery of Trinidad and Tobago is the country's most important museum. It displays depictions of national festivals, Carnival, life during the World War II and artefacts from the country's earliest settlers, the Amerindians. There are also displays by leading local and international artists. The museum was established in 1892 and was originally called the Royal Victoria Institute, as it was built as part of the preparation for Queen Victoria's jubilee.
Be advised that during the weekend of the Conference, there will be Divali celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago. Consequently, activities in south and central Trinidad after 6:00 pm will be affected by heavy traffic.
POINTE-A-PIERRE WILD FOWL TRUST (Tel.: 868 658-4200 ext 2512)
Opening hours: Weekdays – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; Weekends – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
This 25-hectare non-profit organization is home to many rare bird species (both free-roaming and caged), with a unique opportunity to get close to Trinidad’s national bird, the scarlet ibis. Bucolic wooden walkways take you right around the compound’s two lakes. There is a learning centre at the entrance, with displays and Amerindian artefacts, a boutique hotel, and restaurant.
CARONI SWAMP & BIRD SANCTUARY (Tel.: 868 645-1305)
Opening hours: Daily – 3.30 pm to 6.30 pm (Reservation required)
Cost: US$10 (Adults); US$5 (children under 12).
This nesting site of the national bird is one of the island’s best known attractions and is a rewarding excursion for any nature lover, especially birders. Boat trips leave at 4pm, meandering through fresh water marshland and mangrove forest. Look for a variety of birds, marine life (including caiman) and tree-dwelling animals like the silky anteater and tree boa. Be sure to walk with insect repellent on this excursion.
ASA WRIGHT NATURE CENTRE (Tel.: 868667-4655)
Opening hours: Daily – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; guided tours between 10.30 am and 1.30 p.m.
Cost: US$10
This is Trinidad’s most popular bird-watching retreat. The 193-acre Centre offers day visits and guest rooms for longer stays. Highlights include the Dunston Cave oilbird colony, the verandah where up-close encounters with hummingbirds, honeycreepers and bananaquits are frequent, and freshwater pool.
GASPAREE CAVES (Tel.: 868 749-2956)
Cost: US$25
Gaspar Grande is the largest offshore island and home to the Gasparee Caves. After a boat ride from Chaguaramas, a short hike leads to a descent into the limestone cavern, the electric blue waters of the Blue Grotto, and caves of stalagmites and stalactites sweating percolating groundwater. Some say pirates buried treasure here.
MARACAS BEACH
After a winding drive through the Northern Range’s rainforest – with beautiful views of Cyril’s, Balata and Maracas bays and the lookout where food vendors and serenading guitarists await – you’ll find cosy Maracas. It’s refreshing sea breeze and a good mouthful of bake and shark or aloo (potato) pie can cure most anything.
PITCH LAKE (Tel.: 868 651-1232)
Opening hours: Daily – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Cost: US$5
The largest of only three natural asphalt lakes in the world, covering about half a square kilometre and producing some of the world’s finest asphalt (mined and exported since 1859). Natural springs, said to have healing properties, appear at its centre during the rainy season. Most parts are hard enough for foot traffic. Legend has it that a tribe of Amerindians were swallowed by the lake as punishment for eating hummingbirds, which hosted the spirits of their ancestors. An on-the-spot museum houses artefacts (some bizarre) that have been recovered.
SAN FERNANDO HILL (Tel.: 868 653-9563)
Opening hours: Daily – 9:00 am to 5.30 pm.
Admission is free
San Fernando Hill (officially known as Naparima Hill) is a 180 metre (600-foot) hill that rises majestically out of the Naparima Plains. The hill is a landmark in south Trinidad and the city of San Fernando has developed around its flanks. San Fernando Hill is a place for recreation and relaxation. There are covered areas for picnics and functions, plus barbecue pits for outdoor cooking. Numerous benches are located on the hill so that you can enjoy the view, which is stupendous.
MACQUERIPE ZIP LINE TOURS (Tel.: 868 634-4364 ext 181, 182, and 183)
Cost: US$20
Zip lines are the best way to get a bird’s eye view of Macqueripe Bay’s breath-taking beauty while at the same time experiencing all of the exhilaration that comes with such a heart-stopping experience. The entire zip line course of seven lines, (the highest being 100 feet) takes between 45 to 60 minutes to complete and is an added attraction to the ever-growing popularity of Trinidad’s western peninsula.
MOUNT ST. BENEDICT (Tel.: 868 622-4084)
Open daily.
Admission is free
Established in 1912, Mount St Benedict is the oldest Benedictine monastery in the Caribbean and lies on the flank of the Northern Range 800 feet above St Augustine. Apart from being a religious retreat, this Monastery offers spectacular views of the central plains, as well as nature trails, a guesthouse, and a tea shop. Afternoon tea is always a popular attraction at the monastery, featuring freshly baked bread and cakes and delicious Pax yogurt made by the monks.
NATIONAL MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY (Tel.: 868 623-5941 or 868 624-6477)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 10:00 am to 6.00 pm; Sunday – 2.00 pm to 6:00 pm; Closed on public holidays.
Admission is free
The National Museum and Art Gallery of Trinidad and Tobago is the country's most important museum. It displays depictions of national festivals, Carnival, life during the World War II and artefacts from the country's earliest settlers, the Amerindians. There are also displays by leading local and international artists. The museum was established in 1892 and was originally called the Royal Victoria Institute, as it was built as part of the preparation for Queen Victoria's jubilee.
For more information:
The Port of Spain Church of Christ ® | 87-89 Frederick Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies | Phone: 868-623-6013
In Cooperation With The International Churches of Christ
The Port of Spain Church of Christ ® | 87-89 Frederick Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies | Phone: 868-623-6013
In Cooperation With The International Churches of Christ