Wanderlust Wednesdays: Trinidad & Tobago


Welcome to Wanderlust Wednesdays which I co-host with two of my faves - Kerri and Kate - on the 2nd Wednesday of every month so please feel free to share your new and old travel adventures.

Today I wanted to talk about Trinidad & Tobago (which is where I was born and raised for anyone new around here). I've posted about T&T several times before since I go there fairly often for weddings, the holidays, NYE and other big events. I've written about my trips (here and here) but never really focused on the beauty of the two islands and what it has to offer visitors.

Let me explain a little bit. Trinidad and Tobago are two sister islands located in the south eastern Caribbean right above Venezuela. Together they make up one country with one government, economy, legal system, etc. I grew up in the capital of Trinidad which is Port of Spain, but spent countless weekends and holidays over in Tobago since the flight is cheap and only takes 20 minutes. While Trinidad has some beautiful beaches it also has a bustling city life with a solid economy. Tobago on the other hand is the true definition of a laid back island that depends heavily on tourism.
The city of Port of Spain. A lot of the cruise ships arrive here but I don't find there's much to see here other than businesses and buildings. The beauty of Trinidad lies mainly on the other coasts. 

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Macqueripe Bay has a nice and fairly quiet beach as well as a zip-lining facility. I went last year with my extended family to go zip-lining but I was the only one that didn't end up taking the plunge (blame it on my fear of heights). K had a blast though!




The Maracas Lookout which is on the way to Maracas Beach.



Don't ask me why there was an American flag on the beach but it made for a good photo op for K.

Maracas is probably the most popular beach in Trinidad and usually busy on the weekends. We went during the week. There's lots of good food huts to grab lunch or a cold drink.


Sunday stroll around the Queen's Park Savannah and getting some fresh coconut water from the Coconut Truck.


Heading "Down The Islands" with friends. There are several tiny islands off the north coast of Trinidad that have vacation homes which is how I spent most of my childhood weekends. If you don't have access to a vacation house you can also anchor the boat in a quiet bay and hang out for the day. There are several charter boat companies that will take you out for a day around the islands and provide lunch, drinks etc.



The architecture and gardens of Caribbean homes are also a sight to be seen. This house being my late grandmother's which we still have and sometimes stay at when we visit. It's now a rental property for short-term and long-term visitors.



The backyard overlooks the ocean which is perfect for relaxing and watching the sun go down. 




As I mentioned, it's only a quick plane ride to get over to Tobago from Trinidad or you can also go via the Ferry which takes about 2.5 hours but you risk the possibility of sea sickness. 



You land at the airport which is in Crown Point and we sometimes stay at the Crown Point hotel across the street so you walk out of the airport and into the hotel. Otherwise taxis are readily available to take you to your hotel.


We like Crown Point Hotel because it's oceanfront with a nice beach off to the side and gorgeous views. Otherwise there's nothing fancy about the hotel itself which means it's very affordable.





We took a scenic drive to Blue Waters Bay which is breathtaking. There is also a hotel and restaurant in this bay but it's quite far out the way. Definitely worth a day trip.


If you're visiting with a large group, there's tons of beautiful villas you can rent that will accommodate a big party giving you access to a private pool (if it comes with one) and often a housekeeper who will cook and clean. We usually rent a villa around New Years Eve with approximately 5 couples or 10 people. There are tons of beautiful villas such as the one below in the Tobago Plantations and a lot of them are oceanfront with pools and great amenities.






There's SO much more to do and see. I could go on forever but I hope I've given you a good enough idea of what T&T has to offer.


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27 comments

  1. I mean I have one word - paradise! I can't believe it only takes 20 minutes to island hop there - how amazing!! I definitely have T&T on my list of islands to visit! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  2. What an honor to call these beautiful islands your homeland! My husband and I have talked about going there and now I think you have me sold! These pictures are stunning absolutely breathtaking! I love the picture of you and hubs with coconuts, so so cute! I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

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  3. ahhh, take me with you!! i need a tropical vacay right now! loved the trip down memory lane with your trip. wanderlust, indeed!

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  4. This is so beautiful!! I haven't been anywhere tropical yet (so sad) but this just got added to my travel list!

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  5. Trinidad and Tobago both look beautiful! I love the fact that both islands have different personalities because then it gives you an excuse to explore both islands. It's so awesome that you get to go back and visit often, but I'm sure it's never often enough!

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  6. Yup, it's official. You're making me want to pick up and leave town for some place in the Caribbean! SO pretty! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes

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  7. Your pictures of this place always make me desperate to be there! It looks absolutely breathtaking--when can I book my ticket?? :)

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  8. i still can't believe you grew up there - it's just so pretty! hard to imagine living here hehe. but at least you can go back and visit lots. it's just the prettiest! great recap girl!

    xoxo cheshire kat

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  9. What a beautiful place to grow up!! Your pictures are amazing. Totally adding this on my places to visit one day. Your Grandmother's house is gorgeous!

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  10. So many gorgeous pictures-- I can only imagine how beautiful it must be in person. I am definitely having some major wanderlust now :)

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  11. Omg Emily T&T sounds incredible, what an incredible place to grow up!! Tobago definitely seems like it needs to be added on my list of places to visit, those beaches and that water...unreal!!!

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  12. Such an absolutely breathtaking place! Gorgeous! And I'm jealous you were born and raised there!

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  13. Food huts on the beach? Uhm, YES PLEASE AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!! The color of the water is gorgeous!

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  14. How dreamy!! I could totally go for sitting on those beaches with a coconut in hand! Sounds like you had an awesome time!

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  15. T&T has been on my list for sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo long! Your pictures are gorgeous.

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  16. Such a gorgeous country, we definitely have to join you guys on one of your next trips! And we'll get you to go ziplining - such an amazing experience <3

    Green Fashionista

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  17. Both islands look like absolute paradise!!! I would love to visit some day! I love the houses. I am with you on skipping out on ziplining though. Heights scare me!!

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  18. So stunning! I would love to see the Maracas Lookout and Blue Waters Bay!

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  19. thank you so much for explaining and sharing all the info - i really do hope to go one day, fingers crossed!

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  20. Gorgeous! Simply gorgeous! What a fabulous place to be from!

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  21. Se jealous you basically grew up in this paradise? Would you say that staying on one of the islands is more expensive or comparable to other places in the Caribbean? I've actually never been to any of the islands there so I'm curious.

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  22. Your grandmother's house is absolutely perfect. Your pictures...wow, I can't imagine growing up there. SO beautiful Emily!

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  23. Wow! Gorgeous. I'd love to go there someday. What an amazing place to grow up and be able to visit so often. I love the Caribbean.
    Traci
    waltzmetoheaven.com

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  24. I need no further persuasion. It looks amazing, the water is so blue! How lucky to have your grandmother's house to visit. NYE in a villa sounds like my perfect New Year, to be honest. What's your favourite thing to do when you go back?

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  25. So great to hear it from a native, and what you do when you go back there.

    I adore your late Grandmother's house. How beautiful.

    My friend Alicia is from there and I always love when she goes home to visit and puts her pictures up on FB.

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  26. I mean, I obviously love the pants off this post! You explained home better than I ever have. ps Im fairly certain Ive stayed in that very villa in Plantations, or maybe one that looks just like it. Either way this post gave me the fuzzies :)

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