Overview

Home of the wildest, most famous Carnival in the Caribbean, Trinidad is an island that can give even the most cosmopolitan metropolis a run for its money on the cultural scene. The sounds and flavors of Africa, India, China, and the Middle East are all here, reflected in the music (Calypso was born here), food and festivals.

Port of Spain, Trinidad's thriving center of oil and gas operations has never been a major tourist destination, except at Carnival time. But there is more to the island than just street parade bacchanalia. Along with its sister isle of Tobago, this two-island nation is located only 7 miles off the coast of Venezuela. That helps account for its astonishingly varied wildlife, including more than 400 bird and 600 butterfly species. High in the northern mountains of Trinidad, at the famed Asa Wright Nature Centre, the rainforest is filled with toucans, cuckoos and hummingbirds.

More than a million people live on the island, but you will still find uncrowded beaches (Tobago, where Trinidadians go to escape, has even more lovely beaches and with pristine reefs to match). "Liming" is the to appreciating Trinidad. It simply means hanging out, sharing drinks and conversation. And this well-practiced art sets the stage for any visitor to join in on any celebration, from Christmas to Carnival.

The Carnival Steel-Band Season earned a place on our list of the Best of the Caribbean 2008. Listen to samples of the music, here.

 Plan Your Trip

BEACHES

For bodysurfing, head to the island's northern shore (the drive along the coastal road is spectacular), where mile-long Maracas Beach is the most popular of several wave-washed strands. If water play isn't your thing, go east: Although swimming can be dangerous along the coast facing the wild Atlantic, sunbathers and strollers will treasure a pair of beautiful sandy bays, Manzanilla and Mayaro (the island's longest beach).

CULTURE

If you have the time, come early to Carnival...a couple of weeks before Ash Wednesday. That's when you can tour the "mas camps" in Port of Spain, where the fete's fantastic costumes are being readied. You'll hear steelbands rehearsing in pan yards and Calypsonians performing in Calypso "tents" through the evenings - all the better to be in the proper spirit when Carnival, a living two-day street parade kicks off about 4 a.m. on Monday with J'Ouvert, a parade where the favo

DINING

Start with lunch at the beach - Maracas Beach, specifically, home of the all-island favorite, "shark-and-bake" - filets marinated in lime, fried in dough (called "fry bake"), and served with cilantro sauce. Later, hit the pavement and go East Indian in the West Indies, with "doubles" (curried chick peas on fried flat bread and roti stuffed with curried chicken or potato) or goat from the street vendors (most have food badges from health authorities). Then
wash it all down with a bottle of local, ginger beer-like Mauby.

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