Places / North & Central America / Trinidad & Tobago
Port of Spain
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At a glance
- Country
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Region
- Port of Spain
- Population
- 37,000
- Best time to go
- January to May
- Main airport
- Piarco International (POS)
- Coordinates
- 10.65°N, 61.50°W
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Overview
Port of Spain is the energetic capital of Trinidad and Tobago, a city shaped by African, Indian, Chinese, European and Syrian roots. It is the home of steelpan and calypso, and of the Caribbean's biggest Carnival.
Outside Carnival season it is a working city rather than a resort, but it has great food, handsome colonial buildings around the Savannah and a lush, mountainous coast just over the hill.
Things to see
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Photo: Grueslayer, CC BY-SA 4.0 Queen's Park Savannah
A great open park at the heart of the city, ringed by food vendors and the main Carnival stage.
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Photo: Grueslayer, CC BY-SA 4.0 The Magnificent Seven
A row of flamboyant early 20th-century mansions along the western side of the Savannah.
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Photo: Unknown photographer, CC BY-SA 3.0 Royal Botanic Gardens
Among the oldest botanic gardens in the Americas, shaded by huge tropical trees.
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Photo: Unknown photographer, CC BY-SA 3.0 National Museum and Art Gallery
Covers the island's history, Carnival and art, including works by Trinidadian painters.
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Photo: Grueslayer, CC BY-SA 4.0 Fort George
An old hilltop fort above the city with wide views over the Gulf of Paria.
Things to do
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Photo: Jean-Marc /Jo BeLo/Jhon-John from Caracas, Venezuela, CC BY 2.0 Carnival
Two days of costumed masquerade bands, soca and steelpan, preceded by weeks of parties and competitions.
Find tours -
Photo: Grueslayer, CC BY-SA 4.0 Eat doubles
Curried chickpeas between two pieces of fried bread, the classic Trinidadian breakfast from a roadside stall.
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Photo: Jean-Pierre Lavoie, CC BY-SA 3.0 Bake and shark at Maracas Bay
Drive over the northern range to a beautiful beach and eat fried shark in bread with all the sauces.
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Photo: Jimfbleak at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 Asa Wright Nature Centre
A rainforest lodge in the hills famous for hummingbirds and oilbirds.
Find tours
Where to stay
Woodbrook
Lively and walkable, with bars and restaurants on Ariapita Avenue.
Hotels in WoodbrookSt Clair
Leafy, upmarket and close to the Savannah.
Hotels in St ClairMaraval
Quieter and green, on the road towards Maracas Bay.
Hotels in Maraval
Getting around
Maxi taxis (shared minibuses) and route taxis are cheap but confusing at first; ride-hailing apps and booked taxis are easier. Avoid walking alone downtown at night.
Piarco airport is east of the city, typically 30 to 60 minutes by taxi depending on traffic.
When to go
The dry season from January to May is best, with Carnival falling in February or March. June to December is wetter, though Trinidad lies mostly south of the hurricane belt.
Plan your trip to Port of Spain
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.