Places / North & Central America / Trinidad & Tobago
San Fernando
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At a glance
- Country
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Region
- San Fernando
- Population
- 50,000
- Best time to go
- January to May
- Main airport
- None — nearest is Piarco International (POS)
- Coordinates
- 10.28°N, 61.46°W
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Overview
San Fernando is Trinidad's southern capital, a proud, busy city on the Gulf of Paria with a strong Indo-Trinidadian heritage. It sits below a distinctive hill and serves the oil towns of the south.
It sees few tourists, but it is a friendly place to eat well and a good base for the Pitch Lake, the island's quieter southern coast and its Divali celebrations.
Things to see
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Photo: Grueslayer, CC BY-SA 4.0 San Fernando Hill
A landmark hill in the middle of the city with a park and views over the gulf.
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Photo: Grueslayer, CC BY-SA 4.0 Harris Promenade
The city's main avenue of churches, statues and civic buildings, busy by day.
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Photo: Martina Jackson, CC BY-SA 3.0 Pitch Lake
The world's largest natural deposit of asphalt, at La Brea to the south-west. Guides lead walks on its surface.
Tickets and tours
Things to do
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Photo: Albert Sydney, CC BY-SA 4.0 Pointe-à-Pierre Wild Fowl Trust
A wetland reserve within an oil refinery, surprisingly rich in birdlife.
Find tours -
Photo: IZATRINI.com, CC BY-SA 2.0 Celebrate Divali
Southern Trinidad glows with thousands of small clay deyas on the Hindu festival of lights.
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Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 Eat roti
Try curry goat, chicken or channa wrapped in dhalpuri or buss-up-shut roti.
Where to stay
City centre
A few business hotels and guesthouses, close to shops and taxis.
Hotels in City centrePort of Spain
More choice, about an hour's drive north on the highway.
Hotels in Port of Spain
Getting around
Route taxis and maxi taxis run around town and along the main roads; hiring a car is the easiest way to explore the south.
From Piarco airport it is around an hour by road down the highway, depending on traffic.
When to go
The dry season from January to May is the most comfortable. Divali usually falls in October or November.
Plan your trip to San Fernando
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.