Maracas Bay is home to Trinidad & Tobago most famous beach, Maracas Beach. Sheltered inside a u-shaped bay, the beach is about one hour from Port of Spain, the capital city. White sands and scenic views make this area a favorite with the locals, so the beach is not overly touristy. You’ll still find lifeguards and a few other amenities, including several food stands selling “bake & shark,” a local specialty of fried bread and shark meat. Almost as famous as the beach itself is the drive you take to get you there. The road goes through the mountainside, offering sweeping open views of the water and the surrounding greenery.

Established in 1765 by conservationists, the Tobago Forest Reserve is the Western Hemisphere’s oldest legally protected forest reserve. The region covers more than 9,700 acres and cuts lengthwise through most of the island. The area is home to a variety of species, including 210 birds, 24 nonpoisonous snakes and 16 lizards. The diverse climate features tropical rainforests, lowlands and 2,000-foot elevations. The reserve provides numerous opportunities for hiking, and visitors may hire the authorized guides stationed at many of the trail heads, offering two-hour guided treks into the forest.

Located on Trinidad, Asa Wright Nature Centre (asawright.org) sits on 1,500 acres of densely forested land, surrounded by tropical rainforests and perched 1,200 feet atop the Northern Range hills. Founded in 1967 by avid nature lovers, the center offers small exhibits on the region’s wildlife and a daily 1.5-hour tour, highlighting bird sightings and natural wonders. Guests may also book bird-watching tours or rent the facility for private events like weddings, retreats or conferences. The center also features an on-site restaurant and cafe with views of the surrounding landscape, and a lodge for overnight stays.

Trinidad-based Caroni Bird Sanctuary (caronibirdsanctuary.com/index.html) is in the Caroni Swamp, which comprises more than 13,000 acres of forests, marshlands and mudflats. The sanctuary features 160 species of birds, including thousands of Scarlet Ibis, native to the Trinidad and Tobago region. Visitors may call or email to schedule boat tours around the sanctuary, focusing on such varied topics as fishing, photography and, of course, birds.

Fort King George (no website; 84 Fort St., Scarborough; 868-639-3970) lies in Scarborough, Tobago’s capital city. Built by the British in the 1770s, the fort is perched on a 1,000-foot cliff overlooking the Port of Spain, providing sweeping views of the ocean and potential 18th- and 19th-century invaders. Today, visitors explore the grounds that contain well-preserved canons, look-out stations, barracks and a military prison. The site also has picnic facilities, an arts center and a small museum exhibiting historic weapons, maps and photographs.

Situated along Trinidad’s southwestern peninsula, Pitch Lake is the largest natural asphalt lake in the world. Most likely formed millions of years ago by a mud volcano mixed with asphaltic oil, the 90-acre lake features a thick asphalt skin, making it possible to walk on the lake in some spots. Archaeological finds in the lake include giant sloth bones and wooden tools belonging to indigenous tribes. A bit of history about the lake includes a tale of Sir Walter Raleigh using the thick asphalt to caulk his expedition ships.

The Aripo Caves, in the northern tip of the island of Trinidad, are a must-see for the adventurous tourist. The caves are home to oilbirds, a rare species of nocturnal birds that fly in the dark using echolocation, just like bats do. The caves are also home to a large population of bats. Reaching the limestone caves requires an exhaustive hike through dense forestation, as trails are often overgrown. The caves themselves are rich in stalactites and stalagmites. While you can reach the entrance and walk a few feet into the caves on your own, you will need specialized caving equipment if you want to explore further. Although there are no organized tours to the caves, visitors can hire a guide through their hotel to drive and then hike all the way to the caves. The forest is especially beautiful in February, when the mountain immortelle trees are in bloom, showing off their bright orange color.

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