Lying just off the coast of Colombia, the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago – or T&T as they’re known – are some of the most diverse in the Caribbean. Rainforests, waterfalls and white-sand beaches abound, while reefs fringe the shore. Such variety supports a colourful array of wildlife - T&T has one of the richest concentrations of birds in the world (over 430 recorded species). The locals (colloquially known as Trinis or Trinbagonians) are just as diverse – a result of multiple occupations during Colonialism – and with this comes a vibrant culture that’s brought the world calypso music, the steel drum, Angostura bitters, delicious fusion cuisine and the spectacular Caribbean Carnival.
But the two islands are by no means the same. Trinidad is the livelier sibling, home to 95% of the population, with buzzing nightlife and a flourishing music scene in capital city Port of Spain. The island’s tropical rainforests are prowled by elusive ocelots and echo with the sound of howler monkeys, while on the coast, leatherback turtles come to lay their eggs in nesting season. Go hiking or birdwatching on the peaks of the Northern Range, or bliss out on the coconut palm-fringed shores of Mayaro beach on the east coast.
On Tobago, the pace of life is slower. The island capital, Scarborough, is far smaller than Port of Spain, offering an authentic flavour of local life. Many come to Tobago for its Buccoo Reef, which lies just off the southwest coast and brims with dazzling coral, manta rays, reef sharks and thousands of tropical fish. The nearby beach at Pigeon Point is one of the island’s most beautiful, and the view of the thatch-roofed jetty has become an iconic symbol for Caribbean travel. At the island’s centre, the Tobago Main Ridge Forest Reserve is the Western Hemisphere’s oldest protected rainforest. Go hiking and join tours to discover its medicinal plants, tropical flowers and exotic birds – many of which are endemic to the island.