Nestled on the northwestern peninsula of Trinidad, Chaguaramas is a largely forested area that's home to the islands yachting hub. If you know where to look the region offers a diverse range of activities that cater to thrill-seekers, nature lovers, and history enthusiasts alike.
We spent over a year living at Power Boats, one of the shipyards there, and in that time discovered many different things to see and do in Trinidad. Here are 14 things that you can experience just in the Chaguaramas area.
1. Visit the Chaguaramas Military History Museum
Along Western Main Road is the Chaguaramas Military Museum. From the outside it doesn't look like much but inside is a labyrinth of exhibits which you can tell were curated by someone with a passion for history. We decided to go on a whim and were surprised with how long we ended up spending inside. One of the highlights of the collection is a Lockheed L-1011 Tristar 500 aircraft that you can freely walk around inside of.
The Chaguaramas Military Museum is open Tuesday through to Sunday and there's a small fee to enter so make sure you take some cash. Unfortunately it is not overly well kept but still makes for an interesting trip that our crew enjoyed.
2. Go to Five Islands Water & Amusement Park
Along the foreshore a little further on from the museum is the Five Islands Water and Amusement Park. If you want to get wet there's a huge range of water slides as well as a swim up bar, lazy river, wave pool, surf simulator and kids water playground. On the amusement park side of things there are rides, paintball, go-karts, a climbing wall and a roller skating rink.
Five Islands is generally open on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays. The entrance fee depends on your age and which parts of the park you want to access.
3. Hike up Mount St Catherine
The tallest peak in Chaguaramas, Mt St Catherine is on the western side of Tucker Valley. It is a popular destination for hikers as well as mountain bike riders and is clearly identifiable from a distance thanks to the ball on top, which is a TTCAA Radar Facility.
Mt St Catherine Road goes all the way to the top and has a pool along the way that's deep enough to swim in at some points in the year. There are also some hiking trails through the forest that start at different points, including near the Chaguaramas Golf Course. Along the way you may be able to spot some native animals such as the howler monkey.
4. Explore Covigne Gorge
Turning up Tucker Valley Road there are quite a few places to go and enjoy. We usually drive out there, but the road is popular with cyclist if you happen to have access to a bike. As you go up the road you'll come across Samaan Park, a picnic spot with some very large, old trees. If you turn right just before the park and follow the road you'll eventually reach the start of the hiking path of Covigne Gorge.
Follow the trail up river until you reach the gorge, before continuing on up waterfalls until you reach the final swimming pool. This is one of our favorite places to walk the dog and during our time here we've seen many wild monkeys and fireflies. It would be one of the best free things to do in Chaguaramas.
5. Play a round at Chaguaramas Golf Course
If you're an avid golfer you might enjoy a round at the Chaguaramas Golf Course, a picturesque 9-hole course surrounded by tropical scenery. The course is well-maintained and due to its isolated location is a quiet, peaceful place to play. It's a public course but is home to the Chaguaramas Golf Club which runs clinics for those who'd like to learn or improve their skills.
6. Hike to Edith Falls
There aren't many waterfalls in the Chaguaramas region but during the wet season Edith Falls can provide a nice break out in nature. The trail starts at the Chaguaramas Golf Course and is relatively easy most of the way, with a slightly more technical bit at the end where you have to scramble up a few rocks. The falls are high and the pool at the bottoms is too small to swim in, but you can feel the cooling mist on your skin.
7. Stroll through Bamboo Cathedral
Bamboo Cathedral is a flat bitumen path that goes through a small bamboo forest towards the northern end of Tucker Valley. The name was inspired by the way the bamboo stalks cross one another in the air, with late afternoon being a particularly nice time to walk there. It's another spot where you're likely to see monkeys during the day and fireflies as night falls.
8. Walk up to the Tracking Station
If you continue following the Bamboo Cathedral path uphill you'll eventually reach the Abandoned Tracking Station. Build by the Americans during their occupation of the Chaguaramas Peninsular, it featured a huge dish and supporting facilities that's now completely abandoned. You can walk through and explore the area while also enjoying some beautiful views of the surrounding area. Make sure you take plenty of water as it's a steep hike uphill to reach the top.
9. Hike to the downed plane
From the Abandoned Tracking Station there is a hiking path that will take you to a downed plane that crashed into the hillside in 1975. It's a light aircraft whose pilot was confused by poor weather. He reduced altitude to gain visibility but went too low and crash landed. Both the pilot and passenger escaped with minor injuries but the wreckage remains and has become a popular attraction for hikers.
10. Enjoy a zipline adventure at Zip-itt
For an adrenaline rush head to Macqueripe Bay and visit Zip-itt for a zip lining adventure. You can soar through the treetops and navigate the canopy walks to enjoy breathtaking views of the forest and bay below. The course features multiple lines of varying lengths and heights, making it suitable for most ages.
The carpark has a cash fee which goes to the Chaguaramas Development Authority and there's a fee for the zip line which varies depending on age. Zip-itt is generally open on weekends only and it's best to make a booking.
11. Swim at Macqueripe Bay
The cleanest swimming beach in Chaguaramas that's accessible by road, Macqueripe Bay was once used as a submarine base by the American navy. It has lifeguards during certain parts of the day and is somewhere people go to swim, snorkel and occasionally fish. The carpark has a fee and no dogs are allowed.
12. Eat the local seafood
Around Chaguaramas there are few places to eat out but if you want to try local seafood one of the best ways to do it is to find a fisherman who's just come in and buy their latest catch straight off the boat. We've done this for shrimp and fish a few time; the only way to get fresher seafood is to head out and catch it yourself!
The fishermen usually have scales aboard and you can work out a price with them; the current prices at the Central Market in Port of Spain can be a good benchmark for this. Our go-to fishing boats came in at Power Boats and included vessels owned by members of the Khan fishing family, including "Chow Man".
13. Take a trip DDI
We've done a complete article on going Down De Islands, but safe to say it's one of our favourite activities! Most boats going to Gasparee, Monos, Huevos or Chacachacare islands leave from Chaguaramas and if you don't know someone with a boat it's possible to hire one or get a water taxi.
14. Visit Scotland Bay
Located on the very end of the Chaguaramas Peninsular is Scotland Bay, a popular swimming area that's not accessible by road. Most people go there by boat as the hike can take upward of 6 hours starting from Macqueripe Bay. On the weekends Scotland Bay is extremely busy so if you're looking for something a little more peaceful you either way to go on a weekday or head DDI to Chacachacare.
Comments