Port of Spain
Trinidad’s capital is a lively waterfront city bound by a compact street grid. Queen’s Park Savannah, an 80-acre park, is a lush retreat within the city. Port of Spain’s financial district is downtown, with banks scattered around Independence Square.
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To Get There
Piarco International Airport is located about 17 miles from Port of Spain. A taxi ride downtown will take about 30 minutes and cost approximately $20. There is a $17 departure tax to leave the country.
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To Stay
We recommend staying at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre (Lady Young Road, tel: 868-624-3211) located just five minutes from the city’s business district. It is set on 25 acres of landscaped gardens and overlooks the island’s Northern Mountain Range and the Gulf of Paria. Room rates range from $110-$310 plus 21% tax. Visit www.trinidad.hilton.com or e-mail reservations@hiltontrinidad.
The Kapok Hotel (16-18 Cotton Hill, tel: 868-622-5765) is making best efforts to cater to business travelers. The hotel is located near the presidential palace, just five minutes from downtown Port of Spain, and all of its rooms have high-speed Internet access. Room rates range from $160-$231. Visit www.kapokhotel.com or e-mail stay@kapokhotel.com.
We also like Crowne Plaza Hotel (Wrightson Road, tel: 868-625-3366). The hotel has a lovely waterfront view and is within walking district of the business district. Room rates range from $130-$150. Visit www.crowneplaza.com or send e-mail to: eoffice@crowneplaza.co.tt
To Eat
Good Asian food is plentiful in Port of Spain. We recommend Apsara (13 Queens Park East, tel: 623-7659), an elegant Indian restaurant. Reservations are essential. Also good is Tamnak Thai (13 Queens Park East, tel: 625-9715/0661). For Cantonese food, try Jenny’s on the Boulevard (6 Cipriani Boulevard, tel: 625-1807), situated in a restored colonial house with Victorian décor and antique furniture.
To Drink
51 Degrees (51 Cipriani Boulevard, upstairs from Tony Roma’s, tel: 627-0051) is a recently opened lounge where you can sip cocktails while reclining on large couches. The Cellar Pub at Jenny’s on the Boulevard (see above) is the most popular option with business travelers.
The Lounge Bar at Rafters (Warner Street, Port of Spain, tel: 628-5108), is a restaurant housed in a 100-year old stone grocery store with 30-foot ceilings. The bar serves creative local entrées and unusual specialty sandwiches.
To Unwind
Trinidad has lots of lovely beaches, particularly in the north around Maracas Bay, mountainous rain forests and birdwatching reserves. We recommend a trip to the Asa Wright Nature Centre (tel: 868-667-4655), an hour’s drive from Port of Spain through the rain forests. An island tour of neighboring Tobago is a good day trip. Explore the beaches of Castara, Englishman’s Bay and Parlatuvier making a stop at the Cuffie River Nature retreat (www.cuffie-river.com). At Speyside, have lunch at Gemma’s Sea View Restaurant. The Argyle Waterfall, a striking three-tier waterfall, is worth a detour.
2004 National Holidays
May 30 – Indian Arrival Day
June 10 – Corpus Christi
June 19 – Labor Day
August 1 – Emancipation Day
August 31 – Independence day
September 24 – Republic Day
November 11 – Eid-ul-Fitr
November 14 – Divali
December 25 – Christmas Day
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