A visit to Trinidad inevitably begins in the capital, Port of Spain , home to most of the island's accommodation and the centre of its transport system. The most accessible beaches are on the north coast, while the Northern Range offers excellent hiking and superb birdwatching. In contrast to the north, central Trinidad is dominated by flat agricultural plains with a population of primarily Indian descent. The island's greatest natural assets are located here: Caroni swamp , nesting area of the scarlet ibis, and the protected wetlands of Nariva , home of manatees and anacondas. The burgeoning city of San Fernando is a friendly base to explore Trinidad's "deep south", an area largely unvisited by tourists, where modern oil towns contrast with the picturesque fishing villages and deserted beaches.

In Tobago , the majority of visitors stay in the hotel-dominated western tip. A more genuine picture of local life can be seen in the capital, Scarborough , and along the northern coast in friendly Castara or at the fishing village of Charlotteville .