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Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean City Guide

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Trinidad and Tobago Meeting Planning

Maracas Bay from Trinidad

The birthplace of the steeldrum, calypso music and limbo dancing, the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago offer a vibrant cultural scene steeped in heritage and tradition. Clearly a locale that knows how to celebrate, the country has an impressive 13 public holidays, including the famed two-day Carnival held every spring and October's World Steel Band Festival. Along with this spirited atmosphere, the nation's booming economy, breathtaking scenery and first-class facilities have the sister-islands poised to become leaders on the Caribbean meetings and events scene.

Driving its rise to the top is the government-sponsored "Vision 2020" program. A key part of the plan is the TT$178 million Maracas Redesign and Restoration Project at Maracas Beach. The three-year project will include the construction of a timber boardwalk, event pavilion, vending booths, children's play area and athletic fields. Already Trinidad's flagship beach, known for its superior body surfing, Maracas will surely gain even more popularity for tourists and business travelers alike.

The islands' efforts for modernization continue at Trinidad's TT$220 million Port of Spain International Waterfront Centre. Upon completion, the centre is expected to have two 26-story office towers; a seven-story, 1,200-space public parking garage; a landscaped park; an auditorium and performing arts theater; and the English-speaking Caribbean's largest conference space at just over 5,000 square meters. Already completed, the Hyatt Regency TrinidadHyatt Regency Trinidad
Hyatt Regency Trinidadopened in 2002 at the International Waterfront Centre. The first full-service hotel to open in the city since 1962, the Hyatt Regency features 428 guest rooms, superior amenities, and 3,994 square meters of meeting space.

Joining the Hyatt Regency Trinidad as a luxurious accommodations and meetings locale, the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre sits on 25 acres of hilltop grounds. Within walking distance of downtown Port of Spain, the 412-room centre boasts 2,136 square meters of meeting space. Included in its offerings are 20 flexible function rooms and a recently-renovated 964-square-meter Grand Ballroom. Its four outdoor terraces, including the 4,331-square-meter Pool Side Terrace, are ideal for taking advantage of the island's year-round mild temperatures.

Trinidad and Tobago's exceptional meeting facilities are the perfect complement to its world-class unique venues. Serve cocktails among 200 species of orchids at Port of Spain's Royal Botanic Gardens. Savor the delicious blend of Spanish, Creole, African and East Indian flavors found in native cuisine by inviting attendees to dine at one of the islands' many restaurants. Port of Spain's Trotters, a relaxed Caribbean restaurant popular with locals, can accommodate 20 to 100 people. Steakhouse Prime promises an upscale experience with its rich interior, Cuban cigars and savory fare.

Though such alluring and exotic attractions may seem a world away, guests are happy to discover that they need not travel far to reach Trinidad and Tobago's sunny shores. Though the nation's islands are the southernmost in the Caribbean, they are only about a three-hour flight from Miami and 4.5-hour flight from New York CityNew York
New York City. Welcoming international visitors, the Piarco International Airport's recently-renovated 35,302-square-meter terminal plans to open an additional runway by 2020 to better accommodate travelers.

Trinidad and Tobago's economic mainstay is pet roleum and natural gas, for which it is the leading Caribbean producer. Other major industries include financial services, manufacturing and tourism. The country is headquarters for Angostura Holdings Limited, a major alcohol and bitters manufacturer, and Guardian Holdings Limited, one of the largest financial service companies in the Caribbean.

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About Trinidad and Tobago / Additional Info

Situated in the southern Caribbean, just outside of the hurricane belt, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago consists of its two eponymous main islands as well as 21 smaller surrounding islands. Originally home to Amerindians about 7,000 years ago, the area fell under Spanish control shortly after Christopher Columbus' arrival in 1498. From then, the islands changed hands numerous times among the Spanish, British, French, Dutch and Courlanders, who hailed from modern-day Latvia. With an economy based on sugar and cocoa production, the region also saw a great number of African, Indian, Middle Eastern and Chinese immigrants, who flocked to islands as either plantation-owners or slaves.

As a result of this storied history, the now-independent Trinidad and Tobago's over 1.3 million citizens are a true melting pot of cultures. Guests can celebrate the islands' diversity at Port of Spain's National Museum and Art Gallery , home to roughly 10,000 pieces depicting past and present Trinidadian life. Or, stroll the streets of the historic capital city itself, where landmarks such as the majestic Renaissance-style Red House, which houses the nation's Parliament, dot the skyline. Tobago's Fort King GeorgeFort King George
Fort King George, built in 1777 by the British, still stands today, offering a glimpse into the island's colonial past.

As with most cultures, one of the best ways to learn about and celebrate Trinidad and Tobago's heritage is with food. Hungry visitors find a number of influences in the country's cuisine, from Creole to East Indian. Savor the fresh tastes of the Caribbean at the Paradise Restaurant in Trinidad, or enjoy fine Italian dishes at the island's Il Colosseo. On Tobago, Patino's Restaurant offers a bit of everthing, from grilled lobster to Caribbean shrimp to Thai platters. At any number of restaurants, visitors should be sure sample native delicacies such as the Bake and Shark, deep-fried shark meat served on fried dough, and the Cascadura fish doused in pepper sauce, a must-have condiment for almost any dish.

With its sandy beaches, lush forests and sparkling waters, Trinidad and Tobago is clearly a draw for more than its rich cultural and dining scene. From March to August, guests can journey to the beaches of the northern coast to see the endangered Leatherback turtles, the largest of all marine turtles, come ashore for nesting season. All year, visitors cool off at Buccoo Reef, regarded as one of the Caribbean's most accessible and spectacular coral reefs.

Back on land, hike one of several trails in the Tobago Forest Reserve, the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere. Or, make a trip to the Asa Wright Nature Center, location of the only known accessible breeding colony for the Oilbird species. With golfing, sport fishing, windsurfing and scuba diving just a few more outdoor options popular on the islands, one thing is for sure: it's easy to understand why the spirited, party-loving people of Trinidad and Tobago have so much to celebrate.