The dual-island nation of Trinidad & Tobago is one of the Caribbean’s great diving and ecotourism destinations, in part because the islands mark the northernmost apex of the Andes Mountain chain. The country ranks among the top 10 spots worldwide for the most amount of birdlife per square mile with over 400 species flocking to the verdant rainforests and lowland savannahs. The interior mountain ranges of Tobago are home to over 2,000 types of flora thriving in the oldest protected nature preserve in the western hemisphere; while the seaside communities are idyllic hamlets undiscovered by mass tourism.

By far, the majority of vacationers to Trinidad & Tobago book themselves into an eclectic array of small resorts skirting Tobago’s western leeward coast and northern shores. The main selling point for the island is that it’s "clean, green and pristine," as tourism officials like to say. Plus, Tobago is way off the North American tourist map due to a relative lack of brand-name properties to help promote it. Most of the properties are low-key lodgings ranging from budget inns to chic spa enclaves, and even the three-year-old Hilton property features only 200 rooms.

The best beaches are at Pigeon Point in the south, where guests from all of the nearby hotels flock to for beachfront dining, swimming and trying out the hot new sport of kite-boarding. But it’s the two sleepy fishing villages dotting the northeast coasts where visitors will experience Tobago’s raison d’etre—the Caribbean as it was decades ago. In Charlotteville, fishermen still signal a good day’s catch by blowing through their conch shells. The fresh seafood is beyond belief in the town’s rustic restaurants, ranging from kingfish with pepper sauce to curried crab with dumplings. Bring your camera because picturesque Man O’War Bay is back dropped by the island’s highest point at cloud-swept Pigeon Peak.

Over on the windward side, the small town of Speyside is known for its active diving scene. Many of the country’s best coral reefs are situated between town and the tiny island of Little Tobago about a mile offshore. Here, divers will encounter the world’s largest known brain coral, underwater visibility approaching 130-150 ft., and some of the Caribbean’s largest manta rays with wingspans reaching 12 ft.

The capital city of Port of Spain is the birthplace of calypso music, soca music and the ubiquitous steel drum sound heard throughout the West Indies. It’s well-known for hosting one of the world’s most spectacular carnivals, rivaling the week-long bacchanal soirees in both Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans. The bustling cosmopolitan city is home to a wide array of disparate cultures, and that’s the attraction of this layered, multi-cultural city. The 1.2 million inhabitants are a model of tolerance, consisting of African, Middle Eastern, Asian and European descendants of the many colonists who came to trade goods here in the 17th century.

Naturally, the cuisine and architecture share this melting pot of global influences. Tourists can dine on Louisiana crab cakes, tandoori vegetables and Spanish paella without even crossing the street. And in Queen’s Park Savannah, the expansive leafy grounds are rimmed by buildings ranging from German Renaissance

colleges to English Gothic cathedrals.

Official language: English

Government: Parliamentary Democracy

Temperature: Averages 83ºF

Rainfall: 84 inches annually

Official currency: Trinidad & Tobago dollar, but U.S. dollar is widely accepted

Entry requirements: Valid passport or birth certificate with photo identification

Departure tax: $17

Marriage requirements: Proof of citizenship and proof of divorce, if applicable. A notarized translated English copy if original is not in English

Contact: One of our Vacation Specialist at 1-888-898-3628 or email us at assistance@cmtravelonline.com or visit us at www.cmtravelonline.com.