Arima: History and Travel Ideas

Arima offers a specific historical detail: the Arima Dial. Mayor John Francis Wallen bought it in Nice, France, in 1898; the Dial was installed in the town center. Its purchase in France and installation in Arima give its story two clearly distinct geographical points of reference. Those who enjoy discovering culture through specific local stories will find a local perspective here that differs from the nature and culture themes of the wider destination.

Trinidad and Tobago as a geographical setting

For a broader geographical setting, it is worth looking at Trinidad and Tobago as the wider destination. The archipelagic country lies in the southern Caribbean, northeast of Venezuela and south of Grenada. Covering 5,128 square kilometers, it comprises the two main islands of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as 21 smaller islands. Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two main islands. This orientation helps explain the diversity of landscapes and cultural themes in the wider travel area without equating them with Arima.

Rainforest and biodiversity in Tobago

In Tobago, the Main Ridge Forest Reserve was established by the British in 1776. It covers 3,958 hectares of tropical rainforest, including lower montane rainforest, lowland rainforest, and xerophytic rainforest. Main Ridge stretches lengthwise across about two-thirds of Tobago. The different forest types give an impression of the range of landscapes; at the same time, the rainforest provides a habitat for the rare white-tailed sabrewing (Campylopterus ensipennis), which is endemic to Tobago. This nature theme brings together both the character of the forest and a distinctive animal species.

Culture and seasonal experiences

In the wider destination of Trinidad and Tobago, the annual Santa Rosa Festival is associated with the Santa Rosa Roman Catholic Church. It is considered one of the oldest Indigenous celebrations in the Caribbean. On Trinidad, the major street parade of the Trinidad Carnival takes place on Carnival Monday and Carnival Tuesday; the exact dates vary from year to year, so it is worth checking the calendar for your travel year. The pre-Carnival season includes Steelpan limes and competitions leading up to Panorama. At pan-yard limes, visitors can chat with locals and listen to live steelpan music. These gatherings are seasonal and organized locally. Together, an annual celebration and seasonal steelpan experiences offer distinct cultural points of connection.

Reef, waterfall, and island route

Tropical fish live at Buccoo Reef in Tobago, which also features a colorful coral reef. You can explore the reef by glass-bottom boat or on a dive. Check the operators’ current availability before traveling. A different natural highlight is the Rio Seco Waterfall on Trinidad: the waterfall is about 30 feet high and forms a large, deep pool at its base where swimming is possible. As water conditions can vary, it is advisable to exercise local caution. The contrast between the coral reef and the waterfall pool offers two distinct nature experiences. Another example of experiences in the wider travel area is the annual Great Race, a speedboat race that starts in Trinidad and ends in Tobago.

When choosing a holiday rental in Arima, the Dial is a specific local point of connection; nature and cultural experiences elsewhere in the destination belong to a broader level of trip planning.

Explore more destinations

Explore more destinations: Arima, Trinidad, Penal-Debe, Port Of Spain, Tunapuna-Piarco, San Juan-Laventille, Diego Martin, Western Tobago.

For the broader travel overview: Trinidad and Tobago.