Saint Joseph

Saint Joseph combines impressive natural scenery with distinctive religious buildings and seasonal traditions. Maracas Waterfall, St. Joseph R.C. Church, Jinnah Memorial Mosque and the Les-Rois Festival each offer a different experience. You can tailor your trip to whether you are most interested in landscapes, wildlife watching, architecture or traditions.

Maracas Waterfall: Scenery and Rainy Season

Maracas Waterfall is in the Valley of Maracas in Saint Joseph and, at 298 feet (91.5 meters) high, is considered the tallest waterfall in Trinidad and Tobago. Its water originates in the southern foothills of Mount El Tucuche, Trinidad’s second-highest peak. The secluded valley is surrounded by high, verdant cliffs. Large boulders line the base of the waterfall; there is no pool there.

During the rainy season, the waterfall carries more water and its spray is more pronounced. It can become dangerous during heavy rain. Take these rainy conditions into account when planning a day in nature. The waterfall is suited to hikers, nature lovers and outdoor excursions; its valley, cliffs and rocky base shape the landscape experience.

Hummingbirds and Cultural Sites

Yerettê in Maracas, Saint Joseph, offers a different nature experience: visitors can observe several hummingbird species found in Trinidad and Tobago at close range. Visits are by appointment only; tour times are listed as 8:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. If you plan to watch the hummingbirds, arrange your appointment and confirm your preferred time in advance.

St. Joseph R.C. Church is distinguished by its simple Neo-Gothic design, with buttresses and large lancet windows. Its present-day façade has retained much of the character of the original 1815 building. Inside are a Gothic altar engraved with scenes depicting central events in Christian teaching, stained-glass windows dating from 1900, and a high altar imported from Dublin and made from fourteen types of Italian marble. The cemetery is also part of the church’s historic profile: it is known for having Trinidad’s oldest tombstone. Public access to the church grounds is restricted; take this into account when planning your visit.

Jinnah Memorial Mosque was completed in 1954. The National Trust has conducted a virtual tour of the mosque. Together with the church architecture, it provides another religious and architectural point of interest in Saint Joseph. One of the largest Les-Rois festivals in the area takes place at the end of the Christmas season. Nature watching, architectural history and this festival differ notably in their themes and seasonal timing.

These differences can help you plan your trip when choosing a vacation rental in Saint Joseph: Do you want to focus on nature, with the waterfall and hummingbird watching, or are you more interested in church art and religious heritage? Keep the specific visiting conditions in mind: Yerettê accepts visitors by appointment only, and access to the church grounds is restricted. At the waterfall, the rainy season changes its appearance; heavy rain can also make it dangerous.

Tunapuna-Piarco as the Wider Context

The wider travel area of Tunapuna-Piarco also offers religious and scenic points of interest. Mount St. Benedict is in Tunapuna-Piarco, in the secluded hills of the Northern Range, and is home to the Benedictine monks who settled there in 1912. Three monks came from the Benedictine monastery of San Sebastien in Bahia, Brazil, under the leadership of Abbot Dom Mayeul de Caigny. They had previously faced religious persecution. People visit Mount St. Benedict to receive a blessing, pray or spend a quiet moment.

Caura Valley is accessible via Caura Royal Road, which branches off from Eastern Main Road. Along the winding access road, visitors can picnic or swim in the clear waters of the Caura River. Pool Number 1 and Pool Number 2 are located at the abandoned pumping station; they are considered popular spots for a “river lime.” The valley offers another nature and recreation experience within the wider travel area. Check local road conditions if you include this area in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Piarco, Trincity, Saint Augustine, Kelly Village, Tacarigua, Arouca.

Return to the wider travel guide: Tunapuna-Piarco.