Trinidad and Tobago are two islands full of amazing views that are waiting for travellers. On your trip, you will find hills, forts, and coastal lookouts where the sea and sky meet in beautiful colours. Each stop allows you to see the islands, from the busy city of Port of Spain to quiet fishing villages in Tobago.
The best way to enjoy these places is by car. When you rent a car, you can drive at your own time, stop at small villages, and reach viewpoints that buses or tours may not visit. Our guide will take you through the most breathtaking spots so you can plan your own road trip filled with easy drives, fresh air, and unforgettable sights.
When you set out on a road trip in Trinidad and Tobago, several lookouts are worth adding to your plan. Each viewpoint offers a different perspective, from historic forts overlooking harbours to quiet hills with coastal panoramas.
Visiting Fort George feels like stepping back while getting a panoramic view of modern life below. The fort’s old cannons still face outward, silently guarding the Gulf of Paria and the high-rises of downtown Port of Spain. On a clear day, you can see ships dotting the gulf and even Venezuela’s coast in the far distance.
The fort complex is compact but well-preserved. You’ll find the original stone walls, a small museum in the former munitions building, and informative plaques. It’s an easy drive up a steep but paved road from the city centre, and there’s a parking area at the top. Don’t forget your camera, as Fort George offers one of Trinidad's most breathtaking panoramic vistas. The spot is beautiful in the late afternoon when the sun casts a golden glow on the city.
This lookout point is a favourite among locals and visitors for its scenery. From the platform, you gaze down at Maracas Bay, a crescent of golden sand edged by coconut palms and brilliant blue water. The drive up is half the fun. You’ll wind through lush tropical forest, often with mist clinging to the valley in the early morning.
When you reach the Maracas Bay Lookout, pull over and breathe the fresh air; the view is like a postcard. On one side, green mountains cascade towards the sea; on the other, the expansive Caribbean Sea stretches to the horizon. The spot is well known, so you might find a few souvenir or snack vendors there. If you plan to continue to Maracas Beach, save some appetite for the beach’s famous “bake and shark” sandwich. The lookout is free and open anytime, but daylight hours are the safest driving and best visibility.
La Vigie Paramin is a go-to spot for panoramic views in Trinidad. Tucked in a traditional farming village famous for herbs and peppers, this lookout lets you peer down into the Maraval Valley and across to the capital’s outskirts. On a clear morning, the rising sun paints the sky in pastels. The site opens as early as 5:00 am for sunrise seekers and closes around 8:00 pm, so you can enjoy sunset from here.
The facility has multiple viewing platforms at different angles, an educational deck with information boards about the area’s history and culture, and small gazebos and cooking huts for picnics. Clean washrooms and on-site parking make it a comfortable stop for travellers. Standing on the highest deck, you’ll feel the cool mountain breeze as you admire a 360-degree sweep of green hills, the Caribbean Sea, and the city far below.
Despite being just a short drive from Port of Spain, this lookout was a hidden gem until recently. Now it’s well-signposted via Fond Pois Doux Road in Paramin. The drive is steep and winding, so take your time and use low gear in parts. Once you arrive, you’ll agree the journey was worth it.
Driving up to Mount St. Benedict is an adventure, where you’ll ascend a narrow road with sharp bends. It passes through peaceful villages as you climb. At the top is the Mount St. Benedict Abbey, a compound of red-roofed buildings, including a church that has been a spiritual refuge for over a century. For visitors, one big draw is the spectacular view. You can observe Trinidad’s central plain to the west coast from the abbey's terrace and grounds.
The Caroni Swamp, a patchwork of greenery, lies far below, and on clear days, you might glimpse the glint of the Gulf of Paria on the horizon. It’s a bird’s-eye view that shows the contrast between the thick forests of the Northern Range and the flat lands beyond. The monastery welcomes visitors. You can explore parts of the grounds, visit the little gift shop, and even taste the monks’ famous homemade yogurt (branded “Pax Yogurt”), which they sell on site.
The atmosphere is quiet and calming; you may hear the gentle ringing of bells or monks chanting prayers in the distance. This is a great mid-point in your road trip to pause and recharge. There are a few hiking trails around the abbey. Also, remember to dress modestly because it’s a religious site.
San Fernando Hill provides a different perspective from the northern mountains. Here, you are in the southern part of Trinidad, looking out over urban and industrial landscapes. The hill is a public park with landscaped gardens, benches, and a visitor centre, all atop an elevation of roughly 192 metres. Driving up is straightforward; a paved road leads from the city streets to the top. Check for any opening hours or possible closures for private events, as the park is occasionally used for functions.
Once you’re up there, you’ll be greeted by spectacular vistas in every direction. To the north and east lie the verdant fields and villages of Central Trinidad. To the west, the Gulf of Paria stretches out, often dotted with cargo ships near the port and the distant outline of Venezuela on a clear day. Below, the city of San Fernando spreads out. You can spot landmarks like the refinery, a reminder of Trinidad’s oil industry, and the gulf beside the city’s shoreline. There are viewing platforms, railings to safely enjoy the scenery, and informational signs pointing out what you’re looking at.
Fort King George is not only a window into Tobago’s colonial past,but also one of the best viewpoints in Trinidad and Tobago. The moment you drive up the winding Fort Street to reach it, you’ll see the well-preserved cannons and old barracks that tell stories of centuries past. Wander through the fort’s grounds and you’ll find signs explaining that this fort once guarded Scarborough against invaders. One of the buildings has been converted into the Tobago Museum, where you can see artifacts like maps, pottery, and military relics.
Below, the town of Scarborough spreads toward the harbour, with its red roofs and the busy port where inter-island ferries come and go. The deep blue Atlantic stretches off to the east. You can feel history as you imagine lookouts scanning the seas for approaching ships. In other directions, you see green hills and coastline.
Fort King George is easily accessible by car and has parking on site. There are also washrooms and often a local guide or two who, for a small tip, might share some fascinating historical anecdotes. Try visiting in the mid-morning for good lighting and fewer crowds. Cruise ship tours often come later in the day. If you’re interested in photography, the old stone arches and cannons of the fort are great foreground subjects.
Flagstaff Hill is one of the best hidden viewpoints in Tobago. Driving here takes you along the coastal road past Charlotteville, then up a steep but paved side road that leads to the summit. At the top, there’s a flat grassy area and a few benches, with a spectacular view in almost every direction.
To the north and east, you’ll gaze upon the meeting of two great bodies of water, the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. From Flagstaff Hill, you can see St. Giles Island and other rocky isles off Tobago’s tip and the broad expanse of Man-O-War Bay curving by Charlotteville’s coast. The cool breezes up here are refreshing, and you might spot frigatebirds or other seabirds riding the currents above.
Historically, Flagstaff Hill got its name because flags were used to send signals here. Today, the only structure is a telecommunications tower, standing as a modern “flagstaff” on the hill. The drive might be a bit out of the way, but you can appreciate Tobago’s unspoilt landscape from such a height.
As you journey to Speyside, drive further uphill to reach the Speyside Lookout. It’s a designated stop along the road, with a viewing platform that lets you safely enjoy one of Tobago’s most picturesque scenes. Below, the village of Speyside hugs the shoreline of Tyrrel’s Bay, and you can actually look down onto the vibrant reef areas through the bay’s crystal-clear water. Divers and glass-bottom boats often explore these reefs, and from above, you may notice patches of bright turquoise where the water is shallow.
Directly across the bay is Little Tobago Island, a small uninhabited island covered in green forest. From the lookout, you can see its hills and perhaps even spot birds flying to and from Little Tobago, the island’s bird sanctuary. To the left of Little Tobago is Goat Island, another small islet, once home to a famous scientist in the mid-20th century. Bring binoculars, and you might see frigatebirds, tropicbirds, or even hawks in the area.
If you love discovering hidden gems, you’ll love Parlatuvier Bay and its lookout point. As you drive the winding coastal road between villages like Castara and Bloody Bay, you’ll arrive to a spot where the vista opens up to one of Tobago’s most charming bays. There’s a small designated lookout structure. It’s a covered gazebo right off the road, where you can park and step out.
Below you, Parlatuvier Bay curves with its calm, azure waters and a short stretch of golden sand at the shoreline. You’ll notice a rustic wooden jetty jutting into the bay. This is the local fishing pier. If your timing is right, you might even see fishermen on small boats heading out or coming in with their daily catch, as this bay is home to a tiny fishing village.
The surrounding hills are clad in rich green rainforest, and just inland of the beach are a handful of colorful village homes and coconut trees swaying by the water. It’s the kind of view that makes you reach for your camera immediately. The lookout is free and always open; there are no vendors, so it’s just you and the scenery. It’s a great place to pause and breathe in the fresh sea air around midday after exploring other beaches.
Your road trip through Trinidad and Tobago’s best viewpoints will amaze you with the islands’ beauty. From historic forts overlooking the Gulf of Paria to hidden coastal hills in Tobago, every stop brings a new scene to enjoy. These lookouts show you the mix of mountains, forests, seas, and villages. Each viewpoint is different, and they showcase Trinidad and Tobago’s charm.
To make your journey smooth, rent a car in Tobago with Final Rentals. Pick up your vehicle at Robinson International Airport or Scarborough. Choose from compact cars for city driving or spacious SUVs for island roads. Booking is online is easy, and there are no hidden fees. For extra convenience, you can also download the Final Rentals app on Google Play and the App Store.
