Trinidad and Tobago are full of green hills, calm beaches, and wild forests. To enjoy this beauty, one of the best drives in Trinidad and Tobago takes you away from busy towns and into nature. You can follow coastal roads, mountain paths, and country lanes where every turn shows you new views of the islands. The easiest way to enjoy these drives is by renting a car. With a car, you can stop anywhere, take photos, and explore at your own pace. Keep reading to discover the most beautiful routes every nature lover should not miss when exploring these islands.
Trinidad is the bigger island, and its Northern Range mountains make it easy to tell. The highest peaks here are about 940 metres high, and the roads twist and turn from sea level to cool hill stations. You'll have to drive on the left side of the road and go up steep hills and around tight turns through thick rainforest. Driving in these mountains takes a lot of focus, but you get fresh highland air, stunning views, and chances to see Trinidad's diverse plants and animals.
One of Trinidad’s most scenic mountain drives is the North Coast Road, which snakes over the Northern Range to connect Port of Spain with remote north coast villages. You start in the bustling capital and quickly ascend into green mountains. The road is narrow and curvy, tunneling through a canopy of rainforest. Maracas Bay will appear on your descent, a crescent of golden sand and turquoise water framed by forested peaks. It's worth pulling over to feel the sea breeze and grab a “bake and shark” sandwich at Maracas Beach.
Continuing along, the road hugs cliffs above the sea with dramatic lookout points. You pass through the quiet fishing cove of Las Cuevas and cross little one-lane bridges over clear streams. Finally, you reach Blanchisseuse, a village where the mountains meet the sea. This drive is unique for its blend of experiences. One minute you're in cool mountain mist, the next you're dipping your toes in warm Caribbean waters.
If you want to drive up a mountain with fewer people, go to Paramin. Paramin is a farming village on top of a mountain northwest of Port of Spain. The road will be steep and winding, up to about 600 metres. The air gets cooler and the views get bigger as you go up. You will see terraced hillsides with herb gardens along the way. This area is known for growing chives and thyme.
La Vigie Paramin Lookout is a beautifully designed viewpoint at the top of the hill. From this spot, you can see the lush green hills of Paramin rolling away from you. On a clear day, you can see the Caribbean Sea on one side of Trinidad and the Gulf of Paria on the other. It gives a full view of the island's geography from all sides. The village of Paramin is charming not only because of its beautiful scenery but also because of its lively French Creole culture. If you time it right, you might hear Parang music (Trinidad's traditional folk music) or smell home-cooked Creole food in the air.
Tucked in Trinidad’s Northern Range is the Lopinot Valley. You will reach it by driving east from Port of Spain towards Arouca, then turning onto a smaller country road into the mountains. The drive into Lopinot is half an hour of winding road through lush forest and tiny hamlets.
Wild tropical flowers line the roadside. Look out for the red Chaconia, Trinidad’s national flower, blooming by the verge. As you approach Lopinot village, you enter a valley that was once a cocoa estate in the 1800s. Now, it's known for its well-preserved Lopinot Historical Complex. You can park, explore the old estate house (Great House), and learn about Count Loppinot, who founded it.
There’s a picnic area under giant trees, perfect for a lunch stop surrounded by nature. Lopinot’s air is fresh and filled with bird songs, and a cool river runs nearby where you can dip your feet. Many locals come here to birdwatch or enjoy authentic cocoa and chocolate demonstrations. This drive is one of the best nature road trips in Trinidad and Tobago, offering a scenic journey through a valley settled by Spanish descendants.
If birdwatching and rainforest are your passions, driving to the Nature Centre will be a highlight. To get there, you will take the Arima to Blanchisseuse Road, which cuts north through Trinidad’s mountains. Starting from the town of Arima, the road climbs steadily into the Northern Range. The first part of the journey passes roadside stands selling local fruit; as you ascend, houses thin out and towering bamboo groves and vine-covered trees envelop the road. This mountain road is quite winding and narrow. It is one lane with steep drops in some stretches, so drive carefully and honk around blind corners.
After roughly 30 to 40 minutes from Arima, you will reach the nature centre’s entrance, a world-famous eco lodge and wildlife sanctuary. Park your car and step into a literal bird paradise. Its veranda is legendary for watching hummingbirds zipping to feeders and exotic birds like toucans and honeycreepers in the treetops. Many visitors come early in the morning for the best wildlife viewing.
You can take a guided walk through the forest trails on the estate to see waterfalls and spot the rare nocturnal oilbirds in Dunston Cave. The drive up here offers a unique experience because the Arima to Blanchisseuse Road cuts through Trinidad’s highest mountains, taking you from about sea level up to over 600 metres.
Tobago, the smaller sister island, is known for its beautiful beaches and laid-back atmosphere. The island is hilly, with the Main Ridge rising to about 550 metres, but most roads follow the shorelines, giving you sea views at every turn. Most of the roads in Tobago are narrow and winding because they follow the land's natural shape. There will often be steep green hills on one side of the road and waves crashing on the other.
A classic Tobago coastal drive for nature lovers is along the Windward Road, which runs up the island’s eastern side of the Atlantic. Starting from Scarborough, Tobago’s capital in the south, you head northeast on a paved two-lane road that sticks close to the ocean. Very soon, the scenery becomes a collage of wind-battered cliffs and wild surf. The Atlantic here is choppier and a dramatic deep blue. On your left, you’ll pass through a series of fishing villages. Villages like Belle Garden, Roxborough, and Charlottesville welcome you with colourful wooden houses and friendly waves from locals.
Along the drive, you can stop at roadside stalls for freshly cut coconut water or grilled fish; Tobago’s east coast is known for its seafood and simple way of life. A must-see stop is the Argyle Waterfall near Roxborough, which is the tallest waterfall in Tobago. A short hike from the main road brings you to its cascading tiers and natural pools, where you can enjoy a refreshing dip.
Farther along, consider visiting the cocoa estate to learn about local chocolate-making and taste some island-grown cocoa.Stop at Speyside Lookout or the famous Flagstaff Hill near Charlotteville to see panoramas of emerald hills and offshore islands like Little Tobago. The drive ends near Speyside and Charlotteville, small communities famed for their coral reefs and bird sanctuaries.
While the East Coast has the Atlantic drama, Tobago’s northwest Caribbean coast offers serene turquoise bays and fishing villages. To explore this, you can take the Northside Road from Scarborough heading west/north, or start in the village of Plymouth and drive northeast along the coast. The route takes you through coastal countryside, which becomes increasingly wild and green.
One of the first major stops is Castara, a village in a bay with golden-sand beaches. Here, you can grab lunch at a local café and see fishermen pulling nets on the beach. Past Castara, the road narrows further and twists through thick stands of bamboo and rainforest. Keep your speed low; not just for safety, but because around each bend you might spot a plunge-down view of a hidden cove. A highlight along this drive is Englishman’s Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.
A small sign and a short track lead off the main road to a secluded crescent of sand backed by forest. It is worth parking here and enjoying the peace. You pass the village of Parlatuvier with its lovely bay and a photogenic fishing pier, and then you reach Bloody Bay. This bay is as remote as it sounds, a wide stretch of water with an intriguing name and hardly any development.
Drive across Tobago through the Main Ridge Forest Reserve for a change of pace from the beaches. This route is the central cross-island road connecting the Windward and Leeward sides. You can drive it from Roxborough in the east to Bloody Bay in the west, or vice versa.
It’s not a long distance, so plan to go slowly because the road is steep and curvy. Tobago’s Main Ridge Forest Reserve is famous as the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere, established in 1776. As you drive up from Roxborough, you will enter a world of towering trees, hanging vines, and the sounds of the jungle. The road climbs to around 550 metres elevation, high enough that you will notice a light mist and cooler temperatures. At this point, you are at the top of the cloud forest.
There are a couple of well-marked trailheads along the way, such as Gilpin Trace, if you want to take a short hike into the woods. You might hear the call of a tropical bird like the Cocorico, which is Tobago’s native parrot, or see an agouti crossing the road. At the highest point, there is a small viewpoint where you can pull over. This is an ideal spot to take in the pure green heart of Tobago, with endless rainforest and glimpses of the sea.
As you descend towards Bloody Bay on the Caribbean side, prepare for a dramatic downhill. As you emerge from the forest, the road swoops down with sharp hairpin turns, revealing stunning views of Man O’War Bay and nearby islets. One recommended detour near the end is turning off towards Flagstaff Hill, a signposted side road near Charlotteville. At Flagstaff Hill lookout, you get a view that shows the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts of Tobago.
Tobago’s southwest is more developed. Starting near the airport at Crown Point, in the far southwest tip of the island, you can make a loop up the coast to Plymouth and then back toward Scarborough. The roads here are wider than in north Tobago, but the speed limit is low. Begin at Pigeon Point Road, heading to the Pigeon Point Beach. This is a quick detour where you can see its iconic thatched jetty and calm blue shallows.
Heading onward, drive through the village of Buccoo, famous for its weekly Sunday School street party and fish market. The coastal road leads through Buccoo and Black Rock, with glimpses of the sea between guesthouses and palm trees. Mount Irvine Bay is a great stop for finding a popular beach for snorkelling and a few surfers riding waves. As you continue north, consider stopping at Fort Bennett, just above Black Rock, for a bit of history and a fantastic view over Stonehaven Bay.
The drive ends in the town of Plymouth, one of Tobago’s oldest settlements. You can stretch your legs to see the mystery tombstone, a centuries-old grave with a legendary inscription, or explore Fort James overlooking the bay. This southwest drive is shorter and gentler than Tobago's wild north. It is also a great introduction to Tobago if you have just picked up your car at the airport.
Before you set off on your island road trips, it’s good to know a few technical details and local customs about driving in Trinidad and Tobago. Here are some essential tips to help you confidently drive and stay safe.
A road trip through Trinidad and Tobago is the perfect adventure for a nature lover. Each drive offers something special, whether it’s the thrill of climbing Trinidad’s mountains to find hidden valleys and panoramic lookouts, or the joy of cruising Tobago’s coast with waves lapping near your wheels and tropical birds soaring overhead.
Ready to venture along these routes? Rent a car in Tobago with Final Rentals to experience the islands beyond the typical tourist spots. Begin your trip by choosing a convenient pickup at Robinson International Airport or Port of Scarborough. Select from compact cars or spacious SUVs, and enjoy instant booking with clear prices, free cancellations, and no hidden fees. For extra convenience, you can also download the Final Rentals app on Google Play and the App Store.
