A view of Maracas Bay and the road to Maracas Beach
Maracas Beach is the most popular beach in Trinidad. Trinidad & Tobago is a republic consisting of two islands in the south Caribbean just north of Venezuela. Trinidad is the larger of the two and more industrialized while Tobago is a typical laid back small Caribbean Island with pristine beaches.
Although, Trinidad is also an island, it is not as noted for having the same quality beaches as other Caribbean Islands. Trinidad is more industrialized for one, has a lot of rocky shores, and considerable portion of the shoreline is also very marshy. This does not mean there are no nice beaches in Trinidad. Macqueripe Beach in Chaguaramas National Park is a nice one and so is Maracas Beach.
Maracas Beach is probably the most popular beach in Trinidad. For starters, it is only a 45 minute drive from the capital city of Port of Spain. Secondly, it is beautiful. The beach, the surrounding bays, and the inland rugged jungle are spectacular. Looking out from the beach toward the jungle you keep expecting King Kong to come crashing out from the trees as it appears like a scene from a movie. High hills covered with deep green vegetation rise right from the beach into wispy thunder clouds rolling through until sunshine prevails.
Buy a craft item, listen to guitar, and enjoy the view
The views start before you even arrive to Maracas. From Port of Spain you drive through twisty narrow roads going straight up into the hills. As you near the beach, before the road descends back down the mountains, there is an awesome view of Maracas Bay and the coastline. This overlook is a popular place to listen to soca, grab a delicious treat from a street vendor, and even listen to some guitar.
Looking inland from Maracas Beach into the jungle
The beach itself is pretty fantastic as well and reminded me of Playa Manuel Antonio in Costa Rica. It is protected in a bay and golden sand extends in an arc on both sides with coconut trees growing inland. It is your typical tropical paradise.
Golden sand of Maracas Beach
Another famous aspect of Maracas Beach is Richard’s Bake and Shark. Bake and shark is a fried fish sandwich and Richard’s is legendary in Trinidad. The line for a bake and shark at Richard’s was around the corner, so we chose a different vendor. There was a table set aside just for fixings which included tomatoes, lettuce, chili sauce, ranch dressing, and many more condiment options.
Tasty Maracas Beach bake and shark
My sandwich was absolutely delicious. The shark was flaky white and the lettuce and tomatoes helped make it one of the best sandwiches ever, and I did not even try the legend. I now regret not getting Richard’s as I was admonished on twitter for missing out. I will have to make it back and get the one and only famous sandwich.
After a few carib beers to wash down the delicious sandwich it was back to the water. The next item on the adventure travel menu was boogie boarding. For the next 45 minutes I tried to time the wave just as it crashed down and ride it back to shore.
Looking for the perfect wave
Wave crashing boogie boarders
Success in boogie boarding is measured with good times had
In boogie boarding you walk out to the big waves and try to find a good one just as it is dipping down and then jump under it and ride the wave back to shore. If you try to ride too early you might get throttled by the wave and if you attempt it too late you will miss it. It takes a special touch to hop on at the right moment. After 45 minutes of this, I think I had two good rides, but I had a blast concentrating on finding the right wave. I really want to try real surfing one of these days.
Speaking of good times, we found them at Maracas Beach
The best way to come to Maracas would be by either renting a car or renting a driver. Maxi Taxis and buses also come to Maracas.
Stay tuned,
TT
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I would love to taste the shark – as long as I didn’t encounter one!
Jeremy Branham recently posted..Walking among the giants: Muir Woods National Monument
I would hate for momma shark to take revenge and have a tasty human burrito with the boogie board.
I have to point out, as a professional, that beer and water sports are a dangerous mix.
Robb714 recently posted..Handling The Holidays
A little danger is what adventure is all about.
It looks beautiful! I would love to do some paddling there – as long as the only sharks I see are on land!
Alan@Infinite Safari Adventures recently posted..Welcome!
I was hoping to get some kayaking in among the swamps, but it did not happen. Hope to do it next trip.
I thought it was a real shark your eating!Ted take off your damn clothes. We want to see your body!
That sandwich looks delicious! Any ideas where you can find one like it in the states?
Ryan at Travel and Graphs recently posted..Meet The Legendary “Akrv” Bob
Probably the closest you could come in the states is Florida. Grouper sandwiches are similarly delicious. I had a few of these in Tampa.
Ted, this took me back to my trip last Nov. I think you were one of the people on Twitter who pointed me to Maracas Bay (though my local friend was planning to take us there anyway, I found out when I got there). I liked the drive over there especially once almost on the coast. The beach definitely not on the top 10 of the Caribbean but, somehow, I really liked the relative solitude of the beach.
Raul (ilivetotravel in Twitter) recently posted..A Foodie Tour in the Testaccio Neighborhood in Rome
My first time there was in February, so it was not me who convinced you to go in November. Perhaps it was EarthXplorer, I know he was there around that time on a blog trip.
I agree, it is not the most incredible beach, but it will definitely do the trick and very scenic.
Yes, it was some dude in Twitter. Somehow I thought it had been you. LOL. When you get to my age, these things will happen!
Raul (ilivetotravel in Twitter) recently posted..Getting Good Cuban Food in Tampa
Having your first Shark & Bake = $30.00
Having your first Richards Shark & Bake = Priceless
I hear it is pretty amazing. I have to get Richard’s next time.
Trinidad and Tobago is indeed a very nice place. Makes me wanna hop on an airplane and go there right away.Thank you for posting this because if it wren’t for this, I will never have an additional name on my vacation spot list.
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I would recommend a vacation to Trinidad & Tobago. It is a beautiful spot.
Its a beautiful place.Good for adventure.thank you for posting it.
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That sandwich looks delicious! I would recommend a vacation to Trinidad & Tobago. It is a beautiful spot.
Yes, I need to go back.