Thousands flock to the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago to lie on its beaches. But many choose to do a little more than that: a Trinidad and Tobago rock climbing holiday is a great way to see another side of this island nation and its diverse natural landscapes and mountains.
Trinidad and Tobago lies in the Caribbean Sea, just a little north of Venezuela. Travel just a little inland from its beaches, and you’ll hit green highlands and mountain ranges. There are two main ranges on Trinidad, the Northern Range and the Central Range. While much of the Caribbean is volcanic, Trinidad and Tobago’s rocks are limestone: they’re a broken-off bit of the Andes. It really is possible to climb the Andes and sunbathe on a Caribbean beach on the same day!
Despite its Andean origins, technical rock climbing isn’t big in Trinidad and Tobago. That doesn’t mean it can’t be done, but most climbing on the islands is bouldering or scrambling, rather than full-on roped-up climbing. This is partly because of a lack of instructors, and partly because the mountains are jungle-covered.
Trinidad and Tobago rock climbing is about getting to know the country’s backwaters and secret places. Take a hike through the jungle, climb some cliffs, swim in some rock pools, and go home happy. It might not be a place for serious climbers to stretch themselves, but it is definitely a place to have fun.
If you’ve ever dreamed about lying on a beach in the Caribbean, re-think that dream. That might be fun, but how could it be better than climbing in some of the most biologically diverse jungle in the world? Better get off that sun-lounger!
