Arima City
City in Trinidad and Tobago, known for its culture
Market stalls and religious festivals punctuate Arima; visitors come for the Santa Rosa celebrations, local crafts, Saturday markets and hikes into the Northern Range.
Arima at a Glance#
Costs: $60-120 / day - moderate Caribbean prices; local food and guesthouses are affordable.
Safety: Moderate safety, stay cautious at night - exercise caution after dark; petty crime exists in Trinidad’s towns.
Best Time: December-April - drier weather for outdoor markets and events.
Why Visit Arima?#
Arima appeals to travelers drawn to cultural festivals, birding and lively street food, anchored by the Santa Rosa Festival and the nearby Asa Wright Nature Centre in the Arima Valley. Local markets sell doubles, roti and other Trinidadian specialties, and the town’s colonial sites and community events showcase Amerindian heritage alongside calypso and steelpan rhythms. Its mix of natural trails and seasonal pageantry makes Arima a compact window into Trinidadian life.
Best Things to Do in Arima#
Arima Bucket List#
Asa Wright Nature Centre (nearby Arima Valley) - Renowned birdwatching reserve with guided walks and abundant tropical bird species.
Santa Rosa Carib Community - Cultural center preserving indigenous heritage with traditional performances and craft demonstrations.
Arima Borough Market - Bustling market selling local produce, street food, and Trinidadian artisan goods.
Local cocoa and chocolate producers - Small producers offering guided tastings and demonstrations of traditional chocolate-making methods.
Arima Velodrome events - Occasional cycling and community sporting events providing lively local atmosphere and food stalls.
Scenic Arima Valley drives - Short scenic routes through hills, farmland, and lookout points over the valley floor.
Caroni Bird Sanctuary - Boat trips through mangroves to witness large flocks of scarlet ibis at dusk.
Nariva Swamp - Eastern lowland wetland with unique wildlife, rustic village visits, and guided boat tours.
Best Time to Visit Arima#
Arima is most pleasant in the dry months (January-April) for outdoor events and hiking. The wet season (June-November) brings heavy rain and lush green landscapes, with brief transitional months.
January - April
24 - 30°C (75 - 86°F)
Drier, breezy mornings and less mud make festival-going and hiking fun - best time for local events and outdoor dining too.
June - November
25 - 31°C (77 - 88°F)
Frequent heavy showers and higher humidity; some roads flood and flights can be delayed, but rainforest and waterfalls are spectacular.
May, December
24 - 31°C (75 - 88°F)
Short, humid months with unpredictable storms; fewer crowds and lower prices but pack quick-dry clothes and expect sporadic travel disruption.
Arima's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 21°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1396 mm/year), wettest in December.
January
January is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 23°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is the hottest month, feeling like 29°C due to high humidity. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (154 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (151 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Regular rainfall (85 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (113 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (177 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (257 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
How to Get to Arima#
How to Get Around Arima#
- -
- -
- -
- -
- Walking -
Where to Stay in Arima#
Arima town / Port of Spain - $30-120/night
Arima has a few local guesthouses and small hotels; many visitors prefer Port of Spain for a wider range of budget options and easier transport links.
Local guesthouses and B&Bs (Arima) - Small family-run options in town
Hyatt Regency Trinidad (Port of Spain) - Budget travellers may find deals here
Arima / Port of Spain - $80-180/night
Mid-range travellers often base in Port of Spain for more hotel choice; Arima offers quieter boutique guesthouses suitable for short stays.
Capital Plaza Hotel (Port of Spain) - Comfortable mid-range in the capital
Selected boutique guesthouses (Arima) - Local comfortable stays with character
Port of Spain (for luxury) - $150-350/night
Arima has limited luxury properties; travellers seeking high-end hotels typically stay in Port of Spain where international chains and full services are available.
Hyatt Regency Trinidad (Port of Spain) - Full-service international hotel
Select luxury hotels in Port of Spain - High-end options a short drive away
Where to Eat in Arima#
Arima’s eating is rooted in street markets and home-style Trinbagonian flavors - quick doubles, roti shops and market stalls serving fresh produce and snacks.
- Arima Borough Market - Busy market with local snacks and produce.
- Local Doubles Stalls - Handy roadside doubles and chutney vendors.
- Neighborhood Roti Shops - Casual spots for curry-filled flatbreads.
Expect family-run cafés, bakeries and casual takeaway stalls across town - ideal for quick meals and sampling street-food staples.
- Local Cafés - Small cafés offering coffee and light bites.
- Bakeries & Pastry Stalls - Morning patties, sweet breads and snacks.
- Street BBQ & Grill Stalls - Evening grills serving skewers and sides.
Shopping in Arima#
Arima Market is the focal point for shopping - a busy municipal market where locals buy produce, provisions and household goods. Small shops along Main Street sell clothing, hardware and everyday items. For larger malls and a wider retail selection, most people travel into Port of Spain or other larger towns.
Nightlife in Arima#
Nightlife in Arima is low-key, mostly local bars and eateries and occasional community events. Cultural events like the Santa Rosa celebrations bring larger festivities at certain times of year.
