Arima
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
Island
Trinidad
Largest island of Trinidad and Tobago with oil industry
Stadium
Queen's Park Oval
Historic Port of Spain cricket ground hosting international matches
Mountain
El Cerro del Aripo
Trinidad's highest mountain and biodiverse cloud forest summit
Mountain
El Tucuche
Second-highest mountain in Trinidad with rainforest summit
Island
Huevos
Small uninhabited island off northwest Trinidad
Island
Monos
Small Trinidad island with coastal forest and beaches
Mountains
Northern Range
Mountain range across Trinidad's northern spine
Island
Carrera Islet
Small islet off Trinidad's northwest coast
Arima Bucket List
Don't Miss
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.
Hidden Gems
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.
Day Trips
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.
Nearby Cities #
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.
Dry Season
Drier, breezy mornings and less mud make festival-going and hiking fun - best time for local events and outdoor dining too.
Wet Season
Frequent heavy showers and higher humidity; some roads flood and flights can be delayed, but rainforest and waterfalls are spectacular.
Transition Season
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 21° - 29° | 25° | 106 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.5 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.5h |
| February | Excellent | 21° - 30° | 25° | 89 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 3.8 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 11.7h |
| March | Excellent | 22° - 30° | 26° | 41 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 3.9 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Excellent | 23° - 30° | 27° | 58 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 3.9 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.3h |
| May | Very Good | 23° - 31° | 29° | 82 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 3.8 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.5h |
| June | Very Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 154 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.5 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.6h |
| July | Very Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 151 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 3.0 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.6h |
| August | Excellent | 23° - 31° | 27° | 85 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 2.7 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.3h |
| September | Very Good | 23° - 31° | 27° | 83 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.8 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.1h |
| October | Very Good | 23° - 31° | 27° | 113 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 2.9 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.8h |
| November | Very Good | 23° - 30° | 26° | 177 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 3.0 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.5h |
| December | Very Good | 22° - 30° | 26° | 257 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.1 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.4h |
How to Get to Arima
How to Get Around Arima
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- Walking -
Where to Stay in Arima
Budget
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
Mid-Range
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
Luxury
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
Local Food & Market Eats
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.
Casual Cafés & Takeaway
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.
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.
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.