Princes TownPrinces Town at a Glance
Costs: Approximately $35-60 per day - very affordable local food and basic lodgings keep daily costs down.
Safety: Generally calm with occasional risks - generally calm but pockets of crime can appear; avoid isolated streets after dark.
Best Time: November-April (dry season) - dry season is best for attending local festivals and outdoor markets.
Why Visit Princes Town?
A center of Indo-Trinidadian culture, Princes Town attracts visitors interested in Hosay processions, chutney music and an authentic sense of rural festival life. Historic sugar and cocoa roças dot the surrounding countryside, while local eateries serve hearty rice-and-curry plates and roti. The town’s calendar of community events and its markets offer a close-up look at religious and musical traditions that set this region apart from the tourist-focused north coast.
Best Things to Do in Princes Town
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
Park
Queen's Park Savannah
Large urban park in Port of Spain, carnival venue
Princes Town Bucket List
Don't Miss
Princes Town Market - Local market selling fresh produce, household goods and traditional street food.
Princes Town Recreation Grounds - Open fields where community matches and cultural events regularly take place.
Victoria Street shops - Row of small retailers and eateries serving the town’s daily needs.
Hidden Gems
Local roti and bake stalls - Family-run food stalls serving roti, doubles and Trinidadian comfort food.
Nearby rural trails - Undeveloped paths offering peaceful countryside walks and agricultural scenery.
Community cultural centres - Small halls hosting local music practices and occasional performances.
Day Trips
Mayaro beaches - Wide sandy beaches east of Princes Town ideal for long coastal drives.
La Vega Estate visit - Short drive to historic estates and rural landscapes around central Trinidad.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Princes Town
Princes Town shines in the dry months (March-May) with easier travel and festival-friendly weather. The wet season brings frequent storms and lush countryside, so plan flexibly for outdoor activities.
Cool Season
Trade winds ease humidity and make evening street-food crawl enjoyable; still warm by day, but you’ll appreciate the cooler breezes after sunset.
Dry Season
Stable sunshine suits sugarcane plain drives and coastal stops; perfect for festivals and outdoor barbecues, though midday heat can be intense.
Wet Season
Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent, making muddy rural roads and beach closures common; travel slower, expect heavy downpours and embrace dramatically lush landscapes and waterfalls.
Princes Town'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 (1607 mm/year), wettest in June.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 21° - 30° | 25° | 91 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.6 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.5h |
| February | Excellent | 21° - 30° | 26° | 76 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 3.9 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 11.7h |
| March | Excellent | 22° - 31° | 26° | 46 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 4.0 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Excellent | 23° - 31° | 27° | 60 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 4.0 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.3h |
| May | Very Good | 23° - 31° | 29° | 95 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 3.8 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.5h |
| June | Very Good | 23° - 31° | 27° | 212 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.5 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.6h |
| July | Very Good | 23° - 31° | 27° | 195 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 3.0 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.6h |
| August | Good | 23° - 31° | 27° | 197 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 2.8 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.3h |
| September | Good | 23° - 31° | 30° | 134 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.9 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.1h |
| October | Good | 23° - 31° | 27° | 125 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 3.0 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.8h |
| November | Very Good | 22° - 30° | 26° | 197 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 3.0 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.5h |
| December | Very Good | 22° - 30° | 26° | 179 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.2 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.4h |
How to Get to Princes Town
Princes Town is accessed overland from Piarco or San Fernando; there are regular maxi taxi and bus connections but no rail. Taxis or rented cars are the most convenient for arrival with luggage or off-schedule travel.
Piarco International Airport (POS): Princes Town is south of the central corridor; expect a 45-70 minute drive from Piarco depending on traffic. Taxis and private transfers are available from the airport; maxi taxis and buses connect Princes Town with San Fernando and other southern towns.
A.N.R. Robinson International Airport (TAB): If arriving in Tobago you must transfer to Trinidad by air or ferry and continue by road - that adds significant time compared with arriving at Piarco.
Train: No passenger rail service exists.
Bus & Maxi Taxi: Princes Town is served by maxi taxis and intercity buses to San Fernando and Port of Spain. Southern routes run regularly during the day; expect longer travel times to Port of Spain (often over an hour) and quicker links to San Fernando.
How to Get Around Princes Town
Princes Town is a road-based destination best reached by maxi taxi, bus or taxi from Piarco or San Fernando. A hired car gives the most flexibility for exploring the region.
- Maxi taxi (shared taxi) (TT$10-40) - Maxi taxis link Princes Town with San Fernando, Port of Spain and neighbouring communities. They run frequently on main southern corridors and are cost-effective, though they can be crowded and make multiple stops.
- PTSC public bus (TT$5-35) - Public buses serve Princes Town on intercity routes. They’re cheap for longer distances but slower and less frequent evenings and weekends.
- Taxi / Private transfer (TT$150-350) - Taxis provide door-to-door transfers from Piarco, San Fernando or Port of Spain and are useful if you have luggage or arrive late. Negotiate fixed fares for long trips or use metered taxis where available.
- Car hire (TT$350-700 per day (approx.)) - A hire car is handy for exploring southern Trinidad and visiting beaches and estates around Princes Town. Roads to the south are generally good but can be congested near urban centres.
- Motorbike / Scooter (TT$20-60) - Short local trips in and around Princes Town can be done by motorcycle taxi or rental. It’s economical but not suited for long distances or poor weather.
- Walking - Princes Town centre is walkable for markets and local shops. For attractions outside the centre you’ll need a vehicle or maxi taxi.
Where to Stay in Princes Town
Budget
Princes Town centre / San Fernando area - $25-70/night
Princes Town has a few local inns and guesthouses; true budget hotels are scarce so many rely on small family-run lodgings or nearby San Fernando.
Kapok Hotel - Economical rooms in city centre
Hyatt Regency Trinidad - Occasional value rates outside peak times
Mid-Range
Princes Town / nearby San Fernando - $70-150/night
Comfortable mid-range hotels are more common in San Fernando or Port of Spain; Princes Town itself has a few boutique stays with basic comforts.
Kapok Hotel - Well-ranked mid-range hotel
Courtyard by Marriott, Port of Spain - Reliable amenities and service
Luxury
Port of Spain / San Fernando - $180-350/night
Princes Town lacks luxury resorts; travellers seeking upscale stays typically book in Port of Spain or Tobago and travel in.
Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre - Large hotel, luxury services available
Hyatt Regency Trinidad - Upscale rooms, dining, events
Nightlife in Princes Town
Nightlife in Princes Town is modest-primarily bars, rum shops and community gatherings. Major nights out typically involve traveling to San Fernando for more bars and clubs.
Local cultural events and seasonal celebrations are the highlights if you’re looking for evening activity.
Shopping in Princes Town
Princes Town’s shopping is mostly local: street vendors, the town market and small shops selling everyday goods. For larger retail choices or supermarkets, San Fernando is the nearest option.