Tunapuna
Tunapuna at a Glance
Costs: Approximately $40-70 per day - affordable street food and guesthouses keep daily spending low to moderate.
Safety: Moderate, stay vigilant - busy markets attract pickpockets; stay alert in crowds and at night.
Best Time: November-April (dry season) - dry season is best for market visits and Carnival-related events.
Why Visit Tunapuna?
A lively market town with easy access to Piarco International Airport, Tunapuna is known for its bustling Tunapuna Market and multicultural festivals such as Hosay and Carnival. Street stalls serve classic Trinidadian eats like doubles and bake, while nearby neighborhoods offer lively nightlife and steelband culture. Travelers come for the local color, the market bargains, and a true sense of everyday island life just inland from the northern beaches.
Best Things to Do in Tunapuna
Island
Trinidad
Largest island of Trinidad and Tobago with oil industry
Island
Chacachacare
Uninhabited island once used as leper colony
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
Tunapuna Bucket List
Don't Miss
Tunapuna Market - Lively market offering fresh produce, clothing stalls and everyday Trinidadian life.
Tunapuna Savannah Recreation Ground - Community sports ground hosting local matches and weekend gatherings.
Tunapuna Main Street - Cluster of shops, cafes and small restaurants reflecting local daily rhythms.
Hidden Gems
Local bake shops - Small bakeries serving doubles, pastries and traditional Trinidadian morning favourites.
Tunapuna craft stalls - Scattered artisan stalls selling handmade goods and inexpensive souvenirs near the market.
Quiet residential walks - Short neighborhood routes offering glimpses of everyday life and village-style gardens.
Day Trips
University of the West Indies, St. Augustine - Campus grounds and occasional cultural events, a short drive from Tunapuna.
Arima and surrounding Eastern Range - Visit neighboring Arima for parks, markets and access to nearby hills.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Tunapuna
Tunapuna is most pleasant during the dry months (March-May) when humidity eases and hill trails are drier. The wet season (June-November) brings frequent storms and muddy paths, so expect delays.
Cool Season
Brisk trade winds and slightly cooler mornings make walking the market and hill trails comfortable; expect busy Carnival season energy in February and occasional showers.
Dry Season
Clear skies and lower rainfall mean great visibility for mountain hikes and easy drives to nearby beaches; afternoons stay hot but evenings are pleasant.
Wet Season
Regular heavy showers, humid air, and muddy trails-nature looks spectacular but plan indoor options and flexible travel days around downpours.
Tunapuna'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 (1762 mm/year), wettest in June.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 21° - 29° | 25° | 115 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.6 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.5h |
| February | Excellent | 21° - 29° | 25° | 72 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 3.9 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 11.7h |
| March | Excellent | 22° - 30° | 26° | 44 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 4.0 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Excellent | 23° - 30° | 27° | 63 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 4.1 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.3h |
| May | Very Good | 23° - 31° | 29° | 118 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 4.0 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.5h |
| June | Very Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 243 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.7 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.6h |
| July | Very Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 214 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 3.1 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.6h |
| August | Very Good | 23° - 31° | 27° | 220 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 2.9 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.3h |
| September | Very Good | 23° - 31° | 27° | 154 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.0 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.1h |
| October | Very Good | 23° - 31° | 27° | 138 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 3.0 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.8h |
| November | Very Good | 23° - 30° | 26° | 210 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 3.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.5h |
| December | Very Good | 22° - 29° | 26° | 171 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.3 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.4h |
How to Get to Tunapuna
Tunapuna sits on the eastern approach to Port of Spain and is the closest major town to Piarco International Airport (POS). Most visitors arrive by road from Piarco or Port of Spain using taxis, maxi taxis or buses.
Piarco International Airport (POS): Tunapuna is one of the closest towns to Piarco - typically a 10-20 minute drive depending on which part of Tunapuna you’re heading to. Taxis from Piarco to Tunapuna are quick and widely available (local fares for short trips are modest); some maxi taxi routes also link the airport and Tunapuna.
A.N.R. Robinson International Airport (TAB): If arriving in Tobago, you’ll need an inter-island flight or ferry to get to Trinidad and then travel by road to Tunapuna (total journey significantly longer).
Train: There is no passenger rail service on the island - travel is by road.
Bus & Maxi Taxi: Tunapuna is served by frequent maxi taxis and local buses on the Eastern Main Road and nearby corridors. Routes connect Tunapuna with Port of Spain (10-25 minutes), Arima and other towns; fares are low and departure frequency is high during the day.
How to Get Around Tunapuna
Tunapuna is best navigated by road: maxi taxis for short, cheap trips and taxis or a hired car for comfort and flexibility. Walking works well inside the town centre.
- Maxi taxi (shared taxi) (TT$6-25) - The most efficient and cost-effective way to travel to/from Tunapuna on the Eastern Main Road. Frequent services to Port of Spain and Arima; vehicles depart when full. Expect crowded conditions in peak hours but fast point-to-point travel.
- PTSC public bus (TT$5-25) - PTSC buses run through Tunapuna on longer intercity routes. Buses are cheaper but slower and less predictable than maxis; useful if you’re on a tight budget.
- Taxi / Private transfer (TT$40-150) - Taxis from Piarco to Tunapuna are quick and convenient for arrivals with luggage. Fixed-rate airport taxis and local metered taxis operate; confirm price before travel for short trips.
- Car hire (TT$350-700 per day (approx.)) - Hiring a car is handy if you plan to explore beyond Tunapuna (Northern Range, eastern towns). Parking in market areas can be limited; watch for busy traffic on the Eastern Main Road.
- Motorbike / Scooter (TT$20-60) - Short-distance motorcycle taxis and rentals are available for quick hops and errands inside Tunapuna. They’re inexpensive but not ideal for luggage or rain.
- Walking - Tunapuna’s town centre is walkable - markets, shops and eateries cluster around the main road. For anything beyond the centre use a maxi taxi or taxi.
Where to Stay in Tunapuna
Budget
Tunapuna centre / Port of Spain - $30-90/night
Tunapuna itself has a few small guesthouses and local lodgings; the widest budget selection is in nearby Port of Spain or via short Airbnb stays.
Kapok Hotel - Affordable rooms in Port of Spain
Hyatt Regency Trinidad - Occasional discounted rooms, central location
Mid-Range
Tunapuna / POS outskirts - $80-150/night
Comfortable mid-range hotels are easiest to find in Port of Spain; Tunapuna itself has boutique guesthouses but few full-service hotels.
Kapok Hotel - Well-located mid-range choice
Courtyard by Marriott, Port of Spain - Consistent service and amenities
Luxury
Port of Spain (20-40 min drive) - $180-350/night
Tunapuna has no major luxury hotels; opt for Port of Spain’s high-end properties for full-service stays and upscale dining.
Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre - Large luxury property, conference facilities
Hyatt Regency Trinidad - Premium rooms and on-site dining
Nightlife in Tunapuna
Tunapuna offers more of a local-nightlife feel than smaller villages: there are pubs, rum shops and occasional live-music nights, especially on weekends or during carnival season.
Most late-night clubbing and a wider bar scene are found in Port of Spain.
Shopping in Tunapuna
Tunapuna Market is the local focus for fresh produce, basic goods and small vendors; the High Street has hardware, clothing and household shops. For specialty stores and malls you’ll need to go into Port of Spain.