National park · Trinidad and Tobago
Matura National Park
Enter Matura National Park: pay TTD 50 entry (check), hike Rio Seco Trail (~1 h each way) any day, avoid wet season Jun–Nov for dry trails.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
25 km² (10 sq mi)10 sq mi (25 km²)
approximate
Established
1999
Best months
Jan–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bah…
- Caribbean ↗Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bahamas and Jamaica) jail visitors for a single stray bullet or cartridge in their luggage; empty every bag and pocket before you pack.
- Caribbean ↗From August to October keep a free last day before your flight home and check the national hurricane centre daily; airports close when a named storm approaches.
- Caribbean ↗Wearing camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians in several islands, including Barbados, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica; leave it at home, children's clothes included.
- Trinidad and Tobago ↗Check entry rules for your passport with the Trinidad and Tobago Immigration Division before you fly; visa-required nationals apply for an e-visa online.
- Trinidad and Tobago ↗Camouflage-pattern clothing is illegal for civilians: leave it at home.
- Trinidad and Tobago ↗Leatherback turtle nesting beaches have seasonal access rules: visit with a licensed guide or permit.
- Trinidad and Tobago ↗Violent crime is concentrated in parts of Port of Spain and the east–west corridor: read your government's list of areas to avoid and move by car after dark.
- Trinidad ↗Licensed route taxis have plates starting with H; fares are fixed, ask before you board.
- Trinidad ↗Maxis are white minibuses with coloured stripes; flag them with an upward arm and show fingers for the number of passengers.
- Trinidad ↗Drive on the left; road signs are inconsistent and traffic around Port of Spain is heavy.
At a glance
- Country
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Area
- 25 km² (10 sq mi)10 sq mi (25 km²)
- Approximately 25 km² (check).
- Established
- 1999
- Best months
- Jan–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Port of Spain
Matura National Park, on the northeastern tip of Trinidad, offers short rainforest hikes, a waterfall, a private hummingbird sanctuary and nearby sea‑turtle nesting beaches. The park is accessed via the Rio Seco Trail at the Bajnath Estate, where visitors can see the Rio Seco Waterfall and birdlife, or join guided night walks for turtle watching. Entry is modest, and the dry season (January–May) provides the best trail conditions.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1999.
Size and age
25 km² (10 sq mi)10 sq mi (25 km²) · national park since 1999
Approximately 25 km² (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Port of Spain.
Why go
- Hiking to Rio Seco Waterfall and exploring the mountain scenery.
- Birdwatching at Bajnath's Estate hummingbird sanctuary.
- Seeing sea‑turtle nesting sites on nearby beaches.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, cool mornings.
- FebDry, pleasant.
- MarDry, good trail conditions.
- AprDry, warm.
- MayEnd of dry season.
- JunRainy, trails slippery.
- JulRainy, high humidity.
- AugRainy, possible floods.
- SepRainy, turtle nesting season.
- OctRainy, but turtles visible.
- NovTransition to dry.
- DecDry, cooler.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leatherback and Hawksbill sea turtles (nesting)Jun–Oct · Observe from guided night walks only. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Hummingbirds (e.g., Purple‑throated Carib)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Tropical forest birds and butterfliesMar–Aug | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Seco Trailhead | Access point for the waterfall hike and park entrance. | Open with entry fee. |
| Bajnath Estate | Private hummingbird sanctuary and guided tours. | Book via website or on‑site. |
| Coastal Turtle Beaches | Nesting sites near Grande Riviere and Toco. | Guided night walks; respect restrictions. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the park and key visitor points.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | TTD 50 | person | Official fee not published; estimate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are scarce.
- Off‑road vehicles
- Not allowed on park trails.
- Camping
- Only in designated sites such as Friday's Riverside Retreat.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited.
- Wildlife disturbance
- Do not approach nesting turtles or disturb birds.
Where to stay
Near the park
Acajou Hotel
Cottages north of the park, easy access to trails.
Near the park
Queen's Beach Salybia Nature Resort
Beachfront hotel at the park entrance.
In the park
Friday's Riverside Retreat
Campsite with tent rentals.
Safety
Heat and humidity medium
Rain‑induced landslides high
Wildlife (snakes, insects) low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Trailheads reachable by car; short walks to main attractions.
- Steep sections on Rio Seco trail not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use guided tours that follow park conservation guidelines.
- Support local accommodations and avoid single‑use plastics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Matura National Park?
The park charges an entry fee of about TTD 50 per person (official amount not published; check).
What are the best hikes in Matura National Park?
The Rio Seco Trail to the waterfall (≈2 h round‑trip) and the Bajnath Estate bird‑watching loop are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Matura National Park?
Visit in the dry months January–May for reliable trail conditions; the wet season June–November can make paths muddy.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is only allowed at designated sites such as Friday's Riverside Retreat; wild camping is prohibited.
Are guided tours required?
Guides are optional for the Rio Seco hike but required for turtle night walks and for visiting the private Bajnath Estate.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Matura National Park
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