Major city · Trinidad and Tobago
Arima
Half a day is enough: visit the Asa Wright Nature Centre for birding, then move on to Port of Spain or the north coast. One night if you want the dawn bird tour.
Arima is a market town on the eastern edge of Trinidad's East-West Corridor, 10 km from Piarco Airport and 30 km from Port of Spain. Its main draw is the Asa Wright Nature Centre, a former cocoa plantation turned world-class birding reserve. The town itself has a few parks, a horse-racing track and a parang music scene before Christmas, but most travellers use it as a stopover or a half-day trip from the capital.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- TTD
- Best months
- Dec–May (dry season)
- avoid Jun–Nov (wet season, especially Aug–Oct)
- Airport
- POS
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Several 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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Arima999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Arima, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD); US dollars are accepted in some tourist places but are scarce to change back.Trinidad and Tobago-wide
- SIM or eSIMbmobile (TSTT) and Digicel sell SIMs at Piarco and malls; bring your passport.Trinidad and Tobago-wide
- Tap waterTap water is treated but supply is irregular in places; most visitors drink bottled or filtered.Trinidad and Tobago-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10–15% if no service charge.Trinidad and Tobago-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 115 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Trinidad and Tobago-wide
- SafetyArima is generally safe during the day.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsIn malls, restaurants and hotels; few public toilets.Trinidad and Tobago-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police · 990 fire · 811 ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysMuch of Trinidad shuts on Carnival Monday and Tuesday and on Sundays.Trinidad and Tobago-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPOS Piarco International Airport (About 10 km (6.2 mi) west; 15–20 min by taxi or maxi taxi).POS Piarco International Airport (About 6.2 mi (10 km) west; 15–20 min by taxi or maxi taxi).
- Getting aroundMaxi taxis and PTSC buses connect Arima with Port of Spain and Piarco.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealDoubles (street snack)TT$5–10
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Maxi taxi Arima–Port of SpainTT$25
- Museum or sight ticketAsa Wright Nature Centre entrycheckTT$550
- Budget bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomTTD 350
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomTTD 600
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomTTD 900
A day, not counting the bed: Budget TTD 400 · Mid TTD 800 · High TTD 1,500
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- POS Piarco International Airport (About 10 km (6.2 mi) west; 15–20 min by taxi or maxi taxi)POS Piarco International Airport (About 6.2 mi (10 km) west; 15–20 min by taxi or maxi taxi)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Dec–May. Avoid: Jun–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (18 rain days), driest Mar (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Arima: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Maxi taxis and PTSC buses connect Arima with Port of Spain and Piarco. Within town, walking or short taxi rides. A car is useful for the Blanchisseuse Road to Asa Wright.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Maxi taxi or PTSC bus, about 45 min
Food, museums and nightlife.
Asa Wright Nature Centre
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Taxi or drive up Blanchisseuse Road, about 20 min from Arima
Half-day visit; guided bird walks at 7:30 and 14:00.Half-day visit; guided bird walks at 7:30 AM and 2:00 PM.
Maracas Bay
goDoor to door: About 1.25 h
Drive via the North Coast Road, about 1 h
Beach and bake-and-shark stalls.
Grande Riviere
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Drive via Toco Road, about 1.5 h
Leatherback turtle nesting season Mar–Aug; book a guide.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Arima town centre
Basic guesthouses and self-catering apartments; limited options, book ahead.
Asa Wright Nature Centre
Cottages on the reserve; book weeks ahead, includes meals and guided walks.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- TT$300–500 excl. bed
- Mid
- TT$500–1,000 excl. bed
- High
- TT$1,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse single room1 × 1 night × TTD 400 | TTD 400 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × TTD 800 | TTD 800 |
| Asa Wright entry (day visitor)1 × TTD 550 · check | TTD 550 |
| Maxi taxi Arima–Port of Spain, one way1 × TTD 25 | TTD 25 |
| Taxi Piarco–Arima1 × TTD 100 · check | TTD 100 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | TTD 188 |
| Trip total≈ TTD 2,063 per person per day, bed included | TTD 2,063 |
2026 estimate in Trinidad and Tobago dollars; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Doubles (street snack) | TT$5–10 |
| Bake and shark | TT$15–25 |
| Chinese takeaway meal | TT$30–50 |
| Maxi taxi Arima–Port of Spain | TT$25 |
| Taxi Piarco–Arimacheck | TT$80–120 |
| Asa Wright Nature Centre entrycheck | TT$550 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Asa Wright Nature Centre entry is TT$550 (US$83) — check current price; cash only on arrival.
- Blanchisseuse Road is winding and narrow in sections; drive carefully in the wet season.
- No high-end dining in Arima; food is street stalls, fast food and Chinese takeaway.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 999
- Fire
- 990
- Ambulance
- 811
Pocket card
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ArimaArima
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police999
- Fire990
- Ambulance811
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Maxi taxi Arima–Port of Spain: about TT$25, 45 min
- Taxi Piarco–Arima: TT$80–120, 15–20 min (check)
Say or show
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- Where is the maxi stop? — Where is the maxi stop? (where de maxi stop)
- One doubles, please — One doubles, please (one doubles please)
English is the official language; Trinidadian Creole is widely spoken.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Arima. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–May (dry season) · avoid Jun–Nov (wet season, especially Aug–Oct) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Arima
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