Tunapuna-Piarco: Caura Valley and Monastic History

Tunapuna-Piarco can be explored through two distinct themes: the Benedictine history of Mount St. Benedict and the nature and river experiences of Caura Valley. The surrounding area of Lopinot adds a cultural connection to early parang. This gives you both historical context and opportunities to spend time by the river to consider when planning your trip.

Mount St. Benedict and its Benedictine history

Mount St. Benedict is home to Benedictine monks who settled there in 1912. Three monks from the Benedictine monastery of San Sebastien in Bahia, Brazil, arrived in the foothills of Trinidad's Northern Range under the leadership of Abbot Dom Mayeul de Caigny. This history connects a specific place with the monks' origins and arrival.

Caura Valley: access and time by the river

Caura Valley is accessible via Caura Royal Road, which branches off Eastern Main Road. The winding access road is part of finding your way to a visit in the valley. Check local road conditions before setting out.

Along the access road, visitors can picnic or swim in the clear waters of the Caura River. The valley is also home to Pool Number 1 and Pool Number 2, by the abandoned pumping station. These two spots are described as popular places for a “river lime.” If you plan to swim, take local water conditions into account.

Parang and the Lopinot area

The Lopinot area also adds another cultural connection to your trip planning. Spanish-speaking workers were employed on the area's cocoa estates; cultural figures such as Papa Ghun emerged from this environment. He is described as one of the early parang performers. The connection to Lopinot complements the history of Mount St. Benedict with a different cultural perspective, linked to work on the cocoa estates and music.

Trinidad and Tobago in a broader context

On a broader level, Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic country in the southern Caribbean, northeast of Venezuela and south of Grenada. The country covers 5,128 square kilometers and consists of the main islands of Trinidad and Tobago as well as 21 smaller islands. Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two main islands. This context provides a point of reference if you are considering other parts of the country alongside Tunapuna-Piarco.

A distinctive landscape and historical feature on Tobago is the Main Ridge Forest Reserve. Established by the British in 1776, it covers 3,958 hectares of tropical rainforest, including lower montane rain forests, lowland rain forests and xerophytic rain forests. The Main Ridge extends lengthwise across about two-thirds of Tobago. The rainforest provides habitat for the rare white-tailed sabrewing (Campylopterus ensipennis), which is endemic to Tobago.

Cultural experiences on Trinidad also offer a different focus from the local themes around Caura Valley and Lopinot. The major street parade of Trinidad Carnival takes place on Carnival Monday and Carnival Tuesday; the dates vary from year to year. The pre-Carnival period also includes steelpan limes and competitions leading up to Panorama. Pan-yard limes are organized seasonally and locally: visitors can talk with locals and listen to live steelpan music. Check the dates and local arrangements for these activities when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Piarco, Saint Augustine, Trincity, Arouca, Kelly Village, Saint Joseph, Tacarigua, San Juan-Laventille.

For the broader travel overview: Trinidad and Tobago.