Trinidad and Tobago with Children

October 30, 2026

Travel advisory, October 2026: the US State Department asks travellers to reconsider travel to Trinidad and Tobago because of crime, and the UK FCDO describes violent crime as high. The FCDO names downtown Port of Spain, Carenage, Sea Lots, Belmont, Laventille, Morvant, Beetham, Barataria, Cocorite and the interior of Queen’s Park Savannah as places for particular caution. Keep city visits to daylight, book registered taxis, avoid walking alone at night, and read the UK advice and the US advisory before you commit to dates.

Planning by effort level

Children travel well here when the day is short, the water is calm and a guide is in charge. The list below groups the family options by how much effort they ask for. Amounts are in Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TT$), roughly TT$6.8 to US$1.

Easy half days

Pigeon Point Heritage Park, Tobago. Entry is TT$20 for an adult, about US$3. The reef shelters the beach, so the water is shallow and calm. Because a seven-year-old died in a jet ski accident at Pigeon Point on 8 April 2026, jet skis are now restricted, but families should still stay well clear of any craft and keep children within reach.
Store Bay, Tobago. Calm, shallow, reef-sheltered water, much like Pigeon Point.
Fort King George, Scarborough. Cannon, lawns and sea views, with free access to the grounds. The British built it in the late 1700s.
Emperor Valley Zoo, Port of Spain. Ocelots and giant river otters are among its 200-plus species, and it opened on 8 November 1952. The Royal Botanic Gardens beside it go back to 1818. Fees and hours change, so check first, and take a registered taxi in the city.

Short guided visits

Tobago Cocoa Estate. The tour takes 60 to 75 minutes. Children under 12 pay TT$60, teenagers aged 12 to 18 pay TT$100 and infants are free. Dates are published, mainly November to April. Email info@tobagococoa.com three days ahead and pay in cash.
Asa Wright Nature Centre. Children aged 6 to 12 pay TT$275 and under sixes enter free. The day includes pools and a guided walk of about 45 minutes, between 09:00 and 17:00. Reserve at HADCO Experiences .

A late night with turtles

Nature Seekers lists its Matura leatherback tour as suitable for children. The season is 1 March to 31 August, the walk starts at 19:00 and families are usually back around 21:15 to 21:30. A child under 12 pays TT$50 (US$10) plus a TT$2 Forestry permit. Turtles must never be touched, flash must stay off, and no bright lights are allowed on the beach, so plan for a late finish.

Where children should not swim

The north-coast beaches at Maracas, Tyrico and Las Cuevas have strong rip currents and open-coast surf, drownings have been reported and lifeguard cover is patchy. Families should choose Pigeon Point or Store Bay instead, and in Trinidad’s forest children should stay on the path, since venomous snakes live there. Tobago has none.

Official sources: Pigeon Point on the Tobago tourism site and the turtle tour listing .

Book a guide: Family tours in Trinidad and Tobago on Viator .