Matura National Park

Matura National Park is an environmentally sensitive area in Trinidad, in the Caribbean country of Trinidad and Tobago.

Understand

Grande Riviere, on the northern boundary of the park

The park is bounded by three villages: the eponymous 1 Matura, 2 Salybia on the east coast, and 3 Grande Riviere on the north coast. It is best known for its hikes, waterfalls, and nature viewing, particularly of sea turtles.

Landscape

The park is mountainous, constituting part of a mountain range that crosses northern Trinidad from west to east.

Climate

Tropical, with the wet season occurring during the second half of the year. Temperatures are consistent (and warm) year-round, but reduce slightly at higher elevations.

See

A popular hiking spot accessible via the Rio Seco Trail at the Bajnath Estate is 1 Rio Seco Waterfall. It's about an hour's hike each way coming from the estate, but come during the dry season.

• 2 Bajnath's Estate Hummingbird Sanctuary, Salybia Matura Trace, ☏ +1 868 728-7386, bgsltd.tt@gmail.com. 8AM-5PM; by appointment. A privately-owned estate within the park, at Rio Seco near the waterfall. You can (and should) book tours or passes through their website for four or eight hours, with the full-day excursion going to the falls. Food is provided at the sanctuary. (updated Jan 2025)
• Turtle Village Trust, ☏ +1 868 667-8471, info@turtlevillagetrust.org. The Trust supports turtle watching sites in Matura, Grande Riviere, and Toco. (updated Jan 2025)

Buy

Hummingbird-themed mugs can be purchased at Bajnath's Estate or through their website.

Eat

Full meals, drinks, and buffets are available at Bajnath's Estate on their tour packages.

Sleep

Leatherback turtles

Lodging

• 1 Acajou Hotel, 209 Paria Main Road, Grande Riviere, ☏ +1 868 670-3771, info@acajoutrinidad.com. Country cottages just north of the park border in Grande Riviere, with a restaurant and easy beach access. Good starting point for hiking or turtle watching. (updated Jan 2025)
• 2 Queen's Beach Salybia Nature Resort, Toco Main Rd, Salybia, ☏ +1 868 226-1456, qbsalybia@gmail.com. A beachfront hotel in Salybia, a village at the junction of the Toco Main Road and Salybia Matura Trace, the road to the Estate and the national park. The hotel has a bar, restaurant, lounge, and shop. (updated Jan 2025)

Camping

• Friday's Riverside Retreat, Matura, ☏ +1 868 322-5608, fridaysriversideretreat@gmail.com. A campsite. You can rent tents ranging in size and cost, or bring them to camp here. (updated Jan 2025)

Go next

• Arima is a major town to the southwest of the park