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Port of Spain — travel, stays & events guide
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Port of Spain, Trinidad and TobagoOpen-Meteo forecast.
Port of Spain city overview
Port of Spain is a city in Trinidad and Tobago shaped by its region, population, local economy, landmarks, climate and civic history. This overview summarizes the city itself: where it sits, what defines it, which places anchor its identity and why it matters within the wider country.
City facts
Known forPort of Spain, Capital city in Trinidad and Tobago, Port of Spain planning base 3, Port of Spain planning base 4
RegionTrinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago
Time zoneAmerica/Port_of_Spainlocal time
Founded1680historical origin
City history
Port of Spain continued to grow in size and importance during the 19th and early 20th centuries, peaking in size in the 1960s at about 100,000 people.
The French naval commander Comte d'Estrées visited in 1680, and reported that there was no Port of Spain.
But in 1690, Spanish governor Don Sebastien de Roteta reported in writing to the King of Spain.
By 1757, the old capital, San José de Oruña (modern Saint Joseph), about 11 kilometres (7 mi) inland, had fallen into disrepair, and Governor Don Pedro de la Moneda transferred his seat to Port.
Ann's River, prone to flooding, was impeding the expansion of the town, Chacón had its course diverted in 1787 so that it ran to the east of the city, along the foot of the.
In 1803, Port of Spain began growing southwards, with the reclamation of the foreshore mudflats, using fill from the Laventille Hills.
Further major reclamation efforts took place in the 1840s, the 1870s, and in 1906.
In 1935, the Deep Water Harbour Scheme dredged the offshore area along Port of Spain's western neighbourhoods.
From 1958 to 1962, Port of Spain was the temporary capital of the West Indies Federation, though there were plans to build a new federal capital at Chaguaramas.
In July 1990, an extremist group held the prime minister and members of parliament hostage for 5 days while rioting and looting shook Port of Spain.
In 2005, there was a series of bombings in Port of Spain that caused injuries to bystanders.
Port of Spain was founded by the Spanish as Puerto España.
The first settlement was near the site of the Amerindian fishing village of Cumucurapo ("place of the silk cotton trees"), located in the area today known as Mucurapo, west of the city centre.
The part of today's downtown Port of Spain closest to the sea was once an area of tidal mudflats covered by mangroves.
Worth seeing
Port of Spain
Port of Spain is a practical Port of Spain planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Capital city in Trinidad and Tobago
Capital city in Trinidad and Tobago is a practical Port of Spain planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Port of Spain planning base 3
Port of Spain planning base 3 is a practical Port of Spain planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Port of Spain planning base 4
Port of Spain planning base 4 is a practical Port of Spain planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Port of Spain planning base 5
Port of Spain planning base 5 is a practical Port of Spain planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Port of Spain planning base 6
Port of Spain planning base 6 is a practical Port of Spain planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Stay overview
Compare Port of Spain before booking Port of Spain hotels. Start with the places you will repeat most, then check airport timing, parking, nightly price and event demand before choosing the final base.
Hotels & areas
Compare accommodation options in and around Port of Spain by area, not only by nightly price. A cheaper room can become expensive when airport transfers, parking, attraction routes, late arrivals or event-week demand add time and cost.
Compare stays in Port of Spain, Trinidad and TobagoFlights & airports
Main airport TBC arrival plan
- Port of Spain airport accessMain gateway TBC.
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Rental cars
Port of Spain day-trip car use
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Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best time to visit
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Transport notes
Choose a base around the trips you will repeat most: airport, station, old town, waterfront, venue district or day-trip route.
Crowds
Prices can jump around festivals, conventions, school holidays, cruise days, ski weeks, race weekends and large sports events.
Booking detail
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Upcoming events
No upcoming Port of Spain events in the shared event index yet.