Matura National Park is an environmentally sensitive area in Trinidad, in the Caribbean country of Trinidad and Tobago.
Understand
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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.
History
[edit]Landscape
[edit]The park is mountainous, constituting part of a mountain range that crosses northern Trinidad from west to east.
Flora and fauna
[edit]Climate
[edit]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.
Get in
[edit]Fees and permits
[edit]Get around
[edit]See
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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, [email protected]. 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.
- Turtle Village Trust, ☏ +1 868 667-8471, [email protected]. The Trust supports turtle watching sites in Matura, Grande Riviere, and Toco.
Do
[edit]Buy
[edit]Hummingbird-themed mugs can be purchased at Bajnath's Estate or through their website.
Eat
[edit]Full meals, drinks, and buffets are available at Bajnath's Estate on their tour packages.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
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Lodging
[edit]- 1 Acajou Hotel, 209 Paria Main Road, Grande Riviere, ☏ +1 868 670-3771, [email protected]. 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.
- 2 Queen's Beach Salybia Nature Resort, Toco Main Rd, Salybia, ☏ +1 868 226-1456, [email protected]. 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.
Camping
[edit]- Friday's Riverside Retreat, Matura, ☏ +1 868 322-5608, [email protected]. A campsite. You can rent tents ranging in size and cost, or bring them to camp here.
Backcountry
[edit]Stay safe
[edit]Go next
[edit]- Arima is a major town to the southwest of the park