When I learned my work was sending me to Trinidad, I assumed the trip would be all conference rooms and airport transfers. Then I did what I always do before travel and went down a research rabbit hole. Within an hour, I learned that Trinidad is one of the best birding destinations in the Caribbean, and one name kept coming up: Asa Wright Nature Centre. Trinidad overall surprised me in a good way. It had never been on my travel list, but now I think it deserves more than 3 days to explore the rest of the island.
Why I Chose Asa Wright
Trinidad sits just off the coast of Venezuela, so its birdlife is far richer than you’d expect from such a small island. It has South American species alongside Caribbean ones, packed into a compact space. I wanted a base where the birds came to me, and Asa Wright looked like exactly that.
What sealed it was the history. The centre grew out of a former cocoa, coffee and citrus estate in the Arima Valley, where a woman named Asa Wright made her home and welcomed visiting naturalists. It later became a nature centre and sanctuary, protecting a large stretch of rainforest. I love places with a story, and this one began with hospitality and a love of nature. That felt right for a place I’d be sleeping.
I reached out to the team, and they were wonderful. They helped organize my whole stay, including pickup from Port of Spain’s Piarco airport and a drop-off at my Port of Spain business hotel at the end. For a solo traveler juggling work, that kind of help was a huge relief.
I chose three days for one big reason: the oilbirds. They were at the top of my wish list, and I wanted enough time to see them without rushing.
The Drive: Winding Roads and a Sudden Silence
The drive was half the fun. We left the airport and soon began climbing winding mountain roads through thick green hills. I couldn’t believe it: no more than 45 to 60 minutes from the airport, and the world had gone quiet. Traffic and noise were replaced by birdsong, cool air, and a sense of being tucked away in the forest.
Arrival: Rum Punch and 15 Hummingbird Feeders
I was welcomed with a rum punch and led to the famous veranda. I sat down, looked out, and that was it. I was sold.
Below the veranda hung 15 hummingbird feeders, and hundreds of birds hummed around them at a time. The air buzzed with tiny wings, iridescent flashes, and endless squabbling over perches. I counted dozens of different kinds of hummingbirds during my stay and took hundreds of photos. My memory card filled up quickly.
I will also admit that I had way too many rum punches. In my defense, the veranda is a very hard place to leave.
The Veranda Is the Show
I’d planned my days around walks and tours, but the best birding often happened without moving at all. If you sit on that veranda with coffee, a camera, and a little patience, the forest puts on a full performance.
My favorite performer was the crested oropendola. The male makes a dramatic, gurgling call and swings forward on its perch like a pendulum. I could have watched it all day.
Other visitors included bay-headed tanagers, toucans, parrots, and many more. Even a non-birder would get hooked here.
More about birds of Asa Wright Center here
Bellbirds and Manakins: Two Very Different Courtships
Two sightings stood out.
The bearded bellbird (the “anvil bird”) has a call that sounds like a hammer striking metal, which is how it got its nickname. It rings through the forest, and it was a thrill to finally put a face to the sound.
The white-bearded manakin was my other highlight. The males gather at display sites and work to impress the females. What I loved most is that the male clears and tidies his display area, like a tiny landscaper trying to win a date. Both species have such unusual ways of attracting a mate, and I found myself rooting for the manakin.
Seeing the Oilbirds
And yes, I saw the oilbirds, the reason for my three-day stay. These nocturnal fruit-eating birds roost in caves and find their way in the dark by echolocation, which is rare among birds. Seeing them in person was worth the trip on its own.
I have written a separate blog post for visiting the oilbirds, and you can read more here
Beyond the Veranda: Walks and a Day Trip
- Morning birding walk: I joined a walk with the in-house birding expert. Guides here know the calls, the habits, and exactly where to look. I saw far more with them than I ever would have on my own.
- Caroni Swamp day trip: I arranged a day trip to the Caroni Swamp, which offered a nice habitat change from the mountain rainforest and added a completely different set of birds to my list. More about Caroni Swamp visit here
The Room
My room was lovely: comfortable, peaceful, and with garden views. After a long day outside, it was a quiet place to rest and listen to the forest. Don’t expect a luxury resort, though. The charm is the setting: a nature lodge in the middle of a rainforest. I stayed in one of their nest accomidation. You can check out other available types of rooms here
The Grounds
The grounds are beautiful. There are a couple of waterfalls and wide varieties of flowers along the trails. Even when I wasn’t looking for birds, it was a joy to wander. You can also swim in the waterfalls and surrounding area.
Food: Four Meals a Day
My stay included breakfast, lunch, dinner, and high tea. After a morning walk, a good meal tastes even better, and the afternoon tea on the veranda became one of my favorite rituals. (Add details about your favorite dishes and any Trinidadian specialties here.)
Tips for Visiting Asa Wright
- Book early. Reach out to the team ahead of time, especially if you want transfers and guided activities arranged.
- Stay at least three days. That gave me time for the oilbirds, the walks, and a day trip without feeling rushed.
- Bring a long lens, but don’t stress if you don’t have one. The feeders put hummingbirds close enough for great photos.
- Pack for the tropics. Bring light layers, a rain jacket, comfortable shoes, and insect repellent.
- Take it slow. The best birding often comes from sitting still.
- Pace the rum punch. Learn from my mistakes.
Final Thoughts
Asa Wright was one of the best birding lodges I have been to, offering a truly immersive experience in nature, where the tranquility of the surrounding rainforest and the melodious calls of exotic birds created a magical atmosphere that captivated my senses; I can’t wait to go back and spend more time exploring the diverse trails, learning more about the vibrant wildlife, and soaking in the breathtaking views that this remarkable location has to offer.
