Information
City: ArimaCountry: Trinidad and Tobago
Continent: North America
Arima, Trinidad and Tobago, North America
Overview
Arima, known as the “City of the Holy Trinity,” sits in eastern Trinidad, where bright market stalls and centuries-old traditions keep its rich history alive.Arima, rich in indigenous roots and lively traditions, thrives as a bustling regional hub yet still feels like a small town, where the scent of fresh bread drifts from corner bakeries.Here’s a closer look at this fascinating area, with details sharp enough to picture cobblestones under your feet.Arima sits in eastern Trinidad, about 26 kilometers-roughly a half-hour’s drive-from the bustle of Port of Spain.The town sits at the base of the Northern Range, not far from the Aripo Savannas, where the air stays warm year-round, hovering between 24 and 32°C (75–90°F) and carrying the faint scent of damp earth after rain.From June to December, the skies open with steady rain, while January through May stays mostly dry.Long before colonial times, the Carib and Arawak peoples called Arima home.The town’s name comes from an Amerindian word for “water.” In the 18th century, the Spanish founded Arima as a mission to convert the local Indigenous people to Christianity.By 1888, the British had made it a borough, a nod to its rising role in trade and administration.Today, it’s one of Trinidad’s most culturally vibrant towns, known for honoring its Amerindian heritage alongside African, Indian, European, and Chinese traditions-you might catch the scent of curry wafting from a street market while hearing the steady beat of a drum.Amerindian heritage runs deep in Arima, often called the cultural heart of Trinidad’s First Peoples, where drums still echo during annual celebrations.In Arima, the Santa Rosa First Peoples Community keeps indigenous traditions alive, celebrating them with pride.Each August, the Feast of Santa Rosa de Lima honors the town’s patron saint and its deep Amerindian roots.During the Santa Rosa Festival, you’ll see solemn religious rites, swirling traditional dances, and the crowning of the Carib Queen, a revered cultural leader.Carnival brings its own burst of color and energy, with lively mas characters parading through the streets.The local economy blends old and new-busy markets scented with fresh cocoa stand alongside small shops, workshops, and modern malls.Farms in the surrounding hills grow coffee, citrus, and vegetables, while light industry and tourism add to the mix.Visitors often stop to admire the 19th-century Santa Rosa RC Church, or wander Cleaver Woods Park, where quiet trails wind past Amerindian artifacts.Arima offers a mix of history, culture, and nature-from the First Peoples Heritage Village, where you can see traditional crafts and hear drumming, to the town’s iconic clock tower standing proud in the center.Just outside town, the Aripo Caves shelter bats, rare plants, and the oilbird, Trinidad’s national bird, while the nearby Asa Wright Nature Centre draws birdwatchers from around the world.Well-connected by the Eastern Main Road and the Churchill–Roosevelt Highway, Arima’s busy streets see maxi-taxis, buses, and shared cars coming and going all day.Once a stop along the island’s railway, the town now thrives as a hub for education, with schools like Holy Cross College and Arima Central Secondary, and for community life, thanks to its libraries, museums, and a strong sporting tradition in football and cricket.The Larry Gomes Stadium hosts major sporting events, drawing energetic crowds, while the lively Arima Market bursts with fresh fruit, handmade crafts, and the scent of sizzling street food; after dark, the town’s modest nightlife hums in its bars and small entertainment spots.Rapid growth strains roads, utilities, and services, and heavy traffic clogs the streets at rush hour, yet the community works to modernize without losing its deep indigenous roots or the rich mix of cultures that define Arima.Arima blends tradition, lush green hills, and lively city streets into an experience where the drumming of the First Peoples meets the pulse of Trinidad’s modern culture.
Landmarks in arima
