Gumbo’s Pic of the Day, June 23, 2014: Maracas Beach on a hot day, Trinidad

Maracas Beach is considered the jewel in the crown of Trinidad’s many beaches. Unlike many of the northern beaches of Trinidad, Maracas Beach is protected by a deep bay and is even more picturesque by the backdrop of mountains. It is on the northern side of the island and an absolutely breathtaking thirty minute mountainous drive from the capital Port of Spain.

Despite Trinidad not being a heavy tourist destination for its beaches compared to other islands in the Caribbean, Maracas is famous by locals and the foreigners that do visit. On weekends many locals from all over the island make the trek to Maracas Beach for a “lime ” (local term for hanging out). Liming at the beach is very much an institution in local island lifestyle.

Maracas Beach is also famous for the local dish “bake and shark.” There are about a dozen huts on the beach front selling these local sandwiches that consist of deep-fried shark stuffed in a bake, which is really a fried bread. Absolutely delicious and perfect to have on a day at the beach, accompanied by a local beer – Carib or in this case Carib Light.