Asa Wright Nature Centre

Asa Wright occupies an old cocoa and coffee estate high in Trinidad's Northern Range, and its famous verandah is the reason birders come from across the world: sit still with a rum punch and hummingbirds, honeycreepers, tanagers and oropendolas work the feeders and flowering trees a few metres away, with the forested valley dropping below. Trails run through rainforest where manakins lek and trogons call, and the estate protects one of the few accessible colonies of the oilbird, a nocturnal fruit-eating bird that navigates caves by echolocation - visitors with a stay of several nights may join the guided cave visit.

What you actually see

• The verandah - hummingbirds and tanagers at arm's length from the feeders.
• The oilbird cave - the accessible Dunston Cave colony, on guided visits.
• Forest trails - manakin leks, trogons and bellbird calls.
• The old estate house - the plantation building at the centre's heart.

When to go

The dry season from January to May is the classic window with easier trails, though birding is excellent year round. Breeding activity peaks in the early part of the year. Rain in the wet season is heavy but usually short and the forest is at its greenest.

Honest expectations

Access to the oilbird cave has historically been reserved for guests staying multiple nights, and arrangements change - confirm before travelling if that is the draw. The centre has had financial difficulties in recent years and operations have varied, so check current opening and lodging status. The road up the valley is narrow and winding. It is a birding destination first; casual visitors may find a couple of hours enough.

Nearby

The Caroni Swamp, Arima and the Northern Range beaches on the north coast.