Blanchisseuse

Blanchisseuse is where the North Coast Road ends: beyond it there is no through route east along the coast, only a footpath through the forest to Paria and Matelot. The village is strung along the road above a series of beaches, with the Marianne river reaching the sea at one end and a suspension bridge over it. It is the base for walking the coastal trail and for river trips upstream, and accommodation is small guesthouses.

Background

The village lies about midway along Trinidad's north coast, on the seaward side of the Northern Range, some 24 km to the north of Arima. French settlers came after the Cedula of Population in 1783. In 1797, while mapping Trinidad, Captain Frederick Mallet found the village without a name, and after seeing women washing clothes in the river he wrote "Ladies River" on his chart. The settlers later named the place after those washerwomen, blanchisseuse being the French word for "washerwoman". The rough terrain long held back growth and kept roads away, leaving a clearing between forest and mountains on one side and the sea on the other.

Source: Wikipedia, "Blanchisseuse"

The main sights

• The road's end - the point where the coastal tarmac stops and the trail begins.
• The Marianne river - the river mouth and the suspension bridge over it.
• The beaches - a series of bays along the village front.
• The coastal trail - the footpath east through forest towards Paria.

When to go

January to May is driest and best for the trail. The wet season makes the path to Paria difficult. Weekends bring day visitors from the city.

Good to know

There is no through road east and the trail is the only way on. Facilities are limited to small guesthouses and a few shops. Currents on the beaches are strong and there are no lifeguards.

Nearby

Paria Bay is east on foot, and Las Cuevas is west.

Key facts