Santa Rosa First Peoples Community
The organised Amerindian community at Arima, keeping the island's surviving first peoples traditions.
Updated 2 September 2026
The Santa Rosa First Peoples Community at Arima is the organised body of Trinidad's surviving Amerindian descendants, recognised by the state and holding land at Arima where a village and cultural centre have been built. It keeps traditions of cassava processing, craft, medicine and food, and its annual Santa Rosa Festival in August combines a Catholic procession of the saint's statue with First Peoples ceremony, reflecting how the two were merged.
What to look for
- The cultural centre - the community's own display of craft, tools and history.
- The cassava processing - traditional preparation of bitter cassava into food.
- The Santa Rosa Festival - the August procession combining Catholic and First Peoples ritual.
- The Amerindian village - the reconstructed settlement on community land.
When to go
The Santa Rosa Festival falls in late August and is the fullest time to visit. The centre otherwise opens by arrangement. Heritage Day events fall in October.
Good to know
Visits need arranging in advance with the community rather than dropping in. The centre is small and modestly funded. The festival is a community religious event, not a performance.
Nearby
Arima is around it, and Lopinot is west.
What to pack for Santa Rosa First Peoples Community
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A refillable water bottle - Many cities have public fountains; save money and plastic. Find on Amazon
- A light layer + compact umbrella - For museum air-con and a sudden shower. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
