Liming is a uniquely Trinidadian term and essentially means to relax in the company of friends discussing all types of topics. It is the equivalent of the American phrase "to hang out and shoot the breeze". Liming takes place in every type of location from street corners, to bars, to the homes of friends, to beaches. However there is one type of lime in Trinidad that carries a special aura and that is a River Lime. Invariably a River Lime includes cooking a meal on the banks of the river. While that meal can include any type of dish and nowadays includes the barbecuing of meat, the most acclaimed river limes are those that revolve around curried duck. The most enjoyable method of cooking is using "three stone", where three large stones are used to hold the pot and a wood or bamboo fire is built underneath.

Any river that has clear water and a natural setting is used for a River Lime in Trinidad. There are however certain river areas in Trinidad that have grown in popularity as sites for having a river lime and these are identified below.

East

North East

North

South

Maracas St Joseph

The Maracas St Joseph valley has one of the few rivers that runs through an area with major housing and yet is not spoiled by development. The river still runs in its natural state throughout the entire length of the valley.

For those looking to lime by the river it is best however to go up the valley as the houses thin out from river bank and the hillsides are clothed in natural vegetation. The flow of the river is smaller than lower in valley but so much cleaner and there are several locations along the river that are well suited for a good lime. Below we identify three of these locations that are up the Maracas River.

To get to the Maracas valley you turn from the Eastern Main Road onto Abercromby Street opposite the Mosque in St Joseph. Abercromby Street becomes the Maracas Royal Road less than 1 kilometre from the Eastern Main Road.

San Pedro

This section describes the route to the Morang Pools.

Near the northern end of the Maracas St Joseph valley where the Maracas Royal Road begins to climb the hill, there is a road on the right (east) known as San Pedro. Proceeding the short distance to the end of San Pedro Road brings you to the river.

Just before the end of the paved section of San Pedro Road the river has created a beautiful pool area. The area has been enhanced with mango cocoa, citrus and ginger lilies. The water is so clean you can see the small pebbles at the bottom of the pools. Large flat solid rock slabs form the river sides and bottom here creating the pool area and the water and sun have coloured the rocks grey to multi-hues of brown. At the edge of the river there is a sandy area suitable for relaxing and enjoying a meal.

There is a clear smooth track that follows the river from the end of the road and along it are good locations for liming. Here the river runs as it always has, along hillsides with rich forest dotted with chaconia, bubbling as it crosses over and between rocks. There is a track that follows the river from the end of the road and along it are good locations for liming. The sound of cicacadas fills the air and the only sign of man's passage other than the track is the occasional coffee and cocoa trees. As you move along the river you may pass a rasta taking his morning bath in the clean water.

Continuing along the track brings you within 7 to 10 minutes to what are known as the Morang Pools. The first of these is a large pool with a depth suitable for swimming. Small children enjoy climbing the rock sides of the pool and jumping into the water. Above this pool is a smaller pool that is also suitable for taking a relaxing soak. There is a third pool further above fed by the spillover of the dam that WASA has created for capturing the water. One can bathe in the third but of course not in the WASA dam as that water is used for drinking purposes. The Morang Pools are frequented by the persons who live at the upper end of the Maracas St Joseph valley.

Bridge Road

To access this river lime location you swing off the Maracas Royal Road where the sign says Bridge Road, ironically still carrying the name although the bridge is no more. A wide grassy road, with bamboo on one side and citrus/cocoa/banana on the other, leads to the river. There are two pools here, a small one where the bridge was and a larger pool about 35 meters up stream. The water is so clean that you can stand on the river bank and watch the river fish swim in pools.

This location can also be accessed via Waterfall Road. On Waterfall Road there is a small round-a-bout on the left and you simply follow that road until you get to the other side of Bridge Road.

Santa Barbara

On the Maracas Royal Road, just before the recreation ground, there is a road on the right called Santa Barbara. Following this road leads to an area where there is a clearing on the left that is floored with dry bamboo leaves. Here the river quietly flows beneath towering arching stands of bamboo.  The pool at this point of the river is ideal for a soak.

Lopinot

The Arouca River flows through Lopinot and on the side of the Lopinot Historical Complex, there is an area that has been dedicated to river limes. To get to this area, you go past the Lopinot Museum and immediately after the football field you take the road on the right. The liming area is a wide open grassy area with stands of bamboo interspersed throughout the area. metal huts have been erected near each of the bamboo stools . The river is not deep or wide at this location and so bathing is mainly for chidren. The entire area however has a very relaxing feel to it.

Lopinot Village is approximately twenty minutes drive from the Eastern Main Road in Arouca.

Lopinot River at Surrey Village

Most individuals when thinking about a river lime on the Lopinot River think about going to that river at the point just below the Lopinot Historical Complex. Some of the reasons that this location comes so quickly to mind is that it is easily accessible, there is some parking for vehicles and there are sheds next to the river. A disadvantage of that location is that with several groups occupying the same location you invariably get someone who spends the day playing music at a very loud level. At several points downstream from that location, home owners who live on the river bank have created a liming area on their property and for a fee groups can rent the spot for the day and enjoy the river.

For persons who want to enjoy the river in a more natural setting going to the Lopinot River in Surrey Village provides an alternative. Surrey Village lies along the road to Lopinot and is 5 kilometers from the Eastern Main Road in Arouca being a 10 to 15 minute drive up into the Northern Range. Surrey is a quiet village best known as the home of Jit Samaroo the legendary steel band arranger and the home of the SuperNova's steel orchestra plus its Hindu temple. In Surrey Village shortly after the community center there is a blue painted bar on the right and immediately after the bar is a narrow road called Lopinot Trace. This road leads downhill to the river. It is a narrow road with some steep sections but just a few minutes driving brings you directly on the river. There are houses all along the road and as it is narrow there is limited parking for vehicles. This spot along the river is therefore best suited to a small group.

The road ends a few meters from the river and a very short walk brings you to the river. There are no houses immediately on the river at this spot and the river flows surrounded by vegetation on both sides. For most of the year the river at this location will be shallow, more suited to a person who wants to lie in the water and have it flow around and over them.

Caura River

Caura is the most popular location in Trinidad for a river lime with the most popular spots being at the abandoned pump house and are called Pool Number 1 and Pool Number 2. The river is so popular however that on a weekend there is insufficient space at these locations for all the people who go to this valley  and so every stretch of the river that has a clearing is used for a lime, usually involving cooking at the riverside. Near the head of the valley, several ajoupas have been built on the river bank. While these huts have metal roofs and so are not as picturesque as those with carat and timit leaf roofs they do provide shelter in the event that rain falls during your river lime.

Caura's popularity stems from the clear water, low population and natural vegetation. As lovely as these pools are, it is not recommended that you stay late at night at these pools. To learn the reason for Caura's low population see Caura's history on our Other Places of Interest Page.

Caura valley lies along the Northern Range, five miles east of Tacarigua, accessed from the Eastern Main Road via the Caura Royal Road.

Aripo

The road leading to the Aripo valley lies on the Eastern Main Road just before Valencia, it is a little south of the intersection of Demerara Road and the Eastern Main Road. At the beginning of the Aripo Road there is a sign that states "Save the Pawi" and it is appropriate that the sign is placed there because the Aripo valley is predominantly forest with patches of agriculture. The road into the valley begins amid rolling countryside and then narrows to a single lane road that hugs the hillside as you climb into the valley. After 7 kilometres or approximately 12 minutes of driving you arrive at a fork in the road, taking the right fork leads to the heart of Aripo village, while taking the left fork leads to an area of old estates that the Asa Wright Nature Conservancy is now managing. The river lime locations are on the left fork. On the drive into the valley, numerous birds can be seen at the forest edge, you may glimpse a rufous jacamar sitting patiently on a tree limb or see silver-lined tanagers darting across the road. On the left fork the number of birds increase and now kingfishers may be observed on branches over the river or hawks ghosting across the sky.

Guanapo

The Guanapo valley is on the eastern outskirts of Arima, accessed from the Eastern Main Road via the Heights of Guanapo Road. As you enter the road, you must stay with the road on your right. After approximately 1.9 kilometers you will see the entrance to the Wasa water plant on the right and the road begins to climb uphill. The river liming locations are further in the valley beyond the Wasa water plant.

Unfortunately the Government has allowed quarrying in the valley with big Mack trucks being used to transport the aggregate that is being removed from the hills. The bulldozing of the hillsides to widen the road to accomodate these trucks, plus the passage of these trucks, has turned the road into a mix of mud and gravel (as of 18th January 2008). If you decide to venture into the Guanapo valley for a river lime it would be best to go with a four wheel drive vehicle, especially if rain has been falling on the previous days.

Valencia

The Valencia region rivals Caura in terms of its popularity for river limes. The advantage that the region has is that there are several rivers (Turure River, La Sieva River, Oropouche River) that drain through the region and so it is able to absorb the crowds that can descend on it on a holiday weekend.  The majority of river limes take place in the areas where the rivers bisect the Valencia Road. Four of these locations are detailed below.

Cumaca Junction

This river lime location is at the junction of Cumaca Road and the Valencia Road and is approximately 2 kilometers from the Valencia Junction (Roundabout). It is a river side spot at the corner, immediately as you turn onto Cumaca Road. Along here a small stream flows down from the mountains and the meandering of the river has created several small pools. This location is good for a cooking lime as the trees along the river bank keep the area constantly cool. The pools at this spot are small so adults cannot really bathe at this spot. At one time this spot was maintained by CEPEP and you can see the ginger lilies and young coconut trees that they planted. Unfortunately they have not kept up the maintenance so if you are going to have a river lime at this location you should bring your cutlass as you may have to do some low trimming to clear a comfortable spot.

3k Valencia Road

Along the Valencia Road, approximately 3 kilometers from the Valencia Junction or 1 kilometer from the Cumaca Road Junction, there is a clearing on the left just off the road, immediately after a bridge. This clearing is often used by those seeking a location along a river for their lime. The river gently flows along the western edge of this clearing. This spot has space for approximately 10 vehicles and is shaded by a mixture of pomerac and cocoa trees plus bamboo patches. As the river winds its way through this area it has created several small shallow pools that are ideal for soaking in on a hot day. Along the edge of the river there is a trail that follows the river upstream and leads to several good cooking spots.

Metal Gate

3.5 kilometers from the Valencia Junction just as road begins an uphill climb, there is a dirt road on left and just inside this road there is a red painted metal gate. A short drive along this road which is a narrow agricultural trace, leads to a fairly large clearing on the banks of a river with scattered stands of bamboo. There are several pools in the immediate vicinity, with one being man made while the others are naturally created by the bends of the river.

North Oropouche River at Valencia

7.5 kilometers from Valencia Junction, along the Valencia Road, just after the signs for Coosal’s Quarry and Readimix Quarry is the North Oropouche River at Valencia facility. This is the most popular river liming spot in the Valencia region. It is rare to find this location without numerous people on a weekend. If you are looking for a quiet day it is best to go on a weekday, not a weekend. One of the attractions of this location is that the North Oropouche River is larger than the other rivers in Valencia and so the pools along the river are larger. There is a paved car park that can accommodate approximately 15 vehicles and the shoulders of the road are wide so that excess vehicles can park along the road. Toilet facilities have been installed but these are in a state of disrepair.

De_Freitas_Recreation_Park

De Freitas Recreation Park, popularly known as De Freitas Ranch, is a private property that has been structured especially for holding river limes. This ranch in Valencia Trinidad is accessed by proceeding through the Valencia Junction and going on to the Valencia Road. A short distance after the Junction you turn on to Quare Road which leads to Hollis dam (there is a church just before on the right). You follow Quare Road and then turn on to Bacchus Trace which leads to the De Freitas property.

At the edge of the property the river meanders between banks that are lined on one side with bamboo and lined with Easter lilies on the other bank. It is along the river bank that structures have been constructed for river liming. There are nine sheds with electricity so numerous groups can be accommodated along the river bank. If you are looking for a quiet river lime it would be best not to go to this property on a holiday weekend as the sheds are close to each other and so you can be assured that there will be loud music throughout. Each shed has bricks to facilitate cooking. On the property there are changing rooms and toilets.

This is a large parcel of land and it is on the rest of the property that the reason for calling it a recreation park is seen. A short distance from the sheds there is an open area with a basketball hoop. Near the main entrance there is a swimming pool and children’s play area with slides. There is also a Guest House on the property.

Cumaca Road

Along the road leading to Cumaca Village the road descends to the river and crosses it at a point where there are several small pools. The location of this bridge across the river provides an excellent spot for a river lime. The bridge is on a bend of the road and there is a small short trace on left before bridge. This trace runs alongside the river and is the best spot for the river lime. There are shallow pools formed by rocks and by the bends in the river allowing you to bathe on either side of the bridge. At this point along the river there is no habitation nearby and immediately as you move off the road the forest envelopes you so what you hear is the sound of the river, the wind through the trees and the birds.

It is possible to have the lime further up the river as there are there are areas where the river bends and sand bars or shingle beaches have been formed. Most persons however do not want to have to carry their cooking implements and drinks very far so the area near the road is the most popular. If having a river lime at this location you should park well off the road as there is a quarry further along the road and large trucks travel along this road.

 

To get to the popular spot, you proceed along the Eastern Main Road to Valencia. At the Valencia Junction you take the left fork onto Valencia Road (as if heading to Toco). Cumaca Road is along the Valencia Road, approximately 2 kilometers from the Valencia Junction traffic lights and there is a sign on the road directing to St Albans Quarry. The distance from the start of Cumaca Road to the bridge is 4.6 kilometers. The first one kilometer of the road is paved and then the road becomes a mixture of paved and gravel road eventually becoming a gravel road. The road is bumpy in parts but passable. This bridge that marks the location for the river limes is often used as the start of the hike to the Turure Water Cascades.

Matura

On the eastern outskirts of Matura village, the Matura river crosses the Toco Main Road just after the police station. The area in the immediate vicinity of the bridge on both sides of the road is used for river limes. Bamboo predominates along this part of the river providing shade plus fuel for the fires. This area is so popular on a holiday weekend that it cannot hold all the people who seek use this area. A few meters beyond the bridge, set amid some cocoa trees, is a metal gate and upon payment of a small fee you are allowed drive through the gate to an area up stream with scattered clumps of bamboo and ample space for a river lime.

Rio Seco

The Rio Seco River enters the ocean at Sally Bay just after Matura on the Toco Main Road. The immediate area of river mouth is the most popular location for river limes. Apart from the width of the river at this point and the large trees that grow at the river's edge, plus the fact that you can combine a river bath with a sea bath, it is popular because of the lifeguard stations on the river and on the beach. One location that has grown in popularity is the area on the eastern side of the river. On that side of the river vehicles can be driven off the road and parked close to the river in the shade of large trees.

A lesser used but much more beautiful spot is to walk upriver from the bridge. A short distance beyond the bridge the river bends and all the noise of the road traffic disappears. On this part of the Rio Seco river you have the ambiance of natural forest with cool clear river water.

Grande Riviere

Grande Riviere is a small village on the north east coast of Trinidad, reached by travelling along the Toco Main Road and then continuing after Toco along the Paria Main Road. It lies after Sans Souci and before Matelot. The village takes its name after the river, which is French for large river. On the Grande Riviere River there are two main locations that are used for a river lime.

Grande Riviere River bridge

The bridge across the Grande Riviere river lies at the entrance to Grande Riviere village. Either side of the bridge on the eastern side of the river is used for holding river limes.

Grande Riviere River Mouth

Some persons like to have their river lime but also have the ability to take a sea bath and the mouth of the Grande Riviere river provides that possibility. The main entrance to the river mouth is Hosang Street. You are not allowed to drive your car on the beach but there is a car park on Hosang Street just after Health Center, which is in very close proximity to the beach. During the turtle nesting season you are not allowed to be on beach at night, however you are allowed to use the beach during the day.

It is also possible to access the river mouth via the Fish Depot. The road leading to the Depot is on right, just before first main bridge across the river.

Shark River

Shark River which crosses the Paria Main Road between Gran Riviere and Matelot is another popular location for a river lime. Both sides of the road are used.

The southern side of the road has space for the car to be driven down next to the river and has a grove of trees that provides shade. This side of the road has sufficient space that several groups can be liming in the area at the same time. Be forewarned however that the passage of cars along the dirt track leading to the river can cause the track to have depressions in it. These depressions can cause problems later in the evening when you are attempting to drive up to the road from the river bank. As a result some people choose to park along the road. On the northern side of the road just before the bridge there is a clearing overlooking the river that has two nutmeg trees and space for at least three cars.

Those who want to do their liming without other groups nearby can easily go upstream as their is a fairly well defined path that follows the river up stream.

In addition to one day river limes, Shark River is also a popular location for camping.

Matelot

Just before Matelot

Along the Paria Road on the outskirts of Matelot several streams tumble from the hillsides and cross the road to reach the sea. Most of these are good locations for a river lime but there is one in particular that has a special twist. This stream is noticeable because just at the small wooden bridge that crosses the stream is a clear refreshing pool that is easily seen from the road. If you venture up the river, at the first bend the jumble of rocks has created an inverted V. The river water pouring over these rocks is a natural shower that is often used by villagers.

Most of the cooking for river limes at this location is actually done overlooking the sea which is on the other side of the road. The river being used for the sheer enjoyment of being in the cool clean water.

Matelot River Mouth

The Matelot River is great location for those who want a river lime but do not want to be molested by hordes of other people. Being such a far distance from the major population centers means that Matelot does not usually attract large crowds. The stretch of the river from the school bridge to the sea is the area that is normally used.

Arima-Blanchisseuse Road

The Arima-Blanchisseuse Road begins on the Eastern Main Road just after Maturita. At the intersection with the Eastern Main Road it is known as the Arima Bye-Pass Road and then becomes the Arima Blanchisseuse Road. For those coming along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway, just after you pass the pillars, you turn onto Demerra Road and follow it to the Eastern Main Road. At the EMR you cross over onto the Arima Bye-Pass Road.

This road winds and climbs over the Northern Range and along many parts there is only natural forest with the occasional house. Along the Arima-Blanchissuesse Road, there are two rivers that run parallel to or close to the road at several points and these are the Arima River and the Marianne River.

Manette Ranch

Approximately 3.6 kilometers on the Arima-Blanchissuesse Road after leaving the Eastern Main Road is Manette Ranch. This property lies on the Arima River and has 9 sheds for cooking and liming. The sheds have electricity and  benches. There are toilets on the property. Manette Ranch is on a bend of the Arima River and there is bamboo arching over the river plus benches overlooking the river. This property is a commercial venture so there is a fee for use of the property.

Riverside Resort

Approximately 4.8 kilometers on the Arima-Blanchissuesse Road after leaving the Eastern Main Road is Riverside Resort. This river lime location is also on a bend of the Arima River and parking is off the road in front the house of the owner.  To access the river you have to walk down an incline and there are three sheds on the river bank, each with electricty, benches and tables.

This is a commercial venture so there is a fee for use of the property

Verdant Vale

The name Verdant Vale truly describes this area, as it is rich in all of nature's bounty. This small village along the Arima-Blanchissuesse Road has the distinction of having the smallest US Army base in Trinidad during World War II. There are two easily accessible locations that are often used for a river lime. The first is a small area just off the road on the left, approximately half way through the village. You can park your car in the open area between the road and the river.

The second spot is at the entrance to the Dipcon Quarry. Here the river runs close to the road so that you are not far from your vehicle but the shrubbery on the river bank gives the feeling of being away from the road. There is space for a tent on the river bank.

Rangers Camp Bridge

At 31 kilometers from the Eastern Main Road, there is a bridge on the Arima-Blanchissuesse Road opposite Rangers Camp. This spot is a favorite location for river limes. At this location there is a double S bend of the Marianne River creating several pools. The tall forest trees with the cooling breeze and cool water combine to provide the ingredients for an enjoyable day. The gravel river banks have enough space for you to cook and lime next to the water.

Some individuals choose to place their chairs in the sections of the river with shallow pools.  In other parts the water is deep enough for you to swim. If the area next to the road is crowded it is easy to walk a short distance up the river and find a clear spot.

There is adequate parking at side of the road on either sides of the bridge.

Brasso Seco

Brasso Seco is the starting point for hikes to the Paria Waterfall and the Madamas Waterfall. It is the area with the highest recorded rainfall in Trinidad and there are numerous streams through the valley. An easily acessible and beautiful river liming location in Brasso Seco is at the Mark To Bridge.

5.8 kilometers from the Brasso Seco Junction is Brasso Trace. The road is a combination of pitch and gravel in parts but highly passable. If you turn onto Brasso Trace and proceed for 2.5 km you arrive at the Mark To Bridge. As the river emerges from under the bridge it has formed a pool filled with clear water that is a delight to bathe in. All around the area there are cocoa trees and the river winds away from the pool flowing thru bamboo and cocoa. At the side of the pool is a carat roof hut that is maintained by the Brasso Seco Tourism Action Committee.

To get to Brasso Seco you use the Arima-Blanchissuesse Road and Brasso Seco Junction is reached approximately 40 minutes after crossing the Eastern Main Road (19.3 kilometers). An alternate route is to begin the drive along the Blanchisseuse-Arima Road from the village of Blanchisseuse and the Brasso Seco Junction is reached after 45 minutes driving. At the Brasso Seco Junction you turn onto the Brasso Seco Road and descend in a twenty minutes drive to the village of Brasso Seco.

Marianne River

There are several locations along the Marianne River in Blanchissuesse that are used for River Limes.

Marianne River Mouth

The easiest and most popular entrance is at the side of the restaurant attached to the Laguna Mar Beach Hotel. At this point a concrete walkway leads from the road to the beach. This entry point is popular because it leads directly to the section of the beach where the Marianne River meets the sea. Persons who organize their lime for this section of the river have the opportunity to combine a river lime with a beach party.

Suspension Bridge - Marianne River

This bridge lies at the the eastern end of Blanchissuesse village. Either bank of the river in the immediate vicinity of the bridge is used for river limes.  On the northern side of the river, bamboo predominates. On the southern side of the river there are  several breadfruit trees and between June to August when the breadfruit trees are laden with fruit those enjoying a river lime often add breadfruit to their menu. Swimming is possible at this section of the river and on the southern side the river bed slopes gently allowing those who cannot swim to still enjoy the water of the river.

Three Pools - Marianne River

Beginning at the Spring Bridge in Blanchisseuse it is an easy hike to the Three Pools on the Marianne River. The trail starts on the right (eastern side) immediately before the bridge and is a short easy hike that mainly follows the course of the river. The first pool is used for river limes because the river makes a bend at this pool creating a small beach and behind the beach the land is fairly flat. To get to the second and third pools require either swimming across the river or carefully walking around a rock face both of which would be difficult if burdened with pots and meat plus coolers of ice.

Up River Marianne

Approximately 5 miles from Blanchisseuse is an old agricultural road on the eastern side of the Blanchisseuse-Arima Road, bordered by 6 pomerac trees and a chain-link fence. There is a hand made wooden sign that states Pops Avenue to Waterfall. On entering the road you can park your vehicle at the first house for a small fee. This road becomes a wide grass track and continues directly to the Marianne River. As the track reaches the river there is a relatively wide flat area that is used by those looking for a location for their liming. The river bends at this point and so has a nice bathing area. If you continue down river from this point you will encounter the Marianne waterfall after approximately 15 minutes of walking.

Yarra_River_Lime

The area known as Yarra lies between the villages of La Fillette and Blanchissuese and the Yarra River winds through the area. Along the North Coast Road just after La Fillette village there is the Blanchissuesse High School and shortly after the high school the road crosses the Yarra River. Anywhere in Trinidad that there is a river with clean flowing water is a good location for a river lime and the Yarra River is no exception. There are several locations along the Yarra River that are used for river limes and three of these are up the river, at the river mouth and at the bridge.

Individuals who want their river lime in a secluded natural forest setting sometimes opt to go up river where there are several pools with wide sand banks. To get to the upriver portion you turn right at the road immediately before the bridge and follow the river. The river mouth is also another location that is good for a river lime as at the western end of the beach, the river flows slowly with clear water between sandy banks. There is a grove of short coconut trees that lies between the river and the sea, while along one stretch of the river almond trees line the bank. The beach is fairly easy to get to and our section on Yarra Beach provides directions. The only issue for those choosing to have their river lime at the river mouth is that all the implements have to be hand carried along the beach.

The most popular location for a river lime on the Yarra River is actually at the bridge where the North Coast Road crosses the Yarra River.  There is a path on either side of the bridge that leads down to the river and here the river forms a large pool that is ideal for bathing. No river lime is complete without food being cooked on the spot or at least a pot cooked at home and then consumed at the river bank. Liming at the bridge provides two locations for cooking. There was a previous bridge that crossed the river and when a new bridge was installed, the road was shifted to cross the new bridge but the old bridge was left in place. As a result, immediately after the old bridge the paved road way is still there, providing a place to cook and lime. In addition, on the opposite side of the road there is a natural shaded clearing that provides a place to cook, sit and eat.

Maracas Bay

Maracas Bay is best known as a place for a beach lime but interestingly you can also go to Maracas Bay for a river lime. The place for this different twist on a River Lime is the Maracas Bay Agri-Tourism Park. The Maracas Bay River which empties into the sea on the western end of Maracas Beach also runs through the Park and the management of the Park has put in infrastructure to cater for the Trini love of a River Lime. At the Park you will find huts with chulhas and clean water. The Park’s management provides the firewood so that you just have to walk with your food. If you want a River Lime but do not want to cook, you can arrange with the Park to have their staff cook on site for you. There are also modern bathrooms on site. The Park is a commercial venture so there is a fee for rental of the huts.

Chaguaramas

Chaguaramas may be better known for its beach limes but it also offers locations for holding a river lime. One of these locations is at the end of Covigne Road. To get to Covigne Road you go along Macqueripe Road into Tucker Valley. The road immediately after the mango field and at the side of Samaan Park that goes past the National Seed Center is Covigne Road. There is a sign that says Arboretum and North Coast Trail. Follow Covigne Road to the end.

At end of the road is a barrier and the Arboretum on the right, walk past the barrier and take the old road on the left. Following this road leads to the Cuesa River. This river has a low water flow most times, except in periods of heavy rainfall. You can hike 10 minutes up river to a spot where there is a cleared raised bank on the side of a pool. Most people opt not to take this walk and instead have their lime at the Nutmeg Field.

Shortly before the river there is a track on the right that goes past an old military bunker. Following this track (2 minute walk) leads to the Nutmeg Field. At this spot a stream flowing over a large boulder creates a mini waterfall and shower. Just above is a small pool. The trees in the nutmeg field are spread apart so there is ample space for liming.

The Arboretum is also used for liming. Two man made pools are on the property and river water is brought from the nutmeg field to fill the pools. There are a few huts that are located among bamboo stands on a dry river bank. There is a fee for the use of the Arboretum property.

Nariva River

The point at which the Nariva River enters the sea at Manzanilla is the location for many river limes. The most popular river liming spot is the strip of land that is bordered by both the river and the sea. To gain access to this strip there is a gate just before the first major bridge across the Nariva River. A small fee is charged for entry to this area. Along this strip there are several pathways that lead through the coconuts to the river and the river is shallow enough in the immediate vicinity of the river bank to allow those who cannot swim to be able to bathe.

Ortoire River

The area of the river mouth is the section of the river most used for liming. This section is maintained by CEPEP and so kept clean. The water spreads out along this section and at low tide or when the river is not in flood there is a wide sandy area. Between the road and the river there are many shade trees with spaces between the trees for liming. To get to the river mouth Point Radix road is used. For those coming from the north Point Radix Road is on the left, immediately after you cross the bridge spanning the Ortoire river.

Indian Bay Mayaro

Along the Mayaro-Guyaguyare Road, shortly after Sandsucker Drive, a small river crosses the road on its way to the sea. The beach sand in this area causes the river to run paralel to the ocean creating a natural pool literally next to the road. Several ajoupas have been built between the road and the river causing this area to be popular for holding a river lime. As a result of the large number of people who frequent this area a Life Guard station has been erected and is manned during daylight hours.

Tulsa Trace Picnic Site

In south Trinidad, almost hidden from most people unless you live in the area, is a delightful picnicking area known as the Tulsa Trace Picnic Site. Those however who know of it flock to the area on weekends because of its ambiance. This area provides the opportunity to relax, cook, fish and generally have a day of fun with family and friends. The site is located at the Ministry of Works and Transport Drainage Division Penal Calco Pump Station. Several years ago TIDCO, (Tourism and Industrial Development Company) in conjunction with the Penal Rotary Club made improvements to the site to make it more enjoyable for visitors.

The Tulsa Trace Picnic Site is located at the confluence of two waterways; the Black Water and the Godineau River. On the Channel side there are three concrete huts each with built in seating and a large central table while on the land side there are two similar huts. The site also has male and female toilets that are maintained and clean. In the Black Water people fish for Cascadoo while there is a mix of species, both fresh and salt water in the Godineau because of its brackish nature due to tidal influx.

Apart from the huts it is also possible to enjoy the ambiance of the area and be close to the water. The roadway leading to the picnic site runs parallel to the Black Water and the banks of the river are lined with Black mangrove trees. So along the Black Water channel it is possible to sling hammocks and place chairs in the shade of the black mangrove trees.  Using this area is however best done in the dry season as in the rainy season the water level rises.

There are no refreshment vendors in the immediate area of the picnic site but at the corner where one turns into the road leading to the picnic site there is a bar and also a mini-mart. The area can be noisy on Public Holidays and Sunday afternoons when some people come and play the music from their car stereo systems, but as you move into the shade of the mangrove trees the noise level diminishes.

You can find directions for the Tulsa Trace Picnic Site by visiting our Map Page.