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Trinidad and Tobago🇹🇹 | festivalsDivaliDeya lamps, Divali Nagar, Ramayana dance, vegetarian stalls | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Divali
👍 Recommendedfestival ranked #4
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Divali is a Hindu festival of lights, not a single-night party, and in Trinidad and Tobago it stretches across a whole season of prayers, concerts and cultural shows. The main night falls in October or November, on the new moon, and dates shift each year with the lunar calendar. The heart of it is Divali Nagar, the festival village in Chaguanas, in central Trinidad, a short drive south of Port of Spain. Expect thousands of deyas (small clay lamps) glowing along fences, temples and rooftops, stage shows of Indian classical and chutney music, craft stalls, and food that arrives faster than your willpower. Crowds are mostly Trinidadian families, plus a growing number of curious visitors. Dress modestly, wear shoes you can slip off, and bring cash for the stalls. The vibe is warm, communal and unhurried, though parking is a competitive sport. Unlike Carnival, which is loud, sweaty and built around the party, Divali is gentler, family-centered and lit by flame instead of fete speakers.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Trinidad and Tobago Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #4 festival in Trinidad and TobagoWhat sets this place apart

Divali in Trinidad and Tobago gives backpackers a rare chance to be fed, welcomed and handed a lamp by strangers within an hour of arriving. Indo-Trinidadian culture is the second great pillar of the islands, and this is its brightest showcase. At the Divali Nagar in Chaguanas, you can watch classical dance, taste home-style vegetarian dishes and learn the story of Rama and Sita from people who grew up with it. The mood is open, so conversations start easily, and invitations to temples or family homes are common.

It also pairs well with a longer Caribbean route. The event sits in the quieter autumn stretch after the summer rush and well before Carnival, so you can add it between mainland South America and the islands. Entry to the main grounds is modest compared with ticketed music festivals, … read more 👉
Divali in Trinidad and Tobago gives backpackers a rare chance to be fed, welcomed and handed a lamp by strangers within an hour of arriving. Indo-Trinidadian culture is the second great pillar of the islands, and this is its brightest showcase. At the Divali Nagar in Chaguanas, you can watch classical dance, taste home-style vegetarian dishes and learn the story of Rama and Sita from people who grew up with it. The mood is open, so conversations start easily, and invitations to temples or family homes are common.

It also pairs well with a longer Caribbean route. The event sits in the quieter autumn stretch after the summer rush and well before Carnival, so you can add it between mainland South America and the islands. Entry to the main grounds is modest compared with ticketed music festivals, and much of the street-level glow, like the deya-lit villages and temple fronts around central Trinidad, costs nothing to enjoy. You leave with a clearer sense of what makes this country tick.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Divali Nagar, Chaguanas: the festival village is what Divali is best known for here. It has temple replicas, stages, craft stalls and food tents, all lit by hundreds of deyas after dark. Go in the evening for the full effect.
  2. Deya lighting: clay lamps filled with oil are lined along yards, bamboo frames and rooftops. Many neighborhoods in central and south Trinidad turn into corridors of tiny flames, and the best way to see them is a slow evening drive or walk.
  3. Stage performances: Indian classical dance, devotional singing and chutney-style music share the programs. The dances often retell episodes from the Ramayana, so even without background you can follow the action.
  4. Vegetarian festival food: expect doubles, roti with channa and aloo, dhal, pumpkin and curried mango, plus sweets like gulab
… read more 👉
  1. Divali Nagar, Chaguanas: the festival village is what Divali is best known for here. It has temple replicas, stages, craft stalls and food tents, all lit by hundreds of deyas after dark. Go in the evening for the full effect.
  2. Deya lighting: clay lamps filled with oil are lined along yards, bamboo frames and rooftops. Many neighborhoods in central and south Trinidad turn into corridors of tiny flames, and the best way to see them is a slow evening drive or walk.
  3. Stage performances: Indian classical dance, devotional singing and chutney-style music share the programs. The dances often retell episodes from the Ramayana, so even without background you can follow the action.
  4. Vegetarian festival food: expect doubles, roti with channa and aloo, dhal, pumpkin and curried mango, plus sweets like gulab jamun, parsad and kurma. Eat from the busiest stalls, as turnover keeps everything fresh.
  5. Temple and home prayers: on the main night, families hold puja and many welcome respectful visitors at local temples. Cover your shoulders and knees, remove your shoes and follow the lead of those around you.
If you want the cheapest option, the deya-lit streets and temple fronts cost nothing, while the Nagar grounds are the item most likely to involve an entry fee.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Divali

Trinidad Nighttime Food Tour

Trinidad Nighttime Food Tour

5.0(140) 3h
From €63
per personViator
Hidden Gem: Avocat Waterfall Hike & Beach Stop in Trinidad

Hidden Gem: Avocat Waterfall Hike & Beach Stop in Trinidad

5.0(51) 8h
From €124
per personViator
Trinidad Northern Eco-Cultural Full-Day Highlights Tour from Port of Spain

Trinidad Northern Eco-Cultural Full-Day Highlights Tour from Port of Spain

4.9(41) 8h
From €122
per personViator
Snorkel, Spearfish & Seafood Adventure, Trinidad

Snorkel, Spearfish & Seafood Adventure, Trinidad

5.0(28) 6h
From €91
per personViator
Caroni Bird Sanctuary Tour

Caroni Bird Sanctuary Tour

4.8(29) 4h
From €68
per personViator
Maracas Beach Excursion & City Pass by tour. A MUST DO!!!

Maracas Beach Excursion & City Pass by tour. A MUST DO!!!

5.0(23)
From €43
per personViator
Personalized Private Tour The Paramin Hills

Personalized Private Tour The Paramin Hills

4.9(24) 4h
From €80
per personViator
Saturday Markets & Brunch Tour

Saturday Markets & Brunch Tour

5.0(21) 3h
From €58
per personViator
Trinidad Rainforest Hike to Waterfall

Trinidad Rainforest Hike to Waterfall

4.8(23) 8h
From €104
per personViator
Airport Transfer to OR from Accommodation in Trinidad

Airport Transfer to OR from Accommodation in Trinidad

4.9(18)
From €36
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Divali?

Divali falls on the new moon night in October or November (the date follows the Hindu lunar calendar), and the main night is a single evening of lamp-lighting, with the celebrations at Divali Nagar in Chaguanas running for about nine nights beforehand.
  • Best night: The main Divali night itself, when deyas line yards, streets and temples across central and south Trinidad. Weeknights at Divali Nagar are calmer and let you reach the food stalls and stage shows without a crush.
  • Weather: Expect 24 to 31°C (75 to 88°F), humid, with short heavy showers late in the rainy season. Bring a light rain jacket, insect repellent and closed shoes for muddy grounds.
  • Booking: Reserve a bed three to four weeks ahead. Central Trinidad rooms can rise 20 to 40 percent around the main night. Entry to Divali Nagar is
… read more 👉
Divali falls on the new moon night in October or November (the date follows the Hindu lunar calendar), and the main night is a single evening of lamp-lighting, with the celebrations at Divali Nagar in Chaguanas running for about nine nights beforehand.
  • Best night: The main Divali night itself, when deyas line yards, streets and temples across central and south Trinidad. Weeknights at Divali Nagar are calmer and let you reach the food stalls and stage shows without a crush.
  • Weather: Expect 24 to 31°C (75 to 88°F), humid, with short heavy showers late in the rainy season. Bring a light rain jacket, insect repellent and closed shoes for muddy grounds.
  • Booking: Reserve a bed three to four weeks ahead. Central Trinidad rooms can rise 20 to 40 percent around the main night. Entry to Divali Nagar is usually free or very cheap.
  • Crowds: Roads around Chaguanas and the Southern Main Road jam from late afternoon. Arrive before 4 p.m. and leave after the cultural shows end, or use maxi-taxis.
Stay for one weeknight and the main night, and you will see both the quiet and the full glow.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

Chaguanas and the surrounding central Trinidad area is the smartest base, because Divali Nagar sits on the edge of town. Accommodation here is mostly guesthouses and small apartments rather than backpacker dorms, so book early and expect to share costs with other travelers if you can.
San Fernando suits those who want to see the southern Divali traditions. It is Trinidad’s second city, with a lively downtown, plenty of eateries and strong Hindu communities lighting thousands of deyas on the main night. Maxi-taxis run from there to Chaguanas, though they thin out after dark.
Port of Spain is the … read more 👉
Chaguanas and the surrounding central Trinidad area is the smartest base, because Divali Nagar sits on the edge of town. Accommodation here is mostly guesthouses and small apartments rather than backpacker dorms, so book early and expect to share costs with other travelers if you can.
San Fernando suits those who want to see the southern Divali traditions. It is Trinidad’s second city, with a lively downtown, plenty of eateries and strong Hindu communities lighting thousands of deyas on the main night. Maxi-taxis run from there to Chaguanas, though they thin out after dark.
Port of Spain is the social choice. It has the widest range of budget stays, the most solo travelers and the main transport hub for buses and maxi-taxis heading to central Trinidad. Stay around Woodbrook, which has restaurants, bars and a walkable layout, and check that your accommodation has secure entry. Avoid walking alone late at night in less busy streets, and use a registered taxi after dark.
For the main night, consider arranging a local host, a home-stay or a guesthouse in a village such as Debe or Tunapuna, where families open their yards and often invite visitors to share sweets. Ask a driver you trust to bring you back after the festivities.
Best hostels in Trinidad and Tobago


Best quality hotels in Trinidad and Tobago

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

Divali costs most independent travelers about US$61 to 130 a day, with accommodation taking the biggest share.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 5Divali Nagar is usually free or has a small gate charge, and temple events are open to visitors.
AccommodationUS$40 to 70Guesthouses and basic apartments in Chaguanas, San Fernando or Port of Spain cost more around the main night.
Local transportUS$4 to 15Maxi-taxis cost around US$1 to 3 a ride, and a shared or private taxi for a late return costs more.
Food & drinksUS$12 to 25Doubles cost about US$1 to 2, a vegetarian plate US$4 to 8, and sweets by the bag a few dollars.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 15Deyas, small donations at temples, bottled water, and rain gear or repellent.
Total Daily BudgetUS$61 to 130A realistic figure for
… read more 👉
Divali costs most independent travelers about US$61 to 130 a day, with accommodation taking the biggest share.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 5Divali Nagar is usually free or has a small gate charge, and temple events are open to visitors.
AccommodationUS$40 to 70Guesthouses and basic apartments in Chaguanas, San Fernando or Port of Spain cost more around the main night.
Local transportUS$4 to 15Maxi-taxis cost around US$1 to 3 a ride, and a shared or private taxi for a late return costs more.
Food & drinksUS$12 to 25Doubles cost about US$1 to 2, a vegetarian plate US$4 to 8, and sweets by the bag a few dollars.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 15Deyas, small donations at temples, bottled water, and rain gear or repellent.
Total Daily BudgetUS$61 to 130A realistic figure for most budget travelers is around US$75 to 110, depending on the room.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodWhat to Eat & Drink

Divali food is vegetarian and sweet, and it is the reason many people come. At Divali Nagar and in temple yards, look for sweetmeats such as kurma, gulab jamoon, burfi, pera and sweet, syrupy jalebi, often sold in bags or stacked on trays.
The stalls also sell doubles (curried chickpeas in soft fried bara), aloo pie, baigan choka and pholourie with tamarind sauce. A full vegetarian meal often comes on a paper plate or a leaf: rice, dhal, pumpkin, channa and aloo, spooned out with a firm hand. Try paratha roti torn by hand and used to scoop everything.
For drinks, go for sorrel, mauby, coconut water cut fresh from the husk or a cold Solo soda. Alcohol is not served at temple-based events, so keep that in mind.
Carry cash in small notes, as most stalls do not take cards. Lines move fast but get … read more 👉
Divali food is vegetarian and sweet, and it is the reason many people come. At Divali Nagar and in temple yards, look for sweetmeats such as kurma, gulab jamoon, burfi, pera and sweet, syrupy jalebi, often sold in bags or stacked on trays.
The stalls also sell doubles (curried chickpeas in soft fried bara), aloo pie, baigan choka and pholourie with tamarind sauce. A full vegetarian meal often comes on a paper plate or a leaf: rice, dhal, pumpkin, channa and aloo, spooned out with a firm hand. Try paratha roti torn by hand and used to scoop everything.
For drinks, go for sorrel, mauby, coconut water cut fresh from the husk or a cold Solo soda. Alcohol is not served at temple-based events, so keep that in mind.
Carry cash in small notes, as most stalls do not take cards. Lines move fast but get long just after dark, so eat early. Portions are generous and sweets are often shared, so buy a small box and split it. Remove your shoes at temples, and accept food offered by a family with a smile and your right hand.

FAQTraveler FAQ

Divali takes place on the new moon night in October or November, with the date set by the Hindu lunar calendar. Celebrations at Divali Nagar in Chaguanas usually run for about nine nights before the main night. Temples and homes across central and south Trinidad light deyas on the main evening itself.
Attending Divali is cheap, with Divali Nagar usually free or a few US dollars at the gate. Food runs about US$12 to 25 a day, with doubles at roughly US$1 to 2 and a vegetarian plate at US$4 to 8. Budget US$40 to 70 a night for a guesthouse, and US$1 to 3 for each maxi-taxi ride.
Divali does not require tickets for the main night, because most of the celebration happens in homes, temples and open public grounds. Divali Nagar is generally open entry, though a small gate fee may apply. What you do need in advance is a bed, ideally booked three to four weeks ahead in Chaguanas, San Fernando or Port of Spain. Concerts and special shows may sell passes locally.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Trinidadian and Tobagonian festivals near Divali

Explore more nearby:

  • Panorama—Steelband finals, panyard rehearsals, ten-minute arrangements, Savannah snacks| 18 km away
  • Carnival—J’Ouvert mud, feathered bands, Savannah stages, Moko Jumbies| 19 km away
  • Emancipation Day—Libation rites, hand drums, African dress, August 1 march| 19 km away

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on celebrating the Divali

Divali in Trinidad works best as the middle stop on a longer Caribbean loop, so pair it with a few days on the north coast beaches around Maracas. Book a bed early, since rooms fill fast in the festival week. Bring comfortable sandals for long evenings on your feet, an empty stomach for doubles and sweet barfi, and small cash for the roadside deya sellers. Then go to Tobago afterward and sleep.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Trinidad and Tobago. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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