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Trinidad and Tobago🇹🇹 | landmarksMount Saint BenedictHilltop abbey, Caroni plain lookout, monastery yogurt, foothill trails | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Mount Saint Benedict
👌 Worth visitingunique site ranked #4
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Most people come to Mount Saint Benedict for the monastery, a Benedictine hilltop community where the main pull is a view over the Northern Range and the Caroni plain, plus a quiet that feels almost suspicious in Trinidad. What gets overlooked is the food and the birds: the monastery’s own yogurt and the guesthouse tea room draw as many regulars as the chapel does. Mount Saint Benedict sits in the foothills above St. Augustine, in the north of Trinidad and Tobago, a short climb from the Eastern Main Road. Crowds stay thin on weekdays and swell on Sundays, when families arrive for Mass and lunch. Costs are low, since entry is free and donations are welcome, though the narrow, winding road punishes anyone without a confident driver. Photo potential is strong, especially of the church and the lawns. It suits walkers, bird people and the contemplative. Nightlife seekers and anyone allergic to hymns should aim elsewhere.

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


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #4 unique site in Trinidad and TobagoWhat makes it a must-see unique site

Mount Saint Benedict gives you something rare on a busy island: a place where the loudest sound is a bell or a bird. The monastery dates to 1912 and is the oldest in the Caribbean, so the history is real, not staged. It also works as an easy break between Port of Spain and the east. The hillside has forest trails through the Northern Range foothills that suit a slow morning walk, and the grounds hold a well-known stretch for birdwatching, with hummingbirds and tanagers common at the edges. The visit comes cheap, since you pay nothing to wander the grounds, and the monastery tea room and its homemade yogurt make a better lunch stop than most roadside options. Pair it with the university area below, the Eastern Main Road eateries, or the Arima and Asa Wright side of the range for a full day that never feels rushed.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. Abbey Church: the best-known sight, a calm hillside church with a simple, cool interior where the monks hold daily prayers. Visitors may sit quietly in the back.
  2. The lookout over the Caroni plain: from the terraces you see the plain, the Northern Range and, on clear days, as far as the Gulf of Paria. Early morning gives the clearest air.
  3. Monastery grounds and gardens: wide lawns, mature trees and shaded benches make this an easy place to slow down. Walk the paths without hurry.
  4. Mount Saint Benedict tea room: known for the monastery’s own yogurt and light meals. Expect simple food at modest prices, served in a relaxed setting.
  5. Birdwatching along the edges: hummingbirds, tanagers and other forest birds work the trees near the grounds. Bring binoculars and arrive early.
  6. Forest trails of the foothills:
… read more 👉
  1. Abbey Church: the best-known sight, a calm hillside church with a simple, cool interior where the monks hold daily prayers. Visitors may sit quietly in the back.
  2. The lookout over the Caroni plain: from the terraces you see the plain, the Northern Range and, on clear days, as far as the Gulf of Paria. Early morning gives the clearest air.
  3. Monastery grounds and gardens: wide lawns, mature trees and shaded benches make this an easy place to slow down. Walk the paths without hurry.
  4. Mount Saint Benedict tea room: known for the monastery’s own yogurt and light meals. Expect simple food at modest prices, served in a relaxed setting.
  5. Birdwatching along the edges: hummingbirds, tanagers and other forest birds work the trees near the grounds. Bring binoculars and arrive early.
  6. Forest trails of the foothills: short paths drop into the green slopes of the Northern Range, with shade, bamboo and birdsong. Wear shoes with grip after rain.
  7. Guesthouse and retreat setting: the monastery receives guests seeking silence. Even if you do not stay, the peaceful routine is part of the experience.
Mount Saint Benedict can be covered in two to three hours, or stretched to half a day with a walk and lunch.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Mount Saint Benedict

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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 to go for the best experience

  • Dry Season (January to May): Mount Saint Benedict is at its most comfortable for walking the hillside roads and forest trails, with sunny days of 29 to 33°C (84 to 91°F) and cooler, breezy mornings near 21°C (70°F) at the monastery’s elevation. Daylight runs roughly 11.5 to 12.5 hours. Trails are firm underfoot.
  • Lent and Easter: Pilgrims and church groups swell the monastery grounds, so weekends feel busier and parking fills early.
  • Rainy Season (June to December): Expect afternoon downpours, humidity and slick, muddy trails. Temperatures stay around 24 to 31°C (75 to 88°F). The slopes turn deep green, and mist often hangs on the ridge in the early hours.
  • Carnival Weeks (February or March): Accommodation in nearby Port of Spain and St. Augustine climbs, though the mountain itself stays quiet.
Arrive … read more 👉
  • Dry Season (January to May): Mount Saint Benedict is at its most comfortable for walking the hillside roads and forest trails, with sunny days of 29 to 33°C (84 to 91°F) and cooler, breezy mornings near 21°C (70°F) at the monastery’s elevation. Daylight runs roughly 11.5 to 12.5 hours. Trails are firm underfoot.
  • Lent and Easter: Pilgrims and church groups swell the monastery grounds, so weekends feel busier and parking fills early.
  • Rainy Season (June to December): Expect afternoon downpours, humidity and slick, muddy trails. Temperatures stay around 24 to 31°C (75 to 88°F). The slopes turn deep green, and mist often hangs on the ridge in the early hours.
  • Carnival Weeks (February or March): Accommodation in nearby Port of Spain and St. Augustine climbs, though the mountain itself stays quiet.
Arrive by 8 a.m. on a weekday to get cool air, birdsong and an empty trail.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: good for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: good for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
trinidad-and-tobago-unique-site-mount-saint-benedict
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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

St. Augustine is the most practical base for Mount Saint Benedict, sitting just below the monastery in the foothills of the Northern Range. The University of the West Indies campus keeps the area full of students, cheap eateries and maxi-taxi links, so it is easy to meet other travelers and get around safely in daylight. Guesthouses and small apartment rentals here suit budget travelers well, and the walk or short drive up the hill takes minutes.

Tunapuna and Curepe, a little east and south, are the next best choice. Both have markets, roti shops and frequent shared taxis along the Eastern Main … read more 👉
St. Augustine is the most practical base for Mount Saint Benedict, sitting just below the monastery in the foothills of the Northern Range. The University of the West Indies campus keeps the area full of students, cheap eateries and maxi-taxi links, so it is easy to meet other travelers and get around safely in daylight. Guesthouses and small apartment rentals here suit budget travelers well, and the walk or short drive up the hill takes minutes.

Tunapuna and Curepe, a little east and south, are the next best choice. Both have markets, roti shops and frequent shared taxis along the Eastern Main Road, with the Priority Bus Route running nearby for quick trips to the capital. Rooms tend to be cheaper than in the city, though the social scene is quieter.

Port of Spain gives you the most hostel-style and Airbnb choice, plus nightlife and onward transport to Tobago ferries and airport links. Stick to the Woodbrook area, which is livelier and better lit at night. Take a taxi after dark rather than walking between neighborhoods.
Best hostels in Trinidad and Tobago


Best quality hotels in Trinidad and Tobago

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)How expensive it really is

Mount Saint Benedict costs roughly US$43 to 82 per day for a backpacker, and the monastery grounds themselves are free to enter. The table below assumes shared taxis, local food and simple lodging nearby.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
EntryUS$0Grounds, church and trails are open to visitors; donations are welcome.
Accommodation (high season)US$25 to 45Guesthouses or rooms in St. Augustine and Tunapuna; prices rise around Carnival.
Local TransportUS$2 to 6Maxi-taxis and route taxis run to St. Augustine or Tunapuna. The final climb usually needs a private taxi or a walk.
Taxi up the hillUS$6 to 12Short ride from St. Augustine, sometimes negotiated each way.
FoodUS$8 to 15Doubles, roti and pelau from local shops; the monastery tea room and bakery sell snacks and cakes.
Water and ExtrasUS$2 to 4Bottled
… read more 👉
Mount Saint Benedict costs roughly US$43 to 82 per day for a backpacker, and the monastery grounds themselves are free to enter. The table below assumes shared taxis, local food and simple lodging nearby.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
EntryUS$0Grounds, church and trails are open to visitors; donations are welcome.
Accommodation (high season)US$25 to 45Guesthouses or rooms in St. Augustine and Tunapuna; prices rise around Carnival.
Local TransportUS$2 to 6Maxi-taxis and route taxis run to St. Augustine or Tunapuna. The final climb usually needs a private taxi or a walk.
Taxi up the hillUS$6 to 12Short ride from St. Augustine, sometimes negotiated each way.
FoodUS$8 to 15Doubles, roti and pelau from local shops; the monastery tea room and bakery sell snacks and cakes.
Water and ExtrasUS$2 to 4Bottled water, snacks and souvenir items such as monastery goods.
Total Daily BudgetUS$43 to 82Per person, per day, in high season.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQTraveler FAQ

Mount Saint Benedict is a Benedictine monastery founded in 1912 on a hillside in the Northern Range above St. Augustine. It is the oldest monastery in the Caribbean and sits around 250 meters above sea level, with views over the Caroni plain toward the Gulf of Paria. Visitors come for the church, the bakery and tea room, and forest walks with excellent birding.
Plan on 2 to 4 hours for a standard visit to Mount Saint Benedict, which covers the church, grounds, lookout and a stop at the tea room. Birders and hikers often stay half a day to explore the surrounding trails. It pairs easily with a morning at the nearby University of the West Indies campus or the Botanic Gardens in Port of Spain.
Mount Saint Benedict lies about 20 to 30 minutes by road from Port of Spain, roughly 12 kilometers east. Take a maxi-taxi or route taxi to St. Augustine or Tunapuna (US$1 to 3), then a taxi up Mount Saint Benedict Road for around US$6 to 12. A rental car or ride-hail from the capital costs about US$15 to 25 each way and avoids the last steep climb.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Trinidadian and Tobagonian landmarks near Mount Saint Benedict

Explore more nearby:

  • Bamboo Cathedral—Bamboo arch, creaking stems, dappled light, old estate road| 25 km away
  • Pitch Lake—Natural asphalt, La Brea guides, gas vents, ancient tree trunks| 54 km away
  • Nylon Pool—Mid-sea sandbar, Buccoo Reef, glass-bottom boats, coral snorkeling| 85 km away

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on visiting Mount Saint Benedict

Mount Saint Benedict gets ruined by people who rush up on a busy Sunday, snap one photo and leave. I would go on a weekday morning, walk the grounds first, then eat at the tea room once the views have settled you. Bring a layer, since the hill is cooler than the plain.

✍️ 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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