Contributor: Celeste Sobion @celestes_2015 cellythoughts.blog/
Now this spot is a MUST SEE on any visit to Trinidad and Tobago. It is not as popular as other waterfalls like Paria Waterfall (see my blog post or Rincon waterfall but it is for sure, one of my top 5 spots in Trini. I could visit here any day of the week, any month of the year. It is the perfect spot to lime and relax with your friends and family and to just enjoy the serene natural beauty of the outdoors.
Aripo Blue Basins is located in the Heights of Aripo in the North of Trinidad, this hike is an easy one and is perfect for hikers of all ages and fitness levels. It is about 30 mins walking one way from the start of the trail to the falls and the path takes you through a watercress farm and alongside the river. It is a beautiful trail with no steep inclines and it is very scenic along the way.
There are three things I love most about this spot:
The big blue pool on the bottom level of the waterfall. It is perfect for bathing and floating and just having fun. The water looks so inviting that even if you did not plan on bathing, you most likely are going to end up in the water.
The view from the top: Because the area is made up of limestone, it is not very slippery and climbing to the top is fairly easy. From the top you are able to see all the lower levels of the waterfall and also the river course and all the lush green vegetation on the banks of the river. It is wonderful site and I like to just sit there and be present in the moment because it is not everyday that I get to spend like this.
The cocoa field at the top at the very end of the river: If you continue walking up from the top of the waterfall and continue to hike up the river, eventually you will start seeing nutmeg trees and eventually some cocoa trees.
For the year already I have been here three times with my Hikers United Crew and I plan on visiting here again at least one more time before the end of 2019. It is my relaxing spot on a Saturday evening or a Sunday morning or any public holiday. It is more secluded than most other locations like Rio Seco waterfall, so it is very unlikely that you will encounter a large group of persons. Actually in all the times that I have visited there, the largest group I ever encountered was 10 persons or so.
So next time you are in Trini or are looking for an easy hike, be sure to check out Aripo Blue Basins. PS. There is also a small guest house with several cottages and a pool very close by so you can make it a full vacation / staycation (https://aripocottage.wixsite.com/home).
PS. A little about me, I have been hiking for about 5 years and I am currently a hikeleader with HikersUnited (IG and FB).
Much Love
Celly