Trinidad: Mud Volcano Hike & Food Tasting with Pickup

Summary

Trinidad hike to mud volcano with food tasting and beach swim

You’ll hike through Trinidad’s old plantations and teak forests with a local guide, snack on East Indian treats like doubles, float in a wild mud volcano pool, then finish with a swim on Trinidad’s southwest coast. With hotel pickup included and plenty of stories along the way, it’s an experience you’ll remember long after your shoes are clean again.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what it feels like to float in a pool of cool, slippery clay in the middle of Trinidad? I didn’t either, until our guide Ravi grinned and said, “You just have to jump in — don’t overthink it.” The day started with a drive south from Port of Spain, windows cracked open for that mix of humid air and distant curry spices (someone was cooking nearby, I swear). We stopped at a roadside spot where Ravi handed us doubles — soft, messy, spicy — and I tried not to drop chickpeas on my shirt. He laughed and said everyone does the first time.

The hike itself surprised me. It’s about 45 minutes through what used to be a sugar plantation, then into teak forest where the ground smells damp and earthy. There were birds calling overhead but mostly it was just us crunching along the path, sometimes quiet except for someone’s joke or a question about the trees. When we finally reached the mud volcano — this big grayish pool surrounded by cracked earth — it looked almost lunar. The first step in is weirdly cold and silky; you sort of bob around because you can’t really sink. Someone tried to do a handstand (didn’t work). My skin felt tingly after but maybe that was just excitement.

After scraping off most of the mud (not all — good luck with your socks), we hiked another half hour toward the coast. The sun was out but not too harsh, just enough to make you want that swim even more. The water at the beach was calm and warm, perfect for washing off whatever clay you missed behind your ears. On the way back I kept thinking about how Ravi knew every plant along the trail — he pointed out one that locals use for headaches. I still think about that view from the edge of the forest before we reached the sea, light shifting through leaves, everyone quiet for a minute.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Mud Volcano Hike and Beach Swim

• Drive to south Trinidad
• Hike through sugar plantation and teak forest to mud volcano
• Hike to calm beach for swim and wash off mud

Top questions

How long is the hike to Trinidad’s mud volcano?

The hike takes about 45 minutes each way through plantation and forest terrain.

Is hotel pickup included for this mud volcano tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included from selected hotels.

What kind of food is provided on this tour?

You’ll taste East Indian snacks and delicacies as part of the experience.

Can children join this Trinidad mud volcano hike?

Yes, but children must be accompanied by an adult during the tour.

Do I need special fitness for this day trip?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended due to hiking sections.

Is swimming possible after visiting the mud volcano?

Yes, there’s time for swimming at a calm beach after hiking from the volcano.

Are drinks or refreshments provided?

Bottled water and light refreshments are included during your day trip.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from selected hotels in Trinidad, guided hiking through plantations and teak forest, East Indian food tastings (like doubles), bottled water and snacks along the way, plus time to relax at both the mud volcano pool and a quiet southwest coast beach before heading back.