Things to see and do San Fernando

The Oropuche lagoon extends its 56 km² a few kilometers south of San Fernando. Unlike the marshes of Caroni, it is very rarely visited and constitutes de facto a paradise for naturalists. The fauna, not used to human presence, is plethoric. Its waters are very rich in fish and shrimps. You can explore the lagoon by kayak accompanied by a guide. It is a unique experience because the lagoon of Oropuche is still almost virgin of any tourist presence. Take advantage of this experience while there is still time.

The park is centered around a large lake with a small island in the middle. The place is favored by "birdwatchers", those who like to observe birds. The most common birds here are the egrets, which like to nest in the bamboo. Picnic and barbecue areas are available for families. Finally, and most interestingly, a log path allows you to "walk on the water" for about three quarters of the lake. Fishermen take advantage of this green walk to catch local freshwater fish that are very rare elsewhere.

San Fernando Hill, officially Naparima Hill, is a small mountain that is only 180 meters high, but offers a magnificent view of the surrounding plains as well as San Fernando. The city of San Fernando has grown at its feet over time and completely encircles it today. It is like an island of nature in the heart of the city. But this small mountain has above all a sacred symbolic importance for the Amerindians who populated this region before the colonization. According to the Warao tradition, the mythical hero Haburi and his mother had to flee the vindictiveness of the frog woman by seeking refuge in the Orinoco delta. But when they reached Trinidad, they were transformed into a mountain: Anaparima, the mountain of the world.

This myth, very popular among the Warao and other South American Amerindian tribes, is the origin of a pilgrimage tradition that has survived for thousands of years, going back to at least 6500 BC, and finally disappearing around 1900. Until that time, Native Americans or their descendants from all over the southern Caribbean and South America used to travel long distances by boat and on foot to pay homage to the mountain of Anaparima. Some tribal leaders even crossed by canoe from the Orinoco Delta in South America to Icacos, Quinam, Erin and Moruga, and walked to San Fernando for meetings of wise men. They believed that this hill was the home of a supreme spirit and a heroic ancestor, inventor of the first canoe and his mother, a divine ancestor. In 1920, the Indians of the Gwaranao tribe were still crossing for this eternal sacred appointment, and according to the records of the Angostura Historical Digest they caused a scandal in the city of San Fernando because they passed... all naked! Unfortunately, the sacred beliefs of the Amerindians were not respected by the settlers, who did not hesitate to use the stones of the hill for more than 200 years to build houses and buildings, so much so that the mountain was reduced by almost a third of its volume. After decades of popular protest, the quarry was closed and the hill was declared a protected area in 1980. Now it is a recreational area and a reforestation project is underway. You can have a picnic in the forest using the available barbecues and enjoy the view of the surroundings.

The beaches of this part of the island are far from idyllic, and often at the foot of monstrous petrochemical complexes... nice to swim! Popular beaches close to the city are frequented by the inhabitants of San Fernando, like Vessigny near Bréa, Point Fortin or Iros Bay. Some beaches, however, deserve an effort, for all those who would like to swim a little further away from pollution and will be surprised by the beauty that nature opposes to the industrial horrors that humans have installed there.

Quinian Bay. To reach this pretty bay, we cross fields and bamboo and teak plantations all along the way. The current on this beach is moderate, and lifeguards watch over the safety of swimmers. You can also use the barbecues, day tables, and parking for your car. Camping and fishing are popular here and the area is safe as long as it is not deserted.

Further west at the end of the southern peninsula is Bonasse Beach, with clear sand and crystal clear lagoon water, at the foot of a fishing village (it's beautiful), in the Cedros area. Almond and coconut trees line the unsupervised beach, which becomes dangerous in rough seas. A neighboring alternative, Colombus Bay, offers milder waters. There is even a parking lot, showers not always in good condition, street vendors on weekends but no lifeguards.