MEP Caribbean Publishers: Trinidad's Pitch Lake at La Brea

Does the Wonders of the World list go past seven? If so the Pitch Lake would definitely be included. Located on the southwestern coast of Trinidad (aka "the deep south"), the lake is found in the small village of La Brea. This intriguing natural asphalt lake is the largest commercial deposit in the world. Covering approximately 100 acres it holds approximately 10 million tones of asphalt.

To walk out onto the pitch you need to have a tour guide with you although people from the area are allowed to enter without one. There are official tour guides on site and after paying a fee in the visitor facility building, one of the guides take you out on the lake for an informative tour.

Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, and in case you thought he was new at this he made you aware that he is featured in billboards and brochures promoting the Lake.

He carried us around showing us the lush vegetation - cashew trees, nymph lilies and birds of paradise as well as numerous warm sulphur pools that a few people were swimming in. Aisha and I, with rolled pants legs, dodged hot water that spurted out as you stepped on small gas pockets as we followed our guide through the solid pitch and waded through pools.

When visiting I would suggest wearing either short pants or pants that can be easily rolled up, and if visiting during the rainy season, which is when the pools are at their deepest, make sure to bring your swimsuit. The water in the pools is warm, clear and supposedly great for your skin due to the high levels of sulphur. Even though it was a very hot day, walking through the water and – following the tour guide’s lead – splashing water on my face helped to keep me cool. Through the powers of ‘mind over matter’ I could instantly feel the healing properties of the water working on the skin on my legs and face and (if only to me) my skin glowed afterwards.

The following are photographs taken during our visit.

Fast Facts:

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday and public holidays, 9am – 5pm
Admission: adults (13 & over) TT$30, children 6–12 TT$12, children under six free, students in uniform TT$3 (primary school), TT$5 (secondary school)
Telephone number: 651-1232