From the blast of steelpan carried across Port of Spain to the salty tang of bake and shark at Maracas Bay, Trinidad and Tobago greets you with layered smells, bright colors and constant rhythm.

Walk through a Sunday craft market and you’ll feel the rough weave of a hand-braided basket, hear vendors call out about fresh cocoa and Angostura bitters, and see Carnival feathers stacked like miniature sunsets,  an immediate, sensory proof of how place and craft intertwine.

In Tobago, reef-blue seas brush dusty craft villages in Scarborough and Buccoo, and the scent of cedar and coconut oil clings to carved figurines and batik cloths laid out on tarpaulins.

Between the pitch-black sheen of La Brea Pitch Lake and the mangrove hush of the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, there are as many materials to bring home as there are memories to make  and the right souvenirs will carry those textures and stories with them.

If you’re in Port of Spain read my article on 5 Best Gift Shops in Port of Spain

Here’s what to buy in Trinidad and Tobago to bring a piece of its spirit back home.

1. Mini Steelpan

Why pick this up:
A mini steelpan captures the island’s signature sound and makes a joyful, display-ready keepsake that sings of Laventille and Panorama competitions. It’s both a musical memento and a crafted metal object, often tuned by local panmakers.

What to look for:
Look for a clearly tuned instrument with visible maker’s stamp on the underside and hand-hammered notes rather than stamped or printed patterns. Smaller souvenir pans should still have even note spacing and a solid rim.

Price bracket (2025):
TT$200–TT$1,200

Where to find it:
Steelpan yards in Laventille, craft stalls around Queen’s Park Savannah and music shops in Port of Spain.

2. Angostura Bitters & Bottled Mixes

Why pick this up:
Angostura bitters are synonymous with Trinidad’s cocktail and culinary history — a neat culinary souvenir that nods to local bartending traditions. Bottled bitters and rum liqueur make great gifts for home bartenders.

What to look for:
Choose official Angostura labels and sealed bottles; limited-edition releases or gift packs from the company guarantee authenticity. Smaller souvenir sets are ideal for packing.

Price bracket (2025):
TT$40–TT$150

Where to find it:
Supermarkets, duty-free at Piarco and ANR Robinson airports, and specialty food stores in Port of Spain.

3. Carnival Masks & Mas Accessories

Why pick this up:
Carnival is the island’s largest living art form, and a handcrafted mask or feathered headpiece is a vivid fragment of that spectacle. Even small decorative pieces carry the colors and craft techniques of mas designers.

What to look for:
Seek hand-glued feathers, sturdy wiring in the frame, and workshop provenance (bands or mas camps in Port of Spain and Laventille). Avoid factory-made plastic masks if you want an authentic piece.

Price bracket (2025):
TT$150–TT$2,000

Where to find it:
Mas camps around Queen’s Park Savannah, costume ateliers in Port of Spain, and artisan stalls during Carnival season.

4. Single-Origin Cocoa & Artisanal Chocolate

Why pick this up:
Trinidad’s Trinitario cocoa has a global reputation; artisanal bars and cocoa nibs are a flavorful way to take local terroir home. Chocolate makers often package with stories of the estate or village.

What to look for:
Look for labels naming the estate or region (e.g., Arima, Toco) and minimal ingredients; bean-to-bar producers usually note harvest year and fermentation details. Vacuum-sealed bars travel better.

Price bracket (2025):
TT$25–TT$180

Where to find it:
Farmers’ markets in Port of Spain, specialty chocolate shops, and museum shops.

5. Wicker, Cane & Palm Baskets

Why pick this up:
Handwoven baskets and trays from Tobago or southern Trinidad are practical, decorative and rooted in island fibercraft traditions. The natural textures recall shoreline villages and market life.

What to look for:
Choose items woven from natural cane, seagrass or palm with tight, even weaves and no synthetic dye bleed. Ask where the fibers were harvested to confirm local production.

Price bracket (2025):
TT$80–TT$900

Where to find it:
Scarborough craft market, Buccoo craft stalls, and weekend artisan fairs.

6. La Brea Pitch Lake Stones & Resin Keepsakes

Why pick this up:
Small polished pieces or resin-preserved samples from La Brea Pitch Lake are a geological souvenir like no other, connecting you to one of the world’s largest natural asphalt deposits. They’re tactile reminders of southern Trinidad’s odd beauty.

What to look for:
Buy from official visitor-centre vendors or guided-tour sellers who can explain provenance; avoid loose, raw chunks that might be messy or restricted. Look for polished, sized samples sealed in a display box.

Price bracket (2025):
TT$20–TT$150

Where to find it:
La Brea Pitch Lake visitor centre and Port of Spain craft markets.

7. Batik & Hand-Dyed Textiles

Why pick this up:
Batik and hand-dyed sarongs, wall hangings and scarves show the island’s color sensibility and make light, packable gifts that nod to Afro-Caribbean and Indian textile traditions. They’re lively décor or beachwear.

What to look for:
Hand-dyed pieces will show small color variations and resist lines; ask artisans about wax-resist or block-print methods. Avoid perfectly uniform prints that indicate machine production.

Price bracket (2025):
TT$120–TT$850

Where to find it:
Scarborough craft shops, artisan stalls in Port of Spain, and weekend maker markets.

8. Hot Pepper Sauces, Chutneys & Chow-Chow

Why pick this up:
Local pepper sauces and pickles are intensely flavored, often using Scotch bonnet and local spices — they’re a compact way to bring island heat to your kitchen. Homemade chutneys also showcase Indo-Trinidadian culinary influence.

What to look for:
Check the ingredient list for all-natural contents and bottling date; sealed glass jars are best for travel. Smaller souvenir bottles are easier to pack and declare at customs.

Price bracket (2025):
TT$25–TT$120

Where to find it:
San Fernando and Port of Spain markets, Scarborough food stalls, and airport shops.

9. Cedar & Hardwood Carvings

Why pick this up:
Carvings of hummingbirds, steelpan players, or island landscapes in local cedar or other hardwoods capture Trinidad and Tobago’s fauna and folklore in tactile form. They’re classic gallery pieces from island artisans.

What to look for:
Prefer solid-wood carvings with visible grain and hand-tool marks; avoid resin or plywood imitations. Ask if the seller can identify the wood species — West Indian cedar is prized.

Price bracket (2025):
TT$150–TT$2,000

Where to find it:
Queen’s Park Savannah craft stalls, Brian Lara Promenade vendors, and craft markets in Scarborough.

10. Calypso & Soca Records, Percussion Instruments

Why pick this up:
Bringing home a calypso or soca album (CD or vinyl) preserves the voice of Trinidad’s musical storytelling, while small percussion like shakers or tassa drums let you take the rhythm of the islands with you. Music is a direct line to local memory.

What to look for:
Original pressings or CDs from local labels, sleeve notes naming venues or steelbands, and hand-made percussion with natural skins and wood. Beware cheap imports labeled “Caribbean” without artist or label info.

Price bracket (2025):
TT$80–TT$700

Where to find it:
Music shops in Port of Spain, street vendors near Queen’s Park Savannah, and cultural festivals.

Final tip: Pack fragile items (glass bottles, small pans, carved wood) in clothing-lined boxes and carry certificates or maker info for customs ✈️

Local Shopping Culture & Traditions

Markets in Trinidad and Tobago blend African, Indian, European and Indigenous influences: Port of Spain’s Queen’s Park Savannah becomes a hive of activity during Carnival, while weekday markets in San Fernando and Scarborough bustle with fishmongers, spice sellers and craft stalls.

Laventille and Belmont are known for steelpan and mas craftsmanship, and Tobago’s Buccoo and Scarborough craft villages have long been centers for batik, basketry and wood carving.

Weekend maker markets and festival bazaars, especially during Carnival, Christmas and Tobago Heritage Month are prime times to meet artisans and see traditional techniques in action.

Bargaining is common at open-air stalls and with independent artisans, though fixed-price boutiques and supermarkets rarely negotiate. Many crafts are sold directly by small workshops or family-run stalls; visiting a mas camp or a pan yard can lead to unique purchases and the stories behind them.

How to Spot Genuine Local Souvenirs

Look for provenance: ask where the material came from (e.g., estate-grown cocoa, West Indian cedar, hand-harvested palm fronds).

Handcrafted pieces show slight irregularities like uneven dye in batik, tool marks in wood carving, or slight pitch differences on a tuned steelpan that indicate human work rather than machine mass production.

For textiles, check for hand-tied resist lines or signed artist labels; for woodwork, solid weight and visible grain are good signs. With food items, read ingredient lists and dates, single-origin cocoa and sealed pepper sauces are safer and more authentic than generically labeled jars.

When in doubt, buy from recognized artisan cooperatives, official visitor centers (for La Brea Pitch Lake items) or museum shops.

Where to Shop in Trinidad and Tobago

• Port of Spain: Queen’s Park Savannah craft stalls, Ariapita Avenue boutiques, downtown Central Market.
• San Fernando: local markets and craft bazaars.
• Laventille and Belmont: steelpan yards and mas workshops.
• Scarborough & Buccoo (Tobago): Scarborough craft market, Buccoo craft stalls and Pigeon Point weekend sellers.
• La Brea Pitch Lake visitor centre for geological souvenirs.
• Piarco International Airport (POS) and ANR Robinson International (TAB) airport gift shops for convenience purchases.
• National Museum and Art Gallery shop for curated, museum-quality crafts.

FAQs

Q: Are souvenirs in Trinidad and Tobago expensive?
A: Prices vary widely—open-air markets and weekend stalls offer affordable finds, while handcrafted cedar carvings, full mas pieces or tuned steelpans can be costly. Expect a broad range to suit different budgets.

Q: Is bargaining common in Trinidad and Tobago?
A: Yes, bargaining at craft stalls and with independent vendors is normal; approach it politely and start lower than the asking price. Fixed-price stores, supermarkets and museum shops generally don’t negotiate.

Q: How do I know if food items are allowed through customs?
A: Check your home country’s import rules before packing; sealed, commercially labeled products (chocolates, bottled sauces, packaged spices) are usually acceptable, while fresh produce and raw beans may be restricted.

Explore the markets, mas camps and shoreside craft stalls of Trinidad and Tobago to discover the stories behind every handcrafted piece and culinary delight — souvenirs are waiting to be found.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!