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Pitch Lake

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Landmark
—°1
Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)

Weather…

The Pitch Lake in La Brea, southwestern Trinidad, is the world's largest natural deposit of asphalt. It covers an area of approximately 40 hectares (100 acres) and is estimated to be 75 meters (250 feet) deep at its center. This geological wonder was formed by oil rising to the surface from deep underground fault lines, where the lighter components evaporated, leaving behind a semi-solid mass of bitumen and minerals. Sir Walter Raleigh is credited with discovering the lake in 1595, using its pitch to caulk his wooden ships during his search for El Dorado. Since then, the lake has been a major source of asphalt for export, used to pave famous streets worldwide, including London's Pall Mall and New York City's roads. The lake is a self-replenishing natural phenomenon that occasionally reveals prehistoric fossils and artifacts trapped within the pitch for millennia. Visitors are allowed to walk on the surface of the lake in designated safe zones, observing the unique folds and sulfur pools that form during the rainy season. Local folklore often attributes healing properties to the sulfurous waters found in these pools.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Feb–Apr.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C262627282827272828282727
Rain mm97564855125237220220154186209174

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
Pitch Lake in La Brea, Trinidad, is a geological natural wonder and open as a public excursion destination. Visitors can explore the asphalt lake, book guided tours, and marvel at the unique landscape.
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Typical hours
The park is usually open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, with guided tours typically departing hourly. It is advisable to call ahead, as hours may vary in bad weather.
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Photography
Photography is allowed throughout the site and even recommended to capture the bizarre asphalt landscape. Be careful not to step on the softer patches, which look less spectacular in pictures.
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Time needed
A guided tour on Pitch Lake takes about 30 to 45 minutes, after which you can spend time on the adjacent beach. Plan a total of 1.5 to 2 hours for the visit, including travel.
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Combine with
Combine the visit with nearby La Brea Beach or the La Brea church. The local fishing village also has an interesting insight into everyday life in the region.
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Getting there
Pitch Lake is about an hour's drive south of Port of Spain and is best reached by rental car or taxi. Public buses run to La Brea, from where it is a short walk.
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Insider tip
Wear sturdy footwear as the ground can be soft or uneven in places. A guide is highly recommended to learn more about the geological formation and local legends - the stories are fascinating.

Geography

Coordinates
10.23000, -61.63000

Facts

  • The lake covers approximately 40 hectares in the village of La Brea.
  • It reaches a maximum estimated depth of 75 meters at its center.
  • Sir Walter Raleigh used the pitch to caulk his ships in 1595.
  • Estimates suggest the lake contains about 10 million tons of asphalt.
  • Asphalt from Pitch Lake was used to pave London's famous Pall Mall.
  • During the rainy season, small sulfur pools with medicinal properties form.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

La BreaLa Brea2 km · NEExplore →
Guapo BayGuapo Bay3 km · SWExplore →
Point D'OrPoint D'Or5 km · SWExplore →
Point Fortin PortPoint Fortin Port6 km · SWExplore →
ErinErin7 km · WExplore →
Palo SecoPalo Seco8 km · NWExplore →
Erin BayErin Bay9 km · SWExplore →
Aripero SavannasAripero Savannas9 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Pitch Lake (1)

La Brea, Trinidad and Tobago📍 landmark

La Brea is a town in Trinidad, famous for the natural asphalt lake known as Pitch Lake.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Can you walk on the Pitch Lake?
Yes, the surface is firm, but a guide is strongly recommended.
Why is the lake so special?
It is the world's largest natural deposit of asphalt.
Do I need special clothing?
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that can get dirty.
Are there guided tours?
Yes, there are qualified guides on-site who explain everything.
Is the lake family-friendly?
Yes, it is a fascinating educational destination for children.
Pitch Lake: where is it located?
Pitch Lake is located in Trinidad and Tobago.
Pitch Lake: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Apr.
Pitch Lake: why is it worth visiting?
The Pitch Lake in La Brea, southwestern Trinidad, is the world's largest natural deposit of asphalt.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →

Nearby cities

Chaguanas — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
Chaguanas
The largest municipality of Trinidad, known for its vibrant markets.
San Fernando — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
San Fernando
The most populous city in the Trinidad region.
Port of Spain — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
Port of Spain
The capital and third largest municipality of Trinidad and Tobago.
Arima — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
Arima
A major commercial hub in eastern Trinidad.
Scarborough — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
Scarborough
The capital and largest city of the island of Tobago.

History & landmarks

San Fernando Hill — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
San Fernando Hill
A prominent viewpoint in San Fernando.
Waterloo Temple — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
Waterloo Temple
An important Hindu temple in the coastal area.
Hanuman Statue — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
Hanuman Statue
A massive statue of the Hindu deity Hanuman located in Carapichaima.
Bocas Islands — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
Bocas Islands
An archipelago off the coast of Trinidad.
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
A prominent Catholic cathedral.
Hasely Crawford Stadium — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
Hasely Crawford Stadium
The largest multi-purpose stadium in the country.
Scotiabank Building — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
Scotiabank Building
A prominent modern office building in the business district.
Holy Trinity Cathedral — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
Holy Trinity Cathedral
A historic Anglican cathedral in the capital.

Nature

Caroni River — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
Caroni River
The largest river in Trinidad, emptying into the Caroni Swamp.

More places

Gulf of Paria — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
Gulf of Paria
A large, relatively shallow inland sea between Trinidad and the Venezuelan mainland.
San Fernando Fortifications — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
San Fernando Fortifications
Historic defensive lines in San Fernando.
Temple in the Sea — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
Temple in the Sea
A Hindu temple built in the sea at Waterloo.
Carenage Defensive Site — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
Carenage Defensive Site
Coastal fortification west of Port of Spain.
Old Port Office — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
Old Port Office
Historic administration building at the harbor.
Military Hospital Ruins — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
Military Hospital Ruins
Remains of an old hospital for soldiers.
Fort George — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
Fort George
A historic fort offering panoramic views of Port of Spain.
Port of Spain Citadel — Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago)
Port of Spain Citadel
Former defensive citadel of the city.