Mayaro (pronounced Mah-yah-ro) is one of Trinidad’s most famous coastal areas, located on the far southeastern coast of the island. While often referred to simply as "Mayaro," it is actually a region made up of a string of small, interconnected coastal villages—such as Plaisance (Pierreville), Radix, St. Joseph, and Ortoire—along Mayaro Bay.
It holds a special place in the hearts of Trinbagonians as the ultimate beach getaway spot.
The Name & History: The name originates from the indigenous Arawak language. "Maya" was a plant that grew in abundance in the area, and "ro" means "the place of"—so Mayaro literally translates to "the place of Maya." Later, French planters settled the area under Spanish rule in 1783, establishing cotton, sugarcane, and coconut estates.
The Endless Beach: Mayaro Beach stretches for roughly 9 miles (14+ km) along the Atlantic coast, making it one of the longest continuous stretches of beach on the island. Unlike the calmer Caribbean waters on the West Coast (like Maracas), Mayaro faces the open Atlantic, featuring brown sand, coconut trees, and rolling ocean waves.
"Going Down Mayaro": In local culture, heading down to Mayaro for a long weekend or holiday (especially Easter) is a rite of passage. Locals rent beach houses, cook up big pots of pelau or fish broth, listen to music, and lime (hang out) by the shore for days at a time.
Economy & Industry: Historically built on fishing and coconut farming, Mayaro is now a critical hub for Trinidad's oil and natural gas industry. Energy giants like bpTT operate extensively off the coast of Mayaro and nearby Guayaguayare. Local fishing remains a major livelihood alongside tourism.
Nature & Ecology: Mayaro borders the famous Nariva Swamp, Trinidad’s largest freshwater wetland and a protected Ramsar site. It’s common to spot diverse wildlife nearby, including red-howler monkeys, caimans, and a wide array of tropical birds.
Because it faces the open Atlantic, the waters in Mayaro can have strong undercurrents and rougher swells depending on the time of year, so beachgoers are usually advised to exercise caution when swimming. Coastal erosion and high sea swells have also made road connectivity along the famous Manzanilla-Mayaro stretch a focal point for infrastructure work in recent years.