Plizio Visual Lab
La Brea
ℹ️Practical info — La Brea
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- When visiting the Pitch Lake, hire an official local guide; it's much safer as they know where to step to avoid sinking.
- Wear comfortable, old shoes that you don't mind getting slightly dirty or sticky from the asphalt.
- The midday sun reflects strongly off the pitch; bring sunglasses, a hat, and plenty of water.
- Take a quick dip in the sulphur pools that form on the lake during the rainy season, locals believe they have healing properties.
🍽 Food
A classic Trinbagonian street food sandwich. Try a fried fish version at local stalls near the main roads.
A savory one-pot dish of caramelized meat, rice, and pigeon peas, often available at local home-style eateries.
A popular breakfast or snack of curried chickpeas between two fried flatbreads, excellent for a quick bite.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Small vendors around the town center offering local snacks, fresh produce, and sometimes handmade crafts.
Small bottles of raw pitch or asphalt-related trinkets sold by vendors near the lake entrance.
A nearby local beach with calm waters and picnic facilities, a short drive from La Brea.
While the lake is active, the grassy edges offer a surreal, quiet view of this natural wonder.
Water temperature…
La Brea is situated in southwestern Trinidad and is globally renowned for the Pitch Lake, the largest natural deposit of asphalt in the world. The name 'La Brea' is Spanish for 'tar' or 'pitch,' referring directly to the geological phenomenon that Sir Walter Raleigh used to caulk his ships in 1595. The lake covers approximately 40 hectares and reaches an estimated depth of 75 meters. Beyond asphalt mining, La Brea has a significant industrial profile, hosting the Labid industrial port and various enterprises in the energy and petrochemical sectors. The geography of the town is uniquely influenced by the unstable ground conditions near the lake, which pose distinct engineering and architectural challenges. Historically, the area was also a pioneer site for the island's oil industry, with initial exploration dating back to the late 19th century.
- Location: Trinidad and Tobago
- Top sights: la brea pitch lake · Fingers house
- Nearby: Point D'Or (7 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Feb–Apr.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
| Rain mm | 100 | 61 | 52 | 56 | 117 | 222 | 202 | 202 | 141 | 176 | 213 | 178 |
Geography
Facts
- Home to the Pitch Lake, the world's largest natural asphalt deposit.
- Sir Walter Raleigh documented the lake in 1595.
- The town's name translates to 'The Tar' in Spanish.
- Asphalt from this lake has been used to pave streets in London and DC.
- Location of the Port of Brighton, a major industrial shipping terminal.
- Site of some of the earliest commercial oil wells in the Caribbean.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town La Brea (2)
Frequently asked questions
What is the main feature of La Brea?
Can you visit the asphalt lake?
How long does a visit take?
Is it accessible there?
Are you allowed to take photos on the lake?
La Brea: where is it located?
La Brea: what is there to see?
La Brea: when is the best time to visit?
La Brea: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
Nature
More places
