Travel and Tourism

About Tobago

One of the most alluring characteristics of Tobago is that it has remained largely undiscovered. This provides limitless opportunities for the enthusiast to explore tropical nature in all its forms. The two highlights on Tobago’s resume of natural attractions are the Lower Mountain Rain Forest, the western hemisphere's oldest rainforest preserve and the extensive coral reefs that fringe the shorelines. Combine these earthly wonders with a content, peaceable and happy local population, and the simple charm of Tobago is revealed.
parlatuvier, Tobago.

Basic Facts

  • Area: 300 sq. km, 116 sq. miles
  • Capital City: Scarborough
  • Car Rentals: Widely available with agencies generally concentrated around the airport area in Crown Point, also may be arranged by the front desk at Manta Lodge.
  • Climate: Tropical, average temperature is between 29-30 ºC (84-86 ºF). June to December comprise the rainy season. Rainfall during this season is usually sporadic with long periods of brilliant sunshine
  • Currency: The Trinidad and Tobago dollar exchange rates:- US$1.00 = TT$6.3864 (approx), £1 = TT$11.00 (approx). Check current Currency exchange. Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards are commonly accepted.
  • Drinking water: Water is safe for drinking though bottled water is widely sold.
  • Electricity: 110 and 220 volts.
  • Geography: Tobago lies approx. 3.3km northeast of Trinidad, the southern end of the island is mostly flat while to the north of Scarborough there are lush rolling hills and valleys.
  • Language: English
  • Population: 50,000
  • Taxis: All Taxi vehicular license plates begin with H and are widely available on main routes around the island and at all major Hotels.

How to Get There

  • By Air

    Direct flights from Gatwick to Tobago by Virgin Atlantic on Mondays.
    Direct flights from Heathrow to Tobago by British Airways on Saturdays.
    Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT) [Formerly Caribbean Star Airlines] fly from Barbados to Tobago, and many airlines fly direct to Barbados.

  • By Sea

    From Port of Spain in Trinidad there is a very cheap 6 times a week crossing. This gets a bit busy during Carnival time, Trinis escaping for a quite time in Tobago and 'Bagonians going to the big carnival in Trinidad.

    Tobago is being developed to accommodate cruise ships and the port Scarborough has been upgraded to be able to handle two cruise ships simultaneously. This, combined with a boom in the cruise industry, means new options for travellers and more cruise lines with one or both islands on their routes. The main problem with taking the sea route is the difficulty in extending your stay beyond the few hours the ship is docked. Most cruise ship tickets are sold for complete voyages and you'll probably want to avoid the logistical manoeuvring involved in a change.

Tobago Geography

The Lower Mountain Rain Forest was established and has been protected since April 1776 and to this day is home to hundreds of species of birds, butterflies, and snakes (don’t worry, none are poisonous). Armadillos, caiman, monkeys, several types of opossum are also waiting to be discovered and enjoyed. Tobago's pro-active approach to natural history and resource preservation has gained her a great reputation with bird watchers, and nature lovers of all sorts. With South America only a short flight (if you're a bird) south, many bird watchers visit Tobago to see species native to Columbia & Venezuela that cannot or will not travel far up the windward island chain. Offshore Speyside (and Manta Lodge) are Little Tobago and St. Giles island, both are bird sanctuaries with large populations of magnificent frigates, red-billed tropic birds, boobies, pelicans and much more. St. Giles is reputed to be the largest rookery for the magnificent frigate bird in the world. The only thing better than the birds are the fishes!!
argyle waterfall, Tobago.
Nutrient rich waters from the Atlantic and South America mingle offshore of Tobago, then flow to shore where they feed the opulent coral reefs encircling the island. Tropical sea life is abundant, and snorkelling, scuba diving and glass bottom boats are popular pastimes, and permit visitors to enjoy such sights as the worlds’ biggest brain coral (WBBC), manta rays, moray eels, colourful fishes and astonishing coral reefs. If you've never been scuba diving, the helpful staff at Tobago Dive Experience can teach you basic dive skill and take you for a reef visit on the same day.

Well-trained local guides are available to lead visitors through the trails of the rainforest, the luxuriant coral reefs, the waterfalls and the grassy savannas that make Tobago a special place for anyone to experience tropical land and seascapes.

The terrain is mountainous along the central spine of the island, sloping gently southwest into grasslands and savannas. The lowlands shelter mangrove swamps to explore, and serene beaches lined with palm trees circle the island, perfect for sun-tanning or quiet relaxation. Higher up the rainforest rules!

Wildlife roam free, including domestic animals of all sorts. It's common to round a corner and meet a herd of sheep, goats, or cattle standing firmly in the middle of highway. Animal watching is fun, but be sure to drive slowly and carefully!

During the turtle-egg-laying-season all-night excursions to view the egg-laying habits of the protected leatherback and green turtles are awe-inspiring. Ask at the front desk for tips on where & when to look for nesting or hatching turtles.

With the variety and opportunities existing to view nature it’s no wonder that Tobago is fast becoming an eco-travellers paradise. We've only mentioned a few of the possibilities, if you have something special in mind, let us know, no doubt it happens in Tobago.

Population

The people here are mostly of African descent, with minority of East Indian, Syrian, Portuguese, Chinese and mixed descent. The people are warm and welcoming and invitations to someone's home for a meal or just to relax ('lime') are common. Native lifestyle is relaxed and slow paced, don't get in a rush while your here, no one else is! In general the population is content, and more than willing to help out or share a slice of life with visitors.

Dining & Entertainment

While Tobago is not the run of the mill glitzy brochure destination (far from it!), there are numerous restaurants catering to a wide variety of tastes, from European cuisine to Chinese, Indian and local fare. Evening entertainment in Tobago is found for the most part at hotels where there are cultural evenings with folk dancers, steel pan and storytellers who hold your attention with tales of folklore.
bateaux bay, Tobago.
"Sunday school" (which has nothing to do with religion) is a lively street party held every Sunday night in Buccoo (a small fishing village on the south west side of the island) where the music is a mix of hip hop, reggae, calypso and jazz. Every week this is the 'big party' for the island, and a must of tourist and local alike.

Buccoo is also the main venue for the annual goat and crab races held at Easter. These races and associated party or 'Lime' are thoroughly entertaining, especially since spectator participation is encouraged. As a 'racer', you enter the starting boxes with a goat that has been collared and leashed with approximately 6ft of rope held by the runner (that's you). At the starters whistle, the gate opens and the goats takes off along the track pulling you (hopefully, not face down in the grass) to the finish line and great glory!

The Tobago Heritage Festival, which takes place annually in July, is a celebration of all things endemic to the island of Tobago. There is the old-time wedding at Moriah, staged in full regalia with the wedding entourage forming a procession through the village streets. The storytelling and folklore segments of the festival are a major part of the island culture and many of these fascinating tales can be traced back to African origins. At the food fair, you are encouraged to sample a wide array of traditional Tobago fare. And last, but by no means least, the mini-Carnival, where you dance through the streets of Scarborough to the sounds of steel pan and calypso.

Our local Folklore abounds with tales of things that go bump in the night, perhaps while you're here you'll hear tales about these local inhabitants:
speyside, Tobago

  • Soucouyant: A ball of fire that visits your home to suck your blood while you sleep.
  • Lagahoo: A male version of the Soucouyant, who changes form at will.
  • La-Diablesse: A beautiful woman with one cloven hoof instead of a foot, who lures womanizers into the deepest recesses of the forest and abandons them.
  • Jumbies: Ghosts
  • Papa Bois: The protector of all forest life

When you have laughed your "belly full" with stories of actual sightings and encounters with "Jumbies" and the like, retire to your room where you are lulled to sleep by the sound of gently rolling waves. The sea sounds will chase away the lingering spirits!

Taken for what it is, Tobago is a fantastic place to visit or live. The local people really are as friendly as they seem, and the the wondrous natural abundance goes on and on, even if no one happens to be watching. We look forward to seeing you here soon, come for a your chance to enjoy all that Tobago has to offer.....

Quote from the Caribbean Airlines in-flight magazine: "I don’t want Tobago to 'take off' or even 'open up', " moaned a British visitor after a day in the rain forest. "I want it to stay like it is. Please write that Tobago is somewhere else over by Jamaica, and that it is completely spoiled already, so perhaps people won't come."

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