Destination Information – Tobago

I visited Tobago at least twice many years ago, and now it was time to return as I was visiting friends on the mainland of Trinidad. Tobago is the second island in the twin-island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.

As with many Caribbean islands, there was lots of fighting to own it. You can read about the history of Tobago on the Visit Tobago Tourism Website at https://www.visittobago.gov.tt/history-culture/historical-timeline.

 

Where Is Tobago?

Tobago is located in the southern Caribbean to the northeast of the main island, Trinidad, southwest of Barbados, and north of Guyana. Tobago has the Caribbean Sea on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other.

 

 

What Is The Capital Of Tobago?

The capital of Tobago is Scarborough, which is just 20 minutes away by car from the airport in the southern part of the island. As an FYI, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago is Port of Spain, located in Trinidad.

 

 

Here are some things you should know about Tobago

How To Get To Tobago

There are two ways to get to the island of Tobago.

By Air

Air service is provided from Trinidad and Tobago’s main island, Trinidad, by Caribbean Airlines (BW). The fare is a fixed price that the government subsidizes.

The flight is about 20 minutes over the mountains in the northern part of Trinidad and onto the Crown point area of Tobago.

Standby Travel on Caribbean Airlines (BW)

Caribbean Airlines has an interesting standby system that I’ve yet to understand, i.e., you can standby for an earlier flight, but you have to give up your seat on your original flight.

I still don’t understand it, as typically, if you standby for an earlier flight, you keep your later flight just in case you don’t make the earlier flight. But it seems to work as I saw many people standing by for earlier flights.

 

Airlines Serving Tobago

In addition to flights to/from Trinidad (POS) on Caribbean Airlines (BW), there are also flights to/from:

• Antigua (ANU) on British Airways (BA)
• Bridgetown, Barbados (BGI) on Caribbean Airlines (BW) and Virgin Atlantic Airways (VS)
• Frankfurt, Germany (FRA) on Condor (DE)
• New York-JFK, NY (JFK) on Caribbean Airlines (BW)

And flights to St. Georges, Grenada (GND) on Condor (DE).

By Ferry

A ferry service leaves from downtown Port of Spain in Trinidad to downtown Scarborough in Tobago. It accommodates both passengers and cars. Capacity depends on the ferry you take.

The journey time is about 3.5 hours. For pricing, scheduling, and making a booking, head over to https://www.ttitferry.com/.

I did try to take the ferry, but as I was visiting during Easter, there was no availability. Heck, all the flights were full too, and I had to delay my trip until after the Easter rush. And even then, the flights for my day trip were all full.

 

Tobago Airport Name

A. N. R. Robinson International Airport (TAB) – Located at Crown Point in Tobago’s southern end of the island. 

 

 

 

 

Airport Tip

The airport is tiny and very easy to navigate. The departure area for Trinidad is located at the end of the airport near the arrivals area from Trinidad.

If you have time before your flight, consider taking the five minutes walk down to Store Bay Beach, as it has a few bars and restaurants, a fantastic sunset, and, of course, the beach.

Check your schedules on passrider.com.

Tobago Airport Lounges

I saw a sign for a VIP Lounge on arrival, but I’m not sure where it goes. I’m unable to confirm whether or not there is a Lounge in The International Departure area. There is none in the Domestic Departure area.

Tobago Airport To The City (Scarborough)

Take a taxi or hitch a ride from a local. 

Currency of Trinidad and Tobago

The local currency is the TT Dollar (TTD). I had to get TT Dollars because I took a covid-19 test, and the place did not accept credit cards. Credit cards are accepted in most places but seem to be either MasterCard or Visa only.

Tobago Language

The native language is English, spoken with an oh so lovely accent. There is also a local dialect, and if you deconstruct it, it seems to originate from the French language; but it could as well be Spanish.

Visa and Health Requirements For Trinidad and Tobago

If you are a U.S. citizen, a visa is not required at the time of this writing. However, one may be required for citizens from select other countries. Use this link to check visa requirements for other citizenship.

Here is some additional information from the U.S. State Department, including visa and health requirements.

In addition, check https://ttravelpass.gov.tt/travel-requirement for the most current travel restrictions and requirements for the island before you start your travel plans.

Airport Wifi

Wifi is complimentary throughout the airport.

Accommodations (Where To Stay In Tobago)

There are many hotels in Tobago. You can find a list from the Tobago Tourism website at https://www.visittobago.gov.tt/go-stay. Also, you can go to https://www.passrider.com/hotelscombined to book your hotel or use the box below.

Checkout Hotels By Map

 

 

 
 

Here are two I saw on my journey around the island.

 

Where To Eat in Tobago

“It have no ends a place to eat boy!” This is how a Tobagonian (a person born in Tobago) would respond when you ask if there are any places to eat. It means there are many places to eat!

As I arrived early for my drive around the island, I asked my driver to take me to a place where I could have breakfast after finding an ATM. I did check at the airport, but the machine there was for a local bank, and it didn’t accept my bank card or a credit card.

I had to do a covid-19 test to get back to the U.S. the next day, so I had to find a place to do my test in Tobago. They didn’t accept credit cards, so I had to find an ATM to get cash first. We were unsuccessful at the Scotiabank ATM as it was closed for maintenance. They did have a sign with the address of two other machines, though.

As the breakfast place was near the ATM, we stopped there. The name of the place is Rosie’s. I had some ginger tea and a Bake and Saltfish. See below. This was worth the stop, and the food hit the spot. The place is popular as people kept coming and going while we ate; well, me anyway :-). I also bought something called sweetbread, which you must try when you go.

Here are some photos of places I ate as I drove around the island. Seriously, stop anywhere you see food and enjoy it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Things To Do

Tobago is a tiny island in the Caribbean, so the simplest thing to do is go to the beach. As I drove around the island, this was very apparent as there were numerous beaches and coves. You can also see some tours below:

 

Driving around the island gave me a chance to see a lot that it offers. The Tourism Board has compiled some options for you at https://www.visittobago.gov.tt/go-experience; take a look.

Here are some things I found when I visited and did a tour with Hans; yes, his name is influenced by the Dutch who were in Tobago at some point. You can contact him at Hans Tours. He’s extremely witty, friendly, and intelligent. Did I mention knowledgeable? And everyone knows him!

You can go hiking and diving too as Tobago is famous for diving. The island is very mountainous and also has a rainforest. If you drive around the island, be mindful that the roads are narrow and windy—exercise caution.

The views are epic!

Argyle Falls

It wasn’t the rainy season when I visited, so there was only one channel coming down the Falls, but still, it was spectacular. The height of the Falls is 175,’ and there is a path that can take you further up the Falls. You may have to be on your hands and knees, though.

This area also has many birds, bamboo plants, and other trees, including the cocoa tree from which the beans are used for making chocolate.

 

 

Boats and Fishermen

As you drive around the island, you encounter some fishing villages. It was fun watching the fishermen mend their nets; it seemed therapeutic.

The Coves and Beaches

 

Historic Forts

There are at least two forts which are still intact. I visited Fort King George in Scarborough.

Additional Information

Tourism Board

• Visit Tobago – https://www.visittobago.gov.tt/covid-19-what-you-need-know Pleasant House. Corner of Bacolet Ext. Road and Hamilton Street. Scarborough, Tobago
  • Telephone: +1 868 612 8825 ext 2001
  • Email: info@tobagotourism.org
• Visit Tobago twitter – https://twitter.com/visit_tobago
• Visit Tobago Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/visittobago
• Visit Tobago Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/visittobago
• Visit Tobago Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/tobagobeyond
• Hashtag – #TobagoBeyond

 

 

Please leave a comment below about your own experiences and tips.