Castara Retreats Apartments - Reader Reports & Opinion
These reports are a combination of questions and comment posted in our Castara Retreats Apartments forum and visitor reports added via the 'Add Report' tab above. The votes awarded are weighted by volume and date to give a truer representation of reader satisfaction [more details].
Reader Satisfaction Ranking: 
Weighted ranking based on 58 votes = 4.7 (max 5)
Guest Report
Ally & Fleur from U.K. visited in February 2010 and awarded 
People say that February is a good time of year to get away from England, but we've learnt this week that it's also an awful time of year to return!! I don't know if this is always the case, or simply because we loved Castara & Castara Retreats as much as we did (since being back I've bought three new pairs of shorts in anticipation of our next trip!).
Castara Retreats is everything the reviews say – it sits on a hill on the edge of the village with stunning views looking over & out to sea and surrounded by rainforest. The place is low-key in the best way, as is the village & hopefully it will stay that way. It took us 3 or 4 days to de-shy & wind down to the local pace – at which point we started to get a real feel for the place.
The locals could not have been sweeter, leaving us to mix in with village life as much or as little as we liked. Porridge, Jeanell, and all associated with Retreats were great and helped to make our time stress free & easy.
We swam, snorkeled, fished, walked, explored, ate, drank, danced, and generally limed around - quietly at the Retreats or with the locals in the village.
Not a place for people who can't do without mod-cons. Expect chickens, insects, birds, bats, and all that comes with simple village life - can't wait to go back.
Ally & Fleur Hummingbird 2
Guest Report
Steve from U.S.A. visited in February 2010 and awarded
We had been looking forward to our stay at Castara Retreats for quite some time and it still managed to surpass our lofty expectations. Right from the moment we stepped off the plane and met Porridge who greeted us with a couple Caribs, we were well taken care of. Our lodge, Fisherman's, was fantastic. The views were exactly as shown on the website. You could hear and see the ocean from everywhere in the lodge. The deck space was great for enjoying a few drinks, reading, napping in the hammock, or eating a freshly cooked seafood dinner. The kitchen was well stocked with everything one could want/need for cooking. The lodge itself was very modern.
As for the staff, Porridge really does know everyone and he takes the time each day to make sure there isn't something that you need that you're not getting. Porridge always manages to stop by at the right time. He got us fish two days, cooked it for us one night. He took us on a tour of the
northern part of Tobago to Charlotteville, Speyside, Little Tobago, and Argyle Falls, all of which were beautiful.
The local people are some of the friendliest we've come across in our travels. Sherwin, Marguerite, Cheno, and so many others that we met along the way made us feel at home. Staying in Castara, you really feel like you are part of the village and not stuck in a touristy area in the least bit.
You're definitely experiencing the authentic Caribbean here, something that you can't do on most of the other islands which are overrun with Americanized resorts.
It's also worth noting that we walked all around Castara, many times late at night after dark, and we did not encounter any issues at all. We felt safe walking everywhere at all times.
The food is basic, but very good. Our favorite restaurants were:
Coffee House (Cheno's) for breakfast with the superb coconut bake along with fish or bacon, eggs, and fruit.
Marguerite's, where Sherwin and Marguerite team to do some ridiculously good cooking. The pizzas, which you must order in advance, are outstanding. Also, the goat was best here.
But, buying some fish from the co-op or from Porridge and Sherwin and cooking it at your place is one of the best things about staying here. You don't feel guilty eating in because the lodges are located up on the hill
with the ocean just below.
Going to Englishman's Bay, a decent hike or short ride north of Castara, is well worth it.
Book a stay here and head to Tobago knowing you've made a great decision.
Guest Report
Vittorio from U.K. visited in January 2010 and awarded 
We stayed in Castara retreats for 10 days.The location is amazing and the apartments are perfectly integrated with the surrounding environment. From our balcony we saw unforgettable sunsets and the view of the Castara bay was breathtaking at any time. The retreat is a 5 minute walk walk from the fishermen village. There I spent hours observing the rythm of their simple life.
The beach is even closer down the hill and if you want to relax in a really secluded beach just go to the village and ask for someone to give you a ride to Englishman bay, a 10 minute drive beach from Castara. We will never forget that place.
Guest Report
Graham Leckie from U.K. visited in December 2009 and awarded
This was our third stay in Tobago in 3 years and our 2nd, three week stay at Castara Retreats. Previously, Birdsong lodge was under construction and wonderfully aromatic from the insect resistant hardwoods it’s built from. Now the years had mellowed it – beautifully – and the surrounding gardens were lush and colourful, alive with native birds, including dozens of darting humming birds. Birdsong is spacious with 4 sun decks plus a large roofed veranda/general living space. Open 3 sides (with storm shutters, if needed) it overlooks Castara Bay (watch for stingrays feeding.) There’s a dining table, chairs and a suite of comfortable upholstered wicker sofas. No TV (not missed). The master bedroom (en suite bathroom) is to the side and rear of the well equipped kitchen. The beds were comfortable with efficient, frame mosquito nets, essential in the green season. The lower deck contains the second good sized bedroom (en suite.) A minor complaint is that the room was a bit stuffy at night, requiring a fan most times.
Don’t expect peaceful nights, however. Cockerels start crowing in the wee hours while chachalacas start their gabbling calls. Remember, Castara’s a working village, that’s its charm, and people start early; strimming at 5am to the accompaniment of trucks grinding up the hill. Consequently few folks have late workday nights and are often in bed by 11pm. The obvious exceptions are Friday’s Limin’ sessions and Saturday night. ‘Sunday School’ is a different matter, mainly staged for tourists – we avoid it, it can get a bit too rumbustious after the rum’s flowed a while. Daylight in Castara sees a small truck tooting its way through the village. The goats in the back, wide eyed in innocent anticipation of a holiday, are, sadly for them, off to the abattoir. Note also that the cute animal tethered at the road side is likely your dinner the following evening at Marguerite’s or one of the village’s other no frills eateries. But please put your qualms away – this is real food and Tobago goat curry or a roti is one of life’s pleasures. NOTE: The cafe/restaurant opposite Marguerite’s is especially recommended – excellent value and the owner couldn’t be more helpful. His breakfasts are terrific – try his salt fish & coconut bake.
You can’t mention Castara Retreats without including Porridge, their local man on the ground. He’s a legend; super helpful, down to earth and your best friend while you’re there. If you want it, he’ll get it – nothing’s too much trouble. He has vehicles for hire and if you don’t fancy driving he’ll take you wherever you want to go; trips & excursions. Janelle (Mrs Porridge) looks after everything domestic at the Retreats, along with her staff, many of whom are family. We’ve never had any cause for complaint re cleanliness or any aspect of housekeeping. Excellent!
We’ve stayed on Tobago during the dry and the green (wet) seasons. The latter sees more insect life; mozzies of course, so apply repellent with min 50% Deet at night. Other ‘scary’ looking critters include stick insects, praying mantis, huge crickets and locusts; but leave ‘em alone, they’re harmless. Useful house lizards live in Birdsong’s eaves helping control the bugs, so be careful how much insecticide you spray. Tiny fruit bats are regular evening visitors, attracted to the bird feeders, which should be topped up with brown sugar for the banana quits, tanagers and mot mots. You’ll likely only see their flitting shadows but it’s fun trying to photograph them.
Re-exploring Castara this time we found it had hardly changed; the school appeared to sport a new roof, and the old ladies from the village still baked delicious bread and cakes twice weekly in the clay oven in the school's grounds. Every church (a dozen last count) was full on Sundays. The grog shop sold the cheapest rum and beer and the ground provision shop still opened erratically. There’s a largish supermarket, which is big on shelf space but not on stock. The ultimate shopping experience, though, is Maxi’s down by the fishing co-op’s shelter. He has everything you need; and if it’s not in stock – you simply don’t need it! Call in on during Friday afternoon’s limin’ and you might be offered a rum – or two.
Down on the beach the fishermen land their catch, twice daily, gutting and preparing it mainly for hotels down the coast. Take the initiative, ask what’s available and take your own bag to carry away your purchases. If you don’t, you’ll be sent to Maxi's to buy them a bottle of Guinness, in a carrier bag. Tip: take extra bags and make a gift of them; you might get another couple fillets – gratis! Top tip: Flash your tuna fillets in a little oil; roughly a minute each side. Finish with a good squeeze of the lime or lemon that you’ve just picked in the Retreats’ garden: Fantastic with a fresh green mango, lime and chilli salsa.
ESSENTIAL EXCURSIONS:
Rain Forest. Seek out Darlington Chance, a terrific guide. He’s a Rasta with a delightful sense of humour. You’ll learn a new word too; ‘weelies’ – they’re highly recommended btw.
Argyle Falls is on everyone’s list but also discover rarely visited Hillsborough Dam and Greenhills Waterfalls, going the ‘wrong’ way, north-south, from Mason Hall; 4x4 essential.
From Bateaux Bay visit Little Tobago by glass bottomed boat. Guides show you red billed tropic and frigate birds. Back on the mainland, walk (take water) the old sugar road, rear of Blue Waters Hotel, following it round to deserted, secluded Belmont Bay.
Drive old North Coast (rainforest) Rd to Charlottesville – gorgeous views of secret bays.
Take day trip with Castara’s Alibaba; snorkel Buccoo Reef, BBQ at No Man’s Land), glide through mangroves and relax
Guest Report
Franca Diaz from Canada visited in November 2009 and awarded
We stayed at Castara Retreats for our honeymoon in November. It was more that we expected! It was one of the most beautiful experiences we have ever experienced. The birds performed a symphony of magical music every morning. We even saw some agouti(s), which were a big surprise for us. We witnessed daily the stingrays floating close to shore, but most of all we interacted with the engaging residents of Castara.
What a wonderful experience!!!!!
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