Worrying about my holiday!

[Christine Magee]

Hi there - I am new to the forum but have to say what a great website this is. I am staying at Blue Haven (thanks Steve for the comprehensive review) in Feb - is this a safe hotel - I know its on a public beach but not sure. Also is it ok to just walk out of the hotel during the day into town. Car hire - maybe just go with the tour guides. You see I am a bit nervous about it all. Normally we are very independent travelers who like to do our own thing - last year in Barbados we took buses everywhere to the most remote places and felt completely safe. I hate the idea of looking over my shoulder and feeling suspicious all the time. I did try and change the holiday but would have lost 50% of the cost which wasn't an option. Also I heard that it can take up to three hours to check in at the airport on a Thursday because they can't cope with two flights that come in at once. Thanks everyone for all the comments - they have honestly helped a lot but can't help still feeling worried. Chris

[Steve Wooler]

Hello Christine

Welcome aboard!

The Blue Haven Hotel is a very safe hotel. Although their beach is public, they have a beach bar/restaurant on the beach and there are always lots of staff around. So, you certainly won't be "looking over your shoulder". Stay away from isolated places and you'll have a ball!

I can't really comment about the Friday check-in as I've never experienced it. The airlines normally ask you book in three hours before don't they? Other readers might be better able to advise on this.

Don't worry; you'll have a wonderful holiday.

[Christine Magee]

Thanks for your comments - what I should have asked was that I had heard the security check in when you arrive can take about three hours. Thanks Chris

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Christine

That makes more sense. Yes, I guess there are very occasional situations where two large aircraft get in at the same time and then over-stretch the facilities. The scanning of luggage on incoming passengers in Tobago is just such a joke. That said, I think 3 hours is a very worst-case scenario rather than normal.

[Ronald]

Hi Christine

The beachs is public and the name is Bacolet Beach. Its a small beach on the Atlantic side with dark hard sand. As it on the Atlantic side, the sea can sometimes be rough. The sand is dark as the cliffs are dark, its not light coral sand.
On one side you will have the cliffs where the hotel is and on the other side an other cliff. Do NEVER swim outside these edges, as there sometimes can be a strong current there, some years ago a local couple where taken away and drowning.

The beach itself is very nice, hardly on other except from the hotel. They have a small beach bar-restaurant there and also sun chairs for their guests. There are very few peoples on this beach, mostly guests are from the hotel. In the afternoon some locals guys use to play football an the beach. If you take the stairs up to the road you will also find a small local shop across the road.

I would say its safe to walk from the hotel down to Scarborough, but it takes about 30 minutes and it might be a hot walk!

Have a nice trip
Ronald

[Christine Magee]

Hi there, thanks for your replies. Maybe wait to swim at the other beaches!
Chris

[Andy K]

Christine,

as for public transport in Tobago, you may use Buses, "Maxis" (small bus route taxis) and Taxis at any time during
the day. Taxi number plates begin with a "H". The cars are not marked otherwise.
"H" taxis are fully insured for commercial passenger transportation, they are technically inspected and the drivers
have to take a medical annualy.
Many people in Tobago try to make a few extra dollars by transporting passengers with their private cars (number
plate begins with "P"). I do not recommend to take this kind of transportation, as the cars (and drivers) are not licensed for commercial transportation and in case of an accident you are on your own.

I have never seen security checks at the airport taking 3 hours in Tobago. If you check in your luggage 2 hours prior to departure, you should be perfectly fine. You may then spend your idle time in one of the restaurants nearby and procede to the gate 45 to 60 minutes prior to departure.

Have a good trip !

Andy

[RosyV]

Hi Christine
Please stop worrying about your holiday and instead look forward to having a wonderful time. We were in Tobago for the first time last year and were concerned too. We needn't have worried as all was fine, so much so that we are returning this February (35 days to go and just can't wait!!!) There are plenty of posts on the forum (including some of mine) that support the view that as long as you use basic common sense then all should be fine, and yes it is safe to travel about and explore. On the subject of check-in. Well we checked our bags in earlier in the day and then returned to our hotel pool before returning to go through security and passport control with minimal wait (though we were staying in Crown Point so I realise this may not be an option for you). There are queues (show me an airport where there are none) but nothing horrendous. Stop worrying and enjoy! You're gonna love it! Rosy.

[Peter Kuhn]

Hi Christine,
as a ''newcomer'' in Tobago I would do first a island tour with one of the guided tours, to become a better impression.
I can recommend YESTOURISM in Lowlands, they give you a professionell service and full overlook about all the activities you can do on the island.
http://www.yes-tourism.com
After you can discover at your own....maybe with a rental car.
All the nice beaches are in a driving distance from your hotel.
You will see.....it is easy an save .....and not so busy like in Barbados.
If you like it real independent....you are on the right island

Cool down & have fun

Peter......two month to go

[Christine Magee]

Hi everyone - oh you are all so nice thanks!
Chris

[Richardus]

We have not been there yet, but will be in about 130 days. From all the research we have done we feel Tobago is no more unsafe than anywhere else in the world. There is always going to be the village idiot wandering around and it is just common sense to not wander into a seedy area in the middle of the night drunk and singing whilst displaying your finest jewelry!

Blue Haven looks like a fabulous place, and had I not already booked and paid for my current hotel I would of seriously considered staying at the Blue Haven being so much more intimate and in a much more "unspoiled" and pure area.
The beach appears to be perfectly sheltered too, I think you will find swimming there to be just as nice as anywhere.

We noticed that most of the tour operators use Jemma's Treehouse restaraunt as the lunch stop on their tours, so there will be quite an influx nearby if you want to feel more secure around other tourists.

Again, not speaking from experience, but from what I have researched so far, I hope this helps, those that are more experienced please feel to correct me!