7 nights in Tobago

[Daniel]

Hi everybody,

This morning I bought my plane tickets for Tobago. I will be staying for 7 nights (Easter, 2012). My main interests are beaches, however, I have a question about logistics and some sights. I will be staying in Parlatuvier. This is how I've planned it:

Saturday, March 31: Arrival in the afternoon and rest of the day in Parlatuvier.
Sunday: spend the day in Parlatuvier
Monday: Englishman's Bay
Tuesday: Castara
Wednesday: Pigeon Point (Can I walk from Pigeon Point to Store Bay?)
Thursday: Charlotteville
Friday: no plans...
Saturday, April 7: Departure in the morning.

1. Is it worth visiting Scarborough?
2. I read that the Argyle Waterfall is best visited with a guide, how long does this take? Does the guide take me to the waterfall and then leaves me on my own to return whenever I want or does he have to take me back? I love hiking, however, I like doing it on my own (I'm not much of a talker and like taking my time when hiking)
3. I cannot drive so I am planning to use a taxi for this or do I have any other choice?

Thanks!

Daniel

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Daniel

Lucky you - I'm sure you will enjoy your trip.

Your itinerary looks good and will certainly allow you to see some of the best of the 'real' Tobago.

In answer to your specific points:

1) No, not really. The market can be very vibrant and interesting, but personally I wouldn't waste valuable holiday time to fight the traffic and exhaust fumes of the town.

2) There is no compulsion to take a guide to visit Argyle Waterfall, although you will be asked to pay for one at the entrance. The big problem will be persuading the guides there that you don't need or want one.

3) You will not be able to just call a taxi from Parlatuvier, as there are none based in the area. The same applies to all the destinations in your itinerary. A self-drive car would be your best bet, but if you don't drive then that's not an option obviously. So, my advice would be to pre-arrange to hire the same driver and taxi for the duration of your stay. The owners of your accommodation should be able to recommend and arrange someone, or you could wait until you arrive and choose someone at the airport - but that is a lot more risky. Just because a taxi driver can take you to any hotel in the south-west of the island doesn't mean they know the coastal areas you are wanting to visit. So, speak and arrange a car through the owners of your guest house would be my advice.

[GervaisAlkins]

Hey Daniel,
about question 2, I agree with Steve about Argyle Falls and the diffuculty in doin that hike without a guide. The walk is really short and really difficult to get lost since the trail is pretty obvious. As a suggestion when you're in Parlatuvier on the main road there's a road that braches of in the village called 'Jetty Road'. Opposite the entrance to 'Jetty Road' there's a small clearing beside a river. Take a left on that river and you'll find a quiet, beautiful waterfall with a trail hidden on the left hand side allowing one to get on top.
There's also a nice walk to a beach called 'Dead Bay' aka 'Erasmus Cove' if you follow 'Jetty Road'.Go along that road running parallel to the beach then there's a few switchbacks up the hill and you'll see a jeep road on your left at some point. Follow that road and it's take about 30-40 mins to get to the cottages that overlook 'Dead' Bay. There's a really nice wee falls if you follow the river on the beach. Have a great time in Parlatuvier

[Ronald]

Hi Daniel

Your question "Wednesday: Pigeon Point (Can I walk from Pigeon Point to Store Bay?)", yes you can walk without problems if you stand the heat. I guess it´s about 3-3,5km between Store Bay and Pidgeon Point. A route taxi (chared taxi) from the main road outside Store Bay to Pidgeon Point will cost about 5TTD, if they want more say NO.

If you don´t have a map of Tobago already, take a free road map at the Airport. They use to have them before the passport control. If they are finish, go to the Tourist Information Office at the Airport. The map is useful even if the roads are not 100% as they are shown on the map.
//Ronald

[Richardus]

I could just add that maybe you haven't planned enough activities, unless you dont want a lot of activity which is perfectly understandable. For example Englishman's bay as the only activity for the entire day may not fill your day. The reason being is the beach although the most beautiful I've ever seen, does not have much to do there, and you have to be particularly careful about your belongings if left unattended as there are some possibly untrustworthy sorts that live there. We had a guide to watch our stuff and take pictures of us on the beach and there was nobody else on the beach, truly a paradise, however, not enough to stay there all day, but maybe that was just us.

I could make a few recommendations if you really want to see more of tobago and don't mind an excursion.

-The jeep safari Tour
-Nylon Pool tour
-Island tour driven around by a guide, they show you at least two main waterfalls plus rainforest hike.

And most importantly do NOT miss Jemma's!

[Daniel]

Good morning and thanks everybody for your input!

I guess that when I decided to stay in Parlatuvier, I didn't think it through in terms of logistics. I am really looking forward to the place where I am lodging, that's what made me decide to stay in Parlatuvier. I live in a city so I want to be in a place as quiet as it can get near the sea. I figured that taking a taxi every day is going to be quite expensive, perhaps, I could hire a driver for the day(s) I'll be in Tobago. I could rent a car, but the whole driving on the left is keeping me from doing so. I had a hard time, even as a pedestrian, when I was in England a couple of years ago.

Thanks for the Scarborough and Argyle Falls comments; I'll keep Argyle Falls in mind. Thanks for the trail recommendations around Parlatuvier. I also thought that spending an entire day at Englishman's Bay is too much. However, I'm leaving that day open for whatever comes up as well as my last day on the island.

1. What's "Jemma's"?
2. Do you guys have any recommendations for the "island tour driven around by a guide, they show you at least two main waterfalls plus rainforest hike"?

Thanks again,

Daniel

[Ronald]

Hi Daniel

"Jemmas", I believe they mean Jemma´s Seaview Restaurant in Speyside in the north of Tobago. Check "Restaurants" and choose Speyside on the map.

[Daniel]

Oh, ok... I have just read about Jemma's in Speside. Nylon Pool is also in my itinerary from Pigeon Point/Store Bay!

Considering that being fit isn't an issue, is it possible to move by bicycle around Tobago? I have read it's hilly, but would it be safe to move around the island this way? I am still concerned about how to move around the island without renting a car.

Thanks again,

Daniel

[David Watkins]

Definitely a NO NO,the roads just are NOT suitable for cycling,in the southwest Ok but elswhere no
David

[Frank and Mina]

Hi Daniel.

The bus goes along the coast from L'Anse Fourmi through Parlatuvier, Englishmen's Bay and Castara to Scarborough where you can catch others to the airport area (for Store Bay and Pigeon Point), Mount Irvine/ Black Rock/ Turtle Beach/ Plymouth and one north to Roxborough/Speyside/ Charlotteville.

The fare is ridiculously cheap, TT$ 3 each way on the Castara side, TT$ 2 from Scarborough to the airport and about TT$ 6 (IIRC) to Charlotteville. The experience gives a good flavour of local life and other passengers will invariably be helpful. You will also see more than low down in a car.

However, you must purchase tickets before boarding the bus Locals will tell you where they are sold, which doesn't include the airport. Buy a mixture of 1 and 2 Dollar tickets. the driver tears them in half when you get on. You hang on to your half, literally!

Give the buses a try. We use them all the time.

When you get to see the two coast roads you will realise why David doesn't reccommend cycling!


Frank

[Daniel]

Thanks, Frank and David... bus, it is then!

[Carol G]

Hi Daniel,
Not to be discouraging...the buses can be fun and you will get a better feeling for the "local non tourist" Tobago. People are usually glad to point out things, suggest things to do, just be friendly. BUT...you may not want to spend hours waiting for a bus. We stay out near Studley Park and the bus I try to take to get home is the one that goes to Speyside/C"ville...I have spent hours in Scarborough waiting and hoping I can get a seat on the bus. At least I do have the option of a short ride with a Maxi...not very doable for you. I have also found once I get to Scarborough going on to Mt Irving for a swim can take forever....you will have to change buses. Have not heard if the plight of broken down buses has improved since the fall.
Why not give a bus trip a try and see if it's worth the time. Hope you have a great trip...Parlatuvier is one of our favorite spots. If you have time....visit the new beach facility at Blood Bay

[Daniel]

Thanks, Carol... perhaps, I can take a bus to Scarborough and then take a taxi to my destination for the day, does that sound more feasible?

Thanks for your input one more time, everybody!

Daniel