First Tobagan Visit

[J Carden]

Hi,

This October will be our (my partner and 6 year old son) first visit to Tobago. We have never been anywhere like this before and although I should be looking forward to the visit I have heard positive and negative feedback since booking to stay in a RESIDENTIAL HOUSE overlooking Scarbourough Bay. Can anyone put my mind at rest with the following concerns and make some suggestions please: -

Is it advisable not to book a Jeep for the 2 weeks because of high theft rates and sweltering temperatures?
Where are the best places to book car hire?
How do we go about booking trips without being ripped off?
Can we go to hotels for entertainment and drinks?
Which beaches forbid topless bathing?
If self catering, is it reasonably priced in the shops?
Will we need loads of spending money?
Has anyone stayed at Humingbird Heights before? and can they give me a brief report.

Cheers, Bye for now

Juliette

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Juliette

Welcome aboard!

My, I don't know what/where you've been getting your information from, but you seem to have a rather negative view of Tobago. Dismiss those concerns and read the information on this site for the TRUE position.

Anyway, in answer to your specific questions:

1) Yes, if you leave your car/jeep unlocked and valuables clearly on display, the chances are they will be stolen (just as likely to be stolen by a tourist as a local). Otherwise, car theft is virtual unknown on Tobago.

2) Sweltering temperatures? Well, an average temperature of 31°C (88°F) is hardly 'sweltering' in world terms, particularly not when cooled by those wonderful Atlantic breezes that Tobago benefits from.

3) See our article in the Tobago/Getting About menu for details of car rental. We always book Sheppy's via Yes Tourism.

4) If you book tours with any of the tour operators mentioned on this site you will NOT be ripped off. If you hire people on the beach, you have only yourself to blame.

5) Most hotels allow non-residents to use the restaurants and bars.

6) Topless sunbathing and nudity is illegal and highly frowned upon everywhere on Tobago and you will cause great offense to the older population if you attempt to do so.

7) Local produce is very reasonably priced. Imported European foods are expensive. By sticking to local produce and fish, you can eat extremely economically.

Loads of spending money? How long is a piece of string? If you are going on excursions all the time, it can be expensive. However, you can have really wonderful holidays on Tobago for very little cost.

9) Hummingbird Heights has a very good reputation. We have stayed there and you can read our review, available through the Reviews/Accommodation menu. Hummingbird Heights also has its own section in the Accommodation section of our forum where you can read comments from other visitors.

Don't worry - you're in for a treat.

[Gisela Grell]

Hi Juliette,

just take some time to go through the pages on "mytobago" and you will have all your answers.
Well, Steve already answered all you questions and he really knows what he is talking about.
I only want to tell you about one experience I made in Castara, a nice little village in the Northeast of Tobago.
It was around easter 2003 and a lot of locals were on the beaches. I went to the beach with some local friends and Trinidadeans. They got very upset about a tourist girl laying topless on the beach because a lot of children were running around. But nobody wanted to tell her because she was a guest and the local people wanted to be polite. So I went to the girl and told her please not to lay topless on a public beach or should hide a bit from the crowd. She was upset and went away but in the afternoon I saw her again and she was not topless The majority of the local people are christians and this would hurt their feelings (except of some young guys who like to watch).
I wish you a nice stay on Tobago and hope you will enjoy your holiday - topless or not

Cheers

[David Watkins]

Juliette,spend alittle time before you go by "visiting" Tobago via this site.You will find most if not all of your questions answered and any concerns allayed.Tobago is absolutely wonderful and your hostess at Hummingbird is charming.
Enjoy your stay in Tobago,I promise you will be captivated!!!
Regards,David(113 days to go )

[Chris Runciman]

With regard to 'going' topless.

This also applies to going about 'scantily' clad. Would you walk down the high street in a bikini here? My wife carries a sarong in her beach bag.

All bars and shops apart from those in tourist hotels have a 'no bare back' policy usually backed up by a sign. This means wearing that men must wear a shirt, vest or similar before entering to avoid causing offence.
A local guy will stand at the entrance to a shop or bar and ask someone to get something for him with his money rather than enter without a shirt on.
It is just good manners and respect.

If you are desperate to go topless then there are very secluded beaches only accesable by boat or a treke down the cliffs. Otherwise you could try Backbay between Mt.Irvine and Black Rock but be aware that any clothes or belongings may be taken by enterprising thieves with fishing lines!
( We were warned of this by local people who blamed 'Trinis' or young men from the south) This is a wild and wonderfull Robinson Crusoe beach that is not sign posted and well worth the 50-60 foot climb down the cliff path.

Chris Runciman, just returned from Castara for the 4th time!

[Adam]

If you want a snorkelling or rainforest tour try either Frankies tours which were quite good apart from the young lad that picked us up late, decided to get petrol and chat to his friends for a few minutes thus arriving at our destination late as soon as we arrived he kept saying yes the boat will arrive soon as we had missed the earlier one so we waited and after 3-4 hours it did turn up so we wasn't that amused but the rest of the day snorkelling and the boat trip to little tobago was good! or Jungle Harris tours, Harris is a really good tour guide, theres many tours he has on offer me and my wife went paid about £30-40 each and got taken around half the island in his minibus stopping to take pictures, then on for a couple of hours hiking in the rainforest where he will point out birds and plantlife (you do get given wellys and insect repellent to rub on your skin) before stopping for lunch thats included in the price then onto the argyl waterfall for some cooling off! He's very professional in what he does i think i would recomend him the most.

[J Carden]

Hi Steve,

I have had a good look at the site (boss on holiday last week ) and have read up for our trip in October. I can honestly say that this site is the most informative one I have ever visited, not to mention the great replies I recieved. I shall remember to pack my bikini tops and allow good time prior to any boat trips we have. We are very much looking forward to visiting Tobago and meeting our hosts at Hummingbird Heights. Bye for now