Newbie to Tobago and solo traveller

R Shah · Post by **R Shah** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 1:50 pm

Hi

Firstly, thanks to the person who set up this website and forum, it is fantastic and has been very useful.

I'm going to be coming to Tobago in mid March for about a week and will be travelling alone. I have got a cheap flight, but need to sort out accommodation.

The plan of my holiday is mainly to chill out (hopefully on the beach!!) and do some diving. I was wondering for recommendations on areas where to stay (and if possible accommodation recommendations - but do appreciate there is a whole load to choose from).

As I'll be travelling on my own, it would be nice to meet other people. Are there areas / accommodation places which are more geared towards the independent traveller rather than package holiday people?

I hope I'm making any sense and thanks in advance for any assistance.

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 1:53 pm

Hi R

Welcome aboard!

Well, I'm sure you're in for a wonderful trip. However, I hesitate to mention anywhere because the scope is just too wide. What sort of budget? What sort of preferences? The best thing I can suggest is to go through our accommodation listings and try to identify the sort of place that are within your budget and seem to meet your preferences. Then you are more than welcome to come back and ask specific questions about the properties you are interested in.

R Shah · Post by **R Shah** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 2:17 pm

Cheers for the quick reply! Yes, was worried my post might have been a tad general.

I'll be looking through the site and forums and then will start the question asking!

Thanks again.

R Shah · Post by **R Shah** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 10:07 am

Seems from my initial research basing myself in Castara would be a good option. Did have a look at the Castara Retreat, but they don't have avaiablity for me.

However if I am based out there, will a dive operation be able to pick me up for diving?

Brian Taylor · Post by **Brian Taylor** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 12:11 pm

we tried to have them doing that, but did not succeed yet. our guests who went diving drove themselves either to speyside/charlotteville or to the lowlands. if you don't plan ti rent a car you might want to think about a taxi there, since the bus to charlotteville does not pass on this side so you have to go all the way to scarborough and catch another one passing the atlantic coast there. for the low lands (pgeon point or so) you have to change transport in scarborough as well. so a taxi might suit you best.

by the way. I think castara is an excellent location for singe travellers. even single ladies always felt very safe here and you have enough chance to meet locals and foreigners as well.... ask david...

not a dull day here....

STEPH

Jo B · Post by **Jo B** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 3:54 pm

When we stayed in Castara, we drove ourselves over to Speyside each day when we were diving (with Aquamarine). I think the journey is easier than going down to Crown Point, and the scenery is much nicer. We really enjoyed the drive across the top through the rainforest.

Castara is a great place - just go to Codrington's rum shop and you will soon meet plenty of people, tourists and locals.

Jo x

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 1:26 pm

Aw shucks Steph,anyone would thinh I went out liming every night

A quiet,shy David in Castara.

Brian Taylor · Post by **Brian Taylor** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 3:01 pm

make that every second night?!

R Shah · Post by **R Shah** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 10:18 pm

Again, thanks for all your help.

I've been contacting a few places to stay. Toucan Inn is fully booked but they have Inn on the Bay avaiable for US$100 a night (all inclusive).

Also Crown Point Beach Hotel is avaible for US$90 a night.

Third place is Young's Place for US$55 a night self catering.

Re diving most operators won't pick me up from Casatra. I could hire a car, how long would it take me to drive to Crown Point or Speyside? However the problem is I'm not the most experienced driver, should that be an issue in Tobago?

Caribustu can do pick ups from Casatra, however his prices are not the cheapest. I do appriciate many people have recommended him, but he is nearly double the price of some of the other dive operators.

So debate, debate, what to do!!

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 2:03 pm

It will take about 25mins from Castara to Speyside on what for Tobago is quite a reasonable road,CP could take up to 1hour depending on traffic and most of it is on mediocre roads.You should have no great difficulties driving in Tobago as the rules are exactly the same as UK,except for a nationwide speed limit of 50kpm.If you choose to stay in Castara there are a number of car hirers to choose from.Iris at Youngs house will be able to help you.From sunny Castara,adieu,
David

R Shah · Post by **R Shah** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 7:49 pm

Thanks for all the info, am contacting dive shops in Speyside for prices etc!!

Paul Tallet · Post by **Paul Tallet** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 12:01 am

Here is an idea R

As with the sharing of information in myTobago ... you cannot rule out the prospect of hitching a lift with some divers staying in or passing your area and pay a small price towards the costs.

The Diving Agencies may be able to put you in touch with others that are booking dives in your chosen area ... or you can put your dates in the Meeting Board on this forum and see who is prepared to chuck you in the back of their car.

I have to agree with the other contributors that Castara is one of the best places to stay for the single traveller and there are lots of lovely small digs all round Castara and good snorkelling off the beach ...

... Charlottesville is similar and a probably a better option for those divers that like to commute to Speyside for their daily pleasures.

Maybe staying in various places close to the best diving areas is a worthy option.

Have a good time.

Regards

R Shah · Post by **R Shah** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 4:38 pm

Excellent idea, thanks for the suggestion!

I'm really hoping just to base myself in one place, not a fan of moving around!

May look into Charlottesville, but am very tempted with just basing myself in Casatra.

Gill Mathews · Post by **Gill Mathews** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 11:23 pm

Hi. I will be travelling on 16 march to stay for 3 weeks. I can feel the sun already! I also travel alone and will be staying near the airport. I already know the beach area from last years holiday. Fancy turtle watching, poss Katalina Cats and Brian`s off road tour, but could do with some suggestions of places to meet other travellers.??? Thanks Gill.

Brian Taylor · Post by **Brian Taylor** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 7:06 pm

the dive center located at the arnos vale hotel (tobago dive experience?!) are oicking up guests with the boat in castara now, when they come to dive here in the area anyway...

R Shah · Post by **R Shah** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 8:58 pm

Cheers for that info. Will contact them. However I presume that would mean doing most of my diving down Crown Point end rather than Speyside?

Brian Taylor · Post by **Brian Taylor** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 10:32 pm

check with them, where they are going... the sisters are right here on the coast... and they have another branch elsewhere... since charlotteville and speyside are still a bit hard to reach from here you might end up more in the crown point area...

R Shah · Post by **R Shah** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 12:20 pm

Re Tobago Dive Experience, it seems there are some mixed reports on the boards about the operation.

Anyone who has used them recently or have knowledge of them care to comment? I have read the recent posts about them, and that's what has good me wondering. Before that thread the view had been they were an operation probably to be avoided, however more recently people have been praising them. Have they turned a corner?

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 4:26 pm

Hi R

No direct reports, I'm afraid, because none of my experienced dive contacts will dive with them. I have heard several stories of divers who have dived with them and then cancelled and resumed with other services.

I have to pose the question: why dive with an outfit who receive such diverse reports when there are so many truly good dive operations on Tobago?

Brian Taylor · Post by **Brian Taylor** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 5:17 pm

our guests chose them because it seems that they are the only ones picking up people here in castara... hoping for a report from them these days...