shopping

Henrik Gade Andersen · Mon Jan 02, 2006 7:45 pm

First time at Tobago, I would like to know if its a good idea to do shopping by ourself, or if it will be difficult. I was reading about many people in the shops when plaine arriving. We will arrive 26th in the evening with BA.

Or better to ask the host to shop for us?

Advices very welcome on this topic.

regards Henrik

Brian Taylor · Post by **Brian Taylor** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 11:54 pm

depends on when the plane comes in. the supermarkets are open to 20.30 and some untill 23.00
if you come to castara first (that was you, wasn't it?!) better get a stock and buy smaller things in the village. if you stay in the crown point area first, your host could get you the breakfast survival package and you check out the rest next day.
no matter what, you will not stay hungry here....
STEPH

Paul Makin · Post by **Paul Makin** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 12:36 pm

we'll be on that flight, iirc its due in at around 17.30. mini-markets will all be open when we land, although you might want to stop off en route if youre heading up country, just in case.

closest to the airport and therefore to your route would be, i think, jimmys mini mart just after coco reef hotel. its smaller but will provide the basics for your first night and some breakfast things.

pennysavers will certainly still be open and can supply pretty much all you'll need being a supermarket rather than mini mart.

regards
paul

Gisela Grell · Post by **Gisela Grell** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 3:55 pm

Hi Henrick,

whenever I went to Tobago and took a taxi from the airport the drivers are very helpful. The bring you to a supermarket and wait until you finish shopping. I used to leave my luggage inside the taxi. Never made bad experiences.

If somebody will pick you up it will be the same.

Nice holidays

Cheers

Wendy G · Post by **Wendy G** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 4:44 pm

Talking of shopping,do they have clothes shops there like over here?Silly question probably!

Rachel Crew · Post by **Rachel Crew** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 7:10 pm

Wendy,

In a word... NO!
Shopping is very limited. Don't rely on getting clothes here - bring with you what you think you will need. The only thing you will get a plentiful selection of here are Tobago t-shirts and sarongs

Gisela Grell · Post by **Gisela Grell** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 9:13 pm

Hi Wendy,

like Rachel said no chance for shopping clothes like home but supermarkets are fully equiped with almost everything we have here.

In fact they sell some of the European cosmetics like body lotion, shampoo and all this stuff. But in the end you are on holidays and don't need everything you use home.

The only thing you won't get much is sausage like in Europe. They have ham and some kind of salami but not much. In the bigger supermarkets they have different types of cheese, not in the smaler ones.

Don't worry, nobody will die by hunger there and enjoy your holidays

Cheers

Matt C · Post by **Matt C** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 4:41 am

Paul Makin wrote:we'll be on that flight, iirc its due in at around 17.30. mini-markets will all be open when we land, although you might want to stop off en route if youre heading up country, just in case.

closest to the airport and therefore to your route would be, i think, jimmys mini mart just after coco reef hotel. its smaller but will provide the basics for your first night and some breakfast things.

pennysavers will certainly still be open and can supply pretty much all you'll need being a supermarket rather than mini mart.

regards
paul

Do most of the store take credit cards or does one need to make sure they have enough cash ?

also does the island have cash machines ?

thx

Steve Pitts · Post by **Steve Pitts** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 8:24 am

Hi Henrick

If you look in the odds and sods section at the top of the page, you'll see plenty of tips on shopping, including where the local supermarkets are situated..

Wendy - not a silly question, but if you are expecting Rodeo Drive, with Prada, Gucci and DKNY you're gonna be dissapointed.
For touristy type clothing (T's, shorts, skirts, sarrongs, hats and jewelery (locally crafted) check out the booths at Store bay and surrounding area, or a trip into Scarborough will kill a morning if you want to shop 'till you drop (a couple of hours should do it unless you are a serial shopper!).

Matt - Same goes for info and the locations of the ATMs on the island. Details in the money matters section of odds and sods in the header bar at the top of this page.

Cheers
Steve

Wendy G · Post by **Wendy G** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 3:32 pm

Ok,thanks guys,i did'nt expect there to be loads of shops like here,but i do like to look around the shops where ever i go!