Food shopping on arrival

Mary G · Post by **Mary G** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 3:43 pm

Hello

This is my first post on the site and would like to thank everyone for the really useful information it contains.

Many of my questions have been answered already but I can't find much information about supermarkets (not the most exciting topic, I know!).

We are arriving at 7.30pm on Sat 3rd March and wondered if any supermarkets around the airport would be open for us to stock up on a few provisions (I can't wait to try the Carib!) before setting off to Castara?

Also, what food can you buy for self-catering in Castara itself?

Thank you.

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 4:08 pm

Hello Mary

Welcome aboard!

Tobago has three 'large' supermarkets. Details are provided in our 'Shopping' article (see menus: Odds & Sods/Shopping). In addition there are a host of small local shops and a few 'mini mart' type stores. Don't expect anything like home.

You will be able to get the basics in Castara, but little more. It is essential that you do a major 'shop' at Penny Savers or Moorshead before making your way 'up-island'.

Steve Pitts · Post by **Steve Pitts** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 6:13 pm

Hi Mary

Assuming you arrive on time

you will need to get your skates on to get to the nearest Penny Savers which is in Canaan for the 8:30pm closing time.

If you are picking up a hire car, this will add to your time at the airport and if you can be clear in half an hour between landing, waiting for your passport to be checked, collecting luggage and picking up the car it will be a new world record. Then it's 5 to 10 minutes to the supermarket - allow 10 if you haven't done the route before. I would doubt that you could do it in time and pick up what you need, unless you landed earlier, which does happen.

If you're going by taxi, then tell the driver that you want to pick up some groceries and he will do his best to find somewhere open, but this might require a slight detour.

Other options include arranging for a basic pack of groceries to be delivered to your accomodation and then scout around on Sunday for an open mini-mart or better, leave it until Monday for a serious shopping session, but this will mean travelling back to the Carnbee / Canaan supermarkets mentioned by Steve.

I really don't want to rain on your parade, but I would try to arrange some groceries in advance and maybe take a basic few rations like tea bags etc. just to tide you over the weekend.

Eating out won't be a problem in Castara and for self-catering, plenty of fresh fish from the co-op on the beach, with fruit and vegetables, soft drinks and tinned stuff from the mini-marts / road-side stalls, plus locally baked bread and cakes.

Carib - almost anywhere

Hope this helps

Cheers
Steve

Clyde Alleyne · Post by **Clyde Alleyne** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 6:41 pm

Mary, if your priority for provisions really means Carib, then you really don't have to depend on finding a supermarket open when you exit the airport. Leaving the airport, just ask the driver to stop off at Jimmy's Mini Mart which is just after the Coco Reef Hotel (this is literally a minute from of the airport). Jimmy's will have Carib for sure, together with bottled water, soft drinks, juices, wine, tea/coffee, canned goods etc.. The main difference between a place like Jimmy's and a Penny Savers or Morshead is that the latter are full service supermarkets which will have a much larger variety, as well as meats and vegetables. Once you have purchased your vital supplies at Jimmy's (ie Carib!) then as you proceed north along the Milford Road, if Penny Savers is closed, then a minute further along is a smaller supermarket called View Port. Ask the driver to look out for it. View Port tends to stay open later than Penny Savers and they capture the locals who are looking for groceries after Penny Savers is closed. But View Port's variety is definitely much less than Penny Savers or Morshead's. Hope this helps.
Clyde

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 3:40 pm

Also as you drive thru'Mason Hall there is the Jesus Christ super market which is often open late---but being an SDA operation does not sell alcohol.
Coddrie and Miss Merline will both be open when you arrive at Castara.
David

Mary G · Post by **Mary G** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:30 pm

Dear All

Thank you so much for your detailed responses - the info will be really useful.

I've double-checked our flight arrival time and we actually land at 17.30 not 19.30

So we should have time to ask our taxi driver to call by one of the shops to stock up.

I'm getting very excited now and, having read so much on this website, I can't wait to see Tobago for myself.

Many thanks again.

Mary

Clyde Alleyne · Post by **Clyde Alleyne** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:27 pm

Nary, with a 5:30PM arrival, Penny Savers on Milford Road will be your best bet to stock up on everything before you go on to Castara. Its only about 5-6 minutes from the airport. Enjoy your stay in Tobago!
Clyde

Gill M · Post by **Gill M** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 4:13 pm

Hi Mary

You should find a good selection of food available although you may have to go to both PennySavers AND Morshead to get all you require. Don't know how long you are staying for but it may be worthwhile you going to the Golden Grove for your meat as well. Worth buying th Carib in the 24 pack case as it's cheaper!!