Please help us decide if we need a car

[Valerie W]

Hi Folks,
I have read many of your posts and still feel unsure about renting a car. We are walkers and rather like the idea of getting away from the North American car culture for a month, if it makes sense. We will be staying near Grafton Beach (Hibiscus Heights), Charlotteville (Top River Pearl), and Castara (Ali Baba's and Hidden Cottage), so without a car we would probably hire taxis to move us, but once in each village, will we be able to walk to beaches, stores for breakfast and lunch supplies, and restaurants? Are beer and wine stores readily in the villages? Many of you have recommended using tour guides for trips, and their websites indicate that they pick up clients.
My husband and I would appreciate your thoughts, because if a car is recommended, we might as well get it from the get-go at the airport from Yes Tourism.

Valerie

[Hugh S]

Just a suggestion:

Take a guided tour around the island and then decide if you want to deal with driving on the "other side" of the road if you have never driven Tobago. You may spot some areas where you want to explore and then decide you need a car. Most agencies will deliver to your door. I rent only as needed.

Beer and rum are available everywhere, wine is more limited.

Hugh

[Valerie W]

Thanks, Hugh, that sounds like very good advice. Actually, we were not really looking forward to driving on the other side of the road--have not done it since visiting Britain in '87! And thanks for the beer and wine information.

Valerie

[Jonathan Richards]

I don't think it should be driving on the "other" side of the road that should be a worry; you'll adapt quickly, and many of the Tobago roads are so narrow and twisting that you have to be prepared for oncoming traffic, goats, dogs or pedestrians on your side anyway! A car is a great way to see the island independently: I'd recommend it.

I think Hugh's advice is good: you won't necessarily want or need a car every day of your holiday, so getting one on arrival for the entire visit is probably not worth it. Look at the recommendations under Reviews - Car Hire on this site, and have a car just when you really want to travel.

[Dr Stefan Rustscheff]

On the other hand, car hire for the whole stay gives You much more options and freedom, something a holiday is all about! Even if You are walking, it all depends of how fit You are and how much You want to see. Hiking in 30 degrees C and 90% humidity is sometimes horrendous. And the weather is no guarantee either. Both scorching heat and torrential rains are common on Tobago. In a car, You have a nofty, air-conditioned escape...I think it is no coincidence that the status symbol no 1 on Tobago is the car, not the house. And if You rent long term, You get very good rates. I always rent two weeks from Sheppy. If I do not use the car one day-so be it, the discount is worth a couple of days rent anyway so I do not lose out. And since most renters are located in Crown point, it also takes away the hassle of going there again in the middle of a holiday. I am somewhat allergic to Crown Point and go there only for "fourage", and, sadly, to return to chilly,drizzly, windy, 5 C Sweden.

[Phil Bondie]

Valerie,
How long are you spending in each place? I have in the past split up a rental. We only come to Charlotteville and I have spent a week up here and then rented for a week and turned it back then rented for another week just before leaving to get to the airport. A friend tried to rent something today and was told by a couple of places all the cars and vans were out. Depending on when you are coming it may be tough if you wait till you are here. Yes Tourism can help. I like the Dr. said don't spend much time at the Crown Point end of the island. If you are going to be up in C-ville and Castara for your last 2 weeks you may want to wait and rent a car for that period and drive it up here with your bags and then have it to take you back to the airport. I personally would not pay to take an island tour from the south especially if you will be spending a good amount of your time up here anyway. An island tour for 2 people could cost you as much as a whole week rental. You can pretty much see all the sights in a day with a car and then go back to the ones you want. As I have said in another thread we have spent 30 days in C-ville and never left spending all our time in the water and at the local walk to or short boat ride beaches.

As for wines, Hard Wine or cane wine is about all you are going to find up here. You may want to stop at Morshead on your way up. Someone help me, is there still the wine store across from Pennysavers? It used to have a real good selection of wines. Beer you can get any where.

Let me know if I can be of help, Phil

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Phil

Yes, the wine store is still there in the little arcade opposite Penny Savers in Canaan. Another choice for quality wines is La Tartaruga restaurant in Buccoo who also know have a retail/take-away wine shop. They also stock the excellent cakes and cheesecakes you normally only get at Ciao Cafe in Scarborough (with whom they are associated). See their 'take away' list on their website at http://www.latartarugatobago.com.

[Valerie W]

Thank you, all, for your helpful information re the car and wine/beer. In answer to Phil's question, we are in Pleasant Prospect for only 4 days, then head to C-ville for a week, and then to Castara for 17 days. I am glad to hear that once in C-ville, it's good to just hang out in the area without driving around. If knowing our schedule prompts any further thoughts, they are appreciated.

Valerie

[Phil Bondie]

Thanks Steve,

I did not know about La Tartaruga, I was just in Buccoo the other day looking for flying fish. I will make sure to stop in the next time I am down that way. We enjoy the sweeter German wines and have not been able to find any. Dry wines are ok and there is quite a good selection at the stores we have been to.

Valerie, it will cost you $50 US to get up to C-ville which is a days rental. If you decide to not get a car and get a ride up it is possibe (depending on when you are coming) to rent a car locally for a day or 2. I can check for you. You can then hire to go to Castara (maybe $40 US, not sure) and then rent down there for say your last week or 2. I think Steph can help you in Castara. Once in Castara you are sort of in the middle and can come back up or go down fairly easy. C-ville to Castara 1 1/2 to 2 hours, faster if you drive like a local.

Phil

[Brian Taylor]

the rate for a txi castara-charlotteville is about 50US, so I guess the other way around it would not be different. in castara we ahev two samll rentals that would rent on a daily basis. that would be taylor's renatl and porridge...can't say if they have cars available all the time... they should both be in the list of retals. maybe you get in touch and inquire in advance...
hope that helps
steph

[Joanne Green]

We are Americans & adapted quickly to driving on the "wrong" side of the road. Since the steering wheel is on the right, it's more natural to drive on the left.

Having stayed in Castara twice, I must say that I can't imagine not having a car when you're on the north part of the island. And I agree that a day's tour is quite expensive. Rent an automatic transmission from Sheppy (don't get stick). It's not very expensive. You don't need to pay extra for CDW, as your VISA or MasterCard will cover it. Gas is relative inexpensive & it's wonderful to have the freedom to go where you want, when you want. And since the cost isn't that much, you don't need to feel guilty if you have a day here & there where you don't go anywhere!

[Caroline Brookes]

Hi Joanne

We are hiring a jeep from Sheppy. I don't understand your comment about Viza or Mastercard covering the CDW. I have never heard of it in England. Is it an American thing? As we will be taking out CDW at 20USD a day, it would be good to know if we are insuring twice.

Caroline

[Joanne Green]

I guess it's only in the US that major credit cards will cover you in the event of an accident. So we can decline the CDW coverage. Certainly, you need coverage any time you rent a car.

[Phil Bondie]

Hi Caroline, The way I look at it is if the amount per day for CDW adds up to more than the minimun then I basicly self insure. Like if I rent for a month and at $20 per day it comes to $600 and you are covered by the renter for over $500 it makes sense to self insure because your exposuer is only $500. Check the renters web site and do the calculations. There should be a limit to what you are liable for in case of an accident. You can always decline and take the risk to pay the max amount

Hope this helps, Phil

[Jo B]

I agree with Phil, but do look at the different rental companies' terms as they do vary. Last time we were in Tobago, we used KCN, who come highly recommended. Their reduced CDW cover capped your liability, so we made the educated decision to take the risk and pay the lower CDW rate. Sorry, I can't quote the actual figures, look at Yes Tourism's rental pages, they have all the info about the main companies.

Jo x

[Caroline Brookes]

Thanks Phil and Jo for the advice. As we are only renting jeep for five days, it justifies taking out the CDW option for us.

Caroline

[Anthony Townsend]

Caroline,

We always use KCNN. The service is excellent. If you do, please say hello to Charmaine for me. We get the cover too. I think it makes sense.

Anthony.