money and getting around

[Jessica G.]

I'm heading off to Tobago in 2.5 weeks and have a few questions that I'm hoping someone would be able to answer for me

First, I know that a lot of people ask about how much money to bring, but here is yet another question about money My boyfriend and I would like to know what a realistic daily FOOD budget is if we plan on cooking for ourselves for most (if not all) meals. We're vegetarians, so we won't be buying any fish, chicken, beef,etc. Is $50 USD/day realistic for two people? I have no clue how expensive things are in Tobago.

Second, we have no plans on renting a car, and will be staying in Speyside, Castara and Buccoo, and were wondering what the best way is to get from Speyside to Castara and from Castara to Buccoo. I know there is public transport available on the island, but I don't understand how it really works (i.e., where they drop off or pick people up, frequency, reliability, etc.).

I think those are all the questions for now. Any help would be appreciated

Jess

[SandraK]

Hi Jess
You will eat happily on Tobago plenty of fresh veg. and salad not to mention fruit. However if you are not hiring a car -why not by the way -then use the stalls outside your local supermarket. Use the roti stands the ladies will put whatever you want in the roti,without fish or meat I have no idea how much but as a total carnivore I can tell you we ate , actually too well for about 3USD each. As to moving I can only say much as the rest of the world call a cab,or simply wait for the public taxi -its generally a small transit and you simply wave it down.




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[Ronald]

Hi Jess

Moving from Speyside to Castara isn´t so easy. A regular taxi will cost a lot and there´s not so many route-taxis up there, and I don´t think anyone goes down on the Caribbean side via Charlotteville.

As far I know there´s no local bus directly to Castara from Speyside. You eighter have to pay a taxi to take you from Speyside to Castara or take the bus down to Scarboroug and than an other bus across to Castara.
Maybe some else can give you ideas about to travel by a local private taxi from Speyside to Castara or you can ask when you are there, in Speyside.
The roads goes from Speyside up to Charlotteville, from there a new road goes down to Castara on the Caribbean side. The other way around is to drive down to Roxborough and then cross over to Caribbean side and north to Castara.

From Castara to Bucco, same thing there, no direct bus, you have to go via Scarborough or pay a driver to take down to Bucco. The distances aren´t big but the roads make it take time, it´s not exactly higway standard.

You have to organize your travelling by car or hire car/drive or you have to go by buses, and all of them start/end in Scarborough. From Scarborough you also have the possibility to take a regular taxi or a route-taxi to Bucco.

Good luck, there are many expert on this webpage who know north Tobago very well, so in time I guess you will have a lot of information.

Ronald (going down June 25)

[David Watkins]

Jessica,for $50US per day!!!!Think that amount per week,honestly.I am a dedicated carnivore and budget less than half of your planned daily budget per week(excluding eating out).As for transport between your various deatinations,you really have probably highlighted the worst routes imaginable.You will have to make friends with locals to help you do NOT be tempted to use a taxi.
David

[Hugh S]

You will be able to use most of your planned food budget to rent a car ($50 US/day) on the days you need to move about. This assumes you are not eating in expensive restaurants and are preparing your own food most of the time.

The fruit on the island is to die for!!! You will probably taste many new and exotic types like sapodilla, sugar apple, soursap, cashew (fruit), local cherries and plums, many of which you can pick yourself when they are in season. There are at least ten different kinds of mangos plus guava, coconut, pomegranate, pineapple, plantain, banana, paw paw (papaya) and a variety of citrus fruits.

OMG I've got myself worked up just thinking about it!

Can't wait to get back, Hugh

[David Watkins]

Know what you mean Chris

[Hugh S]

Chris???

[David Watkins]

Sorry Hugh,see I really got carried away
David

[Hugh S]

David,

I think I know who Chris is . . . And I can understand how one could get carried away!

[David Watkins]

OOOOOOOH YES! and I have the poster.!!!
Lipsmackiningobsmacking etc etc(er the rum that is )

[Jessica G.]

thanks a lot for the info everyone