How much money?

[Glen O]

Hi. We'll be travelling to Tobago in Feb. and staying for 2 weeks in Castara. Aside from air fare and accommodation we don't have much of an idea as to how much we should be putting away for the rest of the expenses. We plan on cooking for ourselves for most b'fasts and lunches and some suppers. Probably eat supper out 10 days. Also plan on taking a couple of tours and renting a car (costs shared with the other couple) probably 5 or 6 days to tour and snorkle in different spots (have own equipment). Plan to drink copious quantities of local beer, rum, etc. Since we don't know how much food, drink, etc. costs we'd like some idea of how much we can expect to spend. I know it is not easy to comment on someone else's spending habits but that is what I'm asking for. Amounts can be in any currency as I can do the conversion to Canadian dollars. Any ideas? Thanks for any help you can give.

Glen

[Bill B]

Glen,

The only help I can offer is that, after you pack your suitcases and calculate the amount of money that you think you need, you should take out half the clothes and double the cash

I'm sure some of the experts like David and Steve will be able to give you more specific help.

Have fun on your trip.

Bill

[David Watkins]

Glen,eating out in Castara is relatively cheap you can reckon on between TT$70 to 150 for an evening meal,lunch from TT$35 to 80.I always cook for myself and go out two or three times a week and budget about TT$ 1000 for a weeks booze and food.
Carib beer is about TT$10 a bottle or a case about TT$130(24 bottles),rum well at about TT$65 per bottle for Old Oak(my favourite)you can't go wrong!
You can get all the fresh veg and fruit you need in Castara as well as some of the basic foodstuffs for meats and more exotic groceries it is a supermarket run.
Fresh fish can be bought daily at the fishermen's co-op on Castara beach and fresh bread twice aweek at the Clay oven behind the school.A shop opposite the Community centre also sells fresh bread daily.
Enjoy Castara,I shall probably see you there.
David

[Deb O]

Hi Dave - have just read your note with great interest as we are visiting Tobago for the first time in 9 weeks today (not that we're counting !) We will be staying on the Bon Accord development and wondered whether the prices you mention are applicable for that area? Sorry if it is a daft question but we don't know if prices vary much from one part of the island to the other?

[Deb O]

Apologies David - my cousin prefers to be called Dave which is why I typed it, out of habit!!

[David Watkins]

Meg,prices in that area-partcularly dining out are more expensive because it is the "tourist"area with the higher class accommodation etc.Drink prices and food prices from bars and shops are about the same over the whole island.David

[Glen O]

Thank you for the prices David. That will help us to budget. I like your suggestion Bill. I am a fairly light packer. It's my wife that I have to get the message across to.

Vehicle rentals out of Castara for the day seem to run about $40 - $60 U.S.a day depending on what type you rent. Is this about right? Are there mileage charges on top of that?

I'm going to see if there's a PennySavers (Tobago) website with a list of prices for such things as soda, milk, etc. If not I may be back to ask some more.

Thanks again for the help.

Glen

[David Watkins]

Well I am fairly certain there isn't a website for pennysavers.As for milk it is sterilised/UHT or dried(powdered),if by soda you mean soft fizzy drinks,a can of coke(!!!!!)will be TT$3 to 7.
David
ps don't ruin the rum with coke

[Paul Tallet]

Not wishing to poop all over this string but I personally think that Castara is quite expensive for eating out.

The last time I was there (March 2007) the prices ranged from TT$60 to TT$100 per person depending on whether you were on chicken/veggie or steak.

I went to Bagos Bar, for instance, in the more touristy area just on the road to Pigeon Point and was charged between TT$30 to TT$70 per person for equivalent meals.

Castara prices were similar to prices in resturants in other remote areas such as Speyside and Charlottesville ... I just found it interesting that it was cheaper to eat in the more touristy areas.

Please note that drinks are not included in the prices above ... when I stay at the Naturalist I ask Ancle to empty his fridge and I fill it with my own booze purchased at the PennySavers Supermarkets

Regards

[Sue Noble]

This is all very interesting, we've been wondering about this; we are staying down at Crown Point, how are prices there?
We dont normally go to 'fancy' restaurants and like to eat local type food. We probably would be looking at some snack at lunchtime and light meal in the evening. Is it right that wine is expensive and what about coffee?

Also, what is the exchange rate to Stirling at the moment?

[David Watkins]

A three litre wine box at Pennysavers is about TT$120,so it is comparable to Uk prices.They are normally Californian or Chilean.If you want European wines then they can be very expensive.
The exchange rate(tourist) is about TT$11.5 to £1 stirling
David