suggestions for independent travel

[Michael J.H.]

Hello:

I have just recently made arrangements to visit Tobago for 12 days near the end of February '04. It will be my first trip to the island. The primary reason for this visit is rest and relaxation, although I will most definitely want to explore the island's natural beauty and fascinating culture.

Because I am travelling alone, I am concerned with expenses, specifically the costs associated with hiring a vehicle to tour the island. Paying $50-$60 per day just to drive a few kilometres seems excessive and wasteful. I wonder if relying on taxis/public transport (for part of the visit) will be sufficient considering that my main priority is just to relax near a nice beach. A final question is where to concentrate the majority of my time. Is it more worthwhile to explore the more remote and deserted areas to the NorthEast, or spend more time near the busier, more commercial Crowne Point/Pigeon Point area? With all that being said, I was hoping to hear some suggestions on how to best spend those 12 days.

I am very much looking forward to visiting Tobago, and plan to use this wonderful site as my main source of information and advice until I depart.
Any suggestions that you can give to a budget-minded independent traveller will be much appreciated. Thank you.

Michael

[Achim Lewandowski]

Hi Michael,

independent travel is quite easy and there is no need to rent a car. I would stay 5 days in Charlotteville, 5 in Castara and 2 in Crown Point. Charlottevile and Castara offer much more atmosphere than Crown Point (which is not bad), but you need to stay a while before you are able to enjoy the simple way of life.

Usable public buses run from Crown Point to Scarborough (3TT), from Scarborough to Plymouth (4 or 5TT) along the coast, so it is possible to visit places like Black Rock. It is very easy to travel between Crown Point to Scarborough by Taxi (not the expensive airport taxis). Just hold your hand out, wait 30 seconds and enter the car. It is about 4 or 5 TT, I have forgotten the exact price.

For Scarborough to Charlotteville, it is possible to take a bus (8TT) or a Maxitaxi (10TT), which waits until the car is full.

From Scarborough to L'Anse Fourmi there are a few buses a day. You pass Mason Hall, Moriah, Castara, Parlatuvier. It is 4 (5?) TT to Castara. From Castara back to Scarborough Taxi is an alternative (1TT more).

The only places, which are difficult to visit, are the rain forest (I tried successfully hitch-hiking, but patience is definitely required) and the Hillsborough Dam (I asked a nice Rastafari couple to get me there for a little fee.) As I was not allowed to have a look at the caimans, they even brought me to the Rainbow Falls (for an extra fee).

So, it is possible to visit most, if not all of Tobago without renting a car. If you are reasonably fit, you should also rent a bike (in Crown Point or in Grafton). The tour from Grafton to Castara was hard, but beautiful.

Achim

Look at my photos:

http://www.alewand.de/fotos/tobago/index.html

[Paul Tallet]

WOW ... COR !!

Good Photos Achim.

The wide Pirates Bay is superb.

Paul