What makes you choose Tobago?

[Richardus]

So many people that visit Tobago and post here have been there multiple times. Some even dozens of times over the years. What makes them keep going back? There are countless places in the world they could go. I have looked around at other Caribbean islands, other destinations in the world and find them either too expensive or too dangerous. My search keeps bringing me back to this little island where I know crime is low, natural beauty is high and the beaches are the best in the world. Why wouldn't I go back to Tobago?

In your search for new destinations, what keeps bringing you back to Tobago?

[Patricia]

Other than the fact that I have familial ties there, I love that Tobago, unlike so many other Caribbean destinations, offers the best of both worlds. The culture of the island is not lost. You don't have to be surrounded by tourists if you don't want to. You can escape up into places like Castara and just soak up the serenity of it all. Tobagonians also do not treat you as a tourist but a neighbour or a good old friend. They never hesitate to invite you over their own home for a drink and good food. You may have a British or American accent, but in Tobago, you're treated like a Tobagonian. I hope it never becomes a major tourist hub like the others, most of which have lost the culture specific to their island.

[Andy D]

I totally agree with the comments made in the previous two posts,I have been to Tobago around 15 times now since 2004 and absolutely love the place! The people,the food,culture,wildlife,beaches,the list is endless! Yes I have been to other places in the world but Tobago is my favourite place and I'm already looking forward to going again soon.

[Robert T]

I totally agree with you Andy!

[Paul Tallet]

Tobago is very unique ... you can do almost anything there (with the exception of finding a good ski slope!) ... not all people will like it though, like, erm, skiers?

But I sense that Tobago is one of those places that, once experienced, many people return to time after time as their main holiday destination.

Regards

[Dave Park]

Interesting question. For us its the coastline between Castara and Bloody Bay. There is something really special there that we have not found elsewhere in the Caribbean. I think its the combination of the uninhabited, unspolied Forest Reserve above you, the rugged mountains tumbling into the sea, the private beaches and bays, the little rivers, the surprising number of beautiful waterfalls, and the abundant rain forest that covers it all. Not to mention the many fine people you meet if tou take the time to do so. I just wish that we didn't have to lock our doors at night or when we go out. I do miss being able to leave everything unlocked, the way we used to do, but that said , we've never found a safer island.

[Ash_and_Jess]

De rum....

[SuzieQ]

agree with the previous posters - we will be repeaters as well!!!!
Castara especially, very friendly atmosphere, 95% of the local people seem very happy and don't complain at all, unlike some other islands we've been to sometimes....
Da Rum, yes
Da People - BIG YES
Da non-touristy vibe - BIG BIG BIG YES! I know we're tourists, but sometimes, we just don't want to be surrounded by loungers, and a zillion people.....

[Richardus]

To be honest, we spent quite a bit of time researching other destinations. We weren't sure if we wanted to miss out on any other interesting or exciting destinations out there. What would it be like in St. Lucia? Aruba? Mexico or Cuba? Some rave about the service even in Jamaica, but as we researched we only found destinations with massive overpopulation of tourists. (the tourist traps). Huge mega-resorts with 1000+ rooms do not scream out serenity or a high level of service. Some carribean island locations required extremely long layovers and multiple flights to get there. I didn't want to spend half my vacation travelling.

We were even offered free lodging and use of a car at a bed and breakfast in Costa Rica, but to miss the beach of Castara for an inland location was too great a price to pay. We have realized that Tobago is our little corner of the world to escape to that is definitive to us. It's not what everyone wants, but it is what we want and have already grown to love. Only this time, with the help of terrific and informative websites like mytobago.info, we feel we have made a significantly better choice on accommodation and are looking forward to having a fantastic time. We realized that it has been less than a year and we are already coming back.

100 days to go!

[David Watkins]

43 dtg

[Paul Tallet]

61 days to go

Regards

[SuzieQ]

To be honest, we spent quite a bit of time researching other destinations. We weren't sure if we wanted to miss out on any other interesting or exciting destinations out there. What would it be like in St. Lucia? Aruba? Mexico or Cuba? Some rave about the service even in Jamaica, but as we researched we only found destinations with massive overpopulation of tourists. (the tourist traps). Huge mega-resorts with 1000+ rooms do not scream out serenity or a high level of service. Some carribean island locations required extremely long layovers and multiple flights to get there. I didn't want to spend half my vacation travelling.

We were even offered free lodging and use of a car at a bed and breakfast in Costa Rica, but to miss the beach of Castara for an inland location was too great a price to pay. We have realized that Tobago is our little corner of the world to escape to that is definitive to us. It's not what everyone wants, but it is what we want and have already grown to love. Only this time, with the help of terrific and informative websites like mytobago.info, we feel we have made a significantly better choice on accommodation and are looking forward to having a fantastic time. We realized that it has been less than a year and we are already coming back.

100 days to go!

LOVE your post! We also, however, LOVE Grenada - and Cuba too - but now (unfortunately or fortunately for us!) - it's oging to make future trips more challenging.... already have probably changed next yr from Grenada/Cuba to Grenada/Tobago.... plus there's other places to see....
How lucky are we??/
have a great time in 100 days!

[Hugh S]

Dear Suzie,

Are there any good websites for Grenada?

Thanks, Hugh

[Richardus]

To continue on the travelling issue, travel time to Tobago is extremely efficient from Toronto, Canada.
You leave at 10:30pm and arrive in Trinidad by 5:30am or so, then a quick hop on the Tobago plane gets us to the hotel by 7am! After being up all night on a noisy and crowded plane and wandering around airports, the perfect thing would be a nice quiet room with a soft bed to sleep the first morning away, in a perfect world perhaps. Smooth and efficient journey yes, but almost TOO efficient. The problem is the accommodation usually won't let you into your room that early and you end up sitting in the sweltering heat in your travel clothes for 5-7 hours!

I still have bad memories of Turtle Beach Hotel which wouldn't even so much as offer us something to drink during our five hour wait without charging us. And even though we have chosen far superior accommodations this time (Seascape) there can be no promises the same thing won't happen again.

[Jane H]

HI Hugh

The following is a moderated forum for Grenada. We found that a lot of questions we had about the island were answered by helpful and knowledgeable contributors on there. (Bit like MyTobago.......... )

http://grenadatravelforum.com/

Hope this helps

Jane

PS Grenada is another lovely, friendly island with great beaches and scenery. We loved it.........

[Hugh S]

Thank you Jane. Just what I have been looking for!

Hugh

[Richardus]

I tried looking into Grenada as well. We met a nice guy on the plane from Toronto last time that was getting on another plane in Trini to get to Grenada. I guess that's the only way you can get there. I'm also pipe dreaming about doing a 7 day sailing trip from Tobago to Grenada, hence no need for any other accomodations on that trip. My wife thinks maybe a bit too adventurous for her but I say you only live once.

To be honest, we make a hobby out of researching and pricing up dream holidays for all sorts of destinations, but our true plan seems to keep coming back to Tobago. Usually because of it's non-commercialized, unspoiled nature, at least compared to most of the other islands. It all depends what you want, some people want a 700 room mega resort with armed guards everywhere, but not I. I prefer quiet little fishing villages and lightly traveled trails and scenic spots. I like seeing dirt paths, small fruit stalls and "diamond in the rough" eating spots rather than a concrete jungle with overpriced fast food outlets. I come here to escape that.