I'm travelling to Tobago next week with my mother for the first time. Can anyone please advise whether it is better to get TT currency in the UK or wait until arrival at the airport in either Tobago or Barbados (I realise it is a different currency in Barbados)?
Also, does anyone know what is within walking distance (not too strenous) from Arnos Vale Hotel i.e. restaurants (other than the Arnos Vale Waterwheel), snack bars, sight-seeing etc?
Any other tips for visiting Arnos Vale/Tobago for the first time?
Thank you
Jayne
First timer-Currency fx (UK to TT) & Arnos Vale
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Steve Wooler
- myTobago Editor & Chief Anorak
- Posts: 4856
- Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2002 11:00 pm
- Location: Suffolk, England
- Contact:
Hi Jayne
Welcome aboard!
There are many different views regarding the best methods of dealing with the currency issue, so you might want to use the 'Search' facility at the top of the page and look for appropriate posts.
Personally, I would get £100 of TT$ from your bank here in the UK before you go, or on arrival at the airport in Tobago. Don't get it in Barbados becuase you'll be changing it to the EC doallar and then to TT$, so you'll pay double the commision charges. Pay for most things by credit card (you get the best rate that way) then draw any additional cash from ATM machines in Tobago. Note that the nearest machine to the Arnos Vale Hotel is next door to Pizza Boys at Pleasant Prospect (a small cluster of buildings just after the Grafton Beach & Le Grand Courlan hotels).
I'm afraid there is NOTHING within walking distance of the Arnos Vale. Even the A.V.Waterwheel is a 15 minute walk and not something you would want to do after dark (because it would mean walking down a narrow unlit "main" road with no pavement). NEVER visit the Waterwheel without a resevation - they seem to open and close at the drop of a hat and I know of one recent case where a party were dropped off their by taxi, walked up to the restaurant and found it closed. They had a two hour wait in the dark before their taxi came back to collect them.
Have a great trip and be sure to let us know how you get on.
Welcome aboard!
There are many different views regarding the best methods of dealing with the currency issue, so you might want to use the 'Search' facility at the top of the page and look for appropriate posts.
Personally, I would get £100 of TT$ from your bank here in the UK before you go, or on arrival at the airport in Tobago. Don't get it in Barbados becuase you'll be changing it to the EC doallar and then to TT$, so you'll pay double the commision charges. Pay for most things by credit card (you get the best rate that way) then draw any additional cash from ATM machines in Tobago. Note that the nearest machine to the Arnos Vale Hotel is next door to Pizza Boys at Pleasant Prospect (a small cluster of buildings just after the Grafton Beach & Le Grand Courlan hotels).
I'm afraid there is NOTHING within walking distance of the Arnos Vale. Even the A.V.Waterwheel is a 15 minute walk and not something you would want to do after dark (because it would mean walking down a narrow unlit "main" road with no pavement). NEVER visit the Waterwheel without a resevation - they seem to open and close at the drop of a hat and I know of one recent case where a party were dropped off their by taxi, walked up to the restaurant and found it closed. They had a two hour wait in the dark before their taxi came back to collect them.
Have a great trip and be sure to let us know how you get on.
Steve Wooler
myTobago.info - the definitive Visitor Guide to Tobago
myTobago.info - the definitive Visitor Guide to Tobago
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Joe King
We did exactly what Steve said above. We converted £100 before we left, which gave us just over TT$1000, and we used credit cards while there.
You will probably notice that most of the tour companies quote all their trips in US$ so if you want to bring some of these you will also be able to use them. We didn't though, we just used TT$.
Joe
You will probably notice that most of the tour companies quote all their trips in US$ so if you want to bring some of these you will also be able to use them. We didn't though, we just used TT$.
Joe
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David Watkins
- Bude Cool Boy
- Posts: 1990
- Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2003 12:12 pm
- Location: Bude Cornwall uk
- Contact:
Hi Jayne,a lot of travel agents recommend US$ don't fall for it!!! Take a minimum amount of TT'S(£100 is about right)then change stirling or TC's at the bank.I don't think it is good value to use your credit card to get hard cash unless it is an emergency.If you use your card,at an ATM or at the bank you will pay a local charge, then your issuer will charge you about 2.75% commision plus your normal interest on cash advance and finally they decide the exchange rate they will levy!!!!!!
Have a great time,David(with 23 weeks and 1 day to go!)
Have a great time,David(with 23 weeks and 1 day to go!)
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Steve Wooler
- myTobago Editor & Chief Anorak
- Posts: 4856
- Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2002 11:00 pm
- Location: Suffolk, England
- Contact:
David is absolutely right, of course – changing to US to then change into TT$ is madness and will cost dearly. He is also absolutely right about drawing cash from a machine being more expensive than travellers cheques, with one proviso - convenience.
In Jayne’s case, she will be staying at Arnos Vale. Now it’s one thing to pop down to Pleasant Prospect and drawn some cash from the ATM machine there – 20 minutes door-to-door max, but quite another to go to a bank in Scarborough or Crown Point, with all the attendant travel and queuing. I don’t know how one could cost holiday time, but it’s pretty precious and I would prefer to spend that extra time on the beach.
The first thing I would suggest it to consider the sort of thing you are likely to be doing. Visitors staying at any of the major hotels are unlikely to need much cash. Meals are probably part of the package and you can pay for the vast majority of things by credit card – which is a lot safer and more convenient than carrying around wads of soiled banknotes apart from anything else. Yes, if you are self-catering or likely to be eating in small local restaurants, you will obviously need more cash. I know that David is spot on from a financial point of view, but sometimes I’m happier to pay a little more and ensure that as little as possible of my holiday is spent on unproductive admin matters. Personally, if it means just one cash withdrawal during a two week holiday, I will opt for the cash machine every time and take the hit of three or four quid.
In Jayne’s case, she will be staying at Arnos Vale. Now it’s one thing to pop down to Pleasant Prospect and drawn some cash from the ATM machine there – 20 minutes door-to-door max, but quite another to go to a bank in Scarborough or Crown Point, with all the attendant travel and queuing. I don’t know how one could cost holiday time, but it’s pretty precious and I would prefer to spend that extra time on the beach.
The first thing I would suggest it to consider the sort of thing you are likely to be doing. Visitors staying at any of the major hotels are unlikely to need much cash. Meals are probably part of the package and you can pay for the vast majority of things by credit card – which is a lot safer and more convenient than carrying around wads of soiled banknotes apart from anything else. Yes, if you are self-catering or likely to be eating in small local restaurants, you will obviously need more cash. I know that David is spot on from a financial point of view, but sometimes I’m happier to pay a little more and ensure that as little as possible of my holiday is spent on unproductive admin matters. Personally, if it means just one cash withdrawal during a two week holiday, I will opt for the cash machine every time and take the hit of three or four quid.
Steve Wooler
myTobago.info - the definitive Visitor Guide to Tobago
myTobago.info - the definitive Visitor Guide to Tobago
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Wanda
Hi Jayne
Steve is absolutely right about the Arnos Vale Hotel, it is not within walking distance of anywhere, but then that is part of its charm. We have stayed there several times (going back in 2 weeks time in fact) and we always hire a car. Arnos Vale is well positioned for touring the island, it is on the main road for Castara and Englishmen's Bay: it is only a 15 minute drive to Scarborough and a 20 minute drive to Crown Point passing Turtle Beach, Grafton, Stonehaven and Mount Irvine on the way.
If you don't wish to drive there are plenty of tours that you can take around the island, to the rainforest and over to Little Tobago. You can book these before you go with 'Yes Tourism' via the internet or wait until you are in Tobago and ask at the hotel about tours on offer.
We usually eat dinner in the hotel but if we do eat out in other restaurants we always hire a taxi as it is a little hairy driving at night especially in the Arnos Vale area with no street lights!! Do not miss teatime at Arnos Vale when the birds are fed, you get to see a wonderful selection of the island's birdlife whilst enjoying tea and cake.
Have a wonderful holiday.
Wanda
Steve is absolutely right about the Arnos Vale Hotel, it is not within walking distance of anywhere, but then that is part of its charm. We have stayed there several times (going back in 2 weeks time in fact) and we always hire a car. Arnos Vale is well positioned for touring the island, it is on the main road for Castara and Englishmen's Bay: it is only a 15 minute drive to Scarborough and a 20 minute drive to Crown Point passing Turtle Beach, Grafton, Stonehaven and Mount Irvine on the way.
If you don't wish to drive there are plenty of tours that you can take around the island, to the rainforest and over to Little Tobago. You can book these before you go with 'Yes Tourism' via the internet or wait until you are in Tobago and ask at the hotel about tours on offer.
We usually eat dinner in the hotel but if we do eat out in other restaurants we always hire a taxi as it is a little hairy driving at night especially in the Arnos Vale area with no street lights!! Do not miss teatime at Arnos Vale when the birds are fed, you get to see a wonderful selection of the island's birdlife whilst enjoying tea and cake.
Have a wonderful holiday.
Wanda
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N Muir
jayne
Hi jayne
I would always advise people to walk with a little cash, about 50 pound is enough. and then draw cash from machines as and when you need it. if you use a credit card in the machine it will cost you as another post mentions, however a cash card should not. best just check with your cash card provider but a normal current account ATM card is the best option. you often find that you get a much better interest rate than changing TC's or cash in the bank. really its down to what you feel most comfortable with. my cards got me over $11.5 tt to the pound with no commission, no exchange rate or other charges.
remember you dont need great wads of cash for your fist two nights, 50 quid is plenty, and you can probably pay your hotel bill by credit card when you check out. but whatever your choice two things are definate
1 DO NOT BUY $TT DOLLARS IN ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!! YOULL GET RIPPED OFF
2 DO NOT BUY $US DOLLARS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
a short distance form arnos vale hotel is the little arnos vale bird and nature park ( no not the grafton and caledonian) where they ring a bell and feed the hummingbirds. and also a guided tour of the arnos vale watermill with "Ray" is very recommended.
I would always advise people to walk with a little cash, about 50 pound is enough. and then draw cash from machines as and when you need it. if you use a credit card in the machine it will cost you as another post mentions, however a cash card should not. best just check with your cash card provider but a normal current account ATM card is the best option. you often find that you get a much better interest rate than changing TC's or cash in the bank. really its down to what you feel most comfortable with. my cards got me over $11.5 tt to the pound with no commission, no exchange rate or other charges.
remember you dont need great wads of cash for your fist two nights, 50 quid is plenty, and you can probably pay your hotel bill by credit card when you check out. but whatever your choice two things are definate
1 DO NOT BUY $TT DOLLARS IN ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!! YOULL GET RIPPED OFF
2 DO NOT BUY $US DOLLARS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
a short distance form arnos vale hotel is the little arnos vale bird and nature park ( no not the grafton and caledonian) where they ring a bell and feed the hummingbirds. and also a guided tour of the arnos vale watermill with "Ray" is very recommended.