myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Hallo !!
It is sad to realize that Tobago is not out of the world. It seems to be
the same situation like anywhere in the world. If tourism is prospering, so does the crime rate.
Staying in Castara i still feel very safe and my house is normally not locked. I just asked my maid, Annetta, and she said, she cant even remember when the last crime had happened in Castara. A few weeks ago a ladie lost her purse on the beach. Cash, ticket, passport and credit card inside. She got it back the same day, still everything inside. Last week a Castarian
handed over a 100US travelers cheque to me, asking if i could restore it.
Sorry that i cant but, after calling Amexco, i now keep it as a proof of Castarians/Tobagonians honesty. I am sure that the rest of Tobagos inhabitants is as honest as the people in Castara are. The few "black sheeps" in the herd will, hopefully soon, be ...........
Thomas

Many thanks for the replies.

Its good to have the information.

I have just received official confirmation from the THA's Department of Tourism that the perpetrators of the recent round of vicious attacks in Tobago were apprehended last week. Apparently it was two young men, not three. They have been positively identified by at least four sets of victims to date.

It was pretty obvious to everyone that these attacks were the work of one "gang" on a crime spree, so the above news will be a great relief to everyone - locals and visitors alike. In a perverse sort of way, some good may come out of these terrible attacks. I believe it has really shaken everyone concerned. The government have suddenly realised how quickly their fledgling tourism industry could be ruined. Additional manpower and patrol vehicles have already been deployed and other longer terms plans are under way.

I am confident that with these animals behind bars, all of Tobago can relax again.

That is very good news Steve, most importantly for the people of Tobago (what is the collective noun?), but also visitors and prospective visitors.
Nice to hear that about Castara, Thomas.

Hello all,

This is my first posting to this forum. My wife and I are British expat workers based in Trinidad and we are frequent weekend visitors to Tobago.

The FCO have recently revised their travel advice. Go to http://www.fco.gov.uk to read the latest update.

Unfortunately crime is a major issue in T&T, but to a much lesser extent in Tobago than Trinidad. My wife and I are regular visitors to Tobago and have never experienced any problems at all.

Tourism is the major driver of the Tobagonian economy and the authorities take any attacks on tourists very seriously. This has been echoed by previous messages on this thread.

If you were thinking about visiting Tobago but are now having second thoughts - don't. Read the travel advisory, book your trip and have a great time.

Hello

I just finished talking with acquaintances who just returned from Tobago. Based on my discussions, I would have to totally agree with Ian's comment

If you were thinking about visiting Tobago but are now having second thoughts - don't. Read the travel advisory, book your trip and have a great time.

They left (husband and wife and two daughters) totally unaware of recent press, crime increase or travel advisories issued by UK.
They stayed in Castara as a base and vsited many beaches, Bucco Reef, Speyside, rainforest etc. They report that at no time at any location did they feel any concerns regarding their safety.

After returning from Tobago within the last week, so definately since the crimewave occurred, I can honestly say, don't be put off by the scare-stories!
Although i don't doubt their validity, there are some basic precautions that I would take whether I was at home in the UK or on holiday in the caribbean, or anywhere for that matter. For instance, I am an 18 year old girl that ventured out into Tobago nightlife while I was there with just one other friend (same age). At first we got lifts from family, but after discovering that nightlife in Tobago doesn't actually start until about 1am, we realised we needed taxis. We used a company that had been recommended to us by a few contacts and there was no problem. We only chose bars where there was security to enter, namely Diver's Den, and only drank from bottles and never left our drinks, preventing our drinks from being spiked.
We made many friends while we were on the island, and never encountered any threatening behaviour. We limited our conversations with people about our accomodation on the island, to prevent giving out information that might have caused a robbery or the like.
It is true to say that it is sad that these precautions are neccessary, but they apply to me wherever I am in the world. So don't let any scare stories stop you from going to Tobago, it is the most amazing place in the world!

In reply to the previous post I can assure Natalie that this is not a scare story but looks like the beginning of an apparent spate of attacks over the early part of this year. I will also say that during the attack I was hit with a type of baseball bat and my step son was hit with the flat end of a cutlass. I am a 17 stone ex rugby prop forward and my step son is over 6 foot but due to the nature and initial violence at the time there was little we could do.
This report was posted by the landlord of the property where the newlyweds were staying. As you will see, prior to any police investigation and with the trauma and shock still fresh, the whole world was informed that the reason for the attack was sexual. To date we are unaware of any arrests even though many have been questioned. In any case, if there is a sexual link (not proven), what single, young lad wouldnt go out at night. All I've read is how safe Sunday School is.
To cut a long story short I am not sure that those at risk of similar attacks are the nightlife loving party go-ers. We only ventured out each evening for a meal and returned to our accomodation. If we happened to stop for a drink it was well before 1.00am. The attack on us was at about 9.00pm.
I believe that having met and made lasting friends with many locals this will be sorted by themselves very quickly.
I would also hope that for all those looking for a relaxing time in Tobago are not put off by topics of this nature. If we were to only travel where total safety was guaranteed we would not go anywhere. Then again how safe are we at home.
My family will continue to travel wherever and whenever possible as we will not allow this incident to influence our lives.

We really hope that wherever you are in the world reading this and wherever you may visit in the future dont let isolated incidents influence your choice of destination.

Jeremy Matthews

Thank you for posting. I am sorry that your family had such an incident. We are going to Tobago in 18 days and I must admit to being a bit more worried about our safety than I usually do about a holiday. I feel reassured by what you say.

Jeremy Matthews wrote:I would also hope that for all those looking for a relaxing time in Tobago are not put off by topics of this nature. If we were to only travel where total safety was guaranteed we would not go anywhere. Then again how safe are we at home.
My family will continue to travel wherever and whenever possible as we will not allow this incident to influence our lives.

We really hope that wherever you are in the world reading this and wherever you may visit in the future dont let isolated incidents influence your choice of destination.

Jeremy Matthews

Now I can get back to worrying about all the normal things I worry about before we go on holiday, until we get there of course and then I'll stop worrying about anything! (I hope)

I visited Tobago for the first time this Easter and recently noticing the Foreign Office advice on Tobago thought I would check out the forum, as their advice did not seem to fit with my experience. We stayed for 2 weeks in a private villa on a quiet estate and the only problem we had was a malfunction on the house alarm. I found the locals genuinely friendly and helpful. We had visited St Lucia a few years ago and were constantly hassled for money, that never happened all the time we were in Tobago, a couple of times "entertainers" tried their luck but took the fist "no thanks" in good spirit. I get a lot more hassle visting London and I don't even look like a tourist there.

In all my years of travelling I have only twice had problems, in Rome with child pickpockets and in the Algarve with a burgular. Part of the reason I have had so little trouble may be the usual sensible precautions but probably most often it is because I have been lucky. There are not many places that do not have crime, particularly if a tourist destination, but most often you do not get to hear about it. It must have been truly shocking to be a victim of any of the crimes mentioned in this forum but it is a sad fact that these can occur in most places you visit. The honest debates in this forum should be applauded and I would be hard put to think of places less safe than Tobago.

Hi Richard

Without in any way minimising the incidents mentioned in this forum, I totally endorse your comments - although given what you say, I suspect you may wish to re-consider the wording of your final sentence.

Sorry, I of course meant that Tobago struck me as a place more safe than many other parts of the world.

The issue of crime and security is important to consider wherever you are thinking of going. After all, you won't enjoy your holiday if you perceive you are in constant danger.

The crime situation in Trinidad & Tobago has worsened considerably in recent months. However, please note that matters are much worse in Trinidad than in Tobago.

Crime detection rates are very low and criminals have become much bolder in their actions. Gun crime is commonplace and unfortunately many criminals aren't afraid to use them. Be sensible, follow the FCO advice at http://www.fco.gov.uk and you should be ok.

I've been to Tobago six or seven times in the past year without incident or feeling in any way under threat.

As an aside, on local TV there was a report that last week there were 50 murders in Jamaica, making the total for the year to date over 800 and projecting an annual total of 1100+. Maybe Tobago isn't so bad after all...

Thanks for your input, Ian, but may I correct one inaccuracy.

Gun crime is NOT commonplace on Tobago. In fact - and I'm sure somebody will correct me if I'm wrong - I can't recall a single incident of gun crime on Tobago, and certainly not involving a visitor.

Yes, Trinidad is a different stories. Remember that 20 miles of water separate the two island - about the same as between England and France. The two islands may be politically united, but they are different islands with a totally different ethnic mix and a very different way of life. That's why this site is about Tobago - not Trinidad & Tobago.

When I was in Trinidad we stayed in St. James, POS. We later learnt it was one of the worst places to be. We had mild hassle with beggars that eventually turned into pretty laid back banter. Certainly have been more threatened in UK and I am quite a cautious person.

We went to Tobago and it felt so safe. In fact we left our filming equipment in open 4WD vehicles on trips out without thinkiing about it - stupid with hindsight but we were able to do it.

I am going back to Tobago on holiday in November and hadn't even thought about safety. I am sure it wil be fine..... fingers crossed!!

I recently booked a holiday for 2005 to be spent in Castara and am now having second thoughts after reading about all the robberies, etc. occuring on Tobago. I am actually considering changing my plans and staying elsewhere. Can anyone tell me how safe Castara is as compared to the more "tourist" area of the island? I understand you must use common sense when traveling but it appears many of these attacks were committed as visitors were in their holiday accomodations, not in a dark remote area, etc. What is the incidence of crime in the Castara area?

Welcome aboard "W"

Just where were you reading about all these robberies? To be totally honest with you, I've never read/heard about any crime in Castara (although I'm sure petty theft must exist) and the spate of robberies you refer to were largely the result of a crime 'epidemic' by three individuals now safely behind bars (for a VERY long time, with hard labour).

I suspect, therefore, that you are reading some very old reports. Its all relative. In comparison to average crime figures for the USA, crime on Tobago is virtually non-existent.

Crime happens everywhere.

You always need to be careful with your belongings.

But the prospect of crime (particularly aggravated) in Castara is unlikely in the extreme ...

You will meet shadey characters everywhere in the Caribbean and in your own neighbourhood and Tobago is, by far, one of the safest places in the world, in my opinion.

Regards

From our two week stay I felt very safe in Castara.
It's a small village, everyone knows everyone else. Strangers up to no good would stick out a mile.
Take the normal precautions you would anywhere, relax and enjoy!

I totally concur with the other respondants.To all intents crime is non-existant on Tobago,particularly if you compare it to other Carib destinations(Jamaica.Cuba,Dom Rep,Haiti,Grenada and even Florida!!!!!)Don't be put off it is a great place and if you get to know people it is surprising how 'protective'they can be.David