myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

I have just found this site and as we have booked to go tpo Coco Reef in July found the comments useful. We are taking our 19 & 21 year old daughter and son- both Uni students so keen to take any free holiday with us ! They have been to a few Caribbean islands and have loved them all. I was wondering - considering the comments on how peaceful it is/early to bed times - how previous similar families have fared. they are good at adapting and one loves nature - but both do like a bit of activity in the evenings. Any comments/advice would be welcome

Hi Sue

Welcome aboard!

Every hotel I have ever stayed at in Tobago has been dead by 11pm, latest. I don't know what it is about the place, but you find everyone wandering off to their rooms by 10pm. Having fun can be remarkably tiring. However, there are one or two places that remain open much later and would appeal to the younger members of the party. You couldn't be better placed staying at the Coco Reef.

Just five minutes walk from the Coco Reef (turn left out of the gates and walk up to the Pigeon Point Road junction) is the Golden Star - Tobago's premier night spot. Not my cup of tea, but I'm sure it will appeal to your son and daughter.

Half way between the Coco Reef and the Golden Star is the Pelican Reef. Always lively in the evening, so they might well want to pop down there for a drink and to enjoy the lively entertainment after dinner.

Turn the other way out of the gate and a five minute walk will bring you to Crystals. A very casual local eaterier/drinking spot that always seems to be lively.

Of course they MUST try Sunday School at Buccoo. The hotel will arrange a reliable taxi to take you and then to collect them at a pre-arranged time. You will probably enjoy the early/mid-evening action there yourself, but the action only really starts after 11pm.

Hi Sue,

we went to Tobago at the start of this month, and I was also a bit worried about the bars etc closing early. I am 25, and even though people keep telling me I am getting old, I always try to prove them wrong. Anyway back to the point, I was wrecked tired every night by 10pm. There was only one night that we made it to midnight, and the only bar that was still open (That we saw) was Crystals. It does look like a good spot for a couple of students to have a drink and some fun with the locals, and it is only a 2 minute stroll from Coco Reef.

Saying that, we decided the best course of action in Tobago is get up early(ish), have a relaxing day by the pool, have an early dinner and start drinking early. It gets dark so early in Tobago this time of year, usually around 6.30pm, that it doesn't feel like you are on the booze from lunch time!!!

Also another couple of spots that Steve didn't mention are Cafe Coco, and Kariwak. These are the spots to go for the cocktails. Cafe Coco is out the entrance of Coco Reef, turn left walk down to the pigeon point road, past Golden Star and turn left again. Cafe Coco is on the right.
Kariwak, just turn left at Crystals and it is on the right hand side.

I wish I was going back in July...

Joe

Hi Sue,
Book some dive courses at Underwater Tobago the dive centre that operates out of the Coco Reef Hotel. By 11pm the last thing they will be thinking about is partying.

Regards
Kevin

Thankyou for the advice- I presume from what you say about local nightlife that they should be quite safe then? Not usually this cautious but I had read a report recently about some attack(s) on young women on the island.

Hi Sue

Those attacks you read about were not street crime and the culprits are well behind bars now. Assuming they apply the same common sense that they would at home, they will be perfectly safe.

As Steve says, tell them to act as they would at home... don't splash their cash around etc and they will be fine. The majority of people are lovely and delighted to see tourists.

From a 31-year old's perspective, these are the following hot spots:

Divers Den - doesn't get going until about midnight really
Golden Star - talent night is a real laugh
Sunday School

It's a pity that Lush nightclub has closed - we went there lots last time we were all out there.

Same safety/security things apply as at home. Not too much cash on you, don't accept lifts, politely acknowledge people who stop you on the street and move on. It's fine.

I know that my circumstances were different this time, but Coco Reef is a nice place to while away an evening, often until midnight (and drinks are free!). It depends on the other guests there for your stay, I guess.

Sorry if this is a bit garbled - I'm sneaking on here before the little un's bed time!

Rachel

Thanks for your tips everyone - Im sure theyll have a great time... will feedback on our return ...