myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Firstly, I must say what a wonderful resource this site is. Having only considered escaping the UK for a glimpse of Caribbean sunshine again a couple of weeks ago, myTobago and all the information provided by Steve and contributors to the forums is invaluable. We have spent two glorious Christmas holidays in St Lucia in recent years and love the island life - honeymooned on Anguilla and lived in the BVI for a couple of years and visited several other islands - and the temptation to try Tobago was too great.

Anyway thanks to this site I found out about the Excel charter flight, rang Golden Caribbean and they had 9 seats left on the flight on 23 Dec, so I grabbed 4 of them for myself, my wife and two sons 16 and 10. I found a room at the Hilton for our first 4 nights (thereafter fully booked) and then we have 3 nights at the Arnos Vale hotel. I booked a jeep through Yes Tourism with Thrifty, so we are all set for what looks to be a fantastic very last minute arranged holiday. The credit cards are taking a hammering...but c'est la vie...

One of my wife's Christmas highlights in St Lucia has been going to midnight mass in Castries Cathedral. It is certainly an experience... lasting several hours...packed congregation who were all very friendly and welcoming to the few visiting tourists...a service with huge gospel choirs, sermon by the Bishop - who last time seemed to have picked up his script for the Easter sermon instead of Christmas...pigeons flying around inside and dropping the odd bit of Christmas good luck etc etc !

Has any one been in in Tobago at Christmas and visited any of the churches ? Are there any other special events on over the Christmas period that anyone can recommend ? We plan to tour the island in our jeep and hopefully explore off the beaten track as much one can fit into a week, but any hints for "must do's" in such a short visit would be welcome.

Hi Mike

Welcome aboard and thanks for your kind words.

I'm sorry but I have no experience/answer to your question about churches. Although a very religious society, Tobago hasn't got anything resembling a cathedral, as far as I know. I believe the Catholic church in Scarborough is as near as you will get. The community seems to be split into a huge number of different churches - Anglican, Moravian, Methodist and 7th Day Adventist being the most popular, I believe.

I must confess that I've never stayed in Tobago over Christmas/New Years and have no idea what it's like. There are no formal organised festivities that I am aware of.

Have a wonderful time. I'm confident it will be the first visit of many.

We are not catholic but went to 8am service on 25th last year the church is on a hill to the right of scarborough it was a beautiful service and everybody is very welcoming there is a good view which over looks the harbour.

Watch out for the chickens running down the hill when you come out.

We were 1st timers last year and going again shortly

Just looked at the reply I sent I seem to have got my right and left mixed up. The church was to the left of Scarborough not right must have to much wine on Sat night.

We were staying in Crown Point you will need to leave about 7.15 but thats no problem as most moring we were up a dawn. All the windows and doors were left open so that there was a breeze in the place. the birds joined in with the Gospel singing (but not the Chickens)

Have a great time