myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Hello all,
We are traveling to Tobago in July after a 25 year absence (we honeymooned at Turtle Beach resort). This time traveling we our grown children ages 23 and 17. Haven't decide where to stay, but are looking at places in the Black Rock, Plymouth, and Castara area. We are planning to rent a car. How safe are these areas? Would love to hear from anyone who recently visited the island.
Thank,
Ana V

Hello Ana-

We just returned from a week in Tobago on April 3 and our circumstances were very similar to yours. My wife and I lived in Trinidad in 1983 and visited Tobago then, and had not returned until this year. We took our daughters, ages 14 and 18, back to show them where we lived and to show them Tobago.

We stayed at Sherwood Park Apartments in Carnbee, and have nothing but good things to say. Very friendly hard working staff, small quiet facility, wonderful pool area. I was a bit worried about security before going, but we had no problems whatsoever. I would look for a place that has night security and a few other folks around at night, but otherwise you should be fine. We did not feel threatened at any point while in Tobago. On our first night in Trinidad, we got lost in Port of Spain late on a Friday night, and that got a bit nerve-wracking, but we eventually found our hotel and all was fine.

Driving will take you a day or two to adjust to, but after a while it was a lot of fun. Do take the time to drive up to Castara or Charlotteville, the views and beaches are spectacular.

Good luck with the planning - Tobago is every bit as good now as it was 25 years ago.

Lars Peterson

Hi Ana

Like everywhere else on Tobago, you will find those areas perfectly safe, assuming you take normal common sense precautions at all times.

Ana,Black Rock is a small friendly village,I have stayed there a number of times-absolutely no problem.Plymouth is rather larger and more of a place to visit than to stay,even as a base because there are no eating places or entertainments there,but again having stayed there and walked around after dark no problems.Castara!well the only problem you will have in Castara is the overwhelming welcome and friendliness of the village residents!!!It is a wonderful place!
All in all I have been to Tobago anumber of times,I am single in my sixties and have never had any safetey concerns at all.
Go and enjoy!
David(getting near to countdown time)

Thanks all,
Castara is looking better and better. The pictures look beautiful and the village sounds inviting. We arrive earlier in the day, but our daughter arrives at Crown Point airport around 10 p.m. What would be best: for us to pick her up in our rental car ourselves or should we arrange for pick up service at the airport? I remember at our last visit we drove all over the island, but never at night and do not know how the roads are from Castara to the airport. We are leaning towards staying at Naturalist.
Ana V

Hi Ana

I would not recommend driving down from Castara to the airport and back up again at night if you have just arrived on the island and are unfamiliar with it. The roads are twisty and narrow and there's several points where you could easily take a wrong turn and end up lost - something that is fun during the day, but generally not appreciated at night.

Personally, I would recommend hiring someone like Porridge in Castara to do the airport transfer. You can contact him through his website at http://www.porridgesplace.com. He also has a couple of cars for hire, so you could either collect your car at the airport and drive up, or get Porridge to meet you, take you up to Castara and hire a car from him.