myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

We've been in Tobago twice, and we'll probably return each and every summer. But if we decide to have a vacation in another Caribbeal island, which one do you think is most similar to Tobago in terms of lifestyle, landscape, security, overall charm?

NONE!

Absolutely Nowhere ... apart from maybe in your dreams Nikos

Regards

Try a bit harder, people

Don't be impatient, Nikos. That's a really tough question and hard as I'm trying, I haven't been able to come up with an alternative yet.

I give up

I have to say I think that is the toughest question anybody has ever put on the myTobago Forum ... I thought it had all the answers until now ...

How you doing Steve?

I agree, Paul. I'm sat here with a huge map of the Caribbean in front of me and I've worked through at least 70 names and still can't figure one that comes close. Sorry Nikos!

What about Nevis? Sounds quite attractive to us, but I'm not too sure it's Tobago-like.

Yassou Nikos,
I guess none of the Tobago addicts (including me) here would suggest another island. How about spending some days in a village on Tobago where you haven´t been before? Same island - different impressions!

Greetings, Roland

P.S.: I can suggest Antiparos, it´s not a Caribbean but a nice Greek island!

Antiparos, huh? Reminds me of something You're right about the different aspects of Tobago. We spent a few days in Charlotteville last summer, and it was totally different than the Tobago we experienced the year before. But do not invite us back; two visits, two hurricanes. Need I continue?

Hi Nikos

I haven't stayed in Nevis since about 1990, so it may have changed. I liked it, but Jill, my wife, didn't. Although the island is very pretty, its very small and you're round it in a couple of hours. The beaches are not particularly good and we didn't find it anywhere near as friendly as Tobago.

Hurricanes - Nikos, I've been visiting the island since 1957 and have yet to experience one. They say lighting never strikes three times - and I bet the same is true for hurricanes. Also, remember that Tobago is at the very southern end of the 'hurricane' chain, so you stand a much higher chance of being hit on any of the more northerly islands.

Hi Nikos,
This migh be like swearing in church, but, yes, Nevis Island is a nice island. We stayed at the Montpelier Inn which is a lovely hotel with top-rate accommodation and food. The beaches are glorious and totally empty. Sometimes dangerous on the windward side due to undertow. The island is rather small and You can drive around it rather fast. The airport is immaculate, and even has a good restaurant on the second floor. I can particularly recommend the isolated "Lover´s beach" and lunch is best taken at a restaurant called Gallipot, owned by a bloke from UK and his white kittitian wife. There are other inns and hotels but montpelier is by far the best. Net rates may be found that are affordable. People are lovely and very much aware of the importance of the tourist industry. Meals in the capital are expensive and generally badly done. There is a lot of exploration to do if You like old sugar estates, as it is on S.t Kitt´s. S.t Kitt´s is ruder, more populated and more touristy, but there is a small inn at the top of the island which is heaven and called Rawlin´s. Lovely islands for a change. But I am returning to Tobago in december...
brgds

Thanks, everyone. I know about the hurricane situation, Steve. That's why we felt so unlucky, being in Tobago in tha days of Ivan in 2004, then Emily in 2005 (well, that didn't hit land in T+T, but spoilt out last couple of days with hurricane warnings, very heavy rain etc). By the way, the staff at Ocean Point were extremely careful and thorough in their preparations both times. We'd love to visit Tobago outside the hurricane season, but it's tough to be granted leave in a time of season other than summer. The whole of Greece is vacationing in August or July/September. Actually we went to St Maarten once in early june and never saw a raindrop in 7 days. Thank you for the info on Nevis, Stefan, it certainly is interesting and helpful. We liked SXM too, but stayed away from casinos, large resorts and cruise ships full of Americans.

Dear Nikos,
How about Dominica? NOT the Dominican Republic!! Dominica is known as the "Nature Isle". Check out their website, http://www.avirtualdominica.com .
We love Tobago, and plan on returning in 2007, but we will bo back to Dominica next year. Very beautiful, friendly people, and great scuba and snorkeling & hiking. No chain hotels. You have to fly into either Antigua or Barbados & take a small plane, as there isn't enough flat land to build a jetport. Check it out.
Joanne

Thank you, Joanne. Dominica sounds fantastic. We'll do some research. But meanwhile ...see you in Tobago!

I know I am being controversial ( is that correct?), but we love Tobago, but we also love Antigua, not too touristy & the people are friendly & welcoming. The scenery isn't as good as Tobago, but the beaches are wonderful. We stayed ay Galley Bay, which is rustic, but a four star too. There is a lagoon behinfd it, which has some wonderful bird life & the food is really good. also you can step out of your roomstraight onto the beach. Check out the Antigua & Barbuda forum. It really is worth going somewhere different for a change. We will be back to tobago, but are checking out the Grenadines next year.

I know I am being controversial ( is that correct?), but we love Tobago, but we also love Antigua, not too touristy & the people are friendly & welcoming. The scenery isn't as good as Tobago, but the beaches are wonderful. We stayed ay Galley Bay, which is rustic, but a four star too. There is a lagoon behinfd it, which has some wonderful bird life & the food is really good. also you can step out of your roomstraight onto the beach. Check out the Antigua & Barbuda forum. It really is worth going somewhere different for a change. We will be back to tobago, but are checking out the Grenadines next year.

You could look at Antigua, the south of the island. We stayed at the Catamaran Hotel in Falmouth Harbour (look at their website) They will also give discount on rooms if you stay for a week or more,and it was wonderful. The scenery is not as good as Tobago but they have loads of amazing beaches. Hiring a car is necessary, however the local bus service is fantastic and cheap. The people are really friendly and sons of the owner of the hotel we stayed in are still friends with my nieces that came with us. We had a great holiday there and it is still a very layed back island. We also felt very safe there.

What about Grenada? From what we've heard and from what I read in the "Embarassment of Mangoes" book (which, by the way, is fantastic), it must be quite Tobago-like. I just hope they've recovered from hurricane Ivan.

Grenada sounds a good idea as they really need to now get tourists back and things are much better now, you would probably get quite a good deal, while they are trying to encourage visitors.