TOBAGO-NEXT WEEK!!!!

Paul Taylor · Post by **Paul Taylor** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:19 pm

Hi there,
Myself and the girlfriend are hitting Tobago from next Thursday 10th November for 2 weeks.
We are staying near Crown Point (Sandy Point Village) for the first 4 days, then 3 days in Grange area (The Nest-Mot Mot Ridge) and then our last seven days in Castara (Sea-Level guesthouse).

We are hoping to go to the usual Sunday School, Nylon Pool, Pigeon Point, Reefs etc, and we are also hiring a car for 4 days while in Castara, but apart from that can anybody please mail me back any of your own little personal recommendations for the following:
a) Other trips to go on and what company to go with and prices.
b) Best place to hire a car from in Castara and rough prices per day.
c) Should we withdraw cash from ATM machines in Crown Point in TT$ or in US$, or should I just stock up on US$ before I go? Or just change Sterling to TT$? Inside airport or outside airport? Are there cash machines in Castara?
d) Restaurants and bars?
e) Local food we should try?

Also if anybody wants to meet us for a beer then let us know!

Any other general advice from anybody would be much appreciated.
Regards,
Paul

Helen Colyer · Post by **Helen Colyer** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:59 pm

Hi,
We too (me and my husband) are off to Tobago next Thursday. Cannot wait especially with the weather today.
We are staying at the Grand Courlan and will be hoping to get out and about after a few days relaxing if I can drag my husband away from the bar/sunbed.
Assume you are flying from Gatwick on 10.30 flight? My husband will be the one who as soon as he sits in the airplane goes straight off to sleep waking briefly for food and watering. Lucky person!!
Hope you both have a great holiday.
Chris and Helen Colyer

Brendan · Post by **Brendan** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 3:10 pm

Hi all

After months of reading this fab site we finally fly this saturday 5th November to Sunny (hopefully) Tobago. We are flying 10.30am from Gatwick and staying at the Coco Reef where we get wed on Thursday 10th Nov, returning home to rainy (probably) Liverpool on 20th November.We are leaving our 3 kids with their grandparents and are so looking forward to two relaxing weeks without the words "can I have...." " I need a wee..." and "mum tell him/her...." in fact we may not come back!!! Will post a full review when we do get back and would love to meet up for a drink with anyone who is there at the same time.

Love Brendan and Collette

Brian Taylor · Post by **Brian Taylor** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 11:06 am

some answers (in no particular order..):
no cash machine in castara, get you cash at crown point, the ATMs only give you the local currency TT$, in castara only cascreole restaurant accepts credit cards (and some tour companies and guest houses)
season is not too busy so you cen still check out your rental car, after you reached castara (I'm sure doris will be of assistance)
change moeny in the airport changing booth can be expensive, but there is also a little republic bank inside, check them.
roti is a nice dish to try, beware of bones inside!!! beef roti has no bones and vegetarian should not have any, too...

see you in castara

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 12:26 pm

Paul,DON'T take US$,take maybe 1000TT$(£90),Stirling TC's and your credit cards.You'll get a very good rate on your TC's in the bank and use your credit card for services.When you use your card make sure you are billed or will be billed in TT$ not US$,else pay in TT$.As for tour operators,the gentleman in the previous reply is your host in Castara and I am sure he won't mind me reccomending AL Baba Tours.Enjoy Castara it is a lovely place,and I shall be there in 40 days(

).
Regards,enjoy,David.

Paul Taylor · Post by **Paul Taylor** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 3:06 pm

Cant wait!!!!
Thanks so much for all your replies and advice.

To, Brendan & Coleen - would definately be nice to hook up with you for a beer!

To, Brian Alibaba - i'm sure we'll meet in Castara - we will reach Castara on 17th Nov - look forward to seeing you!

To Steve Wooler - Steve - as you may see from previous emails we're staying at Sandy Point Village in Crown Point for first four days from 10th November and Sea-Level Guesthouse in Castara for our last week - 17th-24Nov - both of these hotels originally told me a price for our stay in US$, so i contacted them both and asked if we could pay in TT$ instead- they both said it will be ok but said it is about 6TT$ to the US$ and they would just convert it - should i just go ahead and pay them in US$ as previously arranged or will I get mega stitched up when they convert the total dollar prices agreed into TT$????
Also, do you know how far it is to walk from the airport to Sandy Point Village?

Finally, we are on the 09.30 Excel flight from Gatwick this Thursday so hope to see some of you on our flight.

Thanks again for all your advice and hooray for Steve Wooler for such an amazing website!

Regards,
Paul Taylor

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 3:39 pm

Hi Paul

$TT6-$US1 is the typical rate used by most businesses, but is a poor rate compared to the TT$6.20+ you'll get at the bank. I can't speak for the Sandy Point Village, which has a reputation for bad attitude, but I'm sure you won't get stiched-up at Sea Level.

The walk from the airport to the SPV is less than 10 minutes (assuming you're not carrying a lot of luggage).

Have a great trip and be sure to give us a trip report when you get back.

Pat Mccombes · Post by **Pat Mccombes** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 12:25 am

Hi, we're off to Tobago on Thursday 10th too! Staying at Coco Reef. One question re cash - we have quite a bit of Barbados$ left over from last year - would the banks change it? Or would it be accepted locally (and then get change in TT$ as has happened elsewhere)? Failing that is it best to take Sterling Travellers Cheques or US$? Yes I know I've left it late but we usually get our currency at the cash point at the arrival airport. Cheers
Pat & Paul

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 8:11 am

Hi Pat

Welcome aboard!

Your best bet would be to change the Barbados currency at the bank, just a 3-minute walk from the Coco Reef. Some places might take it, but you'll pay a heavy price for the conversion.

Sterling travellers cheques are perfect. Why pay to change money to US?

Have a great trip and be sure to let us know how you get on.

Pat Mccombes · Post by **Pat Mccombes** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 12:38 pm

Thanks for that Steve, we'll pick up some sterling TT at the airport. Looking forward to the trip, haven't been before so will be nice for somewhere different (we're Caribbean junkies!).

Cheers
Pat
PS similarly with others - if anyone wants to catch up let me know.

myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

TOBAGO-NEXT WEEK!!!!

TOBAGO-NEXT WEEK!!!!

Tobago - 3 days and counting....