myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Hi All,

I understand from a friend of a friend in Tobago that ownership of Pigeon Point has now been transfered back to the Tobago government, but that this has resulted in higher prices for entrance, drinks etc and that even some of the boats are choosing to stay away because of the extortionate rates they are being charged to dock on the jetty.

Does anyone know just what the current situation is?

Thanks

Linda

Hi Linda

I think that the entrance fee to PP is the same, following the buy-out by the THA. It's now known as The Pigeon Point Hertiage Park

In terms of facilities, it's pretty much the same although the previously oppressive security presence is a little more discrete. Wrist tags are still mandatory

The timber construction ice cream parlour / bar to the right of the pier has been demolished due to errosion of the beach, but most other shops and food outlets are still operating including the bake hut, with its cheery lady cooks. Prices are pretty much the same.
Sun loungers are also still available for $TT10 a day.

I'm unaware of any increases in docking / mooring fees, but most (if not all) of the glass bottomed boats still leave from the pier, as do Grand Slam Charters and Extra Divers and Wild Turtle Dive.

Hope this info. helps
Cheers
Steve

Hi Linda

Yes, Pigeon Point was handed over to the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) late last September. Some witnesses have alleged that the outgoing owners/management ransacked the place and stripped it bear. Other have described it at virtual vandalism. Without any question of doubt, it left the THA with a headache.

Earlier this year, Maria Ruiz Gomes, the daughter of the owner of the Conrado Beach Resort, which is based on the Pigeon Point peninsula, was appointed manager of the hotel and has, I understood, also been appointed as Manager of the Pigeon Point Heritage Park, as it is now called.

As I have said all along, I have serious concerns about governments being allowed to run anything. That applies here. It applies even more so on Tobago, given the THA's lack of experience and record. Good intentions don't, in themselves, translate to good management. Things happen slowly on Tobago and we must give Maria and the THA time.

I wait with baited breath. Other than that, I have heard no reports within the last few months, so if anyone local can update us here, it would be appreciated.

Thanks for that update, Steve. Seems we were typing at the same time and our posts crossed.

Steve
I think I just beat you to it! We must have been typing our replies at the same time.

I should perhaps mention that our most recent visit was in Late May 06, so the info. is pretty much up-to-date.

EDIT..... SNAP!

Snap again

We have been back 2 weeks now and went to Pigeon Point a few times, we found that the costs were the same as when we were there last September.

From memory it cost TT45.00 for 2 adults and a child and the food and drinks were very reasonable, a lot less than the beach cafe at Bacolet!!!!

Wishing I was back there now...................

I was there last week. To be perfectly honest, you'd never know that it'd changed hands! J&J's ice cream has re-located to the other end of the beach (where the road bears right at the end, just past the kids' play area). I think it's still good value for what it is. It's TT$25 to hire a beach-hut / cabana thing (I'm sure there's a technical term I should be using!). The place is still very clean, very picturesque, as Steve P's photo shows. If you need me to go and check it again this week, just for good orders' sake, please let me know!!!!

Thanks for that everybody,I was obviously mis-informed. However, it's always a good idea to have totally up to date information, so I'm sure another visit would be a good idea Lisa - purely for research purposes ofcourse!

Thanks Mandy, looks beautiful from Steve's photo! Are my currency conversions right to hire a beach hut is an extortionate £2.16 , and lunch for £3.90....

We're heading right over there at the end of July!

John

You should have the place to yourselves at the end of July - it is the dead season and some businesses wind up for a holiday themselves, due to the lack of tourists. The cruise season has finished too, so you shouldn't be troubled by bus loads of old sea dogs.

I read that Tobago is over 20% down on last year's UK tourists figures - partly due to the bad press on recent crime and the world cup.
The THA think that everyone is going to Europe for their holidays

I remember my wife remarking how cheap the beach huts are, but I think that they may be priced in US dollars rather than $TT for some obscure reason ( could be wrong though ), which is still pretty cheap, but not really necessary, unless there is a large group of you who want to spread youselves around a base camp.

Cheers
Steve

Thanks Steve. Since your last post the World Cup's over for England ... However on the upside we're looking forward to the beach to ourselves and maybe getting our towels on the sun loungers before our, er... European friends!

John Redburn wrote:Thanks Steve. Since your last post the World Cup's over for England ... However on the upside we're looking forward to the beach to ourselves and maybe getting our towels on the sun loungers before our, er... European friends!

World Cup?
Were England ever in it?