myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Hi All

were flying down with AA in January. Flight gets in around 8.30pm. what are the chances of getting the last flight over. Is there any charter operation that can get us over that night?

Hi Keith

Welcome aboard!

The short answer is NONE. Nor do I know of any charter flight operations that could transfer you to Tobago, day or night.

I'm afraid that any international flights arriving after around 7pm make the chances of making the crossing negligible. Within the last few weeks Tobago Express increased their check-in time from 1 hour to an hour and a half - ridiculous for an internal flight, but what can we do?

You're going to need to overnight in Trinidad and then make the crossing the following day.

You can't book Tobago Express tickets on-line - well, you can reserve them on-line, but you have to pay in person within 24 hours. Not much good for the international traveller.

The best thing to do is to use Yes Tourism (http://www.Yes-Tourism.com). Not only can they book your Tobago Express tickets, but also overnight accommodation in Trinidad (using Leo's Place - long recommended by myTobago readers), and airport transfers in both Trinidad and Tobago - so a full one-stop solution to arriving visitor's needs.

Hi Keith--

Steve is right. Forget making a connection to Tobago in the evening. Not only does the AA flight land at 8:30, but also the Continental flight! It seems like the airport goups landings the make best use of its baggage & customs people. Definitely use Leo's Place. He'll pick you up from the airport & take you back the next day for your flight to TAB. He's only 10 min. or less from the airport. His rooms are very clean, with pvt. baths & a/c. He & his wife Cadalia will give you a nice breakfast. And all for $55 per twin room! Yes Tourism will make the arrangements if you ask them to.

Joanne Green

Happy to report you can now pay for your Tobago Express tickets by credit card.

Also happy to report that Continental through Houston, Texas, in the USA arrives in Trinidad at 7:20 p.m....hoping to make the last flight to Tobago when we travel in March. We were told to check in one hour prior to departure, which is slated for 9:30 pm. This year, we made it through customs in 20 minutes, so keeping fingers crossed.

Second your recommendation about Leo's. We stayed there during our last visit and it was comfortable and convenient. Had a great time sitting with Leo and guests on the front porch over a drink and a good chat.

Hi Sharon

Can you clarify about being able to pay Tobago Express by credit card directly?

My understanding is that to pay by credit card you have to send them the card details by normal email (surely they don't think that anyone would be that daft????) or fax (which is only marginally more secure). I'm interested to know if you've found another way (although frankly for the sake of US$5 per ticket to let Yes do it, it's a no-brainer - not that I'm here to promote Yes Tourism, or anyone else).

Steve,

Yes, I did have to send them credit card details by email. I guess I'm a trusting soul. Or maybe, living in the USA, I've just become accustomed to "Big Brother!" Or maybe I've used craigslist.com too often, in which I send my credit card info. to complete strangers. Go figure :0

In any case, you're right that using YES Tourism may be a more secure option for the $5.

We've actually used Tobago Express 4 times now, and they used to hold our reservation -- on our honor -- until we got there. I bet they had a lot of people stiff them, hence the policy change.

Sharon

Hi Sharon

Thanks for clarifying them. Sorry, I wasn't thinking and didn't mean to be rude. I guess being in the Internet business, I'm a little sensitive to security matters. Just as a general guide though, NEVER give credit card details in a standard email. That advice applies anywhere, but given the unreliability of the TSTT mail servers (the local ISP), it is absolutely essential.

Steve,

Thanks for the advice. I have given out my credit card number via email to businesses in Tobago before, like the car rental companies, and will think twice before doing so again. Would you best advice be to give the information over the phone to the proprietor?

Sharon

Hi Sharon

Yes, by telephone. It isn't JUST Tobago - it is advice that applies pretty much anywhere in the world.