blue mango cottage in castara

[Amber]

We have just returned from 2 weeks in Tobago with ten nights in Castara staying at The Blue Mango Cottage. It was the most wonderful holiday we have ever had. We have two kids aged 3 and 6 and the Blue Mango cottage was perfect. I was a bit worried at first because this particular cottage wasn't on the owners website - they have two other studio apartments there. But it turned out when Colin offered it to us the reason why there was no info about it on the website was simply because they hadn't updated the website yet - which when you go to Castara you can understand as the pace is so laid back (in a wonderful way) But the Blue Mango cottage was truly magical. 2 mins from both beautiful bays and a large balcony with a hammock facing the rich green forest where you can sit for hours watching birds, lizards and bats and listen to the waves crashing. The cottage is spacious and creatively decorated with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and a spacious kitchen area. It has an eccentric and rickety feel to it - but in a good way. The whole experience of being there was deeply relaxing and beautiful. Castara itself is just lovely -the beaches and the waterfall, Vera's roti for lunch and the boathouse on little bay as well as wonderful swimming and snorkeling made it the most brilliant holiday for us. We couldn't believe how un-spoilt the place is and how great it is that there are no hotels and all the rental houses are like the local houses and so the tourist thing doesn't stick out or take over the feel of the place.I really hope it stays like this. But somehow can't believe it will.
We fell in love with the place so much and definitely plan to go back. The only small problem we had was mosquitoes ( loads all the time) and shopping for food in the village quite limited -but great fresh fish to buy when the fisherman come in.
Thanks to everyone who answered my questions about stuff before we went - this website was a great help.
It feels quite bleak to be back in London to be honest and I am already missing the birdsong and waves, warm sun and beautiful rich green views of the rainforest. Makes urban life seem really quite awful!