myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Hi Out there,

My extended family and I will be traveling to Tobago for two weeks in mid-July. There will be a total of 13 of us including five children under 5 (the two youngest will have just turned one and a six month old). I am excited by what I have read on this website as to how child-friendly most of the people and activities are in Tobago. I do have a few questions for anyone who has traveled with babies.

-Are disposable diapers very expensive at the main grocery stores there? I'd rather not waste packing space bringing lots of diapers with me but if they are super expensive, I do need to conserve money.

-Are there any laws about driving with babies & children with/out car seats? Here in the states they are very strick but I'm hoping not so much in Tobago because the rental car seats seem to be expensive.

-Does anyone have any tips for activities with the kids? I know they will be thrilled just to be at the beach but I don't want to miss out on any of the local activites that they would enjoy.

Thanks very much!
Cheers, Alicia

Hi Alicia,

Disposable diapers are readily available and the better known brands (Huggies / Pampers) are quite expensive, but there are other brands that are cheaper. I've not purchased any diapers for a while, but I bought a large-ish box of Huggies for several months, but I seem to remember that the cost is about US$14 for a pack of c.30 (depending on age/size). I'm not sure how much they cost if you're NOT on Tobago these days - so I don't know if that classes as expensive!! As I say, however, there are other brands too.

I'm not sure that any driving laws are particularly well enforced on Tobago (that remark will get me in trouble!!), so you'd probably be ok.... BUT I would strongly recommend getting a childseat if you can. The roads and the general standards of driving vary greatly, and I can't emphasise enough that I think it's a good idea. God forbid you should actually be in an accident, but it's too big a gamble to take. The roads are very dark at night, there are potholes, chickens, goats, cows, people, and other vehicles to contend with, who just don't pay attention to the rules of the road!

There's not many facilities aimed exclusively at young children. However, they're usually quite happy with some beach-toys as you say. The people here are very child friendly, and your children will be welcome wherever you go, but there's not really anything aimed specifically towards children. The only thing I can think of is a park on the main road as you go from the airport towards Pennysavers, but it depends on where you're staying as to whether you should bother! I'd say if you're in the area, great, but not worth making a specific trip for! You'll see it on your drive from the airport if you arrive during the day (left hand side - about five minutes car ride from the airport, if that!).

I'm sure you'll have a great time!

Lisa.

Hi Alicia

I would reinforce what Lisa tells you about the standard of driving. Sheppy (who we have always used and recommend to our visitors) has car seats for babies and small children and I would certainly recommend you speak to him about prices etc. You can't really put a price on your kid's wellbeing.

Over the last 5 years I have noticed a fair amount of change in the road speeds in Tobago (despite the national speed limit!) People seem to drive much more quickly than they used to and the attention to the specifics of the Highway Code is not great, so please don't risk it!

Hello Alicia,I know that KCNN supply children's seats,however I don't know what they charge
David

Here we go...

Diapers are as expensive in Tobago as they are in the States (at least NY) - I wouldn't waste the space in your luggage packing them.

Carseats may be the law but no one enforces this. As a Tobagonian, I'm quite happy holding my son in my lap - my American wife, however, prefers a carseat. You can get one at any rental car agency just make sure to call ahead to make sure they have them. A word of warning - in Tobago we basically just have the "toddler" car seats - not infant. The first time my family traveled home to Tobago with our new son (2 months) my wife almost had a heartattack trying to safely fit him into a huge toddler seat! We called every place in Tobago to get an infant seat and I called friends and family with babies - we never found what we were looking for and managed to jerry-rig something with the toddler seat.

Lastly, I recommend visiting Castara (a surprise, I know, being from there)! The beach is great for kids and there is a lovely waterfall to visit (nice, easy walk to it). Pigeon Point is also great - there is a playground on the beach and the water is shallow and calm. Whatever you do, I would bring an Ergo or Baby Bjorn (baby carriers) for the smaller kids - its hot but much easier to get around. We also bought a cheap stroller in Scarborough when our son got older but, honestly, it was a pain in the butt! Sand and strollers don't mix!

Hope you find this helpful! Enjoy, maybe we'll see you in Tobago - the birth of second son is cause for another visit home!

Oracle

I never heard of a rental that got so called "maxi-cosies" or "baby-baskets" for the cars...sorry.
we live here and ahve ason that is 13 month by now. as in oracles care I prefere him in the seat and daddy does not mind the lap ride...grrrr...
there is a fairly new playground in plymouth, some swings and stuff if you need a change to the beach.
people are childfriendly, but an extra child-chair in restaurants is not the given, changing tables in restaurants and other places not a given (you can even forget about the ones in the new mall since poeple coming in keep jamming the door into you...) be ready to change the kids in the back seat or the trunk and have them in a stroller or on your lap while eating... still you gonna love it, since we experienced most kids here to become really relaxed

have a great time
steph