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About Tobago
Some Useful Information About Tobago
At 11˚ north of the equator Tobago is just 21 miles from sister isle Trinidad. These two tropical islands form together as a republic but it has not always been so. During a period of little more than 100 years, between 1705 and 1814 Tobago changed hands 31 times. Mostly the English and French fought over her but even the Dutch, Swedish and Americans tried their hand. At one point Tobago was even governed by Barbados. Eventually Tobago settled under British Rule until independence in 1962. In Scarborough, the provincial capital of Tobago, high up on the hill stands the old British Fort King James built in the 1700’s to protect the port below. Here visitors can find an interesting museum and for those who seek to learn more about Tobago’s rich and turbulent history I recommend the First Historical Café in Studley Park and the myTobago website.
Having survived without tourism for many years Tobago is now slowly reaching out and inviting the world to visit her. The undeveloped natural environment is very much part of Tobago’s allure.
It is not an island for glamorous golden beaches and hot night spots, but rather a Caribbean hide away to relax, unwind and enjoy the very best of nature. Tobago is geographically part of the Andes mountain range, it is one of a few Caribbean islands which is not volcanically formed. Surrounded by coral reefs and swept by nutrient rich ocean currents it offers divers both healthy and challenging reefs on which to dive.
Entry Requirements: All Visitors from UK, Europe, Scandinavia and North America require a passport and a valid onward or return ticket is also required. Visa are issued on arrival for a maximum of 30 days and can be extended at immigration in Scarborough.
Time Zone: 5 hours behind GMT one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
Currency: The TT dollar is the official currency. The $TT was pegged against the $US at 6.3 however buying rates will fluctuate depending on where you change money. Other currencies are subject to market changes.
Electricity: 115 volts/60 cycles; same as the Europe and the U.S. Some accommodations have 220/240 v however you will need an adapter plug.
Medical Facility/Recompression Chamber: In case of medical problems on vacation there is a main hospital in Scarborough complete with X-ray machine, many small private practitioners are available and there are a range of pharmacies. An operational recompression chamber is located at Roxborough approx 20 minutes drive from Speyside or 60 minutes drive from Crown Point.
Vehicle Rental: Cars, scooters, motorbikes and bicycles are available island wide for rent with 4WD jeeps being a favourite. In Tobago we drive on the left side of the road as God intended. A valid driver's license in necessary and may be used for up to three months. Try Sheppy Auto Rentals.
Money Matters: The local currency is $TT dollars. It’s a restricted currency and hard to find outside of Trinidad & Tobago. ATMs are widely available around the island and dispense cash in local currency at a reasonable exchange rate. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels and larger business establishments. Few take American Express. Cash or travelers cheques in $US, Euro or GBP Sterling are accepted widely and recommended in smaller businesses.
Crime & Safety: Tobago like anywhere else in the world is not exempt from crime. It is not however anywhere near as bad as what is written around the internet or issued by various countries Travel Advisories. This is mostly due to the fact that the crime statistics are compiled for both Trinidad and Tobago. This may seem understandable to the uninitiated as Trinidad & Tobago is one country BUT they are two entirely different islands both socially and geographically. Trinidad is the larger of the two and is a developed commercial oil producing island, often referred to as “New York of the Caribbean”, with gun crime, drug and gang related murders and kidnapping. Tobago is the smaller peaceful twin sister island where it is generally a safe and peaceful holiday destination. The problem is that statisticians, media, travel advisories and webmasters seem either unwilling or unable to distinguish the difference between the two islands. To put it in context, it’s like issuing a Travel advisory warning for Jersey based on the crime statistics of mainland UK, or Key West based on the crime rate in Miami. That’s not to say there are no problems for tourists as from time to time there are, like anywhere else in the world, but for the most part it’s a safe place to visit. In perspective there are on average 800,000 people reported missing presumed dead in the USA per year, which equates to half the entire population of Trinidad & Tobago yet despite Miami having one of the highest murder rates it the US, Florida is still the number one destination for Brits to travel to abroad. The reality is that the statistical crime levels are mostly gangrelated and confined to the island of Trinidad and what crime there is in Tobago itself tends to be restricted to secluded beaches or private villas condensed within a small area in the south of the island between Lambeau, Bethel, Mt Irvine and Bon Accord. Serious crimes in Tobago are extremely rare. It is the world we live in today where crimes are committed all over the world against tourists and often you find that they could have been avoided if the tourists exercised caution or were more vigilant. Visitors should understand that Tobago is like anywhere else in the world, and in many cases better and safer for example in Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba you are told by car rental companies NOT to lock your vehicle and not to leave anything in it so to avoid locals breaking the windows to get inside. You would not leave your wallet or handbag on the front seat of you car in London so why do it in Tobago? Visitors can come and relax but you do need to be vigilant and avoid putting yourself in potentially harmful situations or putting temptation before others. Don’t make yourself a target. On a finishing note, in nine years of living in Tobago I have never heard of any crimes committed against Tourists or to any of my dive clients in Charlotteville.
Sex tourism has reached Tobago, as with most English speaking Caribbean islands it’s mostly local men prostituting themselves for foreign white women. Shade is a pick up place. I advise singles, if you’re drinking and feeling uninhibited, be careful. Don't fall for the chat, the guys saying they love you and your so beautiful is nonsense, they just want sex and your money. If you do leave with a local guy or girl be prepared to pay. Either in cash or by getting robbed or because the HIV infection rate in Tobago is very high.
Climate: The island's climate is tropical. Which means from December to May its HOT and from June to November its HOT & WET. The climate makes it a haven for many species of tropical birds, flowers and wildlife found in their natural habitats, 210 species of birds 120 species of butterfly and a whole load of other interesting things you’ve never seen before. Take a peek at www.weatheronline.co.uk or www.windfinder.de for the latest updates.
Air & Water Temperature Averages:
|
Air Temp |
Water Temp |
||
January |
90-96°F |
32-36°C |
78-86°F |
26-28°C |
February |
90-96°F |
32-36°C |
78-86°F |
26-28°C |
March |
90-96°F |
32-36°C |
78-86°F |
26-28°C |
April |
90-96°F |
32-36°C |
80-85°F |
27-29°C |
May |
90-96°F |
32-36°C |
80-85°F |
27-29°C |
June |
90-96°F |
32-36°C |
85-87°F |
29-30°C |
July |
85-90°F |
29-32°C |
85-87°F |
29-30°C |
August |
85-90°F |
29-32°C |
85-87°F |
29-30°C |
September |
78-85°F |
26-29°C |
85-87°F |
29-30°C |
October |
85-90°F |
29-32°C |
85-87°F |
29-30°C |
November |
85-90°F |
29-32°C |
80-85°F |
27-29°C |
December |
85-90°F |
32-36°C |
78-86°F |
26-28°C |
Getting to Tobago:
From Europe several major airlines fly regular weekly flights and during high season two flights each week.
direct from London Gatwick to Tobago |
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direct from London Gatwick to Tobago |
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direct from London Gatwick to Tobago |
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direct from Frankfurt to Tobago |
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direct from Amsterdam to Tobago |
From the United States and Canada flights go into Trinidad and you then connect with the short shuttle flight to Tobago ( see below).
from Miami and New York to Trinidad |
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from various US cities via Houston and Miami to Trinidad |
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from most US Cities to Trinidad |
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from most US Cities |
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from most northern US cities |
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from Canadian and US cities to Trinidad |
From other Caribbean Islands there are several national carriers that provide inter island flights. A good way to move around the islands though luggage allowance is not excessive.
from Montego Bay via various islands to Trinidad |
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flights from Barbados, Grenada, StVincent, StLucia, Dominica, Antigua, St Kitts and Guyana into both Trinidad and Tobago. Inter sland air passes available for three to six islands |
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Flights from all Caribbean islands Trinidad and Tobago. Inter island Airpass available |
Trinidad and Tobago Inter-island flights connect Piarco Airport, Trinidad, with Crown Point Airport, Tobago. Flight times are between 06:00 and 22:00 daily and take 15 minutes. Booking must be done in Trinidad or Tobago. Credit cards are not accepted. I can assist you when booking these Trinidad and Tobago connecting flights.
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