Tobago
Named ‘Conception’ by Columbus, who said that the island was in Bella Forma (beautiful shape), Tobago is the ultimate tropical island, in fact it is believed to be the actual Robinson Crusoe island. Long and thin in shape, its backbone, which runs its length, is mountainous rainforest and all around its edges are long, white stretches of soft sand touched by clear blue seas. Tobago is very different from other parts of the Caribbean attributed to the fact that, with its neighbour, Trinidad, it was once part of the South American mainland. The capital is Scarborough – more of a village than a town, but on market day, half the population will hit its two streets to shop and chat!
The sights
Tobago is rich in history, so there are no shortage of sights to see. In Scarborough is Fort King George which has an excellent museum including Amerindian artefacts, military relics, maps and documents from the colonial period. Nearby you’ll find the Botanical Gardens which have 17 acres to explore. The Arnos Vale Sugar Estate is home to Tobago’s best preserved waterwheel and is also home to some fabulous wildlife. Tobago has a number of beautiful waterfalls, in particular the Argyle Waterfall which has a tiered climb with cool pools of water as you go.
In a nutshell
Trinidad & Tobago are the home of carnival, steel bands, calypso and limbo dancing. Tobago is cosmopolitan, unspoilt, unendingly beautiful with its lush rainforests and amazing coral reefs and the people are laid-back, easy-going, warm and welcoming. Don’t miss a drive along Windward road which winds along the southeast coast around steep curves which reveal spectacular views of the Atlantic.
The facts
Geography: Tobago is 26 miles long and only 7 miles wide with a population of 55,000. One half of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and arguably the most friendly and welcoming of the two.
Language: English, but patois, a slang version of French, is widely spoken.
Passports: You will need a full 10 year passport valid for 6 months beyond your date of return.
Visas: Not required for British passport holders for stays of less than three months as long as you have a return ticket.
Vaccinations: Vaccinations are strongly recommended. For further information, please consult your doctor.
Travelling time: British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and BWIA fly to Tobago. The travelling time from London to Tobago is around 8 hours.
Local time: GMT -4 hours.
Currency: Trinidad and Tobago dollar
Best times to travel: The dry season runs from January to May and the wet from June to December, although when it does rain, it is rarely for more than an hour at a time and there is generally plenty of sunshine in between. The island lies south of the main hurricane zone of the Caribbean, although tropical storms can still bring prolonged and torrential rainfall occasionally.
