The Caribbean - Tobago in July/August

Anyone been? I know there is a high rainfall but am hoping that it is in short, sharp downpours rather than day long.
I am looking at Toucan Inn which has good reviews. I would welcome any info on the island.

Tobago is a lovely island.

Try this website which has user reviews.

www.wheretostay.com

Avoid Le Grand Courlan Hotel and Spa - we went last year and it was very dissapointing, run down, in need of repair and poor food.

Have been away so have not logged in for a while. I have done some research and have found that many of the big hotels have poor reviews. By a huge coincidence one of my colleagues booked to go to Toucan Inn and is there just now so I'm looking forward to her review!
Did you hire a car and if so, was it easy to travel around the island? Also we are thinking of going over to Trinidad but not sure whether to just go for the day or stay for a while.

Didn't hire car as we found it quite cheap to hire a taxi for the day and effectively get a guide to show you round. Roads quite good and quiet so wouldn't worry about driving.

Some other guests went to Trinidad and stayed over night - said it was pretty on the interior - though more industrial - and no decent beaches.

I like the idea of hiring a taxi and getting a guide. We are hoping to get Tobago as a redemmption flight. However, we may just go anyway! Have just returned from Rio as a redemption.

Tobago is the laid back version of the sister Island of Trinidad. If you like beaches, diving,surfing it is a nice place. Scarborough is the only big town in Tobago.

Didn't hire car as we found it quite cheap to hire a taxi for the day and effectively get a guide to show you round. Roads quite good and quiet so wouldn't worry about driving.

Some other guests went to Trinidad and stayed over night - said it was pretty on the interior - though more industrial - and no decent beaches.

What is "quite cheap"? And how do you get there from POS which I am assuming is where you flew into?

What is "quite cheap"? And how do you get there from POS which I am assuming is where you flew into?

Flights to Tobago from POS are on one of four airlines

www.tobagoexpress.com
www.bwee.com
www.liat.com
www.flycaribbeanstar.com

The first two are US$32 return and the others are US$48 return

A good site for tobago info is www.mytobago.info

Didn't hire car as we found it quite cheap to hire a taxi for the day and effectively get a guide to show you round. Roads quite good and quiet so wouldn't worry about driving.

Some other guests went to Trinidad and stayed over night - said it was pretty on the interior - though more industrial - and no decent beaches.

Your driver wasn't Lester by any chance?

Is it safe on these islands? what about at night?
How far is the airport from most major hotels? are they near each other?
Is it easy to drive on the islands?
I have to go there to work and am trying to decide where to stay...
What about damage from hurricane Ivan?

any recent comments would be helpful. Thanks!

Hi Skyteam777 - let me try to answer you

Is it safe on these islands?

Relatively safe, obviously there are the usual modern problems of avoiding dark streets, run-down areas, empty parks etc. We have had an increase in murders and kidnappings but these appear to be largely tied to the illegal drug gangs.


How far is the airport from most major hotels? are they near each other?

In Trinidad the Hilton and Crown Plaza hotels are about a 40 min drive from the airport. In Tobago the major hotels are about a 10 minute drive.

Is it easy to drive on the islands?

We drive on the left (same as the UK) and generally obey the same sort of traffic laws - as always expect the unexpected on the roads and you'll be fine.

I have to go there to work and am trying to decide where to stay...
What about damage from hurricane Ivan?

Trinidad had no damage, Tobago had a few missing roofs and some landslides. - otherwise fine

any recent comments would be helpful. Thanks!

Thanks so much! Any recommendations on the best, big hotels to stay at while on the islands? Is renting a car thes easiest way to get around? or should I just see if I can hire a taxi to drive me around each day. I need to be on the road for about three hours each day making multiple stops at different hotels.

I have driven on the left before while on other Caribbean islands, but it can be daunting sometimes!;)

There are only two 'big' hotels in POrt of Spain. The HIlton and a Crown Plaza, both available on their respective websites. Frankly I wouldn't stay in either, but then I live here and don't have to!

If I HAD to choose one of the two I would choose the Hilton.

Smaller hotels include Kapok at www.kapokhotel.com and Normandie at www.normandiett.com - I would choose the Kapok. There is a Marriott due to open at the end of the year.

In Tobago the only 'big' is also a Hilton, but there is also Coco Reef if you have no budget concerns, Grafton Beach, and Le Grand Courland - get their details from www.mytobago.info

Given a choice I would stay at the HIlton if I was on an expense account or Kariwak which is a smaller hotel but has a wonderful staff and restaurant.

As for driving - you mentioned coming to work and having to visit multiple hotels. I would get a car with driver if I were you - I've never hired one, but my guess is that for about US$100/day you could have it organised easily.

of course if you arrive during Carnival the equation changes completely! Feb 6 and 7 2005

enjoy the visit!

Thanks so much! Any recommendations on the best, big hotels to stay at while on the islands? Is renting a car thes easiest way to get around? or should I just see if I can hire a taxi to drive me around each day. I need to be on the road for about three hours each day making multiple stops at different hotels.

I have driven on the left before while on other Caribbean islands, but it can be daunting sometimes!;)