Tobago – a destination for me?
We are often asked whether Tobago is the right destination for our next holiday. This seemingly simple question is not easy to answer.
We at Tobago-Live are transparent, open, honest. Our goal is to make sure that your expectations are not disappointed when you go on holiday in Tobago.
There are some issues where Tobago is not perfect. Probably the easiest way is to read the points in the paragraph “You shouldn’t expect that from Tobago”.
If you find a lot of points in this section that make a successful holiday for you, Tobago is not a good choice for you – quite simply.
Good to know
Accommodation: Tobago is spared from mass tourism and does not have the wide choice of hip hotels offered by some destinations. Tobago offers a variety of smaller and larger accommodations for all budgets and requirements. more
Restaurants: As on every island, Tobago has a lot of food to import and are therefore quite expensive. The selection of high-quality restaurants is therefore limited; in the northern area of Tobago, these are virtually not represented at all on the market. However, many restaurants process ingredients into delicious Creole cuisine. more
Beaches: Tobago has many beautiful sandy beaches. With a few exceptions, these are natural beaches that are hardly, rarely or not at all cleaned. Floating debris and other marine waste can thus be found again and again. Also, sandy beaches are often divided by rocky sections. The beaches of Tobago are therefore very varied and cover the range from white coral sand to almost black volcanic sand. more
Sea: The sea, especially the Atlantic Ocean, can be quite turbulent, especially in the first months of the year and at full moon. Tourists usually like the beaches that are sheltered by a bay and offer good conditions for snorkeling and diving.
Activities: On Tobago there is no theme park and no roller coaster, yet the island offers a lot of variety. Resiende of all ages and find many opportunities for sports, recreation and culture. more
Entertainment: The places with a (halfway) pulsating nightlife are very rare on Tobago. In small bars and bistros you like to talk to the locals and listen to some music – often the evening there ends at 10 p.m. for younger people as well. more
Shopping: Another truth about Tobago is that there are virtually no special souvenirs to bring home to your loved one. more
Service: A very difficult point, which often leads to misunderstandings. Some travellers come back home and say that the Tobagonians are unfriendly and offer terrible service. There are two things to consider here: Those who appear with a pronounced “taker attitude” should not expect much attention. Those who have an open heart and a portion of serenity will usually not be disappointed. Even if the service rarely reaches international standards, the friendly nature compensates for the often somewhat sluggish service. more
Bottom Line
So let’s summarize: Tobago is still completely natural, largely non-commercial and very different from many other holiday destinations. Whether you enjoy a holiday on this beautiful island depends very much on how you deal with the local population and the local conditions.
If you expect perfect and fast service, as soon as you give the service an order, Tobago is the wrong destination for you.
If you approach the locals openly and with interest, treat them respectfully as a friend and show interest in their history, you will certainly experience the most beautiful holiday of your life.
We hope that with this information we have been able to clarify whether Tobago is the right destination for you and what is the prerequisite for experiencing a wonderful time there.
With this Tobago can convince
Tobago can be the right holiday destination for you if the following points are important to you:
- lonely natural beaches
- untouched places for snorkeling and diving
- Accommodation in family-run guesthouses, apartments, hotels and villas
- small restaurants offering a varied mixture of Indian, African and Creole cuisine.
- a relaxed ambience, without time pressure
- Contact to hearty locals without fear of contact
- drift into and through a day’s holiday without concrete planning
- Caribbean carnival in its original form
You shouldn’t expect this from Tobago.
If the following are essential requirements for your dream holiday, Tobago may not be the best holiday destination for you:
- glamorous 5-star hotels
- excellent star restaurants
- large selection of artificially created or managed sandy beaches
- permanent calm sea without waves
- amusement parks
- Nightlife with pulsating discotheques
- shopping opportunities
- high service level