Tobago Travel Guide

When I’m not drinking water in this climate I like something with a citrus kind of flavor and both the Angostura Lemon and Lime and the Ginseng Lemon Up fit the bill quite nicely.

Both are manufactured and bottled close by in Trinidad and both beverages are quite popular here.

Unlike here and probably the USA they aren’t a twist off cap so you’ll have to have a plan for opening them…I don’t carry a bottle opener these days and I don’t normally carry a Swiss Army knife. Methods from the “Olden Days” still work today…a lighter, a spoon, a kitchen knife..they all still work.

The Angostura is made by the same company that makes Bitters and has been around since the late 1820’s and is today still used around the World. Bitters is a major component of this beverage and is quite unique and tasty..

Ginseng Up is available in different flavors and as you can tell Ginseng and its medicinal properties is what this product is all about. Lemon Up is my flavor of choice.

If you would like a refreshing drink that doesn’t include alcohol than you probably would enjoy these beverages!

Most corner stores stock them and at most cost $ 12.00 or $15.00 TT Dollars…about $ 2.00 CAD or USA, its a cheap little flavor thrill.

Please, please, please, everyone who travels to Tobago, don't be deceived by anyone saying that it is safe. I live in Trinidad and was always told that Tobago is the "safe" island.

Armed robbery attacks and sexual assaults on visitors staying in villas are more common than anyone is reporting.

I would advise against women traveling alone anywhere on the island.

From Parlatuvier Bay, we took the hill road to reach the other side of Tobago (West to East)…this road wind up thru’ the tropical rain forest. You feel like you are totally in a jungle and not in tiny island. It took minimum an hour to do this cross section, on the way you can also have a look on the lovely country side of Tobago. This road starts from Parlatuvier and ends up in Roxborough.

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I was recommended a few dive shops by locals and by fellow divers.

They may look relaxed enough and have humble shops but the dive masters are knowledgeable and safety oriented. If you're diving, check out:
R & Sea divers (see contact info below)
Extra Divers

Reefs are typical Caribbean reefs.
"Maverick" is an old auto ferry wreck.
Far northeast corner near Speyside has best year-round visibility and best chance of seeing the big critters.

Due to rainy season and the large amounts of silt dumped into the Caribbean from the Venezuelan rivers, February through August are typically the best for water clarity and visibility.

Equipment: All equipment is available locally.

After calling most shops, they all offer approximately the same rates of $20TT for all equipment.
Dives cost typically $40TT per dive.

Some shops give a sliding scale of dives if you do multiple days.

Favorite thing: This "tip" is for those of us that still use Travelers Cheques...This bank charged me NOTHING to convert AmX cheques without CHARGE..

The Scotiabank located at Gulf City Mall in Lowlands was THE BANK to cash traveler’s cheques…there was NO SERVICE CHARGE to process Amex cheques and in fact the service was pretty fast and more personal than that of the competitor that I used on a previous occasion.

The Scotiabank here offers a drive through service and I think is the ULTIMATE choice for banking needs when visiting in the south of Tobago.

I used the service here on the Thursday before Good Friday on Easter weekend and as I walked into the bank, I was greeted by a little boy and a little girl dressed in they’re Sunday best. They each had little baskets and they were handing out chocolate eggs, a really nice touch.

Given the setting…I didn’t TRY to take photos….although I wanted to…the kiddies were pretty cute to say the least..and the service came with free smiles!!

Fondest memory: Milford Road, Tobago.

627-2684