Tobago was discovered by Columbus in the year 1498. It became spanish, british, dutch und french property, until 1814 following the Napoleon Wars, when France had to surrender the island towards Great Britain. Until 1889 Tobago was part of the "Windward Colonies". Later it was united with Trinidad.

Trinidad and Tobago became independent as a nation in 1962. Tobago has the oldest National Forest Reserve in the world. In the 18th century the dutch declared about one third of the island as national forest reserve, it hasn't been touched since...
Tobago covers about 190 square miles, the biggest town and capital is Scarborough. The island is of vulcanic origin, in general it consists of one mountain range rising about 1800 feet above sea level in the northen part, close to Charlotteville

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How about public transport?
A: If you want to move around there are the usual choices. Public Transport or Rental. Public Transport: Taxies/Busses/Taxies etc. On foot for local areas; the expected public transport comes in two different flavours. Local Taxies: [Their license plates start with an "H" which stands for hire]. Private local taxies (that nearly behave like public transport busses), ply the main routes between Crown Point, Scarborough, Roxborough up to Charlotteville. The driver collecting passengers, stopping anywhere-anytime to pick up or lay off passengers en route; generally running the same - and his/her local - route, day in day out.
Stick your hand out, say "your destination", jump in; say "Stop", where you want to leave, pay and jump out. This is shoulder to shoulder travel with the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

Busses: Public transport busses, ply similar routes, but use fixed stops, and run more or less to a timetable. These are OK for main routes, if you know the timetable; but are less frequent in out-lying areas where local taxies pick up the slack.

Taxies: Then there are 'Taxies' as conventional, which you can hire. Found around the airport and hotels. They will offer to take you and your party wherever you want to go. At the right price, you can hire one for a day. 'Taxies' are supposed to charge a fixed pre-set fee for a run from the airport to any designated hotel or town/village/area -

A sign posted up in the arrivals baggage collection area of the airport lists these charges. Be warned that an unwary 'Tourist' is fair game for a hike in charge - but generally they are fair, as they will probably attempt to solicit 'your travels' for the entire length of your stay. If they screw-up they won't get it. These 'Taxies' can generally be relied upon to pick you up at prearranged places/times provided that the journey employs them for sufficient gain so that they are not preoccupied finding another 'fare' before they are due to collect you. Discuss your requirements with the drivers clearly, before making your arrangements.

Rental: - Car, Jeep or Bicycle we can arrange, or guide you where to find for rental. Car rental can be arranged by us for you here or is immediately available around the airport, and other area . Costs at around US$ 40.00+ per day. Some require ~TT$1000 returnable deposit; but these details are negotiable and may be contracted by other means. Credit cards are mostly accepted. Gas/Petrol is quite cheap here and distances are relatively small, but it take longer!

The roads are windy and some bumpy. International Drivers licence advised but you may get away with a valid US, British or other European drivers licence for a month. If you like to move around, renting a car is one solution.

Jeep: Similar to car rental, including costs, can be arranged by us for you here.
Bicycle: Available in certain areas only.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
Airport Departure Tax For any traveller leaving these Islands, there is a mandatory TT$100/person airport departure tax to be paid; so keep that amount safe. Children aged 5 Years, or less, are exempt. Some airlines like Condor include the departure tax into the airfare.

Island hopping between Trinidad and Tobago
Air travel between Trinidad (Piarco airport) and Tobago (Crown Point Airport) Return Fare - AIR - TT$300.00

Ferry Travel - SEA For the budget, adventurous or car-bound traveller; there is a once a day ferry service between Port of Spain, Trinidad and Scarborough, Tobago. Passengers, cars, trucks and cargo etc. Only one boat, MV Panorama, usually runs with passengers. (The MV Tobago is ancient, smaller and consigned only to cargo.) Panorama just about keeps Tobago alive. If it brakes down (which it does off and on) then there is total chaos! A 5 (normal) to 7+ hour ~86 mile sea journey for each leg of the crossing (Depends on the health of the boat).

Day sailing from Trinidad.
Depart: 14:00 Port of Spain/Trinidad - Arrive: 19:00 to 19:30 Hrs Scarborough. Times may vary.

Night sailing from Tobago. Depart: 23:00 Scarborough - Arrive: 04:30 to 05:00 Port of Spain. Times may vary.
NO Saturday sailing. For special holiday periods or events (as Independence W/E e.g.); Saturday sailing's are added and announced in the press.
Contact port office for further details.
Tel: Port of Spain, Trinidad: + (868) 625 4906 or 3055
Tel: Scarborough, Tobago: + (868) 639 2417 [Passengers] or 639 2181 [Cargo]
Information is subject to change.

Last out of Tobago Friday night; Resume out of Trinidad Sunday morning; Depart: 11:00 Port of Spain - Arrive: 04:00 to 04:30 Scarborough.

Return Fare - SEA - either way All Prices 15% VAT inclusive. Canteen and bar available - but when aboard query opening/closing times.
Economy: (If anyone asks - deck/seats/lay in passages)
TT$50.00/return Tourist: (If anyone asks - inside/front seats/and scramble for seats)
TT$60.00/return Car (By weight) + Drivers fare: [Advise: book for a car a day or two before the trip; holiday periods frantic!]
Double birth TT$160.00/return. Prices may change without notice on this page..

Hope we have been helpful with your queries. Don't hesitate to email us with any further questions you may have.

Info edited by Serenity