Useful facts for your holiday to Tobago

Flight and Transfers

Tobago’s main airport is Crown Point International Airport and it’s around a 9 hour flight from Gatwick. There are regular flights to the island from air carriers such as British Airways and Virgin Airways.

Tobago is relatively small, so the transfer to your hotel will generally be less than 30 minutes, unless you are staying at Blue Waters Inn in the north of the island which will take just over an hour. If you’ve pre-booked your transfer arrangements with us, a Tropical Sky representative will meet you on arrival and guide you to your transfer vehicle.

Visa Requirements

British Citizens travelling to Tobago require a full British passport which must be valid for 6 months from the date of entry into Trinidad & Tobago. Only machine-readable travel documents are accepted for entry into and exit out of Trinidad and Tobago. All children and infants must also have their own passports. A visa is not required. Please check up to date visa requirements with the Foreign Office at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/trinidad-and-tobago/entry-requirements.

Please be aware that it is an offence for anyone, including children, to carry or dress in camouflage clothing.

Language

This official language of Tobago is English. Locals, especially those not in the travel industry, tend to speak very quickly and with a strong accent – but it won't take you long to get acclimatised to it. You may also here different patois dialects drawing influence from Spanish, French, Hindi and African languages.

Transportation

Self-Drive: Renting a car is one of the simplest and most practical ways of getting around the island. They drive on the left, and apart from the odd pothole, the roads are in decent condition and pretty well sign-posted. Driving standards can be a little lax but with a speed limit of just 30 mph, driving around is relaxed and on such a small island it’s hard to get lost. Our car hire rates start at £290 per week for an air-conditioned car and include free delivery and pick up from all of our villas and hotels (with the exception of Blue Waters Inn), so you won’t have to worry about queuing at a stuffy car hire office. You’ll need your UK drivers licence and a credit card (not debit card). If you need a baby or child seat it will cost around $5 per day and should be requested at the time of booking. Drivers must be over the age of 25 and have had a full licence for at least three years.

Taxis: Taxis can be quite expensive, but due to the limited transport infrastructure on the island, they can be the easiest option if you’d rather not drive yourself. There are official taxis recognisable by the ‘H’ at the start of their registration plate.

There are two different type of taxi. Private taxis are the traditional style of taxi that you can hire for your own individual use. Undoubtedly they are the more expensive option, but often the drivers are very friendly and it’s a unique and lovely way to get introduced to the spirit of the country.

The second type of taxi is the route taxi. These taxis run on set routes and must be hailed from the side of the road. There are standard car-sized versions and larger minibus-size versions called Maxi Taxis.

None of the taxis in Tobago are metred, so it’s important to negotiate the price of your journey before you get in. This applies to both the private and route taxis.

Buses: There is a limited bus service, primarily running between the larger towns on the island. They are cheap but often get very crowded and appear to run at their own schedule.

Alternatives: Depending on where you’re staying and how far you want to travel it could be convenient to hire a bicycle or even to simply get about by walking.

Currency

The Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (TT$) is the official currency across the island and is sometimes literally called the TT (tee-tee). US dollars will be accepted in some places but not others, whilst Visa and MasterCard will be accepted at all hotels and many restaurants and shops.

Electricity

110-120 V, flat two pronged plugs in use (US/Canada standard). Some areas use 220-240V.

Vaccinations and Health

As health requirements change please consult with your GP or specialist travel clinic well in advance of your holiday for specific information related to your travel and medical history. Additional information can be found by visiting NaTHNaC or MASTA Travel health.

A yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers who are arriving from, or have transited through, countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

The mosquitos here can be annoying but do not generally carry anything dangerous. Tap water is usually safe to drink (although this is worth checking in the area where you stay). Many prefer to drink bottled water due to the better taste.