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Tobago accommodation

Our guide to Tobago accommodation reveals a world detached from the traditional Caribbean concept of gated off luxury and all inclusive resorts. Tobago offers a far more rustic luxury - with guesthouses that feel like you're visiting friends, hillside cabins with hammocks that overlook the sea, and clifftop lodges with yoga classes taking place on open decking. You'll never want to leave.

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Tobago accommodation

“It has been two months since we returned to London, yet almost every day, at least for a moment, we're back at the accomodation...For just a fraction of a second at some point while we are sitting at our desk, or squeezing through the crowds on the tube, we can feel, see, taste and smell the loveliness of Heavenly Bay: the sound of the sea, the perfume of mangoes, the hummingbirds feeding from the banana flowers less than a yard away from us, the wonderful hot sand, the warm sea water, the view of the bay from the balcony of Rainforest, the hot sauce with the mahi-mahi caught an hour earlier by one of our fishermen friends, the thrill at feeling the bonito biting at the fishing line, the laughter (...) while sipping a malt on the beach...” – Viamaria Moltedo, from our vacation reviews

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Our Tobago Vacations

Forget the high rise Caribbean complexes and sprawling, luxury resorts; on Tobago, nothing can be built higher than a coconut palm. Not only will you never find yourself far from the ground, you’ll also never be far from the “real” Tobago – as you walk straight out of your guesthouse and onto the beach, into the forest or along a typical street filled with fishmongers, fruit stands and street food.

Save for a couple of larger resorts in the busier southwest, most of Tobago’s accommodation is low-key and laid-back. But that’s not to say you’ll be roughing it; guesthouse owners will treat you like a VIP with three course meals and world-class conversation, while villas, chalets and small hotels may be surrounded by lush, tropical gardens with hammocks and refreshing pools. On this miniature island a sea view is almost a given – unless you’re tucked away in the mountains behind a wall of heliconia and hibiscus.

Come not for the on-site gym, flat screen TV or 24-hour bar – but for the conversation and cuisine, the tranquility and the lifelong memories created around the dinner tables, on the verandas or while swinging in hammocks.

Here are some of our favourites:

Crown Point and the southwest

This is where most of Tobago’s accommodation can be found – from luxury resorts to family run B&Bs, secluded villas to simple guesthouses. You’ll be close to the sea port, airport, restaurants and nightlife – as well as the most popular beaches and reefs.

Kariwak Village

Kariwak Village is just a short stroll from the airport in Crown Point – even with a wheelie suitcase in tow – but it’s an instant immersion into island life. Cosy cabins are tucked into a glorious tropical garden – heaven for hummingbirds, butterflies and cheeky, chirping bananaquits. Follow the trails past the herb garden and hammock hut to the waterfall pool and thatched yoga ajoupa – inaugurated by the Dalai Lama himself. But the real treat is the food – from smoked herring and coconut bake to oregano fish and fried dasheen – it’s local, fresh and utterly delicious.

PODCAST

Cynthia Clovis, owner of Kariwak Village

Cynthia talks about how herself and her husband created their “holistic haven”. [03:52]

Native Abode

Native Abode is owned by a Tobagonian family who wanted to create the kind of place they would like to stay in while on vacation. Extending their own family home, they created a beautifully furnished B&B in the heart of Crown Point, within easy reach of the shops, restaurants, bars and beaches – yet tucked down a quiet side street.

Kaye makes a mean breakfast to set you up for your day’s activities; kitchenettes are available for those who want the space to prepare their own meals, sourced from local markets.

PODCAST

Kaye, one of the owners of Native Abode

Kaye speaks about how she and her family wanted to create a home away from home in Crown Point. [02:13]

Rural retreats

Rainbow Nature Resort

Shirley McKenna has travelled the world and returned home to her beloved Tobago Rainbow Nature Resort now acts as her home, a working cocoa house (with traditional sliding roof), a largely organic farm – and a traditional guesthouse with four rooms.

Meals are a family affair prepared with ingredients plucked fresh from the ground or the trees. There are two nearby waterfalls to explore – right in the middle of nowhere.

PODCAST

Shirley McKenna, owner of Rainbow Nature Resort

Listen to Shirley McKenna talking about her home and farm. [02:08]

Footprints Eco Resort

Footprints Eco Resort sits in 62 acres of reforested land – once covered by sugar and cocoa plantations. Facing the remote Culloden Bay, whose crashing waves will lull you into sleep, the reclaimed wooden cabins feel particularly isolated and at one with the buzzing nature around them. Coral reefs creep right up to the beach – but you can take a dip in the enormous seawater pool if you want to play it safe. Mia is your amenable hostess, but you’re likely to be greeted first by Chica – the eager resident dog.

PODCAST

Mia Persad-Douglas, the owner of Footprints Eco Resort

Listen to Mia speaking about the creation of the resort. [02:16]

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Tobago or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.

1-866-821-6866

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Calling from outside the USA

rosy@responsibletravel.com

1-866-821-6866

Call toll free

Calling from outside the USA

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Castara Bay

Castara Retreats

The British couple who own Castara Retreats have constructed their own slice of hillside heaven, overlooking emerald green Castara Bay and the adjacent fishing village. Open-sided wooden cabins stand, stilted, on the slopes, with panoramic views of the fishing boats heading out for the day’s catch. The charismatic manager grew up in Castara and can let you in on the local secrets over a Carib beer or two. Castara Retreats does not serve breakfast, preferring to send you down the road to the locally-run Cheno’s café as part of the commitment to supporting the local community. Head down to dinner at Marguarita’s – or rent a sun bed from Dawn, who will also prepare you a fresh juice.

PODCAST

Porridge, manager of Castara Retreats

Listen to Porridge, manager and lifelong resident of Castara Village, speaking about the retreat and the community. [01:33]

Guesthouses

There are a number of other little guesthouses overlooking the emerald bay , including Alibaba’s Sea Breeze Apartments, a traditional Caribbean house right on the beach and Carpe Diem’s studio apartments, also a stone’s throw from the beach and surrounded by mango and papaya trees. Hidden Cottage has a villa and studio a little further up the hill – a perfect spot for swinging in a hammock and enjoying the impossibly pretty view. All the accommodation in Castara has close ties with the local community.

For birders

Cuffie River Nature Retreat

Cuffie River Nature Retreat is tucked away at the fringes of Tobago’s Main Ridge Forest Reserve – and shares the forest’s abundant birdlife. This secluded rainforest retreat has just ten rooms and included self-catering options.

Surrounded by streams and mountainous scenery, the lodge has its own seawater pool for anyone missing the ocean. The environmentally friendly design sits calmly within this landscape, harnessing natural light and mountain breezes, filtering rain water and composting or recycling waste.

Adventure Eco Villas

Just a short drive from Scarborough and Buccoo, yet unusually isolated in its own private nature reserve, Adventure Eco Villas draws birders, photographers and artists who can follow the trails around the reserve, or admire the dozens of bird species swooping from the peace of their own veranda, attracted to the flourishing citrus, banana and other fruit trees and glorious tropical flowers. There are two self-catering villas and one apartment, staffed by local residents.

PODCAST

Ean MacKay, owner of Adventure Eco Villas

Ean talks about creating the reserve and what makes it so special. [02:26]

British Airways operates an excellent network to Trinidad and Tobago with twice weekly services to Tobago during winter and a weekly service in the summer. All Tobago flights operate via Antigua. Port of Spain, Trinidad, operates 5 times per week year round via Saint Lucia.

The Boeing 777-200 operates to both destinations offering 3 classes of travel to Tobago and 4 classes to Port of Spain. Club World, World Traveler Plus and World Traveler are available to both destinations with First class available to Port of Spain.

Read more about flying British Airways to Tobago

Responsible Travel would like to thank Visit Tobago for their sponsorship of this guide.

More about Tobago

Best time to visit Tobago

January to March are often considered the best times to visit Tobago - they are drier and slightly cooler than the summer months.

Tobago travel guide

As our Tobago travel guide reveals, this is the Caribbean as it once was, with a focus on nature, culture and relaxation, and a model for the future.

Where to go in Tobago

Our interactive map shows you where to go in Tobago - though as the island is so compact, you won't have to make too many tough choices.

Things to do in Tobago

There is no shortage of things to do in Tobago whether you're after an active vacation, a relaxing tropical beach stay, or to explore its wildlife.

Traveling in Tobago with kids

Traveling in Tobago with kids is an absolute delight, with friendly guesthouses and a wide range of fun family-friendly activities.

Best beaches in Tobago

Tobago's coastline may not be huge, but traveling along it is like working your way through an encyclopaedia of beaches.

Birdwatching in Tobago

Bird watching in Tobago is a treat with superb guides taking you to the rainforests and offshore islands to find upwards some 220 species.

Nature & wildlife in Tobago

As you would expect form an island that has protected its forest since 1776, nature and wildlife in Tobago is highly treasured.

Culture & music in Tobago

Culture and music in Tobago takes center stage - think calypso, steelpan and limbo - or limin' - simply chilling out.

Discover the true heart Tobago, beyond its beaches

The coastline may be gorgeous, but read on to discover that the true heart of this island lies well beyond Tobago's beaches.

Tobago vacations - top 10 things to do

Our Tobago Top Ten is a roundup of our favourite things to see and do on the island - though it was difficult to narrow it down to just ten!

Watersports in Tobago

Watersports in Tobago can be as active or relaxing as you wish, whether on a glass bottomed boat or getting closer to marine life by scuba diving.

Land activities in Tobago

Tobago may be in the Caribbean but there is much to do beyond the beaches, from walking trails to mountain biking and yoga retreats.

Events in Tobago

There's a good chance your vacation will coincide with one of the many festivals and events in Tobago.

Food & Markets in Tobago

The food in Tobago is a mouthwatering medley of Caribbean, Latin American and African ingredients and recipes.

History & heritage in Tobago

Tobago's history and heritage is everywhere, with forts, cannon and monuments memorialising battles that played out on this island over centuries.

Tobago conservation & social projects

Clean, green and serene, Tobago benefits from respectful tourism - conservation and social projects in Tobago help keep paradise, paradise.

Tobago travel advice

We visited Tobago to meet hotel and guesthouse owners, and sea turtle conservationists to ask them for their top Tobago travel advice.

How to get to Tobago

What is the best way to travel to Tobago? It all depends on where you’re coming from. We explain more in our guide.

Responsible tourism in Tobago

The Tobago Tourism Board share their thoughts on responsible tourism in Tobago and how it creates a unique experience for travelers.

More relevant guides

Written by Vicki Brown

Tobago accommodation