Travel Tips
Essential travel tips for making your visit to Tobago a great one.

Tobago travel is relatively easy, no matter where you are coming from.  The hardest thing to get used to is driving on the left side of the road!  The people here are friendly and the atmosphere laid-back, so your Tobago vacation should be no-hassle and easy-going.  Traveling is always best when you are in the know, so below is some Tobago travel tips to make your vacation the best it can be.

Tips For Traveling in Tobago.

Banking
Typical banking hours in Tobago are 8AM until 2PM during the week, except for Fridays when they stay open until 5PM with a break between noon and 3PM.  You can find banks, both local and international, in the city and some in towns.

Clothing
While Tobago is casual in dress codes, you should remain tasteful, saving the beachwear for the beach, not the restaurants and towns.  Bring a light jacket or shawl as the nights can cool off quite nicely.  When packing, you might want to bring along a nice outfit in case to occasion arises where you will want to look your best; a nice restaurant or club may request this and you don’t want to be stuck with nothing to wear.

Electricity
The voltage in Tobago is 110V with 220V in some places.  Double check with your hotel to find out if you need an adapter for your plugs.

Laws
Camouflage clothing is illegal in Tobago, even when worn by children.

Language
Tobago’s official language is English.

Medical Facilities
There are several hospitals and clinics on the island, including a decompression chamber. 

Money
The official currency of Tobago is the Trinidad and Tobago Dollar.  The exchange rate is currently around US$1 = TT$6.  U. S. currency is widely accepted around the island, but just to be on the safe side it is a good idea to exchange some of your cash when you arrive.  Most businesses in Tobago accept major credit cards.

Passports & Immigration
When traveling from the U.S. and most of Europe all that is required for entry to Tobago is a valid passport that will not expire within three months of your return ticket, which must also be presented.  No visas are needed for stays within three months.  If you are traveling from a country infected with yellow fever, you must show a certificate of vaccination.

Personal Safety
The water in Tobago is okay to drink, but to be safe you may want to stick to bottled water, which is sold in all the usual places.
The best safety precaution in Tobago is common sense.  Don’t walk around alone at night, lock up your valuables, and don’t leave personal items unattended.
For the ladies:  You will be pursued.  No, this is not the tropical island dream that single women may want, it can get rather annoying at times, but this is the culture here.  You will need to be firm and say “no” with conviction, and the men will understand and leave you alone.

Taxes
Tobago has a departure tax of TT$100 that is usually included in the price of your airfare.  Sales tax is 15%, and hotel tax is 10%.

Telephones
To call Tobago from the U.S., dial 1, then the country code (869) then the number.  Don’t be fooled by the simplicity, you will be charged for an international call.

Tipping / Gratuities
Anyone in the service industry here counts on tips as part of their wages, so when in Tobago you should tip as you would at home; 15% is good, more if the service was exceptional.  Taxi drivers should be tipped, as should your dive instructors or tour guides, around 10%. 

Beaches