5 independent reviews for Trinidad & Tobago nature vacation
Reviews for Trinidad & Tobago nature vacation
Valerie Walker review 25 Mar 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Watching the leatherback turtle coming ashore to lay her eggs and the tropic birds at Little Tobago Island and all the hummingbirds we saw were all memorable.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take plenty of cream for bites and plasters as you will inevitably get bitten standing around on forest trails and in long grass. Pharmacies are not that easy to find particularly on Tobago where there are none to the East of Scarborough. Also get local currency because some of the small traders and people who run the boat trips do not take credit cards.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It certainly supported some of the locals as tourism has not fully recovered from the pandemic and some places were obviously short of tourists. One thing we thought could have been changed was taking an internal flight between Trinidad and Tobago with 3 hour check in and weight restrictions on hand luggage. Would it not have been better/cheaper to catch the ferry?4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Overall very good,the guides and all the transfers were excellent who went out of their way to make our vacation special.Read the operator's response here:
Catching the ferry between Trinidad and Tobago is an option, but there are some notable drawbacks. It is slower (the ‘fast’ ferry is a 3 hour crossing with a 2 hour check-in – so 5 hours in all), sea conditions can be rough, and the timetable can vary unexpectedly. Most travelers choose to fly. It’s a reliable, inexpensive service and the flight time is just 20 minutes. The carry-on allowance (in addition to hold luggage) is rather generous - a 10kg bag plus one other item such as a handbag, backpack, laptop bag or camera bag.
Catherine Lee-Elliott review 24 Feb 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The knowledge of the Naturalists and their ability to identify birds after only the merest glimpse of them passing overhead at high speed ! The courtship performance of the blue backed manikins in Tobago was both amusing and marvellous. The motmot was also a magnificent site to behold. Trip to Little Tobago was interesting as was the sea getting there. Cuffie River resort was fantastically peaceful as we were the only guests staying there at the time.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
In Trinidad don’t stay for the full visit at Yerrettes - do a short version without the lunch and the lectures! Lunch was good but the lectures too long. Could easily be shortened by couple of hours. Be prepared for more laid back approach to things and timings in Tobago. Expect things to happen Caribbean style. The ocean at Speyside was particularly rough while we were there so snorkelling off the beach or even much swimming for that matter. Additionally the Blue Waters Inn may be close in mileage terms to Speyside but it is definitely not an easy stroll there & back. The terrain is quite hilly for anyone not pretty fit.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I think the local people involved in the hotel trade and birding tours are doing ok out of our trip but we didn’t access any local shops etc. We did however use a taxi once or twice to go out to eat to make a change from the hotel. The fact that visitors are interested in the local bird life and other creatures probably does help to preserve their environment and encourages the locals to discourage hunting and habitat destruction.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very good indeed apart from the inability to fly direct in to Trinidad and out of Tobago. Having to stop for a crew change at St Lucia on the way out and Antigua on the way back made the travel time to the Caribbean unpleasantly long especially as the UK terminal was Gatwick. British Airways did not cover themselves in glory either as they split 3 of us (traveling together) up despite being on the same booking ref and having upgraded to Traveler plus. Not impressed by that.David Davies review 30 Apr 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Leatherback turtles nesting and the many birds.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Lots of suncream and insect repellent are essential. It's hot so don't expect to rush around like you might in the UK. Don't expect accommodation to be to quite such high standards as the UK - we found lights missing bulbs for example. You need to relax and go with it, no problems were major. Everyone was very friendly and helpful.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The guides were all local and without exception excellent. Many of the accommodation venues were conservation focussed and hopefully our payments will help to maintain these wonderful places for future visitors. T&T are only just beginning with recycling etc. so I am not convinced that our trips reduced environmental impact.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent. Well put together with the right length of time in each place and the right order of places to stay. Local support first class.Liz Crowther review 17 Apr 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
There were lots of memorable moments. Highlights included seeing turtles come up onto the beach at Grande Riviere to lay their eggs, visiting Yerette humming bird garden, going along to rehearsals of a couple of steel pan bands in Port of Spain and spending time on the beautiful beach at Pirates Bay near Charlottesville, Tobago.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take a good set of binoculars - the birds are truly amazing (and we are not really birders...). Take plenty of mosquito repellent for walks in the rainforest and elsewhere. Time your visit so that you get to see the turtles. If you want to visit the pitch lake (we did), be aware that is entails quite a long car journey from Port of Spain.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The guides and drivers were all local people who were extremely informative and very helpful. By visiting Grande Riviere we were able to support the turtle conservation programme and also the new chocolate making initiative. Likewise, staying at ASA Wright meant we were supporting their education programme. As far as reducing environmental impact is concerned, we did do a fair bit of driving to get from one place to the next so I don't think we helped reduce carbon emissions in any way. Our impression is that, as a country, Trinidad and Tobago has not really embraced the notion of re-cycling but we tried to do our bit by re-filling water bottles etc.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We had a great vacation.Peter Pinfield review 9 Feb 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
there was a highlight nearly every other day because we were moving around and we had so much to see and experience2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
double up on insect repeliant !3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
it was very locally based, very much eco friendly which is what we wanted4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent, informative, very knowledgeable guides and rangersHoliday Reviews
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