Scarborough is a jumble of dusty roads lined with colourful houses and colonial buildings. The port city is a gateway to the island of Tobago and combines some great historical attractions with a zesty local flavour. Explore the British-era fort, get lost in the bustling market or relax on a golden sand beach.
Things to do in Scarborough
Scarborough sits in the shadow of Fort King George, an imposing British stronghold built in the 1700s. Jet-black cannons dot the hilltop and command spectacular views over Little Rockly Bay. One of the fort’s colonial-era buildings is reimagined as the Tobago Museum, where exhibits chart the fascinating history of the island. You can see everything from 17th-century maps to geological artefacts.
Escape the crowds in Bacolet, an upscale neighbourhood east of Scarborough. Sip cocktails at stylish hotels and bask on Bacolet Bay Beach, a playground for well-heeled holidaymakers. Swaying palms line the caramel-coloured sand, while a coral reef protects the bay and keeps the water calm and crystal-clear.
Discover an oasis of green in the Scarborough Botanical Gardens. The seven-hectare gardens occupy a former sugar plantation and are shaded by stately palms. Walk beneath the canopy of an umbrella-shaped saman tree and admire the fire-engine-red flowers of royal poincianas. The gardens are a haven for colourful birds and butterflies. Look for emerald-green iguanas perched in the trees.
Walk along Main Street and get a feel for life in the bustling capital. Purchase snacks like “baiganee” eggplant fritters from streetside stalls and order rum punch from a hole-in-the-wall bar. Scarborough Market buzzes with activity. Wander through the produce sections and chat to stallholders selling everything from tropical fruit to fresh fish.
Getting around Scarborough
Parts of Scarborough are pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot, while taxis are a fast and comfortable way to get around the city. ANR Robinson International Airport is a 20-minute drive away. Fast ferries run between Trinidad and Tobago in 3.5 hours.