Scarborough

The basics

There are plenty of things to do in Scarborough beyond visiting Fort King George. The Tobago Museum is a great place to learn about local culture and history, while the Scarborough Botanical Garden is great for taking a relaxing walk. Most full-day Tobago island tours stop in town, and shorter Scarborough tours and shore excursions are available for those who don’t have much time but still want to make the most of their visit.

Things to know before you go

• Scarborough is a must-visit for travelers who want to learn about local history before hitting the beach.
• Wear sun protection and comfortable footwear when touring the town, as you’ll probably spend a bit of time outside and on foot.
• Seafood fans should come with an appetite—Scarborough is well known for curried crab and dumplings.

How to get there

Scarborough is well-connected to the rest of Tobago by bus and route taxi, which are vehicles that run specific routes for “set” prices and pick up and drop off people along the way. If you're coming from Trinidad, you can take a ferry directly to Scarborough (a 3.5-hour ride away) or take a 25-minute flight to Tobago's A.N.R. Robinson International Airport. Scarborough is about a 20-minute taxi ride from the airport.

When to get there

You'll get the best weather in Scarborough if you visit between January and April when the weather tends to be cool and dry. Expect more crowds this time of year, particularly if you come around Mardi Gras when Carnival celebrations on Trinidad are in full swing. For a festive time without the crowds, come in late October when Tobago hosts its own carnival.

Tobago Carnival

Launched in 2022, the Tobago Carnival is designed to showcase the unique culture and traditions of the island with all sorts of events, from masquerade parties, concerts, dances, and parades to a mud festival in which people party it up while drenching themselves and their friends with buckets of colored mud.

What is Scarborough known for?

Scarborough has both natural beauty and plenty of history, too. The former capital of Tobago has Fort King George, built by the British between 1777 and 1779, plus a comprehensive history museum. There are also gardens, hiking trails, impressive waterfalls, and Caribbean beaches.

How much time should you spend in Scarborough?

Because Scarborough is easily accessible on foot, visitors can get around the town in a half-day to a full-day. Many visitors combine a tour of Scarborough with a Tobago island tour, where you can also visit the jungle for birdwatching and visiting waterfalls or ride on a glass-bottomed boat.

When’s the best time of year to visit Scarborough?

Your best bet weather-wise is to visit Scarborough from January to May when the weather is generally clear and dry. June through December are usually rainy, with storms at different parts of the day. Temperatures will be warm year-round, so if you don’t mind a bit of rain, visit anytime.

Is Scarborough the capital of Tobago?

Scarborough was the capital of Tobago in 1769 before it was unified with Trinidad. From then, the capital became Port of Spain. However, Scarborough is still influential and the economic and cultural center of Tobago, with one of the largest performing arts centers in the Caribbean.

What are the best things to do in Scarborough?

There’s plenty to see and do in Scarborough, including Argyle Waterfall, Fort King George, Tobago Historical Museum, Eden’s Door, Scarborough Botanical Garden, and much more. You can hop on a half or full-day tour focusing purely on Scarborough attractions or combine it with a full Tobago tour.

What language is spoken in Scarborough?

Scarborough’s official language is English. Residents of Trinidad and Tobago also use a mix of local dialects, creole, patois, and Hindustani, in everyday conversation, so those who aren’t from the islands might be a tad confused. But overall, English is the primary language, so hopefully, English speakers can get by.