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TOBAGO
Unspoiled beaches, friendly people, relaxation. It is easy to soak in and sink into a laid-back atmosphere, and Tobago is the perfect place for that.
Englishman’s Bay. Stephen Broadbridge | 
Wakeup call to the sea—part of the Heritage Festival in
Black Rock, Tobago. Skene Howie
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Scarborough is the island's capital, where almost a third of the population of 50,000 lives. In fact, more than 80% of the island's residents live in the 8-mile belt between Crown Point Airport and Scarborough. It is the centre of commerce and Tobago's port, now sprucing itself up with some waterfront improvement. South and west of Scarborough are most of the visitor facilities; to the north is rural Tobago.
Scarborough itself dates back to 1654, when it was called Lampsinsburg after the two Dutch brothers who founded it. Under French rule it was renamed Port Louis. It became the capital of Tobago in 1769 when it replaced the then capital of Georgetown, which was some way north up the coast. The House of Assembly was moved to Scarborough, and on the hill above the town Fort King George was built, mostly between 1777 and 1779.
But Tobago is not about traipsing around historical sites. Don't feel guilty about wanting to lounge around by the pool or under a shady tree at the beach. Don't feel bad about the hammock days. You might consider discovering the most exciting underwater landscape in the Caribbean, or trekking the hemisphere's oldest forest reserve on the Main Ridge. You could play a round of golf on a fine championship course, or go to sea fishing or sailing alongside schools of flying fish.
You could take to the road and relish the hills and coasts. You could watch as turtles give birth on quiet, starlit beaches. Shake a leg at Buccoo's open-air "Sunday School" party on a Sunday night. Try the Tobago jig at the annual Heritage Festival.
Or you could do nothing at all. Whatever helps reclaim your peace of mind. Isn't that what vacations are all about?
Highlights
FESTIVALS
Harvest Festivals, the Plymouth Jazz Festival, Tobago Heritage Festival, and Easter Crab & Goat racing are some of the highlights on Tobago's calendar. more »
ECO PARADISE
Tobago is an eco-lover's paradise, with the oldest protected forest reserve in the Western Hemisphere. more »
BEACHES
Discover Store Bay, Englishman's Bay, Speyside, and Charlotteville. more »
DIVING & WATERSPORTS
Tobago has excellent diving, and both coasts are ideal for watersports. more »
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