As Tobago’s capital city and economic hub, Scarborough is home to just over 17,000 people—around one-third of the island’s population. Europeans settled it in the middle of the 17th century, and many colonial relics, including Fort King George, one of the most popular tourist attractions in town, remain in Scarborough to this day.
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
