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Scarborough
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Scarborough, Tobago’s welcoming capital, pairs Fort King George, coastal views, markets and Creole cuisine with access to beaches, reefs and rainforest.

A Harbour Capital

Scarborough is the administrative capital and principal urban centre of Tobago, set around a broad bay on the island’s south-western coast. Its scale is modest, with low-rise streets, government buildings, small shops and a working harbour rather than a dense city centre. The town is an important arrival point for visitors using the inter-island ferry from Trinidad, while the nearby A.N.R. Robinson International Airport provides air access to Tobago. Scarborough’s position makes it a useful base for exploring the island’s beaches, coral reefs, forested interior and historic settlements.
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History Above the Bay

The town’s clearest historical landmark is Fort King George, whose remains occupy a ridge above the harbour. Built during the period of British control and later adapted as military technology changed, the fort offers wide views over Scarborough and the Atlantic coast. The Tobago Museum, housed within the former military complex, adds context through archaeological objects, maps and material connected with the island’s colonial past. Nearby, the Scarborough Botanic Gardens provide a quieter setting of lawns, tropical planting and mature trees, while the waterfront and market reveal the everyday character of the modern town.

Gateway to Tobago

Scarborough is not primarily a resort city, and its appeal lies in its relationship with the rest of Tobago. Local buses, taxis and organised excursions connect the town with beaches such as Pigeon Point and Store Bay, villages along the coast and the protected rainforest of the Main Ridge. In town, mornings are shaped by market trade, ferry arrivals and ordinary island commerce; evenings are generally calm, with restaurants, rum shops and small bars providing a relaxed social rhythm. The result is a practical, historically layered introduction to Tobago rather than a self-contained urban resort.

When is the best time to visit Scarborough?

Best: February–April · 29°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January30100
February (best)29100
March (best)29100
April (best)29100
May30100
June30100
July30100
August30100
September30100
October30100
November29100
December30100

Getting to and around Scarborough

How to get there

Scarborough is reached from Trinidad by regular inter-island ferry services operating between Port of Spain and the Port of Scarborough, although schedules and sailing conditions should be checked before travelling. The town is also served by the A.N.R. Robinson International Airport at Crown Point, in south-west Tobago, which handles domestic links with Trinidad and international services that vary by season and operator. Scarborough is connected to Crown Point and other Tobago communities by road, taxi and public transport. Airport transfers are commonly arranged by taxi or accommodation providers, while visitors arriving by ferry can continue into town or onwards along the island’s main roads.

Transportation

Scarborough is compact enough for some central journeys on foot, though heat, hills and busy roads can make walking less comfortable beyond the waterfront. Public transport includes scheduled buses and privately operated route taxis, which are useful for reaching nearby communities but may not follow the expectations of a fixed urban timetable. Taxis are widely used for airport transfers, beaches and evening travel; agree the fare or confirm the arrangement before setting off. Rental cars provide greater flexibility for exploring Tobago, particularly the north and interior, but driving is on the left and roads become narrower and more winding away from the main settlements.

Best attractions in Scarborough

Scarborough’s principal sights combine island history with everyday coastal life. Fort King George rises above the town on a wooded ridge, where ruined military structures, old cannon positions and broad views across the bay create a strong sense of Tobago’s colonial past. The Tobago Museum, within the fort complex, provides a more focused look at Indigenous artefacts, military history and the island’s changing political control. Downhill, the Scarborough Botanic Gardens offer landscaped paths, tropical trees and a peaceful pause from the town’s traffic. The waterfront and ferry terminal show Scarborough as a working port, while the Scarborough Market is the place to observe the trade in fruit, vegetables, ground provisions and local goods. Sports enthusiasts may recognise Dwight Yorke Stadium, named after the Tobagonian footballer, although its principal interest is civic and sporting rather than architectural. Scarborough also serves as a practical starting point for wider Tobago visits to beaches, reefs and the Main Ridge rainforest.

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Best landmarks in Scarborough

Fort King George is Scarborough’s defining landmark, occupying high ground above the harbour and preserving the military presence that accompanied British administration in eighteenth-century Tobago. Its stone remains, defensive layout and elevated position explain why the site was selected, while the Tobago Museum adds historical interpretation within the former fort area. The Scarborough Botanic Gardens, established as a civic landscape below the ridge, represent a later phase of town development and provide an important green space amid the built-up centre. The port and ferry terminal are modern working landmarks, marking Scarborough’s continuing relationship with Trinidad and the sea. Dwight Yorke Stadium carries a different kind of significance: named for one of Tobago’s best-known footballers, it reflects the island’s sporting culture and contemporary civic identity. Together these sites show Scarborough as a military, administrative, maritime and community centre rather than simply a beach resort.

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Best restaurants in Scarborough

Scarborough’s dining reflects Tobago’s blend of African, Indigenous, European and wider Caribbean influences. Menus commonly draw on fresh fish, crab, shrimp, chicken, rice, peas, provisions and locally grown fruit, with dishes such as crab and dumplings, fish broth and callaloo appearing in home-style and informal cooking. Around the market and central streets, small eateries and food stalls provide practical meals, while restaurants near the waterfront and surrounding coastal roads offer seafood, Creole cooking and familiar Caribbean fare. Tobago’s street-food culture includes doubles and other Trinidadian favourites alongside local snacks, though availability varies by day and vendor. Fresh juices, coconut water, rum-based drinks and sweet baked goods complement savoury food. For the most local experience, ask about the day’s catch and seasonal produce rather than expecting every dish to appear on a permanent menu.

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Best bars in Scarborough

Scarborough’s evening scene is relatively relaxed, reflecting the town’s role as an administrative centre rather than a major club destination. Small bars, rum shops and hotel-based lounges provide places for conversation, music and drinks, while restaurants form much of the town’s organised evening life. Local soca, calypso and chutney traditions shape the wider island’s musical culture, and live performances or community events may bring a more animated atmosphere at particular times of year. The waterfront and nearby coastal roads have pockets of evening activity, but venues are dispersed and late-night transport should be arranged in advance. Visitors seeking larger parties, beach events or more concentrated nightlife may find occasional activity around Crown Point and the south-west coast, rather than in central Scarborough. Conditions and programming can be seasonal, so local information is more dependable than assuming a fixed nightlife calendar.

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Best nightclubs in Scarborough

Scarborough’s evening scene is relatively relaxed, reflecting the town’s role as an administrative centre rather than a major club destination. Small bars, rum shops and hotel-based lounges provide places for conversation, music and drinks, while restaurants form much of the town’s organised evening life. Local soca, calypso and chutney traditions shape the wider island’s musical culture, and live performances or community events may bring a more animated atmosphere at particular times of year. The waterfront and nearby coastal roads have pockets of evening activity, but venues are dispersed and late-night transport should be arranged in advance. Visitors seeking larger parties, beach events or more concentrated nightlife may find occasional activity around Crown Point and the south-west coast, rather than in central Scarborough. Conditions and programming can be seasonal, so local information is more dependable than assuming a fixed nightlife calendar.

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Best shops in Scarborough

Shopping in Scarborough is centred on practical local commerce and the market rather than a large luxury-retail district. Scarborough Market is the main traditional stop, with stalls selling fruit, vegetables, ground provisions, herbs, fish and other ingredients that reveal Tobago’s agricultural and culinary life. Small shops in and around the town provide clothing, household goods, snacks and everyday supplies, while craft vendors and galleries elsewhere on the island offer carvings, paintings, jewellery, woven items and souvenirs associated with Tobago. Packaged pepper sauces, spices, preserves and locally made food products are portable choices, although travellers should check import rules before taking fresh produce or animal products abroad. Retail activity is generally more useful and personal than heavily commercialised, and a polite conversation with a stallholder can help explain how an unfamiliar fruit, seasoning or craft is used.

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Scarborough essentials

Currency and Payment
Trinidad and Tobago uses the Trinidad and Tobago dollar, coded TTD. Cards are accepted at many hotels, larger restaurants, supermarkets and established businesses, with contactless payment available in some locations, but acceptance is not universal. Cash remains useful for market purchases, route taxis, minibuses, small food stalls and independent vendors. ATMs are available in Scarborough and other main settlements, though travellers should not rely on finding one immediately in rural areas or on smaller excursions. International visitors should notify their bank of travel plans and check foreign-exchange charges, while inspecting notes and receipts during cash transactions.
Safety
Visitors should use ordinary urban and coastal precautions in Scarborough: keep valuables out of sight, secure bags in vehicles and avoid displaying large amounts of cash. Take care on uneven pavements, around traffic and on steep roads near the fort. After dark, use a known taxi or travel with companions in quieter areas rather than walking unfamiliar roads alone. At beaches and coastal viewpoints, observe warning signs, weather conditions and local advice, as currents and sudden changes in sea conditions can be hazardous. Tobago’s rural roads may be poorly lit, so drivers should reduce speed at night and allow for pedestrians, cyclists and animals.
Emergency Situations
In Trinidad and Tobago, call 999 for police assistance, 990 for the fire service and 811 for ambulance services. Give the operator the town, road, landmark or accommodation name and keep the telephone available for follow-up questions. For urgent medical problems, request an ambulance or attend an appropriate health facility with help from local staff; travel insurance and a note of regular medication are sensible precautions. The coast and mountain roads can complicate response times outside Scarborough, so organised excursions should follow their guide’s safety instructions. Non-urgent police or medical matters are best handled through local stations or health services rather than emergency lines.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress casually in town but choose respectful clothing for churches and community settings, and ask permission before photographing people, ceremonies or private property. Greet shopkeepers and residents courteously, take care not to interrupt market transactions and avoid touching produce or handicrafts without asking. Swimming, boating and rainforest visits should follow local guidance rather than personal assumptions about conditions. Tipping is customary for good service in restaurants, taxis and guided activities, but the amount depends on the service and whether a charge has already been added. Do not remove shells, coral, plants or archaeological material from protected or historic places.
Local Tips
Scarborough’s market is most active earlier in the day, when local produce and provisions are easiest to see. The waterfront and ferry terminal are useful orientation points, while the climb towards Fort King George reveals how the town sits between the harbour and the surrounding hills. Ask locally about route-taxi destinations, as vehicles may be identified by their route rather than by a conventional city-number system. Weather can change quickly on Tobago, particularly on excursions towards the Main Ridge, so carry water, sun protection and light rainwear. For beaches and reef trips outside Scarborough, build flexibility into the day rather than relying on tightly timed connections.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloWa gwaan[wah gwaan]
GoodbyeLater[lay-ter]
YesYes[yes]
NoNah[nah]
Please/You're welcomePlease/No prob[pleez/no prob]
Thank youTank yuh[tank yuh]
Excuse me/SorryPardon me/Sorry[pah-dun me/sorry]
How are you?How yuh doin?[how yuh doin]
Fine. And you?Irie. An yuh?[eye-ree. an yuh]
Do you speak English?Yuh speak English?[yuh speak english]
I don't understandAh doh understan[ah doh understan]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseLemme see de menu, please[leh-mee see deh menu, please]
I don't eat meatAh doh eat meat[ah doh eat meat]
Cheers!Cheers![cheers]
I would like to pay, pleaseAh wah pay, please[ah wah pay, please]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![help]
Go away!Geh way![geh way]
Call the Police!Call de Police![call de police]
Call a doctor!Call ah doctor![call ah doctor]
I'm lostAh lost[ah lost]
I'm illAh feelin sick[ah feelin sick]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ah wan buy...[ah wan buy]
I'm just lookingAh jus lookin[ah jus lookin]
How much is it?How much dat?[how much dat]
That's too expensiveDat too much[dat too much]
Can you lower the price?Yuh cud drop de price?[yuh cud drop de price]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What time it is?[what time it is]
It's one o'clockIt one o'clock[it one o'clock]
Half past (10)Half ten[half ten]
MorningMawnin[mawnin]
AfternoonEvenin[evenin]
EveningEevin[ee-vin]
YesterdayYestaday[yes-tuh-day]
TodayToday[today]
TomorrowTomorrow[tomorrow]
1One[wun]
2Two[too]
3Tree[tree]
4Fo[fo]
5Five[fiv]
6Six[siks]
7Seven[sev-un]
8Eight[ate]
9Nine[nine]
10Ten[ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Wey deh...?[wey deh]
What's the address?Wey deh address dey?[wey deh address dey]
Can you show me (on the map)?Yuh cud show me (on de map)?[yuh cud show me (on de map)]
When's the next (bus)?Wen de next (bus) comin?[wen de next (bus) comin]
A ticket (to ....)Ah ticket (to ....)[ah ticket (to ....)]

History of Scarborough

Indigenous Tobago Before Colonisation

Long before European settlement, Tobago was inhabited and visited by Indigenous peoples of the Lesser Antilles, including communities associated with the Kalinago and earlier Amerindian cultures. Archaeological evidence from the island points to movement through the Caribbean, fishing and coastal settlement, cultivation, and exchange across neighbouring islands. Tobago’s position between the Lesser Antilles and the South American mainland made it part of wider regional networks rather than an isolated island. European arrival brought disease, enslavement and violent disruption to these societies. Although Scarborough itself emerged much later as a colonial port, the town stands within a landscape whose human history began centuries before the streets, fortifications and administrative buildings visible today.

A Contested Colonial Island

During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Tobago was repeatedly claimed and occupied by European powers, including the Dutch, Courlanders, French and British. Rival settlements, plantations and fortified positions reflected the island’s agricultural potential and strategic location near the shipping routes of the southern Caribbean. Control changed through warfare and diplomacy, while enslaved Africans formed the labour force that sustained plantation production. Scarborough developed in this unsettled colonial context, benefiting from a defensible harbour and its role as an administrative and commercial centre. The island’s complicated succession of rulers helps explain the mixture of European place names, military remains and African-Caribbean cultural traditions that characterise Tobago’s historical identity.

Scarborough Under British Rule

British control became decisive during the mid-eighteenth century, and Scarborough expanded as the island’s principal administrative settlement. The town was formally named Scarborough in the 1760s, during a period when Britain strengthened its government and defences in Tobago. Fort King George, positioned on the heights above the harbour, formed part of this military system and also served as a visible statement of imperial authority. Plantation agriculture, maritime trade and government activity shaped the settlement’s growth, while enslaved Africans and their descendants made up much of the population. The surviving fortifications and the town’s position around the bay still reflect the strategic priorities of this period.

Emancipation and Social Change

The abolition of slavery in the British Caribbean brought a profound transformation to Tobago. Emancipation in the 1830s ended the legal system on which plantation society had depended, although economic inequality and the influence of former plantation interests continued. Freed communities developed villages, religious institutions, family networks and forms of cultural expression that contributed to the island’s later social character. Scarborough remained the seat of government and a centre for trade, public services and communication with Trinidad. As plantation fortunes fluctuated, Tobago’s economy became more varied, with small-scale cultivation, fishing, crafts and local commerce complementing the older export system.

Union with Trinidad and Modern Tobago

Tobago was administratively united with Trinidad in 1889, a decision that reduced the island’s separate colonial status and tied its public life more closely to Trinidad. Scarborough continued as Tobago’s administrative capital, even as transport, communications and economic patterns changed during the twentieth century. The growth of tourism brought new attention to the island’s beaches, reefs and rainforest, while local movements continued to emphasise Tobago’s distinct history and identity. The Tobago House of Assembly, established in 1980 and granted expanded responsibilities later, reinforced the island’s role in managing its own affairs. Contemporary Scarborough combines this administrative importance with ferry and air connections, local commerce and access to Tobago’s natural and cultural attractions.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago

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Explore Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago effortlessly with Evendo. Discover top attractions, local tips, and book hotels, tours, and experiences—all in one free app.

  • Comprehensive history of Scarborough
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Welcome to Scarborough, the vibrant heart of Trinidad and Tobago, where every corner holds a new adventure. With Evendo, your travel experience will be elevated as you uncover the best of what this beautiful city has to offer. From the historic Fort King George offering panoramic views of the city to the bustling Scarborough Market brimming with local flavors and crafts, Evendo ensures you won't miss a thing.

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