We stayed at Castara Retreats for a week in ‘Fiddle Tree’, the lowest of the accommodation on offer perched on the hillside overlooking Castara Bay and had arranged our transfers with them beforehand. On arrival we were greeted by Jeanelle and shown our home for the week, she also explained all that was necessary for us about the property and beyond, with a large bedroom with ensuite WC and a great shower, a big outside sitting area and full kitchen made up our stay and we settled in very quickly and contently. The position of ‘Fiddle Tree’ was ideal for us, being of ‘old bones’ the hillside is quite steep and the trek to the top of the complex needs to be done at a leisurely pace, given also the ambient temperature is always very warm, which is wonderful but not ideal for a high level of exertion. Down below us lay Castara itself, and a short cut to the beach is very handy just across the main road through the village, which saves you walking on the road itself, although it can be busy at times, we really are not talking racetrack, you just need be aware of the unknown and take care. Around the village you will find everything you need and more for your stay, a large supermarket and other small mini-marts, a pharmacist, fresh fish, fruit, bakery and even a butcher going out on the other side of the village, for you enjoyment there are a number of bars and restaurants on the beach and further back in the village, everybody we met in the village was friendly and helpful, and accepted TTD or USD. Castara is a lovely laid-back place that goes at its own pace, but a couple of times a week the village will burst into life with very loud music, seems a trait on the island, whether it’s the church on a Sunday, or the beach bars a couple of evenings in the week, but thankfully it does not go on for more than a couple of hours. We would have a late breakfast brunch in the village at Cheno’s Coffee Shop, washed down with a Carib, or two, to be recommended, would also recommend you make sure you see the spectacle of the village fishermen bringing in their catch in an age old traditional manner with long drop nets, once the catch reaches the shore the accompanying flock of Magnificent Frigate Birds is absolutely astounding to watch. We found Castara Retreats itself relatively quiet even though there are quite a few accommodations close to each other, we loved our outdoor space, making full use of coffee in the morning and then cold drinks in the evenings with plenty of ice from the large fridge, just so relaxing on the barmy nights. We would buy all manner of fruit in the village to feed the profusion of birds apparent on the hillside, these are just a joy to watch at such close quarters, a beautiful pair of inquisitive Mot Mots, Hummingbirds, Tanagers, Bananaquits and Ant Shrikes to name a few, on the ground we would also be joined by Agouti’s, lizards and four chickens. Having stayed at stayed at Castara Retreats for a week we dined at the Caribbean Kitchen at the top of the hillside several times, mainly in the evening, both the bar and restaurant decks are superb open plan areas high on the hillside, with fantastic outlooks of the bay. Everything we tried from just drinks in the bar, to the food we ate in the restaurant, was superb, well presented, and fresh, all the staff are very efficient, friendly and fun, we would certainly recommend a stay in this exceptional setting on beautiful laid-back Tobago.…
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