Birdsong exterior (1/7)
View from Birdsong (2/7)
Birdsong exterior (3/7)
Dining on the deck (4/7)
(5/7)
En suite bedroom (6/7)
Castara Retreats from the beach (7/7)
Caribbean Villa
Villa Ref: 01609
- Sleeps 4
- Self Catering
- 2 Bedrooms
- No Smoking
- 2 Bathrooms
- No Pets
- Spectacular views
Above the beach
Tropical gardens - Car not essential
Changeover
Flexible
Nearest Airport: Crown point (20km)
Not suitable for infirm
Description
When you stay at Castara Retreats, you become a welcome visitor to Tobago rather than a tourist. There are no hotels in Castara. Instead, you have an authentic Caribbean experience where you join in with the life of the 400 people who live there. Birdsong sits just above the village and on most weekday mornings you can sit on your bedroom deck and listen to the schoolchildren drumming and singing before they start classes. Mid-morning, you can hear them playing cricket which is an interesting contrast to the fishermen (who double as life guards) and play football on the beach. Later, you can watch them come back in their fishing boats with the daily catch which you can enjoy at Marguerite's cafe - just a short stroll down the hill. Or cook it up yourself in Birdsong's well equipped American style kitchen with a squeeze of fresh lime and some plantain from the lush garden served up with pumpkin bread baked on banana leaves in the village clay oven. You can watch the hummingbirds while you dine on the deck and listen to the parrotlets argue over a papaya. Then sit on the viewing deck and watch the sun set along the dramatic, rocky coastine. With the dusk come the fireflies and the heady scent of Ladies of the Night - a tropical honeysuckle.
Birdsong has two bedrooms, each en suite, on different levels for maximum privacy - it's perfect for two couples or a couple with older children. It's beautifully built of wood by local craftsmen, thoughtfully designed and sits gently in the landscape surrounded by mango, bamboo and banana trees. Nearby is Coasthanger, Fisherman's and the three apartments - Rainforest, Hummingbird 1 and 2. Guests often come together for a barbeque or boat trip or a convivial rum punch in the pagoda. Or not, if you just feel like reading a good book in the hammock or lounging on the sofa watching the Magnificent Frigate Birds aloft in the bay or the Manta Rays cruising the shore line. There's no need for TV here. And be assured, your holiday makes a difference to this community. Castara Retreats provides employment and training for ten families in the village as well as sponsoring the football team. Our aim is to put back into this village as much as we can in return for the privilege of enjoying this unspoiled bit of paradise.
Location of holiday rental in Castara, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago
| Holiday Type: | Beach |
| Local Activities: | Swimming/Watersports, Walking, Fishing |
| Nearest Airport: | Crown point | 20km |
|---|---|---|
| Nearest Ferry Port: | Scarborough | 20km |
| Nearest Bus Station: | Scarborough | 20km |
| Nearest Beach: | Castara | 250m |
| Nearest Pub/Restaurant: | Marguerite's | 250m |
Location description
Castara is blessed with two outstanding sandy beaches with beautiful coral along the rocky shore so swimming and snorkeling is a great experience.
It is backed by the oldest protected rainforest in the Western hemisphere - a birdwatching trip into the rainforest is highly recommended.
You can take a boat trip right from the beach to snorkel and swim in secluded bays, catch your lunch and enjoy a barbecue and watch for dolphins or meet Nemo - our friendly manta ray.
Or a ten minute walk from the village will bring you to a waterfall and fresh water pool where the Mot Mots call and you might see an iguana or agouti.
Further along the island you can hike along the Gilpin Trace to spectacular Argyll Falls or drive to Speyside and take a glass bottomed boat to Little Tobago where you will see the stunning Red-Billed Tropic Birds.
Local events
Annual boat races, Carnival every February, Steel band concerts, beach barbeques
Directions
British Airways flies from London to Tobago via Antigua on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Monarch Airways comes in on Wednesdays.
Virgin Atlantic comes in on Thursdays direct.
Delta flies to Tobago from Atlanta.
Most major airlines fly to Port of Spain, Trinidad. Caribbean Airways has a commuter flight (12 times daily) to Tobago.
You can also fly from Barbados to Tobago on LIAT Airways.
There is a two hour ferry service from Port of Spain to Tobago.
Our local manager will meet your flight and charges 250TTD for the 50 minute trip to Castara. He also rents cars and jeeps to our guests.
You can also hire a car from the airport.
Accommodation, Facilities and Services
| Suitability: | Not suitable for infirm, No Smoking, No Pets |
| General: | Electric Fan/s, Hairdryer 24 hour lighting on all paths, safe for valuables, parking, laundry service on request |
| Bedrooms: | 2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4 1 Double/s with ensuite, 1 Twin/s with ensuite, 1 Put up bed/s, 1 Cot/s |
| Bathrooms: | 2 Bathroom/s 2 Shower/s, 2 Wash basin/s, 2 Toilets/s |
| Lounge: | Seating for 6 people CD Player, Books/Magazines |
| Dining Area: | Seating for 6 people |
| Kitchen/Utility: | Oven, Hob, Grill, Fridge, Freezer, Kettle, Toaster, Coffee maker, Ironing board, Iron Laundry service on request |
| Outdoors: | Private garden, Balcony, Patio table, Patio chairs, Sunshade, Outside shower |
| Access: | Car not essential, Off road parking, Stairs |
| Services: |
Linen provided, Towels provided, Cleaning included, Laundry extra Bring your own beach towels, linen change and clean up every 3-4 days |
| Meals: | You can order a meal if you wish. |
| Facilities in each room: | Ensuite Well equipped kitchen in the accommodation |
Guestbook
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Rates
| Period | Weekly | Minimum Stay |
|---|---|---|
| January 1st - December 31st | £1,295 | 7 Days |
Please Note: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion. Currency conversions are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Deposit/Booking Notes
We ask for a one third deposit to confirm booking with the balance due eight weeks before the holiday is due to begin. You may pay in UK sterling cheque, bank transfer, credit card or pay pal. We offer generous discounts during the low season - see website for details.
Availability Calendar
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Agent Details
Agent Name:
Jean
Property Ref:
01609
Languages Spoken:
English
Preferred Contact Method:
Enquiry Form
Primary Telephone:
Canada 613 267 5167
Agent joined website:
22 May 2009
Property listed since:
31 May 2009
Link to owners website:
www.castararetreats.com
Please mention theholidaylet.com and be aware of time differences if making contact by phone.
Agent Details
Agent Name: Jean
Property Ref: 01609
Languages Spoken: English
Preferred Contact Method: Enquiry Form
Primary Telephone: Canada 613 267 5167
Agent joined website: 22 May 2009
Property listed since: 31 May 2009
Link to owners website: www.castararetreats.com
Please mention theholidaylet.com and be aware of time differences if making contact by phone.
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