Scarborough digital nomad guide

Essentials

City

Scarborough, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago

Population

Approximately 17,500 (metropolitan area)

Internet Speed

Average 50-100 Mbps via Digicel+ or Flow fiber optics

Currency & Banking

Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (TTD); 1 USD ≈ 6.80 TTD

Tap Water

Generally safe but chlorinated; locals prefer bottled water for taste (approx. 7 TTD per 1.5L)

Power

115V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA/Canada)

SIM Card

Digicel or Flow; 30-day data plans (approx. 10GB) for ~300 TTD at Lower Scarborough shops

Banking for Expats

Republic Bank, First Citizens Bank, and Scotiabank; ATMs widely available in the city center

Accommodation

Guesthouses and boutique apartments; average monthly Airbnb $1,200 - $2,500 USD

Cashless Friendly

Moderate; major supermarkets and hotels accept cards, but local 'maxi-taxis' and markets are cash-only

Short Term Rentals

Airbnb and Booking.com listings centered around Bacolet and Mount St. George

Budget Accommodation

Bacolet Heritage Residence or locally managed guest houses (approx. 400-600 TTD per night)

Best Area to Stay for Tourists

Bacolet (upscale, beach access, close to downtown)

Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads

Mt. Irvine or Buccoo (better community vibe and coworking-friendly cafes, 15 mins from Scarborough)

Working and Networking

Best Coworking Space

The Port of Scarborough Business Lounge (limited availability) or Regus (located in Port of Spain, Trinidad; none in Tobago yet)

Best Cafe for Work

Shore Things Cafe & Crafts (Milford Road); features reliable Wi-Fi and scenic ocean views

Networking Events

Tobago Business Chamber meetups at the Magdalena Grand Beach Resort

Social Events for Expats

Sunday School Buccoo (weekly street party and cultural gathering, 15 mins drive)

Transportation

Best Taxi/Ride App

TTRS (Trinidad & Tobago Ride Share) or local 'H' cars (unregulated but common)

Bike/Scooter Rental

Tobago Mountain Bike Tours in Lambeau (approx. 200 TTD per day)

Best Beach Nearby

Bacolet Bay (walking distance) or Pigeon Point Heritage Park (20 mins drive, 20 TTD entry)

Top Regional Airline

Caribbean Airlines (daily 'airbridge' flights to Port of Spain for ~$50 USD round trip)

Top International Airline

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic (direct from London); Condor (from Frankfurt)

Highway Access

Claude Noel Highway (the main artery connecting Scarborough to the Airport)

Main Train/Transit Hub

Scarborough Bus Terminal (Public PTSC buses) and Ferry Terminal (Inter-island ferry)

Public Transport Passes

PTSC Bus tickets (approx. 2-5 TTD, must be purchased at terminals before boarding)

Regional Travel

Fast Ferry to Port of Spain (2.5 hours, 100 TTD one way)

Health and Wellness

Best Hospital

Tobago Regional Hospital (Signal Hill, just west of Scarborough city center)

Yoga & Wellness Centers

Kariwak Village Holistic Centre (Crown Point, 15 mins away); approx. 100 TTD per class

Gyms & Fitness Centers

Body Glow Fitness Centre (Spring Garden); 300 TTD monthly membership

Laundry Services

Suds Laundromat (Wilson Road); approx. 40 TTD per load wash/dry

Food and Drink

Best Food Delivery App

FoodDrop (availability can be limited in Tobago compared to Trinidad)

Best Local Dish to Try

Curry Crab and Dumpling (Famous at Store Bay stalls, approx. 80-120 TTD)

Vegan/Vegetarian Options

Papillon Chinese Restaurant (Vegetarian options) and many local Roti shops (Channa/Potato roti)

Best Dessert Spots

Shore Things Cafe for coconut tarts and homemade ice cream

Affordable Shopping Spots

Scarborough Public Market (Fresh produce) and Pennywise (Toiletries/Cosmetics)

E-commerce/Online Store

Amazon (via local couriers like CSF Couriers or WebSource)

Grocery Delivery

Viewport Supermarket (limited delivery options via WhatsApp ordering)

Bar/Nightlife Area

Milford Road in Crown Point (15 mins drive) for the most active bars

Local Brewery

Carib Brewery (Brewed in Trinidad; Stag and Carib beers available everywhere for ~12 TTD)

Wine Bars

The Terrace at Magdalena Grand (approx. 15 mins from Scarborough)

Street Food Stalls

Lower Scarborough waterfront for doubles (chickpea sandwiches) and corn soup (10-20 TTD)

Popular International Cuisine

La Tartaruga (Italian) in Buccoo; approx. 200-350 TTD per person

Culture and Attractions

Must-See Landmarks

Fort King George (18th-century fort with the best views of the bay)

Museums & Art Venues

Tobago Museum (located within Fort King George); 20 TTD entry

Historical Sites

Court House (colonial architecture) and the Gun Bridge

Religious Sites

St. Andrew's Anglican Church (built in 1819)

Annual Events

Tobago Jazz Experience (April) and Tobago Heritage Festival (July/August)

Cultural Districts

Buccoo Village (known for the goat races and cultural heritage)

Theater Venues

Shaw Park Cultural Complex (state-of-the-art facility for concerts/plays)

Local Markets

Scarborough Fish Market (early morning for fresh catch)

Music Scene

Steelpan rehearsals at various 'pan yards' across the city

Street Art

Murals along the Scarborough Esplanade depicting local history

Cooking Classes

Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute (THTI) occasionally offers workshops

Art Galleries

Kimme Museum (The Castle) in Mt. Irvine (sculptures by Luise Kimme)

Historic Buildings

The Governor’s Mansion at Fort King George

Local Heritage

The 'Old Donkey Cart' heritage and traditional boat building in Plymouth

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Nearby Nature Escapes

Main Ridge Forest Reserve (Oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere)

National Parks Nearby

Nylon Pool/Buccoo Reef (Marine park accessible by glass-bottom boat)

Cycling/Walking Paths

The Claude Noel Highway shoulder (for cycling) and Fort King George paths

Scenic Viewpoints

Top of Fort King George overlooking Rockly Bay

Birdwatching Locations

Adventure Farm and Nature Reserve (Plymouth); approx. 60 TTD entry

Bonfire-Friendly Spots

Grange Bay (The Wall) – local spot for evening gatherings

Other Services and Amenities

Parcel Delivery Service

TTPost (National Service) and DHL Express (Crown Point)

Tech Repair Services

Mobile Stop (Scarborough Mall) for phone and tablet repairs

Table Tennis Spots

Scarborough Secondary School indoor hall (available for local clubs)

Language Classes

Occasional Spanish workshops at the University of the Southern Caribbean (Tobago Campus)

Libraries & Study Spots

Scarborough Library Facility (Modern building on Garden-Side Street)

Community Centers

Lowlands Community Centre

Gaming Lounges

Elite Gaming Zone in Canaan (10 mins from Scarborough)

Casino & Gaming Halls

Jade Monkey Casino in Crown Point

Business

Studio Purchase Price (City Center)

Approx. $10,000 TTD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $400,000 TTD / ~$59,000 USD)

Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)

Approx. $7,500 TTD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $300,000 TTD / ~$44,000 USD)

1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)

Approx. $9,000 TTD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $540,000 TTD / ~$79,000 USD)

1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)

Approx. $7,000 TTD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $420,000 TTD / ~$62,000 USD)

2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)

Approx. $8,500 TTD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $680,000 TTD / ~$100,000 USD)

2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)

Approx. $6,500 TTD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $520,000 TTD / ~$76,000 USD)

Corporate Tax

30% (Standard rate for most companies)

Dividend Withholding Tax

Up to 15% (subject to double tax treaties)

Tax System

Worldwide income basis for residents; territorial for non-residents

Highest Income Tax Bracket

25% on first $1M TTD, 30% on income exceeding $1M TTD

VAT

12.5%

Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules

None strictly enforced, but anti-avoidance legislation exists

Property Tax

Recently reintroduced (3% of annual rental value for residential)

Property Transaction Tax

Stamp duty ranges from 0% to 7.5% depending on property value (higher for non-nationals)

Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads

No specific nomad visa yet, but 90-day tourist entries are standard; income earned abroad is generally not taxed for short stays