Discover Tobago’s cultural and culinary delights

Do you know what ‘liming’ is? In Tobago, liming is to hang out with friends, talk, share food, drink conversation and laughter. It’s doing nothing, in a sense. But really it’s more than that – it’s part of the Tobagonian culture, where there is value placed on the time spent socialising with no other plan, working hard at doing nothing and seeing where the day leads you. 

When you arrive in Tobago, two of the key components of any good lime – food and drink – should be high on your list of priorities. The island combines a rich cultural history with culinary delights and breathtaking scenery to create a holiday destination that delivers on both tranquil relaxation and rejuvenating cultural immersion. And when you travel with British Airways Holidays, you can book your accommodation and flights together with a low deposit, while flexible payment plans and the option to redeem Avios makes locking in your trip even easier.

Gastronomic festivals

From curried crab caught locally and served with a vibrantly spiced sauce and flour dumplings, to Buljol, a traditional dish of salted cod served in coconut flatbread (known as coconut bake) with fresh local seasoning, Tobago has no shortage of culinary delights. 

Many of the culinary traditions have deep roots in island history. The Blue Food Festival, taking place every October, celebrates dasheen, also known as taro, the tall-growing tropical plant which is a staple of the island’s cuisine. When cooked, some variants of the plant turn blueish indigo which led locals to dub it “Blue Food”. Every dish at the festival (which has been called one of the best food festivals in the world) is centred on dasheen, whether it’s a soup, a dessert, a liqueur or anything else you can think of. In addition to the gastronomic expedition you can find at the festival, it serves as a valuable way for local communities to share and promote their produce and traditions.

Unique heritage

Tobago has a rich history and a resident culture that fuses a long history of African, American and European cultures which have lived on and occupied the island. The Tobago Heritage Festival, held in July, was created to preserve and showcase the unique cultural traditions of the island. Visitors can go to the different villages all across Tobago, each of which has its own unique culture, history and folk traditions like dances, music and ways of life. 

The ‘Ole Time Wedding’ performance treats festival-goers to re-enactments of Tobagonian weddings from over a century ago as a way to highlight the customs and rituals of the island’s inhabitants. From indigenous languages such as Tobagonian creole to folk calypso, steelpan and Soca music, nowhere else has quite the cultural identity of Tobago.

World-class music

Music fans can attend the Tobago Jazz Experience, usually held in April, which has become an internationally-renowned event that has attracted stars such as Chaka Khan, Diana Ross, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Miguel, Wyclef Jean and Grace Jones. In addition to international stars, many artists play jazz in the Tobagonian style and, accompanied with local cuisine and a cold beer at sunset, it’s hard not to get swept along in the island mood. 

With a thrilling roster of events, histories and secrets to discover, a cultural tour of Tobago offers a rich and unforgettable experience, whatever kind of holiday you’re looking for. And if you manage to perfect the art of liming, you might just leave with a new perspective on what it means to truly do nothing on an island where you can do everything.

Book your holiday to Tobago with British Airways Holidays