Many people visit Tobago for its beautiful beaches but there are other amazing natural sites you should check out. For example, there are Argyle Falls, which lie on the northeast side of this tiny island. These falls are Tobago’s highest waterfalls, standing at 175 feet high. While I don’t think Argyle Falls are particularly tall, especially in comparison to other waterfalls I’ve seen on my travels, they are quite lovely and are well worth a visit if you go to Tobago.
Going to Argyle Falls
When you turn onto the sideroad that leads to Argyle Falls, several young men will likely try to flag you down. Do not stop. They are unofficial tour guides hoping to make a buck from you. If you do want a guide, there are official ones at the Visitor’s Center which is situated at the parking lot to the falls.
Once you park, head into the Visitor’s Center where you’ll pay for your ticket and decide if you want a guide. I didn’t find one necessary but if you want to know about the surrounding vegetation, a guide would be useful. Also, the trail to the waterfalls is very well groomed and obvious. If you stick to the trail, you won’t get lost. It takes about 20 minutes to walk to the waterfalls and you’ll hear them before you see them.
What I especially like about Argyle Falls is its beautiful setting. The lush green vegetation is thick, and you can hear all sorts of bird calls. Argyle Falls themselves are three levels. From the bottom, you can’t really appreciate the full height of the waterfall as the lowest tier hides the height of the other two. But that is easily remedied. There is a trail next to the waterfalls that takes you up to the second tier (when facing the falls, the trail is on your right-hand side). I recommend that you do try the trail…so long as you have proper shoes, that is! At the second level, if there has been enough rain, there are a few natural rock tubs in which you can soak any tired feet. In addition, from this level, you can get a better appreciation on how tall these falls are!
Practical Information
Location: Just outside of Roxborough along the road to Scarborough.
Cost: Have cash on hand for the park entry fee – at the time of writing, the entrance fee was $60TTD for foreigners.
FYI: Apparently, this is a stop on tours offered by cruise lines. Just be aware you may have to share the waterfalls with a horde of people. But the earlier in the day you go, I think, the better chance you will have in a tranquil visit.
