A BEGINNER’S PLANNING GUIDE TO TRINIDAD CARNIVAL 2024
WHAT IS TRINIDAD CARNIVAL?
Trinidad Carnival — often hailed as the Greatest Show on Earth — is one of the largest street festivals in the world. It attracts carnival veterans and newbies from all across the globe, eager to play mas and dance to the infectious rhythms of soca music.
Trinidad Carnival dates back to the 19th century when emancipated slaves began the festivities in celebration of their new-found freedom. Mocking the fancy dress parties of their former enslavers, they combined costume with their own African traditions.
Participating in Trinidad Carnival is an amazing and incredible experience and once you do it, it is tempting to do it again and again (and again). Planning for this highly anticipated carnival can be a daunting process that requires commitment, patience and a good-sized budget. I recommend starting the planning process as soon as the current carnival is over. Yes, that’s right, a full year in advance.
Haven’t been yet? Here’s how!
WHERE IS TRINIDAD CARNIVAL 2024?
While there are carnival events, celebrations and parades throughout the twin islands, the biggest events and road march take place in the capital city, Port of Spain.
When is Trinidad Carnival 2024?
The carnival season begins right after Christmas, welcoming a plethora of events, parties and competitions, and culminates in the largest parade on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
Next year, the jam-packed event period is between February 6, 2024 - February 15, 2024.
Carnival Monday: February 12, 2024
Carnival Tuesday: February 13, 2024
WHERE TO FLY
In order to get to Port of Spain, you will fly into Piarco International Airport in Trinidad (Airport Code: POS).
There are some routes into the ANR Robinson International Airport (Airport Code: TAB) in Tobago. From there, you can travel to Port of Spain on a 25 minute flight on Caribbean Airlines or a 3-hour-long ferry.
Flight prices to POS are exorbitantly and unusually high, therefore if you have decided you want to attend Trinidad Carnival, I advise you to bite the bullet and purchase before the prices increase further. There is a chance the prices may go down in October and November, but not by much.
Pro Tip: Purchase your flights a full year preceding Trinidad & Tobago Carnival to take advantage of the cheapest fares.
For Trinidad Carnival 2024, I bought my flights in March 2023 and ended up spending just $599 for 2 one-way flights on United Airlines.
WHERE TO STAY
This is typically the biggest challenge for old and new masqueraders alike — finding a relatively affordable place to stay while staying within a reasonable distance from the main events. Demand is extremely high and therefore, so are the accommodation rates, significantly more expensive than outside of the carnival season.
The accommodation options are slim during this high-traffic seasons, so it is best to confirm a spot early. There are 5-star hotels, guesthouses, motels and inns, bed & breakfasts, AirBnBs and independent renters — typically found through word-of-mouth — who capitalize on the opportunity to house tourists. and make some extra cash.
Recommended Hotels
Hyatt Regency Trinidad
Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre
Kapok Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott Port of Spain
The Brix
Radisson Hotel Trinidad
The Hotel Normandie
Cascadia Hotel & Conference Centre
The Chancellor Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, Trincity (near the airport in Piarco)
Guesthouses, B&Bs & Inns
Culture Crossroads Inn
Kiskadee Korner
L’Orchidee Boutique Hotel
Lodgings in the Park
Forty Winks Inn
Thanna’s Place
The Inn at 87
Samise Villa Bed & Breakfast
St. Ann’s Guest House
Alicia’s Palace
Travel Suites Ltd
The Gingerbread House
Woodbrook on the Ave
Heritage Inn
Sam’s Guesthouse
Monique’s Guest House
Coblentz Inn
Norma’s Bed & Breakfast
Sundeck Suites
Pro Tip: Look for accommodations in these areas — Woodbrook, St. James, St. Clair, St. Ann’s, Maraval, Cascade, Diego Martin, Petit Valley, Diamond Vale, Glencoe. San Juan and Valsayn are further out but still not too bad especially if you have a driver.
If you decide to escape to Tobago on Ash Wednesday for the after-carnival “cool down”, I recommend you book your flight and accommodations early as well.
HOW TO GET AROUND
For paramount safety and freedom while non-stop reveling and drinking, the best transportation option is to hire a private chauffeur. Costs vary, so make sure you shop around for quotes to get the best deal. Some drivers charge by the hour, others by the day but most charge per event. In 2023, our group of 7 ended up spending about $1,400 for a week stay. When you confirm a rate with a driver, I recommend getting that confirmation in writing, whether you utilize Whatsapp or email. Unfortunately, I have heard of drivers who change their rates upon your arrival in Trinidad.
There are several ride-share apps available in Port of Spain. Unfortunately, they are not the most reliable for early morning and night events, so it can be risky relying solely on this option. However, do not discount them. Their pricing is very affordable and drivers take cash too.
The options are:
Another transportation option is to rent a car. It definitely provides the most flexibility and independence. However, always take safety precautions and if traveling in a group, make sure you maintain a designated driver rotation. You should be comfortable driving in unfamiliar places and always be sober and alert. On Priceline, car rentals are as low as $500 for a week (without car insurance) so reserve your car soon.
HOW TO PLAY MAS
To play mas is to perform and participate in costume as part of a carnival band or troupe. Trinidad Carnival has two days of mas and to participate, you have to register for a costume section in a band.
I encourage all beginners to research the different masquerade bands by visiting their websites and social media pages to get a sense of the size of the band, the type of costumes they offer, their price points and the vibe you can expect. Mas is always more fun when you find a band that aligns with your style and interests.
Here is a list of the most well-known Trinidad Carnival bands, their themes and the band launch dates. By no means is this a comprehensive list — Trinidad Carnival has over 100 bands.
Tribe Carnival_________________ “Rainforest” on July 22, 2023
Bliss Carnival__________________ “Mystique” on July 22, 2023
The Lost Tribe Carnival_________ “ FLY” on July 21, 2023
Harts Carnival_________________ “Love Fest” on July 22, 2023
Pure Carnival__________________ “Happily Never After” on July 22, 2023
Rogue Carnival_________________ “Vogue” on July 22, 2023
Paparazzi Carnival_______________ “Ihoka” on July 29, 2023
YUMA Vibe Carnival_____________ “On Tour” on July 8, 2023
Spirit Mas______________________ “Kingdom of Spirit” on July 31, 2023
Ronnie & Caro__________________ “Bushfire” on July 28, 2023
Resonate Carnival_______________ “Immortals on July 16, 2023
Kinetic Mas____________________ “Yokoso” on July 8, 2023
PetleMas Carnival_______________ “Invasion” on August 5, 2023
Showtime Carnival______________ “Tribes of the World” on July 30, 2023
Exousia Mas____________________ TBD
Wee Mas International____________ TBD
K2K Aliance & Partners___________ TBD
Utopia Mas_____________________ TBD
Legacy Carnival_________________ TBD
Many bands give the option for foreigners to view the band launches online via Instagram or Youtube. After you have chosen which band and costume you want to go with, you will need to register for your section. Women have the choice of choosing a Frontline or Backline option. Frontline costumes are typically more glitzy and sparkly with a big backpack, while Backline (or sometimes Midline) options are a little more understated.
Registration methods vary by band — some bands require a committee member to provide a link for registration while others offer direct registration online or in person. In order to secure registration in the section of your choice, you will need to put down a deposit, so make sure you have the funds ready when registration is open! Popular costumes and bands sell out pretty quickly.
J’Ouvert
J’ouvert is a French word that means “opening of the dawn” or “daybreak”. It describes mas that occurs in the early hours of Carnival Monday morning, usually between 2am - 9am, where revellers throw paint, powder, mud, and water on each other.
Separate from mas bands, there are J'ouvert bands that cater specifically to that experience. Their packages typically include a pre-party, drinks to your heart's desire, food, snacks and a swag bag.
Popular bands include:
WHERE TO FETE
While Mas is the main event during Trinidad Carnival, the fetes round out the experience and make your carnival experience even more memorable. There are different types of fete experiences — all inclusive, cooler, boat parties and beach parties.
Some of the most anticipated and highly sought-after events can be difficult to source, such as Caesar’s Army’s AMBush, Soca Brainwash and Soaka Street Festival, and some fetes require committee member approval to purchase. Prices vary, with fetes as low as $30 to premium all-inclusive options running as high at $600.
Fete tickets start to drop in the Fall around October. To be fully prepared, have the list of fetes you want to attend and your money stashed in advance of ticket sales because they sell out FAST.
Below is a comprehensive schedule of Trinidad Carnival 2023 curated by Ticket Federation that lists most of the events that took place. This will be helpful as you plan which fetes and events to attend.
Make sure you leave time in your schedule for cultural carnival events. To give you a sense of what events are in the lineup, here is the official 2023 calendar of events by the National Carnival Commission of Trinidad & Tobago.
Next year, I hope I can make it to the National Stickfighting Competition!
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE MUSIC
Soca and calypso music reign supreme during the carnival season. Before you arrive, make sure you get familiar with the many songs. A lot of DJs create mixes that compile the biggest hits of the season. A couple of the most comprehensive mixes are DJ Jel’s “Soca Take Over” and DJ Private Ryan’s “Soca Brainwash” annual mixes that are typically released in January or February.
Stay tuned for my Spotify playlist as new music is released!
EXPLORE T&T
If you extend your trip, don’t forget to add a little sightseeing to experience more of this island nation. Here are some things to do:
Maracas Bay (Trinidad)
Las Cuevas Beach (Trinidad)
Pitch Lake (Trinidad)
Caroni Bird Sanctuary (Trinidad)
National Museum and Art Gallery (Trinidad) (currently temporarily closed)
Angostura Rum Distillery Tour (Trinidad)
The Trinidad & Tobago Carnival Museum (Trinidad)
Argyle Falls (Tobago)
Buccoo Reef (Tobago)
Pigeon Point Heritage Park (Tobago)
Nylon Pool (Tobago)
Fort King George (Tobago)
Scarborough Botanical Garden (Tobago)
HOW MUCH IS IT?
There has been much debate recently about the average cost of attending Trinidad Carnival Everyone’s needs are different so there is no single figure. Honestly. it can be whatever you make it to be. However, it is not cheap. The sticker shock can be quite intimidating for a first-timer.
Final costs depend on many factors, such as the type of costume you purchase, the price of your flight, the number of fetes you attend, the type of accommodations you stay in, the size of your group etc. However, here is a tentative per-person budget based on a one-week stay between February 7 - February 14, 2024 (double occupancy).
The lower end of the range covers the basic, no frills necessities, while the upper limit is if you want to have a luxe experience. I think most people fall somewhere in the middle. Just plan according to YOUR budget.
Accommodations: $500 - $3,000
Flight: $450 - $2,000
Transportation: $200 - $700
Fetes: $500 - $1,300
Costume: $600 - $2,500
J'ouvert band: $100 - $200
Monday Wear: $50 - $350
Spending Money (Food, Souvenirs & Vex Money) : $500 - $750
ESTIMATED TOTAL RANGE: $2,900 - $10,800
I hope this blog has been informative! Let me know in the comments if you have any additional tips for new carnivalists.
Happy planning and see you in Trinidad & Tobago in 2024!
Sandi 🖤