The Ultimate Trinidad Carnival 2024 Planning Guide: For First-Timers

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, I am not talking about Christmas; I am talking about the mecca, the greatest show on earth, a.k .a. Trinidad Carnival! As Trinidad Carnival 2024 approaches, it’s time to gear up for fetes (parties), nonstop bacchanal, events, and a celebration of life that comes with little sleep!

Caribbean carnivals hold a special place in my heart, honoring the resilience and pride of enslaved Africans who preserved and maintained their traditions. After experiencing the magic of several Trinidad Carnivals, planning ahead is crucial.

In this guide, I’m sharing everything you need to know for Trinidad Carnival 2024 so you have the experience of a lifetime!

Pin Me for Later! 

The Newbie’s Planning Guide for: Trinidad Carnival 2024

What is Trinidad Carnival?

Trinidad Carnival is an explosion of color, music, and culture held annually in Trinidad and Tobago and celebrated on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday in February.

This vibrant festival is a joyous celebration capturing the essence of unity, creativity, and cultural richness through parades, dazzling costumes, and infectious soca and calypso tunes.

Revelers from around the globe come together to partake in the lively street parties, showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of the Caribbean.  

Where is Trinidad Carnival?

A majority of the carnival celebrations typically take place in the capital, Port of Spain, but many other street parties and festivities are throughout the island, including Chaguanas, Mayaro, Tobago, Arima, and San Fernando.

When is Trinidad Carnival 2024? 

Carnival spans two days: Carnival Monday on February 12, 2024, and Carnival Tuesday on February 13, 2024.

The week before, known as Carnival week (Feb 7 – 11, 2024), is the best time to arrive so you can enjoy the fetes (parties) and performances.

Getting to Trinidad

You’ll want to fly into Piarco International Airport (POS), as it is the primary hub for international flights. While flights to Trinidad can be expensive, planning ahead and purchasing tickets when airlines release them can help you secure more affordable rates. Search for flights in incognito mode using your browser to find cheaper deals.

Insider Tip: Grab alcohol at the duty-free shop before leaving the airport. It’s more cost-effective and convenient, especially if you plan on attending cooler fetes! You will need to bring your bottle to cooler fetes. 

Where to Stay 

Securing your flights is just the beginning – snagging accommodations is the next must-do! With a whopping 25 thousand carnival enthusiasts, finding a place might seem like an Olympic sport, but fret not.

Opting to stay in Woodbrook or the Savannah area could be your best bet, as they’re within walking distance of popular fete venues like The Queen Park Oval, Nelson Mandela Park, The Haseley Crawford Stadium, and St. Mary’s College Grounds.

You’re ahead of the game if you’ve got friends or family to crash with or have a local connection for renting an apartment or villa. For first-time visitors, check out my recommended list of hotels and guest houses below.

Hotels

• Coblentz Inn Boutique
• Cascadia Hotel
• The Brix, Autograph Collection 
• Hilton Trinidad Hotel & Conference Center
• Holiday Inn
• Courtyard by Marriot
• Kapok Hotel
• Normandie
• West Palm Hotel
• Hyatt Regency
• Radisson
• Chaquacabana Resort & Beach Club

Guest Houses

• Travel Suites LTD
• Savannah Maison
• Oasis Petrea
• Heritage Inn
• Manuelita Villa
• Villa Marie Inn
• Liam’s Guesthouse
• Chaconia Hotel
• Monique’s Guest House
• President’s Inn
• Gingerbread House

Insider tip: For ease of moving around Port of Spain, other areas to check out are St. James, St. Ann’s, Cascade, and Diego Martin. These areas aren’t too out of the way and are still convenient, especially if you have a driver.

Getting Around Port of Spain

While most fetes and events will be in and around the Port of Spain (POS) area, some may occur outside POS. I recommend securing a driver to avoid the hassle of arranging transportation for each fete. If you need a last-minute driver, below are options I recommend using. I’ve used TT Rideshare in the past with no issues. 

• TT RideShare
• DeliverMe TT
• allRiDi
• Drop Ride
• Travee Rideshare

Tip: To secure a driver during your visit, go to the Hyatt Hotel. Many drivers are available for hire during the peak carnival season. If you find a driver you like, consider exchanging their contact information via WhatsApp so you can reach out to them again when needed.

Trinidad Carnival 2024 Concierge Service: Soca Islands

If Trinidad Carnival 2024 planning feels overwhelming, or you’d rather skip the hassle, I highly recommend Soca Islands, a top-notch concierge service. Roger, Carter, and the team ensure you experience the best fetes, play mas with the best bands, and enjoy cultural activities; plus, they handle lodging and airport transfers. It’s the ultimate package!

I’ve used Soca Islands for two years, and they consistently exceeded my expectations. While I’ve heard horror stories about other concierge options, Soca Islands stands out for a stress-free Trinidad Carnival experience. If planning isn’t your thing, trust Soca Islands to make your time unforgettable!

Playing Mas

For your first Trinidad Carnival, go all out with a dazzling costume—sequins, beads, and giant headpieces—to fully experience playing mas! Playing mas involves registering with a band, choosing your costume, and being a masquerader on Carnival Monday and Tuesday.

Some popular bands are Tribe, Yuma, and Rogue, as well as other bands to choose from, with costumes ranging from $200 to $2,000. Frontline costumes, priced at $1,200 to $2,000, include a wire bra, headpiece, feather backpack, arm and leg pieces, and accessories. Backline costumes, ranging from $200 to $900, consist of a top, leg and arm accessories, and a headpiece.

Personal tip: Feather packs enhance your costume, but after a while, it can get frustrating to maneuver through the crown during the festivities. I tried them once and appreciated the experience, but now I prefer going without them. It’s all about personal preference!

• Here’s a list of Trinidad Carnival 2024 bands to choose from:
• BLISS Carnival
• Escape Carnival
• Exousia Mas
• Harts Carnival
• Kinetic Mas
• Jam the Band
• Legacy Carnival
• Paparazzi Carnival
• PURE Carnival
• ROGUE Carnival
• Ronnie and Caro Carnival
• Resonate Carnival
• The Lost Tribe
• TRIBE Carnival
• WeeMas Carnival
• YUMA

What’s Included with Your Costume? 

• Your costume
• International DJs and vibes!!
• Goodie bag
• Food and snacks on both days
• Top shelf unlimited alcohol
• Mobile bathrooms
• Security
• Medical service 
• Cool down zone –  This involves designated areas for touch-ups, massage stations, and gem gluing stations, among other amenities.

J’ouvert

No Trinidad Carnival adventure is complete without J’ouvert! This lively party, translating to ‘break of day’ in English, marks the kick-off of the Carnival.

J’ouvert kicks off around 3 AM on Carnival Monday and will leave you covered in water, paint, powder, flour, mud, and sometimes clay! It’s the ultimate party to have fun and get messy, so dress accordingly!

Insider Tip: Before J’ouvert, apply baby oil to your body. It helps prevent paint from staining your skin, making cleanup easier after the festivities.

Here’s a list of J’ourvet bands to pick from:

• Cocoa Devils J’ourvert
• Dirty Dozen J’ourvert
• Dirty Medics
• Freedom J’ourvert
• Friends for the Road J’ourvert
• iCandy J’ourvert (Chaguanas)
• Josie’s Jamsihness: Jam Session
• Jungle Fever J’ourvert
• Mad J’ourvert
• Mudders International J’ourvert
• Red Ants J’ourtvert
• Vibez J’ourvert
• Whyte Angels J’ourvet
• Yellow Devilz J’ourvert

Carnival Monday 

I Love Carnival Monday for two reasons: it’s the official warm-up for Carnival Tuesday and the day to choose my Monday wear outfit! Monday and Tuesday is when you go on the road with your mas band. Remember, Monday Wear is all about comfort and wearing whatever you like—whether it’s elaborate or casual, it’s about coming as you are! I usually opt for a bodysuit or bathing suit. If you’re after something more embellished and customized, there’s a variety of Monday wear designers to choose from. Here’s a list of a few:

• Rhion Romany
• FonRose The Band 

For more budget-friendly Monday Wear options, below is a list of my go-tos:
Asos
Fashion Nova
Shein
Nasty Gyal
BooHoo
Amazon

Carnival Tuesday 

Carnival Tuesday is the grand event! It’s the day when everyone dons elaborate costumes, truly earning the title “The Greatest Show on Earth!” Get ready for an intoxicating blend of energy, joy, incredible music, and unstoppable vibes! Each band has a designated meeting spot, but the D’Junction app can help you locate your band on the road if you’re running late.

Once you hit the road, you’ll follow music trucks with international DJs from around the world, pumping out the hottest Soca and Calypso tunes! It’s an unforgettable experience!

Where to Party?

Trinidad Carnival fetes are pre-carnival parties and are unlike anything you’ll experience! Whether waking up at 4 am for early fetes or staying up late for evening ones, the experience is absolutely worth it. Ranging from $10 to $300, these fabulous parties are a must-attend, even if you’ve had little sleep the night before.

Some top fetes to add to your list include SocaBrainwash, AM Beach, AM Bush, Phuket, Vale, and Sunnyside Up. Tickets for most fetes and performances are already available for purchase. For the complete Trinidad Carnival 2024 party and performance lineup schedule and tickets, check out TriniJungleJuice and Ticket Federation.

Trinidad Carnival 2024 Resources

The soca community’s strength lies in the openness of feterans (carnival veterans) who readily share information and resources. If you find yourself in need of recommendations, last-minute tickets, or unable to attend a fete, consider utilizing the following resources:

1. Trinidad Carnival Which Fetes Yuh Goin (WFYG): This Meta (Facebook) group covers everything related to Trinidad Carnival, providing information about accommodations, planning, and tickets for fetes or performances.
2. Island E-Tickets: The go-to website for most events during Trinidad Carnival 2024.
3. Instagram: An excellent resource for purchasing or selling tickets for parties or performances.
4. Fineahban: Another valuable resource for buying and selling fete tickets. If you choose this option, vet the seller to avoid counterfeit tickets.
5. Download the D’Junction app: This app is an absolute lifesaver! It’s a GPS-based tool that helps you locate your Mas Band. I found it incredibly handy multiple times!

Trinidad Carnival 2024 Cultural Activities 

Trinidad Carnival goes beyond reveling, partying, and drinking. Immersing yourself in cultural activities provides a profound appreciation for the preserved traditions and celebrated heritage.

Consider attending a steel pan practice or performance between fetes. For a comprehensive calendar of cultural activities and events, explore the offerings of the National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago.

Get Familiar with the Music

The music at Trinidad Carnival is a personal highlight for me. It not only shapes the carnival experience but also influences popular songs heard at other Caribbean carnivals throughout the year. Don’t worry if you don’t know all the lyrics—by the end of your trip, you’ll likely be able to sing along to the most popular tunes by heart!

I rely on Spotify and SoundCloud to prep for the fetes and di road. Here are some of my favorite DJs and carnival playlists I recommend tuning into:

• DJ Private Ryan
• DJ Jel
• Kevin Crown 
• Freeze International
• Riggo Suave
• Soca 2024: Latest Hits on Spotify 

Trinidad Carnival 2024 Cost Breakdown

I understand that the Trinidad Carnival expenses, especially for playing mas, can be surprising for first-timers. However, remember it’s about the unforgettable experience; sometimes, the value exceeds any price tag! Below, I’ve provided a breakdown to give you an idea of the costs. Depending on your budget, you can adjust expenses by opting for more budget-friendly fetes and activities to avoid paying for high-ticket, all-inclusive fetes.

• Flight: $500 – $2,000
• Hotel/Accommodation: $400 – $5,000
• Fetes/Performances: $500 – $1,000 
• Transportation: $100 – $400
• Carnival Costume: $500 – $2,000
• J’ourvet: $100 – $200
• Spending money (Food, Drinks, Sightseeing): $200 – $500

Total budget: $2,300 – $11,100

Conclusion – Lady Chin’s Two Cents

Reflecting on attending Trinidad Carnivals, it’s been the best thing for my energy, spirit, and confidence. Soca truly gives me superpowers, shifting my outlook to focus on positivity and gratitude for everything in life. While Caribbean Carnivals hold different meanings for others, for me, Trinidad Carnival is about celebrating life and connecting with new people. If you’ve always wanted to join the fun at Trinidad Carnival, consider this your sign – don’t wait, go! I guarantee you’ll have the experience of a lifetime and keep coming back!

I hope this planning guide was helpful, and wishing you a safe and magical Trinidad Carnival 2024!

Liked this post? Pin it and save it for later!