It is finally band launch season, and if you haven’t started planning for Trinidad Carnival 2024, the time is RIGHT NOW. Trinidad Carnival, known as the Greatest Show on Earth, is home to the largest carnival in the Caribbean region. It attracts all levels of Carnivalists from around the world, from first-timers to veterans wanting to participate in the mas, fetes, and all the country has to offer during the Carnival season.
Trinidad Carnival 2013 was the first Carnival I ever participated in. Between Saucy from Trinidad Carnival Diary and my cousins, who have been playing mas since they were kids, they were my main sources of information. I was grateful to have such a memorable experience. If someone tells you Trini Carnival shouldn’t be your first, I’m here to tell you, that it’s a lot, but it certainly can be done.
If you plan on attending Trinidad Carnival 2024 and don’t know where to start, here’s a complete guide sharing everything you need to know about planning your first Trinidad Carnival.
When is Trinidad Carnival 2024?
Carnival time in Trinidad and Tobago begins shortly after Christmas, with the start of historical events, celebrations, fetes, and cultural competitions, and ends on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
Trinidad Carnival 2024 dates for the parade are Carnival Monday on February 12, 2024, and Carnival Tuesday on February 13, 2024. If your budget allows, I suggest booking a full two weeks from February 1-15, but the 5-15 should suffice.
*Travel Tip*
- To get the best flight and lodging deals for Trinidad Carnival, it is best to book a year in advance or as soon as possible
- Leave your camouflage-printed items at home. Wearing camouflage in Trinidad and Tobago is illegal unless you’re part of their military.
- Purchase your flights with travel insurance to cover emergencies like cancellation of flights, trip delays, medical evacuation, or other unexpected occurrences beyond reasonable control listed on the policy.
Where is Trinidad Carnival 2024?
While there are several carnivals, cultural events, and celebrations throughout Trinidad and Tobago, the biggest celebration is held in Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad & Tobago.
Traveling to Trinidad
The airport code for Trinidad is POS. Airlines that fly directly to Trinidad from North America, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Europe are Caribbean Airlines, British Airways, KLM, American Airlines, United Airlines, Liat, WestJet, JetBlue, Air Canada, and more that can be found on the visitTrinidad website here.
Alternatively, you can fly into Tobago (TAB) and take a flight or ferry to Trinidad. This option gives you the ability to experience both islands in one trip.
Tobago is also a popular “cool down” destination post-Trinidad Carnival so travelers can enjoy the beaches, diving sites, and other warm weather activities before returning home.
*Tips for traveling from Tobago*
- The inter-island ferry ride is about 3-4 hours. Flights are 25 minutes.
- Check the schedules for ferries, as they are known to sell out quickly.
- Flights are scheduled every hour via Caribbean Airlines and are about a 1/2 hour.
- You can bring a car on the ferry for an additional fee.
Best Ways to Get Around in Trinidad
When setting your budget for accommodations and costumes, add transportation to the list. If you’re planning a trip to Trinidad for Carnival, here are the best ways to get around the island depending on your preference or budget.
Rent a Car
If you’re comfortable driving on the left, going through potentially narrow roads and traffic, renting a car is a great way to get around Trinidad as it gives the most flexibility. If you plan to participate in the fete experience, ensure your travel group has a designated driver on rotation.
*Travel Tip*
Due to some areas being spotty with cell phone service, download an offline version of Google Maps for navigation.
Hire a Driver
The best option for getting around Trinidad for Carnival is to hire a private driver. Like Tobago Carnival, rates can be based on the day, hour, one-way, or round-trip route. The cost for a driver will vary based on the rates they provide, which should be confirmed via text, WhatsApp, or email.
Ride-share Apps
There is no Uber or Lyft service in Trinidad, but several ride-share apps are available in Port of Spain at affordable prices. Below is a list of well-known ride-share apps:
- allRiDi
- DeliverMe TT
- Drop Ride
- PinkCab (for Women)
- Travee Rideshare
- TT RideShare
- TT Cab
Where to Stay in Trinidad
Finding an affordable place to stay in Trinidad for Carnival can be frustrating. Due to the large amount of travelers visiting the country, the demand for room occupancy at hotels is high. Some masqueraders opt to stay in guest houses, on Airbnb, or with friends and family.
The best area to stay in Trinidad for Carnival is close to the Queens Park Savannah,, where the main stage and events occur. Other areas are Woodbrook, Belmont, St. James, St. Ann’s, and Cascade. Here’s a list of recommended hotels and guest houses in Trinidad. Based on availability and your budget, you can also search sites like Airbnb, TripAdvisor, or Booking.com.
Hotels in Trinidad
- Cascadia Hotel & Conference Centre
- Chaquacabana Resort and Beach Club
- Courtyard by Marriott Port of Spain
- Hyatt Regency Trinidad
- Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre
- Kapok Hotel
- Radisson Hotel Trinidad
- The Brix
- The Hotel Normandie
- The Chancellor Hotel
Guesthouses and B&Bs in Trinidad
- Culture Crossroads Inn
- Kiskadee Korner
- L’Orchidee Boutique Hotel
- Thanna’s Place
- Samise Villa Bed & Breakfast
- St. Ann’s Guest House
- Alicia’s Palace
- Travel Suites Ltd
- Heritage Inn
- Monique’s Guest House
- Norma’s Bed & Breakfast
Playing Mas in Trinidad
One of the most important things to include in your budget for Trinidad Carnival is your carnival costumes. Trinidad Carnival has two days of mas, and to play mas, you need to be part of a costume section in a Mas Band. Carnival Monday is for Monday Wear, while Carnival Tuesday is for your full costume.
Mas Bands, sometimes called Carnival Troupes in other Caribbean islands, often host virtual band launches for potential masqueraders where they display male and female Individual, Frontline, Midline, and sometimes Curvy for sections related to the band’s theme for the season.
Costume prices depend on the type of costumes purchased. Frontline costumes cost more as they are more extravagant, sometimes including a large feathered backpack, while Backline is a basic functional version using the same color and pattern as Frontline. Not all bands include a backpack for their frontline costumes, but they offer feathered backpacks, collars, extra shorts, or panties as optional add-ons at an extra cost.
The word J’ouvert is a contraction of the French jour ouvert, meaning dawn or daybreak, and is a large street party that marks the start of the Carnival. J’ouvert bands typically offer a pre-party, security, food, drinks, snacks, and a goodie bag with items from their respective sponsors.
Revelers meet the band between 2 am and 4 am and chip through the streets of the city throwing paint, powder, mud, water, oil, and sometimes chocolate on one another. If you participate in J’ouvert, wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. As the saying goes, “Yuh can’t play mas if yuh ‘fraid powder!”
Here is a list of popular Mas and J’ouvert Bands to play for Trinidad Carnival:
Mas Bands
- Bliss Carnival
- Exousia Mas
- Harts Carnival
- K2K Alliance & Partners
- Kinetic Mas
- Legacy Carnival
- Paparazzi Carnival
- PetleMas Carnival
- Pure Carnival
- Resonate Carnival
- Rogue Carnival
- Ronnie & Caro
- Showtime Carnival
- Spirit Mas
- The Lost Tribe Carnival
- Tribe Carnival
- Utopia Mas
- Wee Mas International
- YUMA Vibe Carnival
J’ourvet Bands
- Clay Evolution
- Cocoa Devils
- Dirty Dozen
- Dirty Medics
- J’ouvert Jumbeez
- Josie’s Jamishness
- MAD J’ouvert
- Mudders International
- Red Ants
- We Love J’ouvert
- Yellow Devilz
Whether you decide to play with a Mas band, J’ouvert band, or both, you need to register to get the all-inclusive experience. Some bands require a registration link from a committee member, while others allow you to register directly online. If you are visiting the country for Tobago Carnival or at your leisure, you can also register in person at the mas camp.
Popular costume sections and bands sell out quickly. To secure your spot, pay the initial deposit amount and ensure it is paid in full when it is your time for costume pickup. Some bands accept cash payments for registration and pickup, while others prefer cashless payments using major credit cards online.
Where to Fete for Trinidad Carnival
Fetes or parties are also part of the carnival experience. Several types of fetes are held in Trinidad during Carnival time, such as breakfast fetes, all-inclusive fetes, cooler fetes, j’ouvert fetes, boat rides, and beach fetes. Popular fetes hosted by Tribe, Scorch, and Caesar’s Army, like AMBush and Soaka Street Festival are committee-based fetes, so you would need approval before purchasing tickets. DJ Jel’s Jus’so All Inclusive & Soca Brainwash are other all-inclusive fetes that are highly anticipated.
These fetes usually sell out quickly, so follow event promoters on social media to find out when tickets are released. Be prepared to spend between $50 to $200+ for each fete, depending on the type.
Things to Do in Trinidad and Tobago
Carnival is usually not a vacation, but as a first-timer, I highly suggest finding things to do in Trinidad and Tobago outside of the carnival celebration and in Port of Spain. Make sure to include cultural events like Panorama, Canboulay, Soca Monarch, and Dimanche Gras.
Here is a list of things to do in Trinidad and Tobago that you can check out before or after the Carnival.
- Tobago Museum
- Scarborough Botanical Garden
- Pirate’s Bay
- Buccoo Reef
- Nylon Pool
- Tobago Cocoa Estate
- Little Tobago Island
- Flagstaff Hill
- Fort King George
- Argyle Waterfall
- Pigeon Point Beach
- Englishman’s Bay
- Store Bay
- Maracas Bay
- L’eau Michel Mud Volcano
- Las Cuevas Beach
- La Brea Pitch Lake
- Temple in the Sea
- Caroni Bird Sanctuary
- National Museum and Art Gallery
- Angostura Rum Distillery Tour
- The Trinidad & Tobago Carnival Museum
- Gasparee Caves
- Down ‘D Islands
Trinidad Carnival Cost
The cost of Trinidad Carnival depends on your budget. While there are many things you can do at an affordable cost, it is not necessarily cheap. If you stay with friends and family, as I have in the past, the cost can be significantly lower than those that would need to pay for food and accommodations.
Below is an estimated cost breakdown of what to expect to pay for Trinidad Carnival:
- Flight: $600 – $2,000
- Accommodations: $500 – $3,000
- Transportation: $200 – $600
- Fetes: $300 – $1,200
- Costume: $700 – $2,500
- J’ouvert: $100 – $300
- Monday Wear: $50 – $350
- Food, Drinks, and other Miscellaneous Items: $500 – $1000
ESTIMATED TOTAL RANGE: $3500 – $10,000
If you don’t want to plan your trip to Trinidad Carnival, consider using a Carnival concierge company that offers a Trinidad Carnival package. There are many concierge services available online, so make sure to do your research and check reviews to see which one suits your needs and budget.
I hope this first-timer’s guide to Trinidad Carnival is helpful. Please comment below and save this post for future reference if you have any questions. To get a recap of my recent Trinidad Carnival experience, read my full Trinidad Carnival 2023 review.
Need help planning for Carnival? Contact me to book Trinidad Carnival or your next solo or group trip. Click the image below to get started.
Read More Resources for Planning Trinidad Carnival:
- A Complete 2024 Carnival Calendar
- Best Hairstyles for Playing Mas
- Carnival Prep: Tips for Getting Ready for Carnival
