TRINIDAD CARNIVAL 2024: A Planning Guide
This guide aims to provide you with essential information if participating in Trinidad Carnival 2024 for the first time or if you need a refresher or update for the 2024 Carnival season.
Stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram and Threads for updates in the weeks and days leading up to the final day of Carnival celebrations.
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Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/trinidadtobagotraveladventures/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@trinidadtobagotraveladventures
Location:
Although Carnival is celebrated on both the islands of Trinidad & Tobago and in various locations, the celebrations are primarily focused in the capital city of Trinidad called Port-Of-Spain.
Timing:
Carnival celebrations start in the weeks leading up to the Parade Of Bands which is scheduled to take place on the 12th & 13th February, 2024.
Cost:
Depending on factors such as accomodation, the Carnival activities you are participating in & the fact that you will be visiting the country during peak season which has an impact on the cost of airline tickets and other costs, be prepared to spend several thousand dollars, denominated in US dollars & Canadian dollars. Many participants budget and save for these costs in advance of the Carnival season. An important tip is to book early for flights and accomodation to take advantage of discounts that might be available. Further information is provided below to enable you to calculate the cost of your Carnival excursion with greater accuracy.
Immigration, Visas & Travel Advisories:
It is recommended that you check your government's website for travel to Trinidad & Tobago in advance, particularly if there are restrictions, additional requirements or advisories relevant to you.
Flights:
Caribbean Airlines is the primary airline servicing the Caribbean including Trinidad and Tobago, and connects visitors from major North American cities including Toronto, New York and Miami.
Visitors can depart for and arrive at Piarco International Airport in Trinidad. For visitors interested in continuing on to Tobago, Caribbean Airlines offers a 20-minute flight to the ANR Robinson International Airport in Tobago. Visitors also have the option of taking a ferry-ride for a few hours from Trinidad's capital city, Port-Of-Spain to Tobago's capital, Scarborough.
An important tip is to book flights as early as possible as this is a peak travel time into Trinidad and also to take advantage of discounts that might be available.
Disclaimer: Our posts contain affiliate links, like the ones below. If you make purchases through one of those links, you will not be charged a penny more, but our website will receive a small commission which will help keep our website running.
Visitors from Canada have the option of booking via Expedia.ca at the following link: https://expedia.com/affiliates/Homepage.gJvWaYx
Visitors from the USA have the option of booking via Expedia.com at the following link: https://expedia.com/affiliates/Homepage.QL6aEfl
Visitors also have the option of booking directly with Caribbean Airlines at the following link: https://www.caribbean-airlines.com
Information on tickets for ferry service between Trinidad & Tobago can be found at the following link:https://www.ttitferry.com/
Accommodation:
There are a number of internationally-recognized hotel brands, including Hyatt, Hilton, Radisson, Holiday Inn & Marriott. An important tip is to book accomodation as early as possible as this is a peak vacation time in Trinidad and also to take advantage of discounts that might be available.
Disclaimer: Our posts contain affiliate links, like the ones below. If you make purchases through one of those links, you will not be charged a penny more, but our website will receive a small commission which will help keep our website running.
Visitors from Canada have the option of booking via Expedia.ca at the following link: https://expedia.com/affiliates/Homepage.gJvWaYx
Visitors from the USA have the option of booking via Expedia.com at the following link: https://expedia.com/affiliates/Homepage.QL6aEfl
Visitors also have the option of booking directly with the several of the hotels and businesses offering accomodation.
Transportation:
For visitors, public transportation is available, but not recommended. There are other options such as renting a private vehicle from a known and reputable car rental agency and/or using a licensed or registered taxi service catered to airport and hotel passengers. An important tip is to finalize any bookings as early as possible as this is peak vacation time in Trinidad and also to take advantage if discounts that might be available.
Disclaimer: Our posts contain affiliate links, like the ones below. If you make purchases through one of those links, you will not be charged a penny more, but our website will receive a small commission which will help keep our website running.
Visitors from Canada have the option of booking via Expedia.ca at the following link: https://expedia.com/affiliates/Homepage.gJvWaYx
Visitors from the USA have the option of booking via Expedia.com at the following link: https://expedia.com/affiliates/Homepage.QL6aEfl
Visitors also have the option of booking directly with the car rental agencies.
Costumes For "Playing Mas":
Below, in no particular order, are the links to some of the 2024 Mas Bands that will be competing for the coveted Band Of The Year title, normally announced just after the completion of parade festivities on Tuesday 13th February, 2024. If you are interested in "playing mas" in costume with a registered Band, you can click the below website links to view some of the costume galleries, along with other details. An important tip is to book your costume as early as possible, as many of the popular Mas Bands and sections can sell out quickly. The target segment for these costumes are adults. On the other hand, Children's Carnival celebrations take place in the weeks leading up to the final week of Carnival.
Disclaimer: Trinidad & Tobago Travel Adventures is not affiliated with the below Mas bands. To the extent permissible under the applicable laws, in no event shall Trinidad & Tobago Travel Adventures be liable to you for Personal Injury or any Special, Incidental, Indirect or Consequential of any kind, or any damages whatsoever.
https://losttribecarnival.com/
https://www.hartscarnival.com/
https://www.showtimecarnival.com/
http://www.paparazzicarnival.com/
Entertainment & Activities:
Fetes:
Fete With The Saints 2023 Trailer | Trinidad Carnival
Outdoor, night-time parties held in the weeks leading up to Carnival Monday and Tuesday celebrations, with musical entertainment. There are different types of fetes, such as the All-Inclusive and Cooler Fetes. Tickets can be hard to secure, particularly for those fetes which are in high demand, so purchase them as early from the vendor to secure your spot.
J'ouvert:
Celebrated in the early hours of the morning on the Monday before Ash Wednesday. Masqueraders roam the streets covered head-to-toe in substances including paint and mud. Below in no particular order, are the links to some of the J'ouvert Bands.
Disclaimer: Trinidad & Tobago Travel Adventures is not affiliated with the below Mas bands. To the extent permissible under the applicable laws, in no event shall Trinidad & Tobago Travel Adventures be liable to you for Personal Injury or any Special, Incidental, Indirect or Consequential of any kind, or any damages whatsoever.
http://www.redantscarnival.com/
https://www.jouvertjumbeez.com/
https://linktr.ee/dirtydozenjouvert
Musical Competitions:
2023 Panorama Champions: bp Renegades 2023 Panorama Finals Performance | Feeling to Party
Competitions in the calypso, soca and steel pan musical genres are held in the weeks leading up to the final days of celebration, along with the instrumental Panorama Competition. Competitions include the Roach March Competition (awarded for the song played most during Parade of Bands from large music trucks which accompany the bands and masqueraders as they parade through the streets of Port-Of-Spain and "cross the stage") Calpyso Monarch, Soca Monarch, Chutney-Soca Monarch, the Calpyso Extempo competition, the Panorama Competition. Soca is the most popular musical genre during Carnival and popular soca artists include Machel Montano, Kes, Bunji Garlin, Alison Hinds & Destra Garcia. Some may make appearances at the more exclusive fetes and perform atop the large music trucks with large speakers accompanying the masqueraders through the streets and across the stage. Smaller trucks may also carry steel pan musicians providing musical accompaniment to the masqueraders. Finally, you may be able to visit some of the steel pan headquarters or "pan yards" to enjoy watching them prepare for the Panorama competition. Popular steel pan competitors include Desperadoes, All-Stars, Renegades & Phase 2 Pan Groove. Look out for these amazing performers!
Traditional or "Ole-Time Mas"
A very important part of Trinidad & Tobago's history and traditions that must never be forgotten. There is such a feeling of wonder seeing masqueraders dressed up in traditional costumes including the Midnight Robber, Blue Devils and other Devils, Moko Jumbies, Jab Jab & Jab Molassees, Dragons, Pierrots, Bats, Minstrels & Sailors.
https://folklife.si.edu/magazine/art-of-rebellion-baby-doll-masquerade-trinidad-and-tobago-carnival
https://www.ncctt.org/new/index.php/about-ncc/departments/regional/trad-carnival-characters.html
https://www.caribbean-beat.com/issue-71/creatures-mas#axzz8BaKCgkD4
Dimache Gras:
Cultural show including the competitive finals of the King and Queen of the Carnival bands.
Children's Carnival;
An age-appropriate celebration of Carnival for children, held in the weeks leading up to the final week of Carnival. Children also dress-up in costumes and parade to compete for their band.
Beaches:
The most popular beach in Trinidad, in terms of beach-going crowds, is Maracas Bay. Maracas Bay is located on the North Coast Trinidad and opens out to the Caribbean Sea to the North. Maracas Bay is one of the most popular spots for rest and relaxation on Ash Wednesday after the completion of Carnival Tuesday's activities. The drive to Maracas Beach is a scenic experience as the excursion to ge there requires you to drive along roadways surrounded by the lush forests the Northern Mountain Range. At Maracas Beach, not only is there the sun, sand and surf to enjoy, but there are a number of food vendors from which you can purchase food and drink from, including the heavenly "Bake And Shark" and fresh coconuts. Other popular beaches in Trinidad include, Tyrico Bay, Las Cuevas Bay, Blanchisseuse, Mayaro Beach, Toco, Chagauramas, Manzanilla Beach, Macqueripe Bay, Columbus Bay, Vessigny Beach & "Down 'D Islands".
Pigeon Point, Tobago
If heading to Tobago for rest and relaxation after Carnival Tuesday or at some point in between, two of the most popular beaches are Store Bay and Pigeon Point. Their relatively calm waters and convenient locations are attractive to beach-goers. Pigeon Point charges a fee for entry to the beach. Refer to Flights, Accommodattion and Transportation above, for further information and tools for booking stays in Tobago.
Check our blog post on Beaches for further information.
Disclaimer: Our posts contain affiliate links, like the ones below. If you make purchases through one of those links, you will not be charged a penny more, but our website will receive a small commission which will help keep our website running.
Visitors from Canada have the option of booking via Expedia.ca at the following link: https://expedia.com/affiliates/Homepage.gJvWaYx
Visitors from the USA have the option of booking via Expedia.com at the following link: https://expedia.com/affiliates/Homepage.QL6aEfl
Visitors also have the option of booking directly with Caribbean Airlines at the following link: https://www.caribbean-airlines.com
Information on tickets for ferry service between Trinidad & Tobago can be found at the following link:https://www.ttitferry.com/
Other Tourist Attractions, Entertainment & Activities in Trinidad:
Trinidad & Tobago are twin islands rich in nature & history
Disclaimer: Trinidad & Tobago Travel Adventures is not affiliated with the below organizations. To the extent permissible under the applicable laws, in no event shall Trinidad & Tobago Travel Adventures be liable to you for Personal Injury or any Special, Incidental, Indirect or Consequential of any kind, or any damages whatsoever.
Disclaimer: Our posts contain affiliate links, like the ones below. If you make purchases through one of those links, you will not be charged a penny more, but our website will receive a small commission which will help keep our website running.
Visitors from Canada have the option of booking via Expedia.ca at the following link: https://expedia.com/affiliates/Homepage.gJvWaYx
Visitors from the USA have the option of booking via Expedia.com at the following link: https://expedia.com/affiliates/Homepage.QL6aEfl
https://caronibirdsanctuary.com/
https://www.facebook.com/EmperorValleyZoo/
https://nationaltrust.tt/home/location/botanic-gardens/?v=df1f3edb9115
https://nationaltrust.tt/home/location/queens-park-savannah/?v=df1f3edb9115
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnificent_Seven_(Port_of_Spain)
https://nationaltrust.tt/home/location/fort-george/?v=df1f3edb9115
https://nationaltrust.tt/home/location/siewdass-sadhu-temple-in-the-sea/?v=df1f3edb9115
https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5645/
https://anglicantt.com/home-page/resources/parish-churches/holy-trinity-cathedral-port-spain/
National Academy For The Performing Arts
Brian Lara Promenade
Gasparee Caves
Nature Trail Hiking
Waterfalls
Leather-Back Turtle Watching
Hanuman Statue
Tobago:
Pigeon Point, Tobago
If heading to Tobago for rest and relaxation after Carnival Tuesday or at some point in between, two of the most popular beaches are Store Bay and Pigeon Point. Their relatively calm waters and convenient locations are attractive to beach-goers. Pigeon Point charges a fee for entry to the beach. Refer to our blog post on Tobago, as well as Flights, Accommodattion and Transportation above, for further information and tools for booking stays in Tobago. For your ease, they are listed below:
An important tip is to book flights as early as possible as this is a peak travel time into Trinidad and also to take advantage of discounts that might be available.
Disclaimer: Our posts contain affiliate links, like the ones below. If you make purchases through one of those links, you will not be charged a penny more, but our website will receive a small commission which will help keep our website running.
Visitors from Canada have the option of booking via Expedia.ca at the following link: https://expedia.com/affiliates/Homepage.gJvWaYx
Visitors from the USA have the option of booking via Expedia.com at the following link: https://expedia.com/affiliates/Homepage.QL6aEfl
Visitors also have the option of booking directly with Caribbean Airlines at the following link: https://www.caribbean-airlines.com
Information on tickets for ferry service between Trinidad & Tobago can be found at the following link:https://www.ttitferry.com/
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