Back at it again with your Trinidad Carnival Review…but this time solo. This February I took to the wonderful island of Trinidad once again for one of my favorite pastimes, yes you guessed it…Carnival. Though not planned, I attended Trinidad Carnival entirely solo while meeting amazing people along the way. I still enjoyed Trinidad to the fullest: from all the delicious local foods to the beaches to the friendly locals and history. But most of all, of course during this time I enjoyed the main event…drumroll, please…Trinidad Carnival!
If you didn’t know Trinidad Carnival has been dubbed The Greatest Show on Earth and in 2020 this title still holds true. Want to know why? Keep on reading for all the juice. I’m giving you my full inside look on my carnival experience from fetes to playing mas and meeting feters along the way as a solo traveler. Keep on reading for my complete 2020 Trinidad Carnival review.
BEFORE WE GET INTO IT…
What is Trinidad Carnival? You may be surprised to learn that carnival is not all about fetes and costumes. Shocking right?! I know! Trinidad Carnival, annually taking place before Lent, in the lamest definition is a celebration of culture and freedom. Yes, the parties are great, the costumes are pretty but at the core, the essence of carnival is deeply rooted in the history of Trinidad’s road to emancipation.
NOW LETS GET INTO IT…
If you didn’t know or couldn’t guess, yes, I am a self-proclaimed budding carnival chaser, carnival junkie and all-around carnival queen. And as a carnival chaser, one thing I’ve learned time and time again is that carnival is not for the faint of heart. In my 8 day trip to Trinidad, I survived 11 fetes, 1 j’ouvert and 2 days on di road. And it was AW-SOMMME!! Trust me when I say stamina is key to sustaining fetes that go from daybreak to sundown plus 2 full days on the road.
BAND LAUNCH & MORE
First up on the Trinidad Carnival review, Yuma Vibe, my costume selection, and more.
I made up my mind to do Trinidad Carnival 2020 before I even left Trinidad & Tobago in 2019. So I was already preparing to watch band launches and promoters. For 2020 I wanted to try a new band but I always base my choice of a band on the costumes released. I am NOT one of those people who stays with one band and that’s all. We pay so much for costumes and everything that’s included that I like to hope from band to band. But when Yuma launched their collection for 2020 instantly my eyes were drawn to 1 section in particular. The icing on top was the fact that I didn’t have to edit or add on to the costume to feel comfortable and the price was right. I quickly messaged the band and all my questions were answer and mind put at ease. I even reached out to the designer and all questions were all answered as well.
This year I opted for concierge pickup/drop off services instead of heading in myself, so sadly I have no personal review on costume pick up. However, last year I made all payments in full before arriving in Trinidad and my pick up took all of 10 minutes. This year I know some people had issues with pick up and costumes and I’m unsure of what the issue was but Yuma issued an apology.
Now let’s get into Yuma’s gift bag, which has never truly wowed me. I hoped they would do more or something special this year because of their 10th anniversary but not so much. While other masqueraders from other bands were posting about fans, sneakers, and coolers I saw almost no excitement about Yuma’s goodie bag. When I finally received my costume and gift bag I understood why nothing much had been mentioned. Yuma apparently has a thing for open bags, why? I have no idea. The actual bag was a no closure clear logoed vinyl with a blue removable insert. My bag was filled with a branded cup, of course, a juice box, spices, toothpaste, toilet paper, and discount codes.
I wish Yuma put a little more effort into their gift bags. Personally, some things I wish were standard in all goodie bags are:
Shot glasses – what better way to get the party started than with welcome shots?
Fan – because we know Trini sun is no joke;
Travel/Foldable coolers – I mean we have cooler fetes right? Plus this would cut down on those massive coolers that take up so much space;
Road Cup – because obviously.
But hey, that’s just me:)
(Forgive me, no picture was taken to include in this Trinidad carnival review as my concierge company delivered my costume and goodie bag extremely late and j’ouvert was just in a few hours)
ACCOMMODATIONS
This year I was booked at The Cascadia Hotel in Cascade. Nothing fancy but the rooms were clean, the staff pleasant and helpful, with daily breakfast included, a pool and Wi-Fi to boot. What I would have loved to know before booking would have been that this hotel was used as a Mas camp and hosted several events throughout my stay. Luckily I was hardly in the room so this didn’t hinder my plans much plus its carnival season and expected. So I took it all in stride.
I will note that this hotel was included as part of my concierge package and had initial issues with check-in, to no fault of the hotel.
TRANSPORTATION
Getting around Trinidad is not hard at all but during carnival season with the increase of guests and the distances between events it can be somewhat tricky. There are several rideshare apps available in Trinidad but I highly recommend hiring a driver of some sort.
I had transportation included in my package but only to the fetes purchased via the company, to/from the airport and to Monday/Tuesday carnival. Yes, transportation only to carnival but not from. Either way, the transportation included in my package was unreliable and late at every single point except my departure back to the airport. Again I do not fault the drivers because I quickly realized that Noni was not providing proper schedules, timing or contact information to the drivers. So much so that their first driving company QUIT. Yes, ladies and gents, the original driving company hired quit due to Noni Carnival’s irresponsibility and lack of effective communication, but it was understandable.
Knowing that all my transportation would not be covered I already hired a driver of my own before arriving in Trinidad. Looking back, I am very happy that I decided to hire a driver of my own. By no means was my driver perfect but he was reliable and came through in moments when the concierge transportation did not.
FETES
This will not be the place I go into detail about the fetes, at least not yet but know the fetes were LITTY. That’s all I can say. Lol. A full fete review will be coming soon with all the insider deep dive information to know including what fetes to hit and which to miss. But for right now let’s talk about my top 3 fetes of 2020 in my Trinidad carnival review.
Up until this point, all my fetes were great but my sixth fete decided to show out. Sunrise Breakfast Fete was by far one of my top 3. The sun was out but I didn’t even realize because I was cute and the performers came correct. I got my drinks, of course, started dancing, some food I think (maybe) as I made my way to the front while meeting friends along the way. The vibe from the back to the stage was life!!
Off to a slow start at first with a theme, many didn’t 100% care for, Soca Brainwash themed “Treasures of the Orient” came through in the end. The location was transformed into a picturesque sight with the perfect decorations and photos areas were gorgeous like always, wished I took the time to grab some photos. I learning y’all, I am. Lol As I’m thinking back, I don’t actually think I had anything to eat, which seems to be a reoccurring theme for me. Pay all this money for all-inclusive fetes and I head straight to the bars and the stage. It’s a problem I know. Help! Anyway, by the time my new friends arrived I was on drink #1000, grateful that the Trini sun wasn’t killing us yet.
Last on the list but not least, ValeVibe Breakfast Fete. Even after arriving extremely late due to concierge transportation, this fete did not disappoint at all! I made it a point to actually try to eat at this fete since I had been missing all the delicious food so far…but only after hitting up my favorite Hennessy Pure bar. I can’t help myself but I promise food followed and more drinks of course. For this fete, I decided to linger towards the back enjoying the music from afar and the open space that allowed me to dance a little freer without bumping into others. But eventually I somehow someway made my way to the front once again and ended up staying until this breakfast fete became a wet fete.
J’OUVERT WITH DIRTY DOZEN
I can’t go to Trinidad Carnival, or any carnival and not participate in a dutty fete because they are my favorite. Last year I played with J’ouvert Jumbeez which was great and would definitely recommend them to anyone and did recommend to many people this year. But, this year for j’ouvert I wanted to switch it up and decided to play with Dirty Dozen J’ouvert and I did not regret my choice. By the time I arrived at the meetup point the pre-party had already started. You would have never guessed that some of us were partying until after midnight at another fete, up at 2 am in the morning to get to j’ouvert and still hitting the road after for Carnival Monday. What sleep you say? None, absolutely none.
With the music going already, DDJ set the tone for the road. I couldn’t wait to get dutty. But before we did, let’s talk about breakfast and drinks. Breakfast left much to be desired. There was only one food station with barely two options located right next to the drink station which made for a great deal of confusion as each line merged on top of the normal people cutting the line. Another minor issue which honestly I can’t be completely upset with, they ran out of DDJ juice towards the end of the pre-pump. I admit the drink was good and all I can say is I snoozed so I didn’t drink.
Now it’s time to finally start moving. I’m not completely sure if DDJ handled out paint because I got none but what I do know is that I got nice and dutty and that’s all I cared about. The truck people come correct with paint and water from every angle. My white shirt was no longer white and my hat was covered in every color possible. I was not disappointed at all but rather I was actually a little sad leaving to get ready for Carnival Monday.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B88va62gDj9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
J’ouvert is and will always be one of my favorite events, that’s why I have to always include them in my Trinidad Carnival reviews. What can I say?
ROAD WITH YUMA
Playing with Yuma is always all vibes. With a mixed crowd, great deejays and liquor continuously flowing it’s hard not to have a great time.
Carnival Monday to me is the final pump before the main event, Pretty Mas Tuesday, and a day not to miss. You would think that after j’ouvert I would be exhausted but I was the complete opposite. Dirty Dozen J’ouvert got my morning started right. By the time I left DDJ around, 8am I was still hyped off the energy that got me ready for Monday road, and the road was awesome. We pumped for the entire morning until the lunch rest stop. Yuma rest stop was much needed, not going to lie. Lunch was good, the company was fun and best of all at the rest stop were the express massages and refresher stations. Carnival Monday with Yuma was a good teaser for Tuesday.
I had a wonderful time Carnival Tuesday even though my driver was late, though again no fault of his but rather my “concierge” company. I ended up having to walk almost 40 minutes to catch up to my band, missed breakfast, grab drinks and find/catch up to friends on the road in the sea of masqueraders. It did take me a moment to warm back up because I was very annoyed due to the ever-growing list of issues I had with the concierge group I booked through. But after I warmed up, yes I warmed up and when I did the road was amazing. I was adorned in jewels, feathers, and shades of purple and blue (my favorite colors) from head to toe in a costume that fit almost perfectly. I crossed the stage with one hand in the air and Hennessey ginger in the other while wining with a great dance partner. Pure exhilaration. The type of energy you feel during carnival and the energy you feel crossing the socadrome stage is UN-MATCHED. It’s truly an experience that I’ll never be able to fully convey through writing or photos by only by encouraging everyone to experience it personally.
After crossing we continued our way to the lunch stop. Unlike Monday, today’s rest stop was filled with more masqueraders who didn’t attend on Monday or only come during lunch. This led to food running out, low drinks and lack of space to even sit and relax. I can’t blame Yuma for all of it but I will say Yuma has to do better with the meals. Meals are allocated per request when purchasing your costumes so everyone should have their requested meal option available.
Another minor issue, rest/AC trucks. I normally don’t stop dancing on the road however, Yuma seems to be one of the few bands that do not provide rest trucks. Which is extremely odd for the size and popularity of the band. I wonder how many of you knew Yuma had AC trucks. Well, apparently they do? The number of times I saw security turn people away from the trucks on carnival Tuesday was crazy. So much so that I had to stop and ask someone who informed me that the trucks were additional costs by private reservation. I don’t know much about this but I’m curious to find out more. I’ll follow up on this and get back to you but there it is.
CONCIERGE SERVICES
This year I decided to try out a concierge company to see what everything was about. I did not have the best experience with the company I selected for Trinidad Carnival at all. Unfortunately, I’m still working with the company again for St. Lucia Carnival as well. After St. Lucia carnival I will be doing a full in-depth review of the concierge company, Noni Carnival. I will be covering why I selected them, what went down in Trinidad, if they end up doing better with St. Lucia, the lack of professionalism, lack of accountability, the added stress and why I would NOT recommend using them ever again. There was a lack of customer service, transparency, execution, and accountability.
It’s been over a week since the end of carnival and we still have not received any apologies, explanation or ownership of anything that went wrong or lack of both professionalism and communication.
Do I regret enlisting the help of Noni Carnival? Yes.
Did I maybe have to let the rep know about themselves? Maybe.
Did I let their failure ruin my carnival experience? HELL NO
Will I ever use another carnival concierge company again? I don’t know. Maybe, maybe not.
If you’ve had a great, spectacular, note-worthy experience with a concierge company before for any carnival, please share and drop their link below.
CARNIVAL BUDGET BREAKDOWN
Last up on this Trinidad Carnival review, the budget. I know everyone doesn’t love talking about the real costs of carnivals, especially Trinidad Carnival, but I have to share. Here’s a rough outline of my carnival costs. Keep in mind that costs will vary for everyone based on many things from the length of stay, where you stay to the number of fetes and costume to name a few.
My budget below was based on a solo traveler traveling leaving from a DC-area airport from February 17-25, attending 11 fetes, 1 j’ouvert, and playing midline. Also, all fees have been included in the total costs.
FINAL THOUGHTS…
My Trinidad Carnival 2020 was amazing! Period.
Visit my 2019 Trinidad Carnival review here. Visit my 2020 Trinidad Carnival Highlights on IG to see or check out TMD’s youtube recap.
I made up my mind to stay positive and enjoy myself even with all the issues I had with my concierge company. I embraced attending one of the biggest carnivals solo-dolo by not hiding in the corner somewhere or not truly enjoying myself but instead by forcing myself to be upfront, center, and present. By opening myself to meeting new people, who by the way I already have events planned with throughout the year.
Attending any carnival, especially Trinidad Carnival solo can be extremely daunting but it was one of the better choices I made. I’m sure I would not have met as many people or experienced carnival as much as I did the way that I did. There’s something about being solo but never being alone but always having the freedom to enjoy your trip your way. I was the only one who could make or break my trip.
So if you’re debating attending Trinidad Carnival, solo or with friends, don’t. Just go! Do the research, make the plans, summon the squad (or don’t) and get going. Bring the vibes and let me know how your Trinidad Carnival experience treats you.
Drop your photos and comments below.
PS: LIKE IT? PIN IT NOW!
