In 2019, I finally made it to my first Trinidad Carnival after having it on my bucket list for years. My groups and I planned for what seemed like a better part of a year and it was worth it. All the time spent, making budgets, lists and double-checking details we wanted to be as meticulous as possible. There were so many moving parts that it was easy for pieces to fall through. So planning for Trinidad Carnival 2020, the OCD in me wanted to share all the things to check before attending Trinidad Carnival 2020 and beyond, which is also one of the BIGGEST carnivals. With only about 7 months left to go, it’s time to prep your mind, body and wallets. So let’s get into it.
When to go:
- CARNIVAL MONDAY: February 24th
- CARNIVAL TUESDAY: February 25th
- PRIME DATES: February 19 – March 1st
Trinidad carnival 2020 falls on February 24-25th but plan to arrive a few days earlier and stay a few days after to fully enjoy everything that Trinidad has to offer. Maybe even making a stop in Tobago to cool down.
What it'll cost:
Carnival can be costly but Trinidad carnival specially can get very EXPENSIVE and honestly, there is very little that can be done to get around it. During any major event, most hotels and airlines tend to increase rates because of demand so those two items will be the most expensive. As soon as you decide to attend Trinidad carnival 2020 get saving and ger planning. Search flights early and opt for hotels or guesthouses with breakfast included. Playing mas usually is the next biggest involvement. Yes, prices on the front end may look expensive but please understand that these prices are all-inclusive. That $800 base normally includes lunch for Monday & Tuesday, unlimited drinks, your costume, of course, cup, bag and a few other things here and there. Next on the list, fetes! There are a few must-attend fetes that are all-inclusive and some that are BYOB but whichever option you select you can set your budget accordingly.
In the end, make sure you set a (realistic) budget beforehand and try to stick with it. Below is a rough budget for Trinidad only and will vary based on location, dates, occupancy and more.
- Flight – $900+
- Hotel – $900+ (shared)
- Driver – $250+ (shared)
- Band – $850+ (baseline)
- Fetes – $600+ (based on 6 fetes both inclusive & cooler)
- J’ouvert – $90+
- International Phone Plan – $10/daily
- Spending – $400
Getting there:
Unless you live in Trinidad already, the only way to get there is by plane to Piarco International Airport (POS). Prices right now will be double maybe even triple their norm but waiting until November/December fares may reduce by a little. If you plan on visiting Tobago, grab your tickets early because those go fast as well. If you end up not grabbing a ticket to A.N.R. Robinson International Airport (TAB) no worries, sometimes Caribbean Airlines will add on additional flights later on. Also, there is a ferry that you can take to Tobago.
Where to stay:
A major piece of the planning pie…finding a place to stay. The necessity to have, expensive by design (remember those price surges I mentioned earlier), and hard to come by. Why? Avid carnival-goers tend to pre-book their hotels/guesthouse before leaving Trinidad the previous year. Then, of course, you have those rooms that are already reserved for travel agent concierge packages. So if you’re having a hard time finding a place to stay or hoping prices go down it’s sad to say this is why. If you find a place that you love, don’t debate, book quick. On a better note, some hotels/guesthouses will allow deposits along with a payment plan. And closer to carnival some (very few) rooms will open up if guests end up cancelling. It’s rare but it’s an option. So this is where I say again, as soon as you decide to attend Trinidad carnival 2020 commit by booking accommodations and airfare ASAP.
Local Transportation
You can rent a car, take taxis but my personal favorite is hiring a private car. A private car is my choice of transportation because I want to have fun and I know how I fete…hard. lol. The driver is already familiar with the area, knows areas that may not be online, can help with recommendations and more. I felt more comfortable not having to worry about driving in a new place, parking and the road rules to go along with it. Our driver was awesome and we’re hoping to have him again. This brings me to booking a driver…good drivers are booked early, search for reliable sources, pay in USD vs TT.
Where to fete:
Team, no sleep is a real thing in Trinidad. Fetes during carnival seem to be non-stop especially with 3, 4, 5 and sometimes more events happening at one time. Fetes range from all-inclusive, food-inclusive, cooler, beach, boat and J’ouvert. Pick what’s right for you. Last year we did a lite schedule with a mix and match of all the above. You have so many options, how many you attend and how much you spend is totally up to you. I suggest starting your fete list or spreadsheet (yes, spreadsheet) early, plan strategically. I did well in 2019 by for Trinidad carnival 2020 I plan to only sleep on my flight to and from only.
Note: Because of the number of people who attend Trinidad Carnival, some of the best fetes sell out quick so be ready with your fete schedule and money.
** Last year I wanted to just enjoy my first experience so I didn’t do any reviews but I’m thinking for 2020 I’ll review some for you guys.
In the meantime, some fetes to check out: Soca Brainwash, Tribe Ignite, Punchy, AM Beach, AM Bush, ValeVibe, _uck Work, Sunnyside up, Candy Coated, Scorch and much much more.
J'ouvert Morning:
I love J’ouvert! For me, it’s like a type of freedom on another level. There’s just something special about dancing through the streets in the early morning drinking, dancing and getting dirty with mud and paint. J’ouvert, the official start of carnival, takes place early in the morning, around 3am or 4am before carnival Monday festivities. Depending on which J’ouvert band you go with, your fee will cover a t-shirt, cup, unlimited drinks, road vibes, pre/post J’ouvert fete, powder, mud, paint etc. It’s exhilarating and an experience I think everyone should gift themselves with at least once.
Some bands include Jumbeez, Dirty Dozen, Red Antz, Yellow Devilz, Chocolate City
Monday Wear:
Monday Carnival is kind of like a trial run for Tuesday carnival. Chill road day before the madness if you will. You go down the same route with your band except you wear your outfit of choice. Monday wear allows you to get as creative as you want. Come casual, pretty, glitz or all the above. You can make your own outfit or purchase from a designer or store of your choice if your band doesn’t provide Monday wear.
Playing Mas:
So what’s playing mas? Playing mas, or masquerade, involves joining a band who normally has a different theme with various sections in a big celebration through the town. You’ll have an option of backline, midline, and frontline costumes. Costumes range from sections, detail, style, glam and so on. If you want to get fancy you can sometimes upgrade certain pieces of your costume. Included with your purchase you’ll get your costume, band vibes, security, unlimited drinks, swag bag, lunch both days, road restroom, and more.
There are so many band options that range from massive to smaller with varied experiences. Bands that require being invited by a committee member, bands that are smaller, or one day only. I played Mas with Yuma Vibe last year which was great but I wouldn’t be opposed to trying a new band this year. I’ve narrowed down my options down to three and I’ll let band launch determine who I select. Be on the lookout because band launches start to take place around July/August. You can usually find the dates and watch the launches via the band’s Instagram. Registration will open a few days/weeks after the launches, be ready with your coins because popular costumes will go FAST (just like some fetes).
Yuma Vibe, Bliss, Tribe, Fantasy, Passion, Harts, Paparazzi, The Lost Tribe, Exodus, Pure, Utopia, Ronnie & Caro are just some of the bands available to check out.
Wine down:
After carnival, you may need a break from your vacation. Lol. It’s a real thing, trust me. You’ll want to relax and recover on the beach after Trinidad carnival. The day after mas some people will make the quick trip over to Tobago for a much needed ‘wine down’. Yes, there are still fetes going on in Tobago but you’ll also have more beaches to visit. Island hopping and dancing in the middle of the ocean was by far my favorite way to cool down. A roundtrip flight to Tobago costs about $50 and leave quite frequently but book quickly.
...and even more:
Stamina – get some. Lol. Trinidad Carnival is a marathon and it’s important to get your mind, body and legs together any way you know how. Be it running in place, dance classes or jumping rope, start now to get ready to dance and walk in the parade. Remember you will probably be dancing and drinking non-stop in hot & dry weather. Trini sun is no joke. Don’t be surprised if you see someone lying in the grass or sleeping, it gets that real.
Music – The music played in Trinidad during carnival season is called Soca and is played even more during this season. You are coming to CARNIVAL so please understand that Soca will be played constantly everywhere you go. You may get some other music here and there but don’t go expecting that and please don’t complain if you don’t hear much or any dancehall, reggae, hip hop or R&B. If you’re not familiar with Soca I suggest searching some of the current songs and take a listen. Learn to some of the popular songs ahead of time and you’ll have even more fun. Spotify, YouTube and iCloud are great places to start for soca playlists.
Accessories – depending on what you do you’ll need a lot of little things. Look at each event and make a list of all the things you may need. On beach days you may need a bag, blanket, sandals. For boat parties, you may need waterproof things. When attending cooler parties a portable insulated bag. On the road for carnival wear fishnets and waist belt. And I can go on and on. Shop for supplies/accessories well in advance. If you need help creating your packing list, be sure to check here.
Heat – Trini sun is deceiving. You may not feel it but your skin will show it. Invest in sunscreen…seriously.
D Junction – an app that can help you locate your band during carnival (especially if you oversleep).
Pace Yourself – Yes its carnival, yes it will be crazy, yes it’s okie to slow down and take a moment. Build-in some downtime. Your body will thank you.
I know, that was a lot of information and I hope it helped some. Now you can mark your calendars for Trinidad carnival 2020 and start your planning NOW for one of the most sought after and well-attended carnivals in the world. This is your time to cross Trinidad Carnival off your bucket list and join locals, celebrities and friends at the event of the year. If you have any questions or think I missed anything, shoot me a message I’d love to hear!
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