Trinidad Carnival is one of THE most attended carnivals in the world. Carnival chasers and virgins mark this as the highlight of their carnival bucket list and it also sets the tone for all other carnivals to follow. Plan to attend for at least a week, February 27 – March 6, 2019 to have the most enjoyable time and attend the best fetes.
Keep in mind, partying has been extended through the Saturday after Carnival Tuesday, like Private Ryan’s Post Carnival Relief event, and Tribe’s Last Jam.
GETTING THERE
FLY – Flying into Piacro International Airport (POS) is your ONLY option. (Unless you somehow get into Tobago but that’s just doing the most). We recommend buying flights before band launch to avoid paying outrageous airfare costs or waiting until November/December when flights go down a bit. Flights from JFK are currently in the $700 to 900usd plus range right now.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Part of what makes planning to attend Trinidad carnival frustrating, is the lack of accommodations. Thousands of people are coming into the country and so the demand is way higher than the supply, which is how you end up with hotels that are $500 a night. Here is a list of some lodging locations to help you best plan for your carnival experience.
Hotels
- Coblentz Inn Boutique Hotel
- Cascadia Hotel
- Hilton Hotel
- Courtyard by Marriott
- Kapok Hotel
- The Brix, Autograph Collection
- The Normandie Hotel
- Hyatt Regency Trinidad
- Radisson Hotel Trinidad
Guest Houses
- Travel Suites LTD
- Savannah Maison
- Manuelita Villa
- Villa Marie Inn
- Liam’s Guesthouse
- Chaconia Hotel
- Monique’s Guest House
- President’s Inn
- Gingerbread House
COSTUMES
Here is a comprehensive list of all 2019 Trinidad Carnival Bands.
- Yuma Vibe
- Passion Carnival
- Tribe Carnival
- Bliss Carnival
- Harts Carnival
- Fantasy Carnival
- Paparazzi Carnival
- Ronnie and Caro
- Entice Carnival
- Legacy Carnival
- Amazon Carnival
- Carnival Rogue
- Utopia Mas
- Lost Tribe
- K2K Alliance
- Exodus
- Just Wee and Friends
- D’B.E.S.S
- Exousiamas
- Pure Carnival
Unsure which band to play mas with? Checkout the Trinidad Carnival band guide, we also had some masqueraders share their 2018 experience with us.
WHAT DO YOU GET
While costume prices may shock the newbie carnivalist (prices are in the $500 to $2000 range), you get ‘bang for your buck’. There are two days of carnival in Trinidad, so divide the price by two so you can justify it (smirks). Here is what is included in your costume price if you choose a premium band:
- Your Costume
- The Band – Other masqueraders, vibes, trucks, DJs, speaker boxes
- Unlimited top shelf alcohol
- A Goody-Bag
- Meals and Snacks – Both days
- Extraction Team and Security
- Medical aid and ambulance service.
- *After party (With Tribe’s bands)
- Mobile Restroom
- *Amenities – cool down zone, re-touch zone, glue on your gems station, massage station, ice cream or popsicles. *Amenities vary from band to band
MONDAY WEAR
Carnival Monday used to be known as the casual day masqueraders could wear a tank top with some pum pum shorts and their band’s insignia somewhere on the outfit, those days have long changed. You have so many options, but make sure to contact designers early, Monday Wear sells out quickly.
FETES
Carnival fetes will be the highlight of your experience. Year round, you hear carnival attendees reminisce about the bess fetes like Soca Brainwash, Scorch and Candy Coated Wine Down.
Some fete tickets are harder to get than others, Tribe, Scorch, Caesar’s Army and Candy Coated are committee member based events. Soca Brainwash is first come first serve but sells out in record time – 7 minutes to be exact. Budget around $130usd for an all inclusive fete, and $85usd for entrance only.
The 2024 Planning Guide
BUDGET
- Flight: $400 – 1200usd (depending on dates and location)
- Hotel: $480 – $600usd (double occupancy)
- Costumes: $760 – $1600usd (depending on backline/frontline and band)
- Transportation: $100 – $700usd (depending on if you hire a driver or get a car rental within a group)
- Fetes: $500 – $1200usd (depending on how many fetes you choose to attend, fetes are as low as $70 and as high as $400)
Overall Budget: $2,500usd – $5,000usd
You should already be planning your Trinidad Carnival 2019 experience, if you haven’t started, now is the time.
*Photography Credit: iDouglas Photo*
Yours in Mas
Thanks so much for all this information. You’ve listed a few bands, but my question is which is your favorite, and why?
Good question. I’d have to go with Yuma for their road experience and Tribe for their customer service and amenities.
Thanks much.
I plan to go to Trinidad 2019 and this blog has been extremely informative. Thanks so much
Good information!!.. Seeing as how I have NO idea where to start with ANYTHING lolbs and I pray im not too late with my planning. Where is the carnival held exactly? and how do we purchase costumes?? lolbs
Hi Dominique, Carnival is being held in the city of Port of Spain. You should secure housing near Woodbrook, St.Clair or Chaguaramas. You can purchase costumes on any band’s website once they launch.
which band would you say plays the widest variety of soca? i like to hear soca from different years and different islands while on the road. right now im looking at hartz, paparazzi and ronnie and caro. thanks !
LaLa, they all do. It truly depends on the DJs they each decide to hire.
Hi, your site is very helpful. My question is do you have any information for J’ouvert bands? Please and thanks
Dee Dee,
Jouvert bands are listed here: https://globalcarnivalist.com/2017/11/30/guide-to-trinidad-carnival-bands/
But i don’t have any reviews for any. Sorry
Hi I have been playing with Harts I like the size of there band not big and full of energy..I would like to switch up which band would you recommend?
Hi Jackie,
Paparazzi or Yuma would be good bands to try, both have great vibes and a good masquerader to staff/truck ratio. Good luck choosing
Am coming with my daughter next canival in February
this is the best i have ever seen make planning way easier thank you for this
Thank you very much for this. Your article was very detailed. This will be my first holiday trip as a young adult so I am excited!
My only expenses are the flight and fetes really because I have friends down there and everything else is covered.
I want to start partying from the 28th and average 1 fete per day sometimes 2. How much money should I budget for that? I prefer all inclusive parties.
You are most welcome! The average all inclusive fete is $130usd.. so i would multiply that by the amount of events you plan to attend.
I love your blog! I’ll be at Trinidad’s carnival for the first time next year. Thanks for providing some helpful insight.
anyone know when soaka is?? the one that happens way before carnival.
It will be February 3
Hey !! When are all the fetes gonna be posted for 2019 Fete list ?
Hi. As soon as parties are released. Unfortunately, promoters have not posted their fetes yet so I cannot create a fete list
I’ve been trying to access the Fete List for Trinidad but it says it’s password protected?
Is there a pay and book service that comes highly recommended cause I would like to experience it all. I’m a newbie but it’s a lot at this point to try to figure out so if you know any accurate highly professional recommdations can you please share it. Thanks!!!