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 19 – February 26, 2020 to have the most enjoyable time and attend the best fetes. There are two days of carnival so prepare your mind body and soul for that. Most veterans book their hotel/guest room stays by March/April, if you’re a newbie, you are already late.
The 2023 Trinidad Carnival Guide is now available
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.
Places To Stay
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 plan 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
Guesthouses
- Travel Suites LTD
- Savannah Maison
- Manuelita Villa
- Villa Marie Inn
- Liam’s Guesthouse
- Chaconia Hotel
- Monique’s Guest House
- President’s Inn
- Gingerbread House
Who You Can Play Mas With
There are two days of carnival in Trinidad. Carnival Monday where you wear whatever you want or purchase Monday wear and Carnival Tuesday, the day you get to wear your costume. I know some of you are thinking it, but No, you cannot just wear your own costume and participate. You must register with one of the bands below.
Here is a comprehensive list of all 2020 Trinidad Carnival Bands.
- Utopia Mas launched their ‘Balance’ theme on July 10
- Paparazzi Carnival launched their ‘Hidden’ theme on July 6
- Pure Carnival launched ‘Ascension’ theme on July 20
- Bliss Carnival launched their ‘Nectar’ theme on July 20
- Carnival Rogue launched their ‘Badass’ theme on July 20
- Tribe Carnival launched their ‘Legends of the Far East’ theme on July 20
- Lost Tribe launched their ‘Anasi’ theme on July 20
- Harts Carnival launched on July 20
- Ronnie and Caro launched their ‘Serengeti’ theme on July 26
- Harem Carnival launched their ‘Harem Festival’ theme on July 27
- Entice Carnival launched their “Dare to Dream” theme on July 27
- Just Wee and Friends
- Legacy Carnival launched their ‘Amour” theme
- Yuma Vibe launched their ‘Fete’ theme on August 3
- K2K Alliance launched their ‘Greatest Show’ theme on August 30
Unsure which band to play mas with? Checkout the Trinidad Carnival band guide, or visit my 2019 Trinidad Carnival Review for feedback
What You Get for the price of your Costume
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
Where to get Trinidad Carnival Monday Wear
Carnival Monday is come as you like day for the most part once you have registered with a band. You have the option of wearing your own designs or purchasing one from a designer. Here is a list of all the designers, check out their Instagram pages for Monday wear options.
- cANYAval
- Chandra Maharaj
- Chez Zen Mas
- Christian Boucaud Designs
- Decoteau Designs
- FonRose The Brand
- Himaya by Nadia Batson
- Humzee Designs
- J’Fab Body
- Keisha Als
- Laura Narayansingh
- Marie Collette
- Mika Mas
- MonDiva by J.Angelique
- Neil Young & Co.
- Rebel
- Rhion Rhomany
- Ryan Chan
- Seatra
- Shanyvo Designs
- Sherise Stewart
- Steffan Lorenzo
- Vivre By Chelsea
Where you can Fete
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.
Please note: 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.
Touristy Things To Check Out
Once carnival is done, feel free to check out the island. Most people go to Tobago for a few days to relax before returning back to work. Here are some other things you can do if you have a free day or two:
- Asa Wright Nature Centre (Trinidad)
- Tour the Caroni Bird Sanctuary (Trinidad)
- Maracas Bay (Trinidad)
- Pigeon Point (Tobago)
- Snorkel at Buccoo Reef (Tobago)
How Much It Will Cost
- Flight: $400 – 1200usd (depending on dates and location)
- Hotel: $480 – $600usd (double occupancy)
- Costumes: $660 – $1800usd (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 $30usd and as high as $500usd)
Overall Budget: $3,000usd plus
Yours in Mas
