HOW TO PLAN A TRIP TO TRINIDAD CARNIVAL: EXPECTED COSTS INCLUDED!
You’ve heard right, Trinidad is THE Mecca of Carnival in the world! My experience at Trinidad Carnival was definitely unmatched and it was everything I imagined! The culture, the food, the vibe, the fetes….all lived up to my expectations, but you have to prepare and save a ton to pull it off!
This blog post will help you with tips to plan for Trinidad Carnival!
When is Trinidad Carnival?
Carnival Monday and Tuesday are the two (2) main days of carnival in Trinidad, and it’s always right before Ash Wednesday. You should plan to stay in Trinidad at least through Ash Wednesday and arrive at the latest by the Thursday before, because you will miss a lot of the Carnival events / fetes (aka parties).
2024 Trinidad Carnival Dates: February 12th and 13th
Carnival Monday - Band: Pure Carnival TT
February 2023
How To Get There?
Tickets with CARIBBEAN AIRLINES go on sale immediately after Carnival. Planning early is key to obtain the best ticket prices. You want to budget at least $500 to $1,000 USD for your flights. I’ve seen good deals on the lower end of the range I mentioned above, at least 8-9 months out
For my trip, I personally travel hacked my flights using points and miles so I saved a ton of $$$. The airlines I flew on were Caribbean Airlines to get there and returned home with COPA Airlines
Where Should You Stay?
For accommodations, I honestly want to let you know that this is going to be very expensive, but this is NOT the time to be cheap. Your safety and comfort should be your top priority. I heard MANY horror stories in 2023 about people getting scammed by sham airbnbs and “hotels”.
You should stay in the heart of Port of Spain (POS) which is the capital, with reputable and established hotels such as The Hyatt Regency Trinidad and The Radisson Hotel Trinidad. If you opt for the Airbnb route, I would advise that you thoroughly vet your Airbnb.
Luckily for me, I saved money on accommodations because I stayed on family property while in Trinidad. But, I got a taste of that Hyatt 5 star experience since some people from the group stayed there and it’s definitely worth the price tag, of at least $500 USD a night. Keep in mind, they normally SELL OUT FAST.
Carnival Costumes - How do I get one?
Carnival Tuesday - Band: Pure Carnival TT
February 2023
For Carnival costumes, pricing varies but I would recommend a budget of at least $800 USD as a base. If you want add ons such as the feather backpacks, you’ll need to pay extra, from as little as $60 USD up to $500 USD+. You must be with a band to participate in parade (aka Carnival Monday and Tuesday). My band was Pure Carnival TT and it was GREAT!
Deposits will vary by bands but mine was somewhere around $200+ USD with 4-5 months to pay your costume in FULL. The costume I selected was a backline costume with a medium feather backpack add on.
Your set price for your costume also gives you lunch on BOTH days, unlimited drinks and I also received a well put together goodies package that included things such as a wireless speaker, umbrella, customized cups and more in my duffle bag. My final cost was $880.87 USD!
On Monday, you can wear your own costume and be creative. Many bands and designers do create and sell Monday Wear, it’s just separate. I did my own and saved $$$. On Tuesday, you will wear your costume that you picked up directly with your band. Costume pick ups are coordinated on specific days by your band prior to Carnival Monday and Tuesday, you want to be sure you are able to pick up your costume at the designated time. Luckily for me, my friend picked up my costume and dropped it off a few days later to me (heaven sent!).
Other popular bands are: Carnival Tribe, Lost Tribe Carnival, Carnival Rogue and Yuma Vibe —- Do your research as I’m not endorsing
What Events Can I Attend?
There are tons of events and fetes happening for Trinidad Carnival and it really depends on your vibe and your budget! Many of the popular events are all inclusive and come at a premium price tag.
Here’s a breakdown of the fetes and events I attended and what it cost!
**Amounts are listed in the final USD amounts when converted by my bank**
Jouvert with Red Ants Carnival - Crossing The Stage
February 2023
Red Ants Jouvert Band
$117.64 USD
The safest and best way to experience Jouvert in Trinidad is with a band. Red Ants is considered one of the top Jouvert bands for the last 20 years!
What’s Included: Backpack with Tank Top, Tutu, 2 Breakfast Vouchers/Tokens, Customized Cup, Unlimited Drinks and Band Security
Vale
$160 USD
What’s Included: All Inclusive Breakfast Fete with entertainment by DJs and Various Soca Artists
Machel One Show
$230 USD (Diamond VIP)
Entertainment by headliners such as Machel Montano, Wizkid, Rema & Ayra Starr plus over 15+ Legendary Soca Artists
What’s Included: Included Separate Entrance, Dedicated Parking, Elevated VIP Section, Private Bathrooms - NO Food & Drink Included but there was a dedicated menu and staff to take your orders from your seat
At Soca Brainwash
February 2023
Soca Brainwash
$225 USD
What’s Included: All Inclusive Day Party/Fete with entertainment by DJs - DJ Private Ryan event
Sunrise
$200 USD
What’s Included: All Inclusive Breakfast Fete with entertainment by DJs and Various Soca Artists
Ariapita Avenue aka The Ave
$0
What’s Included: This was free entertainment. Think of the strip in Las Vegas, tons of bars and music everywhere!
Another notable event is AM Bush by Caesars Army - I didn’t make this event because the Machel One Show didn’t end until 5 AM.
To save on costs, people also attend cheaper events such as cooler fetes, it’s all up to you.
Transportation
You should also hire a driver. Check with your hotel, airbnb host or get recommendations from others who have actually used a driver’s service. DO NOT DRIVE, YOU WILL BE DRINKING. A major plus with Hyatt was that they provided free roundtrip shuttles for their guests to the fetes, that were held in Port of Spain (POS), a huge cost savings there!
Trinidad Carnival can be a costly vacation, but with proper planning and budgeting, you can definitely make it work! As you can tell by the breakdowns above, you can expect to spend at least anywhere from $4K and up.
This was an amazing way to spend my 2023 birthday and it was worth every penny!
