Trinidad Carnival J'Ouvert Street Party Experience

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

This is the world famous Trinidad Carnival! Be part of the experience, join a costume band and have fun in the most exciting street party called “J’Ouvert!" “J’Ouvert” is the first street parade of the annual Carnival, a massive party with people of all age groups! It starts a few hours before dawn - come and experience four hours of pure fun! Blend into the local culture by pasting different colors of paint and mud onto yourself and friends, while the rhythm of the music lifts you off your feet. You'll follow the ‘costume’ band accompanied by music trucks through the streets until the sun comes up. Dance and jump to the sweet sounds of local music in the comforting shade of the cool night and the company of your band - the streets are calling you, authentic Caribbean culture at its best! Arranged transfers, a simple costume, a guide and of course the fun are all included! This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience not to be missed.

Trinidad is the birthplace of Carnival and “Trinis” are known as the party people of the Caribbean! The annual celebrations culminate on Carnival Monday and Tuesday with a massive street parade and street party in Port of Spain, the capital. You are invited to join an authentic “costume band” for “J’Ouvert,” which is the first street parade that takes place from 4am to 8am on Carnival Monday.

The “costume” consists of a simple short pants and t-shirt outfit that you can paste with mud or paint during the party. This is optional – but beware, most likely you will do it anyway, as the enthusiastic and persuading "Trinis" will most likely convince you. You will also receive an arm-band indicating your membership in the band and entitling you to alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks from the accompanying drink truck.  

The itinerary is simple: You will be picked up at your Port of Spain hotel at 3am and taken to meet hundreds of other participants at the starting point of the band. When the music trucks start to move, the group will follow them through the streets, accompanied by the band. Create your own costume by pasting your outfit with different colors of water paint, mud, oil, baby powder or even chocolate. Feel the vibration of the speakers from the music trucks flow through your body, everyone will become a family as you dance together and move through the streets to the local “Soca” music. You will meet other bands on the way. Party with unlimited drinks from start to finish!

Just before the fun comes to an end (and the sun starts to get hot), you will go to the breakfast stop, where you are offered a delightful local breakfast. Meet your fellow masqueraders in bright sunlight, with mud flaking off, relaxing with a cup of coffee. You will then be dropped back to the hotel.

Please make your own hotel/accommodation arrangements as they have to be booked separately. Please note that Trinidad Carnival hotels and flights sell out early and should be booked as early as possible. If assistance is needed with arranging accommodation for the Carnival weekend 2018, we will be happy to help.