Trinidad Carnival 2018 : A Carnival Virgin's Guide to Enjoying Carnival

Trinidad Carnival is one of the best experiences you will ever have, especially if you play mas with a band. The two most important key factors to surviving carnival is PLAN and have FUN. This year I played mas for the first time with Yuma. Despite any issues I had the best time of my life and I cannot wait to play mas again.

Here are some tips that will help you have an enjoyable carnival experience:

Transportation & Hotel Accommodations

• Book your flight and hotel as early as possible. Start looking in July.
• Airline Price trackers such as Hopper and Google flights are hella helpful.
• Find a reputable car service ahead of time.
• Uber TT

Pre-Carnival

• Stay hydrated. Yes, there will be all the rum you can drink, but make sure you drink enough water so you're not dying on Monday and Tuesday.
• And hydrate your skin too -- I recommend Ohema Essentials face & body butter. I didn't get sunburn and my skin was flourishing in that sun.
• Don't spend too much on makeup, unless you're getting it professionally done. 
  • NYX has everything!
• Choose a low maintenance hair style! 
  • My BohoLocs were the perfect style for this trip, from fetes to the road to the bar to the beach. I received so many compliments & they're still holding up really well!
• Get waxed or laser, so you won't have to worry about shaving on your trip.
• CARDIO. Get your body ready for miles of walking and dancing. 
• Get some sun, a spray tan/bronze to look flawless in your pictures.
• Eat clean -- you don't want to be bloated in your costume.
• Buy comfortable sneakers, boots, and insoles. 
• Secure your Monday wear early so ensure it fits. 
  • I made my own Monday Wear, but you have the option of purchasing Monday Wear.
• Try on your costume for Tuesday ASAP and get any adjustments made before the big day.
• KNOW YOUR SOCA!

Fetes

• Plan what fetes you and your friends would like to attend.
  • FYI All Inclusives are the best way to go. They usually start at $90 USD.
  • Caesar's Army events are LIT! Don't miss A.M. Bush, it's really a great experience.
• Jouvert - I didn't attend Jouvert so I cannot offer much advice here. 
  • Most people attend Jouvert with a band.

On Di Road  - Monday & Tuesday

• WHAT SHOULD YOU CARRY?
  • baby wipes or tissue ( by the time you get to a port-a-potty there won't be any toilet paper left)
  • mini deodorant 
  • lip gloss
  • phone 
• wristlets and waist bags are both easy to hold and pump with.
• Wear skin colored tights or fishnets | pasties for those wire bras 
  • I purchased both Carnivalista and Micles (loved both)
  • Just a heads up, your tights will rip once yuh wining on ah mon
• Try not to get separated from your friends, it's not going to be easy to find them amongst the people and the feathers.
• Don't get too drunk | 1. You don't want to throw up 2. You don't want to get lost - carnival is still dangerous
• HAVE FUN!

Post- Carnival

• Book your tickets for Tobago in advance, because that's where you'll want to be after Carnival.
• If you don't make it to Tobago, drive out to Maracas Beach Lime on Wednesday.
• And by the weekend it'll be the Last Jam hosted by TRIBE.

The most important part about carnival is having fun. You'll love it so much you'll be planning for the next year as soon as Tuesday is over. 

*All pictures can be viewed on my instagram page @thechellegold

#CarnivalTabancaIsReal