Hi everyone,
We'll be visiting for the first time for Carnival season, staying at Sandy Point Beach Club. We would be there mostly for diving but would be great to enjoy the Carnival atmostphere. I'm not too fond of crowd though my partner would enjoy the larger party in Trinidad. The question is, how is the carnival in Tobago? Also has anyone flew out to Trinidad for the carnival for the day? Neither of us has been to any carnival party.
Thanks,
Hj
Carnival in Tobago
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HJ Cho
- Newbie Visitor
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Jul 27, 2013 7:13 pm
- Location: Bermuda
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Ninas
- Getting Hooked
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- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 2:44 pm
- Location: lju
Re: Carnival in Tobago
Hi HJ,
Tobago carnival is much smaller than Carnival in Trinidad but if you´ve never been to any carnival before Tobago Carnival would be a nice place to get some carnival flavor. However you might consider of going to Carnival in Trinidad if you want to get a full carnival experience. I was in Trinidad for the carnival for two days and it was an unforgetable experience so I´d strongly recommend it. Going there for one day is not a bad idea because you don´t need to worry about the accomodation in Trinidad. This would be even more convenient because most of the accomodation is fully booked months in advance before carnival and you might need plenty of luck to get accomodation in Port of Spain. If you decide to go to Trinidad for a day the easiest way is to take a flight from Tobago to Trinidad and back. There are many regular 20 minute flights between both islands provided by Carribean airlines. Book on-line a return flight ticket: a flight from Tobago early in the morning (e.g around 7 am) and a flight from Trinidad in the evening (e.g. around 6 pm or later). One way ticket is around 25 USD. Take a taxi from Trinidad airport to Port of Spain and back. It´s approximately half an hour drive from the airport to Port of Spain. There are many airport taxis waiting outside of the airport. To make sure you are back at the airport on time for your flight to Tobago arrange your transport in the evening with the same taxi driver. You can also ask him for his phone number because they like to get a confirmation call from you a few hours before the meeting. This worked out for me perfectly well. I suggest to take a free map of Port of Spain at the POS airport information desk upon arrival. They provide all sorts of excellent information as well. Taxi drivers are usually very helpful too.
The map is a great way to find the right carnival spots in the city although the center of Port of Spain is not big and there is no way you can miss the carnival because it´s all over the place.The taxi drivers can also give you directions if asked. The most convenient spot to watch the parade of the bands (group of massqueraders wearing theme costumes) is Ariapita avenue (The Avenue for locals) with plenty of food and drink stalls. Queen park Savannah (Savannah for loclas) is another popular place to watch the bands. This is also the place where all bands enter ˝The Stage˝ and compete for the best band. I was a bit concerned about the crowd but it turned out it´s nothing to worry about. Security is well organized and I felt very safe (which was my major concern).
You may want to check this site for additional information on 2014 Trinidad carnival: http://www.ncbatt.com/index.php/event-calendar (I posted the calendar of events buts there´s plenty of more info).I believe they will post the parade of the bands route for 2014 on this page (there is still one from this year - probably it won´t be much different). Everything you will be interested to see is on a walking distance.
I don´t think it makes much difference if you go on Monday or Tuesday (March 3rd or 4th). Tuesday could be a better option if you go for one day because the parade starts earlier than on Monday. Monday is good either-the parade of the bands starts later but you could catch a bit of J´ouvert when the carnival starts officially on Monday morning (the streets full of happy people
covered with paint and mud anticipating the Jouvert morning party which starts at 2 am). Street party lasts until the evening on both days.
I definitly recommend carnival in Trinidad and is absolutely worth the money you spend for travel. And it´s a mother of all carnivals - you don´t want to miss that. Book your flights early enough. Not all flights are sold out during the carnival but it can happen with the morning and evening flights. Evening flights on Tuesdays are more likely to be sold out.
I hope this helps to make a decission. Whatever you decide I´m sure you will love it.
Tobago carnival is much smaller than Carnival in Trinidad but if you´ve never been to any carnival before Tobago Carnival would be a nice place to get some carnival flavor. However you might consider of going to Carnival in Trinidad if you want to get a full carnival experience. I was in Trinidad for the carnival for two days and it was an unforgetable experience so I´d strongly recommend it. Going there for one day is not a bad idea because you don´t need to worry about the accomodation in Trinidad. This would be even more convenient because most of the accomodation is fully booked months in advance before carnival and you might need plenty of luck to get accomodation in Port of Spain. If you decide to go to Trinidad for a day the easiest way is to take a flight from Tobago to Trinidad and back. There are many regular 20 minute flights between both islands provided by Carribean airlines. Book on-line a return flight ticket: a flight from Tobago early in the morning (e.g around 7 am) and a flight from Trinidad in the evening (e.g. around 6 pm or later). One way ticket is around 25 USD. Take a taxi from Trinidad airport to Port of Spain and back. It´s approximately half an hour drive from the airport to Port of Spain. There are many airport taxis waiting outside of the airport. To make sure you are back at the airport on time for your flight to Tobago arrange your transport in the evening with the same taxi driver. You can also ask him for his phone number because they like to get a confirmation call from you a few hours before the meeting. This worked out for me perfectly well. I suggest to take a free map of Port of Spain at the POS airport information desk upon arrival. They provide all sorts of excellent information as well. Taxi drivers are usually very helpful too.
The map is a great way to find the right carnival spots in the city although the center of Port of Spain is not big and there is no way you can miss the carnival because it´s all over the place.The taxi drivers can also give you directions if asked. The most convenient spot to watch the parade of the bands (group of massqueraders wearing theme costumes) is Ariapita avenue (The Avenue for locals) with plenty of food and drink stalls. Queen park Savannah (Savannah for loclas) is another popular place to watch the bands. This is also the place where all bands enter ˝The Stage˝ and compete for the best band. I was a bit concerned about the crowd but it turned out it´s nothing to worry about. Security is well organized and I felt very safe (which was my major concern).
You may want to check this site for additional information on 2014 Trinidad carnival: http://www.ncbatt.com/index.php/event-calendar (I posted the calendar of events buts there´s plenty of more info).I believe they will post the parade of the bands route for 2014 on this page (there is still one from this year - probably it won´t be much different). Everything you will be interested to see is on a walking distance.
I don´t think it makes much difference if you go on Monday or Tuesday (March 3rd or 4th). Tuesday could be a better option if you go for one day because the parade starts earlier than on Monday. Monday is good either-the parade of the bands starts later but you could catch a bit of J´ouvert when the carnival starts officially on Monday morning (the streets full of happy people
covered with paint and mud anticipating the Jouvert morning party which starts at 2 am). Street party lasts until the evening on both days.I definitly recommend carnival in Trinidad and is absolutely worth the money you spend for travel. And it´s a mother of all carnivals - you don´t want to miss that. Book your flights early enough. Not all flights are sold out during the carnival but it can happen with the morning and evening flights. Evening flights on Tuesdays are more likely to be sold out.
I hope this helps to make a decission. Whatever you decide I´m sure you will love it.