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A couple months after Trinidad & Tobago Carnival; Jamaica presents itself as a definite PCD (Post Carnival Depression) cure - WITHOUT FAIL! I can't believe it's already 11 years I've been attending Carnival in Jamaica. Yes, it's referred to as "Carnival in Jamaica" and not "Jamaica Carnival". Fun Fact, Jamaica Carnival is actually a registered mas band in Jamaica by Byron Lee. I digress. I feel like a proud parent, watching my child grow up into something sweet and beautiful. Not 100% mature and developed, but well on it's way. Then again, do we ever fully mature and understand everything in life?! There will forever be change, adaptation and new experiences.
First you need to understand that this is not your regular island. Jamaica is HUGE! At a size of 4,243 square miles; just a tad smaller than the state of Connecticut. Compare that to the major carnival countries of the Caribbean: Trinidad weighs in at 1,864 sq mi, about the size of Delaware (the second smallest state in the US) and Barbados a shy 166 sq mi, about 2 ½ times the size of the District of Columbia (not even a State!). Now this geography lesson is not to say that Carnival in Jamaica is also huge, but actually the opposite... that it’s not! With such a size and population, it is extremely easy to be on the island and completely miss all of the festivities that is Carnival. That’s where we come in.
Jamaica is the home of Reggae music, and as a result, Soca although very much played and loved, isn’t near the scale of reggae music and following suit, the Soca scene can be a who’s who kinda business. Soca lovers... let's get informed.
| CARNIVAL | Carnival in Jamaica |
TJJ RECOMMENDED EVENTS |
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Breakfast Party |
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Concert |
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All Inclusive |
Bacchanal Jamaica PREMIUM All Inclusive, Frenchmen's Bazodee All Inclusive |
Drinks Inclusive |
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| Cooler Party | I LOVE SOCA Jamaica, Scorch Duck Work Jamaica |
Cruise |
SUN RUM FUN (@sunrumfun), aFLOAT Soca Cruise (@afloatsocacruise) |
J'Ouvert |
There's no official J'Ouvert for Jamaica Carnival. However, all roads lead to Bacchanal Jamaica's "Bacchanal J'Ouvert" on the Carnival Friday night. This is a J'Ouvert party which then moves unto the streets of Kingston in the early hours of the morning. For an alternative J'ouvert concept, Caesar's Army hosts their ever so popular A.M.Bush Jamaica edition. |
Must Do Event |
Sunrise Breakfast Party |
Jamaica Mas Bands |
Bacchanal Jamaica | @bacchanalja |
GENERAL INFORMATION |
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Duration |
You can get there Friday and leave anytime on Monday and completely satisfy your carnival appetite. But if you can do longer, definitely come the weekend before to experience the full 10 day stretch of events starting in Ocho Rios on Good Friday. |
Parade Day / Road March |
The parade of the bands called "Road March" takes place every year on the Sunday following Easter Sunday. |
Currency |
1 USD = approximately 126.74 JMD (as of April 2019). Get Jamaican dollars! Although USD is accepted island wide, the exchange rate will vary depending on where you shop and who you are. Having Jamaican currency can save you up to 50% in most cases. BTW, despite what the ATM says, you’re not a millionaire! $22,000 Jamaican dollars in your wallet might make you feel cool, but it’s not going to impress any ladies. |
Temperature |
Tropical. Hot, Humid, temperate interior. 27-30° Celsius, 81-86° Fahrenheit |
TJJ Recommended Hotel |
Knutsford Court Hotel | IG @knutsfordcourt |
Best places to stay |
The carnival and activities are mainly based in Kingston; New Kingston to be more specific. As with any trip, the few extra dollars spent on safety and comfort are always worth it. We recommend Spanish Court Hotel, The Jamaica Pegasus, Courtyard by Marriott Kingston or Courtleigh Hotel & Suites or the proverbial "By A Friend". For a more personal abode, check out our the Knutsford Court Hotel. Be careful if going the Airbnb route, we've heard some horror stories. |
Communication / Mobile Providers |
Get a Jamaican sim card. The rates are that much cheaper than roaming. There's Digicel, Flow, LIME, Cable & Wireless and a couple others. We usually go with Digicel. |
Transportation |
A car isn’t necessary, but we always get one. Even though you’re in the mix if you stay in New Kingston and a taxi can/will take you anywhere... the experience of driving is worth it. The roads are decent, traffic is generally not bad and with a map and directions you shouldn’t get or stay lost for long. FYI, Americans and Europeans, the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. |
Flights |
Your goal is to fly into Kingston (KIN), but don’t be afraid fly into Montego Bay (MBJ). It's a 2 hour 19 min (170.5 km) via A1 and Hwy 2000 drive from Mobay to Kingston. Be sure to enjoy Club Kingston - VIP Airport Lounge on your way out. |
FOOD AND DRINKS |
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Cost of a 2 Piece Combo |
$635 JMD / $4.27 USD. Using our KFC global standard, a (Meal Deal) 2 Pc. Chicken Combo, which includes individual side & medium drink, cost $5.99 in the US. |
Local Food |
Hellshire Beach is located near Portmore, Jamaica and famed for its fried fish. If you're a seafood lover, you’ve got to visit Hellshire. See Hellshire Travel vLog.
Some of our favourite jerk spots across the island are Scotchies (branch in Kingston closed down), Lyming At Walkerswood, Ocho Rios Jerk Center, Sweetwood Jerk Joint.
Of course, you need to be sure to get a patty from the Tasty franchise. They all over the island. |
Local Drinks |
If Appleton Rum is what you're drinking, ask for it by VX for the regular stuff or Reserve for a step up (order from lowest to highest is Special->VX->Reserve). The locals swear by Wray & Nephew Overproof Rum and Ting! They guarantee no hangover. |
Late Night Eats |
Always walk around with $500 JMD so you can destroy some Pan Chicken when the party done or when you get the late night munchies. KFC is always an option. |
TJJ Favourite Restaurants |
Aunt May's or Aunt Merl at Hellshire Beach – Get the fried garlic Lobster! |
Alcohol purchase |
Grab your supplies duty free at the airport when you land in Jamaica |
| FOLLOW CARNIVAL IN JAMAICA | |
| @carnivalinjamaica | |
| facebook.com/carnivalinjamaicaofficial | |
| Website | www.carnivalinjamaica.com |
Note: TJJ Recommends Events, Food, Mas Bands and Hotels based on where we have been and the services we have used. For events, we recommend the ones with a vibe of 9 or higher.
Peace, Love, Carnival and Jungle Juice-ness,
The Carnival Ref aka Bad Since '89
We Love Carnival ... We Know Carnival ... WE ARE CARNIVAL
Disclaimer: Professional and experienced TJJ Fet-a-lot-athon® Party Gurus have rigorously tested these Carnival grounds and are providing said recommendations based on the fundamentals that the audience is a healthy rum drinking islander. If while performing any of these actions you begin to feel any dizziness, fatigue or pain please stop and consult your physician immediately.
>> Carnival in Jamaica 2018 Coverage
>> Carnival in Jamaica 2017 Coverage
>> Bacchanal Jamaica 2016 Coverage
>> Bacchanal Jamaica 2015 Coverage
>> Bacchanal Jamaica 2014 Coverage
>> Bacchanal Jamaica 2013 Coverage
>> Bacchanal Jamaica 2012 Coverage
>> Bacchanal Jamaica 2011 Coverage
>> Bacchanal Jamaica 2010 Coverage
>> Bacchanal Jamaica 2009 Coverage
<< Main Carnival Photo Galleries >>
Trini Jungle
Juice: Destination Carnival - TV Show
Bacchanal Jamaica - Road March 2019 After Movie (HD)
Bacchanal Jamaica - Road March 2019 Part 1 | Part 2 (FB Live)
Bacchanal Jamaica - Bacchanal J'Ouvert 2019 After Movie (HD)
Bacchanal Jamaica - Bacchanal J'Ouvert 2019 - Nailah Blackman Live | Machel Montano Live performance (FB Live)
DJ Private Ryan - Soca Brainwash Jamrock 2019 (FB Live)
Bellamy, Richie RAS, Ian and Dre (TJJ) - aFLOAT Barge Party 2019 After Movie (HD)
Bacchanal Jamaica - PREMIUM Ultra All Inclusive 2019 (HD)
Bacchanal Jamaica - PREMIUM Ultra All Inclusive (FB Live)
Tuesday On The Rocks Jamaica - Shal Marshall performing Party We Love / Splinters Live (HD)
Tuesday On The Rocks Jamaica - Kes the Band performing "Nah Let Go" and "Like It Like That" Live (HD)
Tuesday On The Rocks Jamaica - Kes the Band performing "Savannah Grass" Live (HD)
Kes the Band / Sunnation - Tuesday on the Rocks (TOTR) Jamaica (FB Live)
Trini Jungle Juice - SUN RUM FUN Cruise 2019 (HD)
Bacchanal Jamaica - Beach J'Ouvert 2019 After Movie (HD)
Want YOUR Carnival to be FEATURED on "Trini Jungle Juice: Destination Carnival"? Contact us today at info@trinijunglejuice.com
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