SAINT LUCIA CARNIVAL 2024 PHOTOS, VIDEOS AND REVIEW

Breakfast Party

Indulgence Breakfast Party, SunnUp, BAD (Breakfast At Dawn)

Concert

U4RIA, Colour Me RED

All Inclusive

Escape

J'Ouvert

Saint Lucia Carnival J'Ouvert is held on the Carnival Monday morning. However, Carnival Saturday morning is what we refer to as "J'Ouvert Fetes Day" with a triple punch - Mess, Soak'T and Bacchanal Blocko; all providing awesome j'ouvert vibes.

Must Do Events

Brazen, Indulgence Breakfast Party

Saint Lucia Mas Bands

Cue Sports
Fantastic Revellers
Fuzion Mas
Insomiel
Island Tribe
Just 4 Fun
Legends Carnival Band
Pheonix Carnival
Red Unlimited
Tribe of Twel
Xuvo

Duration

Wednesday to Wednesday. If you want to catch the National Events (Carnival Queen Show, Soca Monarch, Calypso Monarch, Panorama, King & Queen of the Bands competitions), get there the weekend before.

Parade Day / Last Lap

On the third Monday and Tuesday in July.

Currency

1 Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD) = 0.370 United States Dollar

Temperature

The weather in Saint Lucia stays consistently warm throughout the year. The average temperature ranges from 23 to 31 degrees Celsius (84 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit). Many visitors who trek to Saint Lucia prefer to go during May and June when the temperatures reach the high 70s to 80s.

Electricity / Voltage

TJJ Recommended Hotels

Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa (Rodney Bay)
Bel Jou Hotel (Castries) *Where we stayed in 2024*
BodyHoliday (Cap Estate) *5-Star*
East Winds (Gros Islet)
Harbor Club (Rodney Bay Marina, Gros Islet)
St. James's Club Morgan Bay (Choc Bay)
StolenTime by Rendezvous [Adults Only] (Castries) *Where we stayed in 2024*
The Landings Resort & Spa (Gros Islet)

Best places to stay

Choosing where to stay in Saint Lucia can be difficult. The north of Saint Lucia is different from the south creating two very atmospheres. However, when it comes to Carnival you want to stay in the north side located near the capital city of Castries. This is where you'll find all the fetes and nightlife. It's the busier part of the island with resorts lining Marigot Bay to the South and Rodney Bay to the North of the capital.

Communication / Mobile Providers

Digicel and FLOW pre-paid sim cards can be purchased locally.

Transportation

Rent a car. Remember to drive on the left side of the road! Taxis are easily available at taxi stands or by telephone. All authorized taxis have a light blue number plate with a TX prefix. Before you hire a taxi, confirm the fare. Some of the major taxi services on the island include Saint Lucia Taxi Service, Saint Lucia Airport Transfers, Saint Lucia Executive, Saint Lucia Airport Shuttle, Real Saint Lucia Tours, and many more.

Flights

Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) in Vieux Fort is located 40 miles south of Castries, the capital city. George F.L. Charles Airport (SLU) is an inter-island airport just outside Castries.

Baller Lifestyle: Helicopter transfers between Hewanorra and George F.L. Charles airports reduce the travel time between the south and north of the island.

Travel Tip: If traveling from Trinidad (POS) and flights with LIAT or Caribbean Airlines are unavailable or expensive, look at booking with British Airways to land in UVF.

Cost of a 2 Piece Combo

EC$16.50 / US$6.10 for a 2 Piece Combo. Using our KFC global standard, a 2 Pc. Chicken Combo, which includes individual side & medium drink, cost $5.99 in the US.

Late Night Eats

TJJ Favourite Restaurants

Casual Dining / $$
Hardest Hard Restaurant & Bar (Castries)

Upscale Dining / $$$

Local Food

Green figs and saltfish is considered the national dish of Saint Lucia. You can experiment with a number of different flavors of Cassava Bread including chocolate, cherry, and saltfish. Callaloo soup is something you won’t be able to put down once you taste a spoonful, and Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa's SeaGrapes Beach Bar & Restaurant serves up authentic Saint Lucian food and some of the freshest seafood around.

Local Drinks

Of all the rums that Saint Lucia Distillers makes, perhaps the best known and most widely drunk is the line of Chairman's Reserve.

Have yourself an ice-cold Piton beer. It's the most popular local brand in Saint Lucia and named after the world-famous Gros Piton and Petit Piton mountains on the island, and hopefully your trip also includes a trip up these amazing peaks.

Alcohol purchase

The Pointe Seraphine duty free shopping complex is the largest in the city of Castries, conveniently located adjacent to the main cruise ship terminal, and just five minutes from both the city centre and the George F. L. Charles airport. The majority of the mas bands are drinks inclusive, and there are plenty of rum shops and road side vendors selling.