I know I’m not the only one who gets excited when their next Caribbean carnival is around the corner. But before you head off dancing into the sunset with your feathers, there are a few things you will need to sort out.Â
WHAT YOU WEAR
The first thing you need to have sorted before you head off on your travels is what kind of costume are you wearing. This should have been done months prior to but sometimes you can go to distribution and purchase a costume from ones that weren’t collected. It’s typically a package including a goodie bag, mug to drink out of, your full costume and wristbands to access the band the day of the carnival. You also need to consider the types of outfits/shoes you will be wearing at different events such as Jouvert, fetes/parties and the parade. The best way to do this is to consider the temperature and climate of your destination, as we know the Caribbean is HOT so stick to light fabrics and comfortable shoes plus a portable fan.Â
I recommend making a list of outfits per event to match your itinerary so you stay organized. Additionally, you may find that you need a little shopping spree to buy the items and essentials you need to survive the carnival week.Â
TOILETRIES/ESSENTIALS
A must during carnival or any travel is your toiletries and, if you wear it, make-up. In addition to toiletries, carnival travel is a different beast warranting a whole list of other items that you’ll need. Examples are  waterproof, clear bags for J’ouvert or wet fetes to keep your phone dry or carnival stockings to go under your carnival costume.  These can also be interchangeably used for traveling through the airport to keep your toiletries easily accessible and also give you some protection in case of leaks or spills in your luggage.Â
Whatever you do, do not forget to organise and pack any medications you will need for your trip. This will take a bit of forward thinking, as you may need to request extra so you don’t run out while you are travelling. Also, make sure to let your travel party know about any medications or allergies and where you keep your items just in case of an emergency (i.e Epipen).Â
WHERE YOU’RE STAYING
You absolutely need to have sorted out your accommodation months before heading to carnival. Some carnivals (like Trinidad Carnival) have patrons booking as soon as the previous one ends so keep that in mind. And it can kind of resemble the Hunger Games when you’re looking for suitable places in the best areas. In this case, this can absolutely make or break your plans if you don’t plan at least 6 months ahead (for some carnivals).Â
There are plenty of accommodation options to consider, including traditional hotels, Airbnbs, as well as staying with locals in their own home for a more authentic experience. However, the demand can be so high for certain carnival destinations that (jokingly or maybe not); some places might have to start setting up an RV park and set up camp because so many people travel to Caribbean carnivals.Â
WHAT YOU PLAN TO DO
Then of course, before you even book anything you need to be  researching the activities, bands, parties that you plan on attending during carnival week. Of course, how you spend your time is completely up to you. Just keep in mind that every band, every party is not created equally and authentic reviews can be your best friend. You can also structure your week the way you want. Maybe you just want to do carnival and excursions to see the island. Maybe you want to party straight through with no sleep; it’s completely up to YOU!
Also if you’re new to the  famous Carnival experience whether in the Caribbean or the diaspora (US, UK, Canada)… let me tell you that it is INDEED an experience that is well worth having and that you’ll never forget.Â
