Jamaica Carnival
April 12th – April 18th, 2023.
Like many other islands in the Caribbean, Carnival has a deep meaning to the people of Jamaica whose carnival celebration is held just one week after Easter which can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25 annually. Many visitors go to Jamaica to be part of the festivities where they let loose and celebrate culture and freedom as part of an event that culminates with beautiful costumes, dancing, and a grand masquerade.
Carnival in Jamaica is about one thing, and one thing only… having the best time of your life! Jamaica Carnival is one of the ultimate parties to be found in the Caribbean, and over 100,000 visitors join the locals to celebrate Carnival in Jamaica. Jamaica Carnival represents an authentic expression of the island’s spirit.
Carnival celebrations in Jamaica started in the 1990s, thanks to a musician named Byron Lee. Byron Lee wanted to bring some of Trinidad’s (the birthplace of Caribbean carnival) celebrations to the island. Byron Lee’s band ‘Byron Lee and the Dragonaires’ is known for raising the profile of ska, calypso, and soca music in Jamaica. The roots of the carnival in Jamaica have to do with an ancient pagan festival in Egypt that was adopted by the Greeks, Romans, and later the Roman Catholic Church in Europe.
Although carnival celebrations in Jamaica traditionally kick off right after Easter, the island’s carnival calendar is in full swing long before; as early as January/February. Parties (fetes) including breakfast party events and j’ouvert (street parties) getting underway.
What’s included in this experience?
Our Ultimate Jamaica Carnival experience is designed to get the most from your visit.
Accommodations
Your choice of single, double, triple or quad occupancy rooms at the AC Hotel Kingston.
Airport Transfers and Ground Transportation
Pick-up from and, drop-off to Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) only. We arrange daily transportation (private and group) from your accommodation to the events on your itinerary. Additional transportation services are available on request.
We do not include the flights, but we will help you to book the best flight based on your location. No matter where you are flying from we will help you pick the best connections to join the tour on time.
Remember, you need to book your flights separately.
Backline Carnival Costume
Choose a section from GenXS. Upgrade to a frontline costume is available subject to availability. Costume pickup and delivery are included.
J’ouvert Morning Experience
This experience is with Caesar’s Army A.M. Bush.
Appleton Estate Rum Tour
We embark on Appleton rum tours to learn the history and the rum-making process, followed by a robust rum tasting.
Floyd’s Pelican Bar
Visiting Floyd’s Pelican Bar in Jamaica is definitely something to brag about. The Pelican Bar is a tiny bar made of driftwood stilted on a huge sandbar about ¾ mile out in the sea.
Treasure Beach
Jamaica’s best kept secret: this beach offers a striking landscape and uncrowded sands, but strong undercurrents can make swimming tricky.
Dunn’s River Falls
A brisk one-hour-and-thirty-minute hike will take you on an exhilarating adventure through lush surroundings, with pools you can swim in dotting the way to the summit.
Bamboo Rafting with Limestone Massage
Enjoy a peaceful, soothing ride down the river on a bamboo raft piloted by a skilled raft captain.
Fete Tickets
Get tickets to some of the most popular events during the Jamaica Carnival season.
Meet and Greet
Get to know your fellow Soca Islanders who will be jumping alongside you for the week.
Photography
Professional photos by our group photographer who will be with us for some of the events and the street parade.
Addons
Professional makeup for the street parade to make sure you are photo ready while on the road.
Payment plan.
Initial Deposit: 15%
Final Payment due on or before February 12 2023
Soca Islands provides you with the most flexible payment plan making it super easy and affordable to book your Jamaica Carnival experience by asking for payments in three installments. Your 15% deposit is due upon booking, followed by 35% of the total cost due 30 days after booking. The remaining 50% due 60 days before your trip.
For bookings made between 90 and 60 days before the start date of the experience, 50% of the total cost of the experience must be paid upon booking.
Bookings made between 60 days and 30 days before the start date of the experience, 100% of the total cost of the experience must be paid upon booking.
Jamaica travel information.
Time Zone: GMT – 05:00
Currency: Jamaica Dollar. 1USD = 120JMD
From each morning’s glorious sunrise until the sea swallows the sun at night, Jamaica presents a magnificent palette of experiences, a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds that make our island the most precious jewel in the Caribbean. We are a land of unique culture, engaging activities, breathtaking landscapes, and a warm, welcoming people.
The beat of reggae. The searing smell of jerk over the fire. The swizzle of rum in your glass. No place on earth provides the range of attractions and the cultural diversity that can be found here. No place on earth feels like it. No place on earth shines like it. Jamaica, the home of rhythm and sway.
How to get around in Jamaica
One of the most popular ways to get around is via the island’s taxi and bus services. This is a popular choice among locals and tourists alike and provides an authentic island experience. A number of bus routes are available, generally operating within Kingston. You can catch one of the minivans at a marked bus stop or by flagging it down along the road. Public transport is extremely affordable in Kingston.
Where to stay in Jamaica for Carnival
The city of Kingston features a variety of accommodation options ranging from hostels to guesthouses, hotels, resorts, Airbnb, vacation rentals, and more. Popular carnival accommodations include the Knutsford Court Hotel, Courtyard Marriott, and R Hotel.
Things to do in Jamaica
From the open-air markets and colonial landmarks in Kingston and Montego Bay to the laid-back vibe on Negril’s Seven Mile Beach, Jamaica has something to suit every travel style.
Jamaica is beautiful and there’s no denying that, but it’s the vibe of the people that will capture your heart. Seek out cultural events and popular activities while you’re here to immerse yourself in the island lifestyle.
Treat your tastebuds to the sizzle of authentic jerk, right here where it was born, along with other island flavors on a culinary tour. Nightlife fans, gyrate your waistline with the best of them at upscale bars, local jaunts, or lively street dances.
Get up close and personal with the stunning nature of Jamaica via bobsled or skylift. Board a bamboo raft and soak in the lush island greenery and endemic birds flying by. Hike 7,000 feet above sea level to try Blue Mountain coffee right at the source while stopping to dip in icy-cool rivers on the trail. Enjoy these tours with the friendliest guides who are experts at merriment.