Jamaica Carnival 2027
- Tour code
JAMCAR01
- Start
Kingston
- End
Kingston
- Min. age
18 years old
- Group size
Max 6-16 travellers
- Trip style
Classic
- Trip pace
Active
- Language
English
Jamaica Carnival takes place in the week after Easter, so its date moves between late March and late April each year. The carnival calendar starts well before that, with breakfast parties, fetes and J'ouvert events from January and February, and it all builds to a grand masquerade of costumes, music and dancing through the streets of Kingston.
Carnival in Jamaica took shape in the 1990s, led by the musician Byron Lee, whose band Byron Lee and the Dragonaires did much to raise the profile of ska, calypso and soca on the island. He brought elements of Trinidad's carnival home, and Jamaica has since given it a character of its own.
This trip pairs Carnival week with some of the island's best-known places. You'll climb Dunn's River Falls, tour the Appleton Rum Estate, spend time at Floyd's Pelican Bar out in the sea off St. Elizabeth and finish with a day at Hellshire Beach, while the nights belong to fetes, J'ouvert and the road march with GenXS.
Fete tickets, costume coordination and pickup, individual costume photography, group transport and airport transfers are arranged for you, and your Soca Islands Host is with the group throughout.
Why This Journey
Jamaica Carnival blends soca with the sound and attitude of the island that gave the world reggae and dancehall, and it feels different from carnivals further south. Going with Soca Islands means you see more than the fetes: rum country, the falls and the south coast's seafood spots are built into the week, so you leave with a sense of Jamaica beyond Kingston's party scene.
It suits carnival lovers who want to tick off a new road, travelers who want the sights and the parties in one trip, and anyone who'd rather arrive with tickets, costume and transport already sorted. Small groups keep it social without losing the freedom to set your own pace on free afternoons.
Where You'll Stay
Kingston: AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston, on Lady Musgrave Road close to Devon House and Emancipation Park. Proposed accommodation (or similar), subject to confirmation. Hotel options can vary by departure and package; the hotel for your booking is shown in your trip details. Prices are based on two people sharing a double room with two beds.
Getting There
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Fly into and out of Norman Manley International Airport (KIN); arrival and departure airport transfers are included from this airport only. Events scheduled before 6 pm on your arrival day are not included, allowing for flight delays. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
What you will see and do
Climb the famous Dunns River Falls
Visit the Bob Marley Museum
What's included
Accommodations in double rooms
All activities mentioned on the itinerary
Experienced Soca Islands Host with you throughout the trip
Fete (party) tickets
One farewell group activity when possible
Costume coordination and costume pickup
Individual costume photography
Max 16 travellers per group
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Group transportation
What's excluded
- International flights (travelers arrange their own)
- Carnival costume and associated costs are not included. All costume payments, including the initial deposit, are made directly through genxsjamaica.com, allowing you to secure your preferred costume and receive confirmation directly from GenXS. As an official GenXS affiliate, Soca Islands will assist with registration coordination, and costume selection guidance. Roundtrip transportation for costume collection is available.
- Events scheduled before 6 pm on your arrival day are NOT included in your package, allowing flexibility for any unexpected flight delays or travel disruptions.
- Meals not mentioned above.
- Travel insurance (proof of purchase required)
- Single room supplement (single rooms are subject to availability)
Group itinerary
Arrive at Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) and transfer to your hotel in Kingston to settle in. If you arrive early, the afternoon is free to see sights such as the Bob Marley Museum, Emancipation Park or Devon House at your own pace.
In the evening, meet your fellow Soca Islanders and start Carnival week at the first fete, Illuminate.
Today the group heads west to St. Elizabeth. First comes a 90-minute tour of the Appleton Rum Estate, with a look around the distillery and a rum tasting. Next is Floyd's Pelican Bar, a rustic wooden bar built on a sandbar out in the sea, a good place to slow down and take in the view.
Back in town, the night's fete is Rytz or a similar event.
Travel to Ocho Rios on the north coast to climb the cascading terraces of Dunn's River Falls, a classic Jamaican experience that is as refreshing as it is fun. In the evening the group goes to the Duck Work Cooler Party.
Start the day at J'ouvert with GenXS: music, paint and revelry through the early hours. The rest of the day is yours to rest, catch some sun or explore. In the evening, the party continues at Strut Jamaica.
Road day. Put on your full costume and parade through the streets of Kingston with GenXS. When the parade ends, the celebrations carry on at the GenXS after-party.
The morning is yours to take at your own pace. Later, the group heads to Hellshire Beach for seafood at the well-known Screechie's Seafood Bar, followed by the beach party there. If you still have energy, finish the night at Uptown Mondays.
Enjoy your last morning in Jamaica. Depending on your departure time, there may be a few hours for last-minute shopping before you say goodbye to the group and transfer to the airport.
Accommodations
Here's a glimpse of the hotels we selected for this adventure.
AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston
A modern, design-led hotel on Lady Musgrave Road in uptown Kingston, close to Devon House and Emancipation Park and a short drive from the Bob Marley Museum. Its 219 rooms feature artwork by Jamaican artists and locally made furnishings.
The AC Kitchen serves breakfast, the AC Lounge and pool bar are good places to regroup between events, and there is an outdoor pool, a 24-hour fitness centre and large meeting spaces.
Hotel websiteRooms
You'll stay at A.C Hotel Kingston.
- Included
Shared double
Shared with the person you book with, or a fellow traveller of the same sex.
- +$1,795 per person
Single room
A room to yourself, subject to availability.
Room prices are per person for the Mar 31, 2027 departure and can differ on other dates. You choose your room when you book.
Tour FAQS
You’ll need to fly into and out of Norman Manley International Airport (KIN). Airport transfers are not provided when arriving at any other airport.
Proposed accommodation in Kingston is AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston (or a similar hotel), subject to confirmation. Hotel options can vary by departure and package; the hotel for your booking is shown in your trip details.
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
Yes, arrival and departure airport transfers are included when you fly into and out of Norman Manley International Airport (KIN). Transfers are not provided from any other airport. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
No meals are listed as included in this package, so please budget for meals and drinks. Your Soca Islands Host can recommend places to eat.
Extra nights can be requested, subject to hotel availability; contact our Customer Experience team for a quote.
There are no scheduled activities on the final day, so feel free to book your departure at your own convenience.
We recommend arriving before 3 pm on Day 1 to make it in time for the welcome event. But don’t worry no matter when you land, we’ll have an airport transfer ready for you.
Please Refer to your government’s travel advice or consult your local consulate. Remember, passport and visa requirements can change, so make sure to stay updated.
Excluding alcohol, we suggest budgeting around USD $40.00 per day for extras.
While we’re not medical professionals, we want to help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure. Here are some tips:
- Consult with a healthcare professional: Schedule an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure to get any necessary vaccines or medications.
- Up-to-date medical advice:
- US residents: Check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
- UK residents: Visit the NHS Fit For Travel website.
- Australian residents: Refer to the Smart Traveler Health website.
3. Government travel advice:
- US residents: Consult the US Department of State Travel Advice.
- UK residents: Check the FCDO Travel Advice.
- Australian residents: Visit the Smart Traveler website.
4. Medication tips: If you take prescription medication, bring enough to last the entire trip, plus a few extra days in case of delays. Carry a copy of your prescription in case you need to visit a clinic abroad.
We hope this helps you prepare for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
Please keep in mind that our itinerary, activities, and hotels might change. These adjustments could happen with little notice due to factors like availability, weather conditions, seasonal shifts, or other circumstances beyond our control. Rest assured, we always aim to minimise any impact on your experience. Occasionally, we may tweak the itinerary to try out fresh ideas and keep the adventure exciting.
We believe solo travelers shouldn’t have to pay extra to explore the world. That’s why our group trips are designed around shared accommodation and do not include a single supplement. Solo travelers joining our group trips are paired in twin or multi-share rooms with another traveler of the same sex for the duration of the trip.
Some of our Independent trips are structured differently. For these itineraries, solo travelers will need to book at the single occupancy rate.
Tips are not included in the cost of this tour. Remember, tipping is entirely at your discretion and based on what you feel comfortable with.
Would you like to learn more or customise our Jamaica Carnival trip?
Have questions about accommodations, accessibility, group preferences, or dietary needs? Complete the form below and our team will get back to you shortly.
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