Dear AngelaPanama,
How can I do Trinidad carnival for the low low?
For those that don't like to read, I recap'd the info below in a vlog
The average masquerader spends about $3k-$4k on Trinidad carnival, it really depends on their lodging and costume situation. So when I say low low, I’m talking around $2K, it can be done but will take a some work on your part.
Lodging:
Lodging is what is going to break the bank, you want to
secure lodging before you spend money on anything else carnival related. Major
hotels are about $300-500/night, multiply that by 7 nights and you get
OUCH!!! I’m not kidding $300-500/night X 7 = OUCH!!! 
You can secure low cost lodging, but you need to be ready to
pay 100% of your lodging a year in advance. There are many bed & breakfasts
near Ariapita Avenue aka The Ave, where you can get a room for under
$200/night. The Ave is the hub of the
nightlife and central to the parade route.
There is nothing awesome’r than being able to walk to your hotel on the
afternoon of carnival Monday or Tuesday and take a quick powernap. Chip’n sun up to sun down E No Easy!!!
For those that prefer the amenities of a major hotel, there
are several: Hyatt, Hilton, Radisson,
& Courtyard Marriot. Here is how you stay there on a budget.
In my Nov trip to the Florida keys I spoke briefly about
travel hacking. For those that didn’t read
it Travel hacking is the art and science of free and discounted travel. I earn airline miles and hotel stays when I’m
not traveling. I have a “Love em and
Leave em” method when it comes to credit cards.
I get the bonus offer and then I move on to the next card. Some say that this method of travel hacking
is unethical, I say otherwise. The
credit card companies lure people in with those bonus offers and many of stay because
they are either loyal or just lazy. Travel
hackers capitalize on the bonus offers, and then move on. The credit card companies are using us and we
are using them, it’s the American Way!
That being said if you sign up for the credit card of these
major hotels most will automatically gift you 2 free nights after you spend a
certain amount of money within the first 3 months. As I said in my last blog, Spending $3k in 3
months is easy if you charge every single thing you can to the card (household
utilities, grocery shopping, insurance, vehicle fuel, dining out, boozing,
etc.). They key is to only charge what
you would normally spend and pay the card off in full, not acquire debt in the
quest to get points. If you live this
lifestyle for a good year, I imagine you will have accumulated several free nights. Throughout the
year you also have the opportunity to purchase discounted points from these
hotel chains.
 |
| Wait for a Hilton 2 for 1 sale, you can get 3 nights at the Hilton Trinidad for $800 (normally $500/nite |
Flight:
You need to be ready to buy your flight when 10-11 months in
advance, that’s when they are the cheapest.
The dirt cheap flights (Caribbean Air and JetBlue) fly out of MIA/FLL and New York. If you are not lucky enough to be located in those
places you may have to take the train, megabus, or a budget airline there. Travel hacking can also be used if you want to acquire an airline credit card although it is more beneficial to hack towards lodging in this case.  |
| Enough points to fly FREE |
Fetes:
What you are going to want to do is not do too many All
Inclusive fetes. You are going to want
to do food inclusive fetes or Cooler Fetes. Cooler fetes is where you
bring your own cooler and booze. All
inclusive fetes range from $100-$200, whereas cooler fetes range from $30-$60. I
have an inflatable cooler (can be found on Amazon & eBay) that I bring on vacation for occasions such as
these. You also may just want to lime on di Ave a few nights. Remember earlier we discussed the Ave being the hub of the nightlife. Pay a small cover to get into a club or enjoy one of the may spots that charge no cover.
 |
| Lime'n on de Ave |
Mas Band:
The large bands are gonna cost you between $650-850 for
backline, frontline being $1k+. My suggestion for those on a budget is to join a
medium band. The bands can be found the
page of the National Carnival BandsAssociation. Although listed in the Large Bands, Paparazzi is an
affordable band I played with in 2011 & 2012 and enjoyed. Wee International is another affordable band
that comes with good recommendations.
Jouvert Band:
As Kerwin and Farmer Nappy said, “we don’t want come in yuh band, we chippin on di pavement” Maybe instead of paying $100 to join a jouvert band you instead bring your own booze and just chip alongside your favorite band. We all know that a couple hours into jouvert the stormers are all in UP the band.
 |
| Jouvert morning |
Budget flight $400 or free if you get an airline credit card
Budget lodging $200/night divided by 3 or 4 people $400
Medium Band: $400
Transportation: $200
Fetes: $400
Total: Under $2K
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