Tobago Carnival: 5 Reasons It’s the Caribbean Carnival You Didn’t Know You Needed
Tobago not ringing a bell? That’s probably because you’re used to seeing it associated with its sister island Trinidad, as in Trinidad & Tobago. You may also be familiar with Trinidad Carnival which happens annually in Port of Spain, Trinidad before the Lenten season. However, in 2022, Tobago Carnival launched, separate from Trinidad’s, and we have to say that as the festival continues to grow, we expect it will become a must attend event on the Caribbean Carnival calendar.
Want to know why? Continue reading for our top 5 reasons.
#1: Relaxed & Intimate Vibes
Tobago is a much smaller island than Trinidad, so the Carnival experience is more intimate and relaxed — forget the overwhelming crowds you’ll find in Trinidad! In addition to being less crowded, the festival is mostly attended by Trinidad & Tobago locals, so the vibe is very friendly and welcoming. For carnival newbies, this makes it perfect for your first carnival trip as it will be a less hectic, more relaxed environment (and you may even spot a few familiar faces as you go to the various events).
But don’t fret carnival veterans, there’s something for you too! Tobago Carnival’s “under the radar” status means there won’t be as many tourists as you’ll find at other Caribbean Carnivals. For you, this means a local and authentic vibe mixed with the Tobago sweetness that you won’t get anywhere else. And you don’t want to miss out on being the first in your crew to visit this off-the-beaten path gem before it blows up (and we know it will).
#2: Unique & Exclusive Events + Remixing the Familiar
yuh mus get dutty!
The Mud is Life Festival is a truly Tobagonian experience where you get dutty as you cover yourself, and get covered in mud. But this isn’t just any old mud! It is made from the finest clay sourced from the deep jungles of Tobago. This activity evokes the memories of the enslaved people of Tobago who used mud and clay for cleansing, medicinal and healing purposes and connects us to their struggle and resourcefulness as we celebrate their resilience and legacy. It is a must do experience. Don’t believe us? Check out what one of our Carnivalistas had to say here.
Tobago Carnival’s firm foundation in local culture and history is also on display with “ole time” carnival characters: jab jabs and baby dolls. You’ll also get to take in Ole Time Wedding scenarios, tamboo bamboo bands, and moko jumbies which you will see incorporated into many of the carnival festivities.
And finally, familiar events like J’ouvert and Night Mas (where you light up the night as you fete and lime in the streets) have a different feel here — you feel freer and more uninhibited. There’s something about the Tobago sweetness and being surrounded by elements of nature at every turn. Fetes happen on beautiful white sand beaches, the parade route goes past the incredible turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, and even the streets are wider here so you don’t feel boxed in or enclosed, further leading to the sense of freedom.
#3: Balance of Tun Up + Relaxation
De road is calling yuh
Enjoy downtime taking in the lush tropical surroundings
- Carnival parade ✔️
- J’ouvert & Night Mas ✔️
- Feteing on the beach ✔️
- Let loose and have a time ✔️
- Beautiful white sand beaches and turquoise waters ✔️
- Being surrounded by lush natural beauty ✔️
- Peace and tranquility ✔️
Tobago Carnival has the elements for the perfect balance of Tun Up and Relaxation. You decide the combination that’s right for you—whether it’s a Tun Up trip or one that has you leaving the island rejuvenated and ready to get back to the grind.
Since it’s a smaller island, you won’t have to go out of your way to explore the natural beauty. For example, depending on where you stay, you may be within walking distance to one of the beautiful beaches (the majority of larger accommodations are close to a beach) so you can easily relax and restore yourself during your down time between fetes. Or, if you want to keep the party going instead, you can head to the Promenade where you’ll find restaurants and open air bars for some limin’.
#4: Foodie Paradise
You must, must, must try the local Tobagonian cuisine! The food is amazingly fresh, thanks to the many local farms on the island, and there’s an option to fit every budget.
If you’re craving some doubles or roti you can find that here (but it won’t be as easy to find as in Trinidad), but there are so many other options that you won’t even miss it! What you will easily find here is seafood, fresh of course, including fish, shrimp and lobster and, of course, the dish Tobago is most well-known for: curry crab and dumpling. Then there are other staples like stewed chicken, stewed goat and grilled lamb. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed…and you can thank us later.
A few of our faves: Jemma’s Treehouse and the Blue Waters Inn in Speyside (go for a fantastic breakfast) and Kurbside Eatz in Buccoo! At the latter, get the grilled barracuda. You’ll wonder what you were eating in life before!
#5: Budget Friendly
One of the benefits of attending a more intimate carnival like Tobago’s is a more reasonable cost of costumes. Another benefit is that hotel prices are a lot more reasonable during Carnival time versus other islands (Trinidad, we’re looking at you) and if your hotel is within walking distance to attractions like the beach and the promenade, you’ll cut down on transportation costs too.
Now over to you…
Hope you’ve enjoyed our list! Now that you’ve seen why Tobago Carnival checks all the right boxes, you’re probably asking…where do I sign up?
Ultimate Bago Carnival packages are available here. Spots are limited so hurry and lock yours in today!
Got questions about Tobago Carnival? Just leave us a comment below.
Til de next lime,
Team Events by Ashé
About us: Events by Ashé is a company that curates unique and life-changing Caribbean Carnival Experiences and we’re passionate about the Carnival lifestyle. We’re so passionate about Carnival we created Ultimate Trinidad Carnival, Ultimate Crop Over and Ultimate Spicemas to share these experiences with hundreds of clients around the world. Visit our website or click the links below to learn more!