Top 5 Must Tries For Jamaica Carnival
/I can 100% admit that I’m a bacchanalist, Mrs. Fete, and a carnival chaser. Any term used to describe someone who is in love with carnival, that would be me lol. Jamaica is probably my favorite carnival thus far (and I’m not just saying that because I’m Jamaican 😂). Below is a list of my top 5 must tries if you plan to go to Jamaica carnival
Xaymaca
If you plan to jump/play mas in Jamaica, there's no other band to look into. Xaymaca is where it's at! The costumes are beautiful and well made, the service is great, the staff is friendly, and the amenities on road are some of the best I’ve seen. You receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner while on road, and I am talking quality meals for each. They also have a premium open bar on road which includes White Hennessy (my personal fav). There is a “Vanity Station” at the rest stop where you can go for massages and along with other neat ways to relax. The bathroom was equipped with all the items you need to stay fresh. Costumes for this band sell out fairly quickly so it is important to keep an eye out for their band launch. Once you find a costume you’re interested in, keep it in mind that way you can register for it as soon as sales open. One interesting thing to note about Jamaica carnival is that there is no judging (all masqueraders walk across stage with their section (people in the same costume as you) in front of the judges to showcase their costume.) As soon as you touch road, the party begins.
A little taste of what it's like on road
There were performances from popular artist including Alison Hinds, Ding Dong, and Nailah Blackman.
Henny Tings!
Caesars Army/ AM bush
Caesars Army/AM Bush is a J’ouvert street party. J'ouvert (pronounced "Jou-vay") is derived from French patois and means 'daybreak'. The party typically takes place the night before the day on road. A part of the tradition involves smearing paint, powder, or oil on the bodies of participants. In some cases, it is a combination of all three. I have always been hesitant about going to J'ouvert. The idea of all the mess has always turned me off but I decided to step outside of my comfort zone and try something different. Let me tell you! I had an absolute blast!
You're literally partying until the sun comes up.
You should buy your ticket in advance. To enter the party, you must pick up your costume which includes a t-shirt, bandana, wrist band, and cup for drinks. You will not be permitted to enter without these items.
Tips if it’s your first J’ouvert:
1) Ladies it is 100% messy. If you don’t want your hair getting messed up, wear a bandana and a shower cap over it. Another neat idea is to wear a wig that you don’t care about getting messed.
2) Don’t wear anything you’d be upset if it got messed up. The paint can be hard to get out. I wore these white shorts that I had lying around. Needless to say, they’re tie-dye pink now lol.
3) If you’re clean, you WILL be a target. Don’t try to be cute and escape getting paint on you.
4) It is a good idea to bring a bandana or something to cover your nose and mouth. After they stop throwing the paint, the powder comes out.
5) Hydrate. You’re going to be dancing up a storm, drinking, and sweating. It is important to stay hydrated!
6) Bring shades. The fete starts at night but is over in the morning.
7) Be open minded and have fun! It is a unique way to party but once you let loose you’ll have a great time!
At the end of J’ouvert, there will be complimentary breakfast waiting for you, and the march is over nut the fete is still happening.
Soca Brainwash
Soca Brainwash is yet another fete that you must go to if you go to carnival. This was my second time at this fete (2 different countries) and it did not disappoint. Although I must admit, I did have more fun at the Soca Brainwash in Barbados. Soca Brainwash has a premium open bar and multiple food stations. DJ Private Ryan is the man in charge of this fete. You MUST listen to his mixtapes to get up on all of your soca before any carnival!
Maiden Cay
Maiden Cay, located in Port Royal, is an uninhabited island that's about a 20-minute boat ride from the Jamaican mainland. It is home to some of the most exclusive beach parties on the island. It is also a great spot to relax while enjoying the white sand and crystal blue water.
The beautiful view on the way there and the sunset when we were leaving.
Yachts and tings.
Xaymaca Beach Lime
You are going to want to wind down after all the carnival feteing and road march. Xaymaca has just what you need at their beach lime cooler fete. Xaymaca Beach Lime is the day after road. Everyone heads to the beach with their coolers and end the week-long festivities with beach vibes and the final hoorah. The best part is the party is free of charge to those who jumped with Xaymaca.
Di Vibez Cyaan Done
Getting it to some throwback Dancehall.
The beach lime is filled with top DJs and even performances by popular artist.
I met Gyptian 😍.
The epitome of no behavior 😂. No, that is not me lol.
They even switched things up with some Nirvana
This is a bonus that I thought I’d share. I have family that still lives in Jamaica, so I took some time to go visit them. My aunt is 80 years old! Check out the fruit and vegetable lesson she gave us during our visit.
Learning how to pick my on fruit. Took me a little while but i got it lol.
