Jamaica Carnival, When is Jamaica Carnival, Jamaica Carnival 2024, Jamaica CarnivalÂ
Jamaica carnival 2023 was a very short trip this year. Considering just shy of 5 weeks fresh from foot surgery, I had to take things easy. Sore foot aside, I am look forward to returning to Kingston. If you are looking to go to Jamaica Carnival 2024, this guide is for you!
Jamaica Carnival will be held in Kingston, Jamaica on April 7th, 2024. To read my review on Jamaica 2023, click here.
Getting to Kingston, Jamaica
Getting to Jamaica is relatively easy. Kingston (KIN) airport is very close (about 20 minutes) to hotels and the parade route. Alternatively, flying to Montego Bay (MBJ) may be cheaper, but you would have to coordinate a 3 hour bus ride (Knutsford Express) or taxi to Kingston. For 2024, I hope to have a short staycation in MBJ before I head to Kingston to enjoy Jamaica Carnival.
Where to Stay
I prefer to stay close to the parade route, preferably the end. Here are some recommended hotels for Jamaica Carnival 2024, with hyperlinks:
Pick a band and play mas
Detailed below are costume bands that you can register with to participate in the road parade during Jamaica Carnival. These bands are listed in alphabetical order.
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Events to attend
Carnival in Jamaica is packed with premium events that you don’t want to miss. Some of my favorite events include:
- Soca Brainwash
- Sunrise
- AM Bush
- SunKissed
Getting around Kingston
I take safety very seriously. Â I was connected to a service in 2019 and stayed in touch over the years. Â Unfortunately, I started to experience what I consider to be red flags as I got closer to travel. Â So I switched to another service within hours of landing. Â I connected with Crowne Tours Jamaica. Â Lorenzo provided details and pricing of his services and a photo of himself. He also offered a picture of his vehicle, which made me feel more at ease. Â
Lorenzo greeted me just outside the airport with a smile and a sign with my name on it.  He was highly responsive, even to last-minute requests. Lorenzo ensured transportation was available wherever we went, even if he couldn’t do it personally. He and Errol provided laughs and great conversation with each comfortable ride. The plus side to his service is that I could pay him via credit card machine at the end of the trip.  He even accepted American Express.  I intend to return to Jamaica on vacation and know that Lorenzo and Crowne Tours are my go-to’s.
Randoms, but helpful info.
- Currency: JMD 1 USD = 155 JMD.
- Lose your passport? US Embassy is located at 142 Old Hope Road in Liguanea, Kingston 6. Phone: (876) 702-6000Â
- Camo pattern clothing is illegal in Jamaica and is subject to confiscation.
- Flying into Jamaica with feathers is subject to confiscation without a special permit.
- Do not walk around Kingston with your cellphone out.
I hope this helps kickstart your Jamaica Carnival plans! If you have any additional questions, be sure to drop them in the commens!
