Packing For Your Carnival Trip

Let's pack together

Oh the places we'll go! There are so many things to unpack and pack when planning for a carnival trip.

From navigating the airport and airplane, to hotel and Airbnb essentials, the fetes, J'ouvert, water parties, and then finally the big parade day, and then to the cooldown (beach/ pool day) - let's get planning and packing.

NOTE: Even though this packing list is long, it's not exhaustive. Please pack for your own needs, and please message me if there is something you think I forgot to list.

Before you go

You'll need to sort the following before you go on your trip:

Costume with a mas band - print a copy of your receipt showing payment in full
Monday Wear, if applicable. I suggest that you pre-order from a local designer, or shop for a more affordable option online.
Fete Tickets - download these to your electronic wallet and/ or have receipts printed with the barcode
Travel - check to see if you need a visa or any vaccines. Also, complete any online customs and immigration forms, as available
Accommodations
Transportation
Time off from work, and/ or your family
Ample supply of any necessary medication and/ vitamins and supplements

I'm sure that you can agree that these are just as important as any travel essential for your packing list for carnival or any other travel.

Emergency Tips

These two tips may not seem like travel essentials, but they are indeed essential

On your mobile: Create a lock screen wallpaper with information such as your name, email, alternative contact number and accommodations info if it's a hotel. I would personally would not include a personal residence. You should also include 1-2 emergency contacts.
Write down important phone numbers and keep this list in your shoes, attached to your backpack, or another place like the inside of a hat, in case you loose your bag and mobile phone gets misplaced.

carnivalBELLE's Carnival Packing List

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carnivalBELLE's Carnival Essentials

Travel

Let's start off with a packing list for general travel:

Passport (and cover), visa, and proof of vaccination(s), as necessary
Wallet with Driver's License and Credit Cards
Cash and coins: your local currency and foreign currency (if you happen to have some from a previous trip or sourced some from a financial institution)
Pen
Mobile phone and charging cable with wall charger block
Laptop, Tablet, and charging cables with wall charger block
Portable charger, power bank, or battery pack: ensure this is charged before your trip
Noise-cancelling headphones, ear plugs
Wipes: hand/ face, body, booty, disinfecting
Hot Hands for cold airports and lounges
Sweater, full-zip hoodie, cardigan, shawl
Compression socks, if necessary
Sewing kit, safety pins
First aid kit, alcohol prep pads, antibiotic ointment
Adult dental care travel kit, mini disposable toothbrushes with toothpaste
Mini umbrella
Mini perfume, mini cologne, mini body deodorant spray
Travel luggage set
Medical bracelet (if necessary)
Supplies for the management of pain, allergies, insomnia, indigestion, heartburn, constipation, cold and flu, cold sores, insect bites, hemorrhoids, water retention, motion sickness (pills, chews), STis, STDs, etc. Click this link for a suggested pill organizer for daily multivitamins, as well as this option.
Nasal spray: saline, decongestant, antihistamine, other (prescribed)
Throat spray, lozenges
Face mask
Snacks: I like protein bars
Local sim card if you happen to have one
Unlocked mobile phone if you happen to have one
Additionally or alternatively: eSIM for travellers

Note: "mini" is interchangeable with "travel-sized"

Scroll to the end to see a list of essentials that I think you should have in checked luggage

Toiletries

Toiletries are the base for any packing list

Eyes: lubricant eye drops, eye drops for red eyes, eye bath
Face: face wash, face toner, astringent, witch hazel, face moisturizer, face lotion
Body: bar soap, travel soap case, body wash, body lotion, body scrub (good for after J'ouvert), body oil
Teeth: toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash, toothpick, retainer, retainer case
Feet: scrub, scrub brush, spray
Deodorant: roll on, stick, spray
Hair: brush, wide tooth comb, tail comb, brush, shower cap, shampoo, conditioner, shower caps (regular and larger), sleep cap, bobby hair pins, u shaped hair pins, spray bottle for hair
Sun care products: sunscreen for the face, sunscreen spray, sunscreen stick, after sun care
Nails: nail polish, nail polish remover, nail file, nail clip, top coat (also useful for ripped stockings), nail glue
Bath sponge, bath loofah
Razor, shaving cream
Rubbing alcohol
Shower caddy: recommended for groups trips
Flat iron, curling iron, hair straightener brush
Hair styling products: hair gel, hair lotion, edge gel, mousse
Makeup: primer, foundation, concealer, highlighter, eyeshadow, lip liner, lipstick, lip gloss, setting spray, faux lashes, liquid eyeliner, face gems, spirit gum
Makeup brushes, blender, blotting paper, eyelash and brow wand spoolie, tweezers
Makeup remover and wipes
Vaseline
Feminine hygiene products: panty liner, pads, tampons, refreshing feminine spray
Wipes: body wipes, feminine wipes, hand/ face wipes, booty wipes, disinfecting wipes
Toilet paper: if there is a special type that you like

Carnival Day

It's the day of the carnival parade, sometimes also known as jump up day. You'll be sure to include these in your carnival packing list:

Robe or sweater for hair and makeup appointments
Hair accessories: ponytail, wig, string, clips, decorative hair pins
Shimmer Body Oil: Gold, Bronze
Body Bronzer
Photoshoot footwear: boots, wedges, heels
Sneakers for the road
Insoles, shoe inserts, ball of foot cushion/ metatarsal pads, blister prevention pads
Silicone nipple covers, self adhesive nipple pasties
Flesh tone thong
Carnival stockings - use my code BELLE for 10% OFF when you make any purchase with Carnivalista or Carnival Kicks. Also pack top coat to assist with any ripped stockings.
Socks - put these on before you put on your stockings
Carnival bag: wristlet, thigh pouch, leg bag
Tumbler, mug, or cup - yes, you can use the one provided by your mas band, your own personalized drinkware, or select one of my faves here
Portable handheld electronic fan
Wristband(s) for your mas band

You can book packages with Carnival Glam Hub for hair, makeup, and or photography. Use my code BELLE for $10 discount.

Carnival Day Essentials Bag

The bag itself: wristlet, thigh pouch, leg bag
Vex money or emergency money, ID card, 1 credit card
Eye drops: rewetting drops for soft contact lenses, red eye relief eye drops, regular eye drops
Oral breath spray, mint, flosser with pic
Body spray, mini perfume
Lipwear: lip stick and/ or lip gloss
Compact powder with mirror
Blotting paper, triangle powder puff (you can dab this into some face powder and put into a travel case)
Car key, hotel room card, house keys
Individual packet of wipes: hand/ body/ face, sanitizing, disinfecting
Any important medication that you may need access to while on the road
Feminine hygiene products: compact tampon, individually wrapped pad, individually wrapped pantyliner
List of emergency contacts

You could include the following on your packing list If you have a larger bag: portable mobile charger, portable handheld electronic fan, mini sunscreen, mini perfume, mini body spray, camera, sunglasses, disposable face mask, painkillers, rag, country or branded flag

Accomodations

Do Not Disturb door sign
Mini sprays: linen, toilet, disinfecting
Mini foaming soap dispenser, foam soap - this is my personal preference, especially if you have roommates or plan to entertain guests such as a travelling makeup artist
Paper towels
Footwear: bedroom slippers, bedroom flipflops, house shoes
Laundry: mesh laundry bag, backpack laundry bag, waterproof wet bag, sink detergent packets, detergent pods, dryer sheets, hanging clothes pins, lint remover brush, lint remover adhesive sheets, garment steamer, handheld iron, hangers if there are special kinds that you like
Flashlight, electric fly/ mosquito zapper
Shopping Bags: plastic, insulated grocery bag, zippered canvas shopping tote - these are helpful in carrying groceries etc.
Chip clip, elastic bands
Individual instant coffee or tea packets

Estimate how much bottled water you will need for your entire trip and try to source that on your first day

J'ouvert and Water Parties

Monokini or other bodywear. Rompers and shorts are also popular.
Footwear: combat boots, water shoes - sometimes I buy footwear specifically for an event, other times I use old (gym) sneakers
Carnival stockings - use my code BELLE for 10% OFF when you make any purchase with Carnivalista. Also pack top coat to assist with any ripped stockings.
Shower cap
Poncho
Face: mask, sunglasses, goggles - to keep paint, powder, and water out of your eyes
Waterproof bag: phone lanyard pouch, fanny pack/ waist pouch, backpack
Baby oil: apply generously before the event
Body wipes: use generously after the event
Body scrub, exfoliating washcloth, exfoliating glove, back scrubber - you can also use dish or laundry detergent to break down oils as well as Lysol wipes for hard to remove stains from the paint and powder
Large sealable plastic bag, trash bag

Before you get into transportation to leave the event:

You may want to pack a change of clothes/ shoes and a bag to put those in
Alternatively, you can pack a coverup or poncho to put on over the clothes you have on

Fetes and Soca Parties

Breakfast fete outfit inspo
Rose themed outfit inspo
Pink themed outfit inspo
Bodycon dresses
Flowy dresses
Short shorts
Cute tops
Fete shoes: sandals, wedges, chunky heels
Bag: wristlet, crossbody bag
Handheld electronic fan: battery operated fan, rechargeable fan

I like to scroll through the social media posts for the account of the event or promoter to see what the vibe is and to also check to see if the event has a "theme"

Click here to see my fete outfit suggestions

Other

Prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, contact lens case, contact lens solution
Daily clothes
Clothes to wear to travel back home or to the next destination
Any specialty / themed outfits and accessories that were planned for the trip such as bachelorette
Any other items for planned activities
Jewellery: leave your most precious valuables at home. Instead pack fashionable pieces. Staple earrings choices for me are faux pearl studs, cubic zirconia studs, and hoops.
Poncho, standard sized umbrella
Hangover patch, hydration multiplier
Scissors: all purpose, grooming
Glue gun and glue sticks, super glue, premium adhesive, bull clip, clamp, zip ties, craft sticks - I usually pack 1 glue gun and then 4 of each of the others
Black permanent marker
Felt to pad anywhere on a costume, accessories especially headpieces, or backpack that feels uncomfortable on your skin
Nylon cord string - just incase you need extra string for your costume pieces or backpack
Mirror: compact, handheld
Sleep mask, ear plugs
Sealable plastic bag: for wet or damp clothes from the pool, beach, or J'ouvert
Collapsible food container with cutlery set. I like to pack one disposable set.
Basic foldable duffle bag. This is handy if you have a day trip, or if you happen to need an additional checked luggage.
Wellness: resistance bands, yoga strap, yoga mat, also athletic wear - you never know!