Jamaica Carnival in February 2011

Reggae and soca music give Jamaica Carnival, known as Bacchanal, its true Caribbean flavour and electric atmosphere.

Jamaica Carnival is strongly influenced by Trinidad's world-famous street party. Top Trinidadian soca acts, steelband ensembles and Mas (costume) designers play a central part in the festivities.

The soca season will officially kickoff for the Mas Camp on February 18 and it will showcase this year’s theme “Once Upon a Dynasty”. The event will transport visitors to a time of forgotten lands and lost empires and will also give them the opportunity to view and purchase costumes for this year’s parade.

The celebrations witness aspiring soca artists from different parishes compete for soca supremacy, thousands of dollars in prizes, and a chance to compete at a regional level at the Soca Monarch competition.

The main venues for the carnival are Negril, Mandeville, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Each of these areas organise their own costumed street parades, blowout fetes (parties) and, Las Lap - the final jump-up party.

Negril, Montego Bay, and Ocho Rios are within a short driving distance of Silver Sands villas. The staff of this Jamaica rental community would be more than happy to arrange for transfers to these venues.