Saint Lucia Carnival

Saint Lucia's carnival was traditionally held before Lent like most of the Catholic Caribbean, and in 1999 it was moved to July, on the reasoning that a small island could not compete with Trinidad for musicians and visitors on the same weekend and would do better with the calendar to itself. It builds through June with calypso tents, soca competitions and the panorama for steel bands, and finishes with two days of road march through Castries in mid-July. J'ouvert starts before dawn with mud, oil and paint, and the costumed bands parade through the following two days.

What you actually see

• J'ouvert - the pre-dawn opening with mud, oil and paint.
• The road march - two days of costumed bands through Castries.
• The calypso tents - the competition circuit through June.
• Panorama - the steel band competition before the parade.

When to go

The main parade days are in mid-July, with the build-up through June. Dates are announced early in the year. Accommodation in and around Castries rises sharply and books out for the weekend.

Honest expectations

Castries during carnival is very crowded and hot, and the parade days run for hours in full sun. Band costumes are expensive and must be bought months ahead. J'ouvert involves paint and oil that will ruin clothes, which is the point. Accommodation is tight and prices double.

Nearby

Castries is the venue; Rodney Bay is where most visitors stay.