CayMAS Carnival, Cayman Islands

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What is CayMAS Carnival?

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The CayMAS Carnival is a fairly new celebration held in the Cayman Islands. These carnivals are not to be confused with the Batabano Carnival which is also held on the island, but two weeks before CayMAS.

The aim of the CayMAS carnival is to create a viable tourism product, through various events designed for both locals and visitors. In addition, they also want to make the islands’ celebrations more inclusive and democratic to boost the holiday as a tourist attraction in Cayman.

 

 

CayMAS Carnival integrates allcultural and heritage aspects of the Cayman Islands through soca music, costumes and dancing. Furthermore, it engages the majority of its audience in every possible way.

The CayMAS Carnivals have some important benefits for the island and the community, one of them being the greater tourist incentive through moreflight bookings, mainly through Cayman Airways; increased demand for lodging, car rentals, greater number of diners in the city’s restaurants and bars and exposure of the Cayman Islands as atop tourist attraction.

CayMAS Carnivals features a full typical Caribbean carnival experience consisting of performances and contests metal drumming, parade, soca competition and the traditional J’ouvert. In addition, like many other carnivals in the region, it features the traditional Mas Bands, a large grouping of participants who purchase ready-made outfits from different designers or companies to parade or march together in the different events.

 

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When is the Carnival of CayMAS?

CayMAS Carnival takes place during themonth of May. It is usually held a few weeks after the Batabano Carnival and lasts for 6 days.

Ethe CayMAS will take place approximately from May 12 to 17..

 

 

CayMAS Carnival History

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CayMAS Carnival is a recent project that emerged as a movement formed by several entities that have had influences on carnival celebrations in Cayman Islands over the years. What is sought in the project is the development of Carnival from another more inclusive, comprehensive and democratic point of view. In addition, they seekto become a viable tourism product for the Cayman Islands, especially during a month with little presence of tourists such as the month of May.

The emergence of the CayMAS Carnival was due to the feeling that there needed to be better management of the Cayman Carnival through the main entities vital to the success of the Carnival. Furthermore, the organization wishes to develop the Carnival in a transparent and professional manner, ensuring its growth for years to come.

CayMAS Carnivals have taken care of integrating different elements typical of the Caribbean carnivals such as Soca presentations, parades, J’ouvert, festivals, themed parties and traditional music in an incredible atmosphere of celebration. Likewise, the carnivals include the differentlocals and companies of the island to ensure the best functioning of the carnivals in a more integral way.

One of the reasons why it was decided to hold the CayMAS Carnival during the month of May was to commemorate Cayman Discovery Day weekend. In addition, other island and Caribbean country celebrations were also taken into account, so that these would not influence the flow of visitors to CayMAS Carnival.

 

Where is the CayMAS Carnival

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The Cayman Islands are composed of 2 small islands and a larger island called Grand Cayman. The CayMAS Carnival is held in Grand Cayman, specifically in the capital George Town. The Cayman Islands has a population of 44,000 and is located in the Caribbean.

 

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How CayMAS Carnival is celebrated

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The CayMAS Carnival consists of a great repertoire of traditional Caribbean music, dance and fun that will make you party from start to finish. The carnival program is quite varied and full of festivities.

The celebration includes competitions, live music, theme parties, J’ouvert and Parade.

 

J’ouvert

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J’ouvert is one of the most iconic carnival celebrations in the Caribbean. The name comes from French and means Rest orday of rest. This celebration carries with it great sentiment for theCaribbean communities, as its purpose is to commemorate the end of slavery. Some people wear chains, cover themselves with oil and wear masks, all for the purpose ofspeaking out against slavery and mocking the former slavers.

The celebration takes place early in the morning, as the purpose of the celebration is to be celebratory and to witness the sunrise. In addition, during the event, several Mas Bands play Caribbean music, one of the most traditional is the Soca music. People wear a Mas Bands T-shirt or a costume of their choice.

During the celebration you can expect a large concentration of people partying and dancing. In addition, it is also celebrated with flour, paint and water, so you should be prepared and wear a T-shirt that you don’t mind staining.

 

Parade

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The parade is the most anticipated event of the carnivals and is all about celebrating the Cayman Islands culture and identity to the fullest. People come out to celebrate with their Mas Band outfits in a lively atmosphere, full of music and joy everywhere.

To participate in the carnivals you must have some of the outfits made by the different Mas Bands and congregate with other people who have the same costumes. In addition, a great show of Caribbean music, drinks and entertainment of the highest quality is provided.

 

Mas Bands for the CayMAS

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Chicken Run International

He has also participated in theBatabano Carnivals in 2006. It also offers a large number of designs, the main colors of which are red and black.

 

Kalabbra

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It is one of the most complete bands, since it offers a wide variety of garments for men and women with a great variety of colors and themes. Among the sets for women it has Serenity, Shangri-La, Utopia and Aurora Bolrealis. For the men’s set it has Shangri-La. Utopia and Serenity with some decorations, collars and knee pads.

Swanky International

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It is one of the Mas Bands most in demand with the largest number of ensembles. It currently has sponsorship from a large number of companies and alcoholic beverages. It also has entertainment of the highest quality. Among the ensembles it offers are: Amphitrite,

Calypso, La Mer, Pacifika, Pink Coral, Seashells, Sereia, Sunset and Yemaya. It also includes some male sets.

 

Quinntessential Movement

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This is a Cayman Islands fitness and dance studio that promotes ballet, pole dancing and acrobatic fabrics. In addition to offering classes and courses, it also participates in the CayMAS Carnival. Quinntessential Movement has participated in the carnivals for a short time, but is one of the Mas Bands with the greatest interest from the public.

 

Liquid Ice

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This is a full-service bartending company in the Cayman Islands. It has also dabbled a bit in the Mas Bands by offering T-shirts and other products.

 

Steelpans or Metal Drum Competition

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This is a competition of some particular instruments. These drums come from Trinidad and Tobago and produce a distinctive sound that is included in a large number of Caribbean musical pieces.

 

Tips for going to CayMAS Carnivals

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If you wish to visit the CayMAS carnivals, we recommend you plan your trip in advance, make an itinerary of activities and book your preferred lodging in advance. In addition, we recommend you to pack comfortable and light clothing and footwear that will allow you to enjoy the celebration in the most comfortable way possible.

Also, be sure to stay hydrated during the festivities, pack or purchase an umbrella to use during outdoor parties and apply sunscreen frequently to avoid sunburns common during carnival dates.

If you are going to drive in the islands, we want to inform you that cars drive on the left side of the road and not on the right as in many other countries. Finally, check with the different entities to find out if you need to apply for a tourist or visitor’s visa to visit the islands.

Also, keep in mind that although some events of the CayMAS Carnival are free, the program also includes events and activities that require an entrance fee. That is why we recommend that you keep an eye on the program and the announcements that the organization offers you so that you know for sure which events require an entrance fee.

If you decide not to purchase your Mas Band, you also have the possibility to attend the parade, but you will not be able to be part of it actively, but you will be able to see all the participants from both sides of the street. We invite you to purchase your Mas Band or your desired group so you can live a complete experience of these new, but innovative CayMAS Carnivals.

If you want to know more about tourism in this country I recommend this guide:.

 

CayMAS Carnival Events

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CayMAS Carnival comprises more than a dozen activities that take place during the 4 days of celebrations. The schedule mainly includes fetes or Fetes, musical performances, competitions, the traditional J’ouvert of the Caribbean carnivals and the Grand Carnival Parade with the colorful and elaborate Mas Bands ensembles.

The schedule begins with the Art of the Jump, and then gives way to the competitions of the metal drums, traditional elements of the Caribbean musical pieces. In addition, there is also a Block O, a large party or fete with great participation that features a wide repertoire of dance music and entertainment of the highest quality.

 

 

The festivities continue with some themed parties to make way for the J’ouvert CayMAS Carnival. Then, it’s the turn of the Soca music competitions. At the end, a big music concert takes place on the beach. The parades take place on the beach.

The parades are held on two occasions, a small parade together with the J’ouvert and the collaboration of the Mas Band of Kalabbra and another held on the last day of the carnivals of CayMAS which represents the Grand Parade of the celerbation. The caravals end with a big farewell party called AfterMAS Fete.

 

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CayMAS Carnival Parades

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The main parade takes place on the last day of the celebrations with a large number of people taking to the streets to be part of a big party with entertainment and music. People carry with them the big and colorful costumes of their Mas Bands.

Remember to bring your Mas Band outfit on the day of the carnival so you can have access to the best carnival entertainment, as well as the best musical performances and drinks that the CayMAS carnival has to offer.

 

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Parade route

 

 

The parade is carried out crossing the entire North Church Street, opens apso through West Bay to culminate the route on the beach.

 

 

What to eat at CayMAS Carnival

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One of the most traditional dishes of the Cayman Islands is the Coconut Shrimp. This is composed of shrimp that are marinated with garlic and spices, coated with flour and grated coconut and then fried with plenty of oil. Usually, the shrimp are lightly accompanied with chili and lime.

In addition, you can try the Mudslide. This is a sweet cocktail invented in Grand Cayman in 1980. The cocktail is made with vodka, coffee liqueur and crème anglaise. Today it is one of the island’s most popular and distinctive cocktails.

Also, the city of George Town offers you some options to eat out, some of these are: Blue By Eric Ripert, The Lobster Pot, Casanova by the Sea, The Brasserie and LeVele Restaurant. These places offer a varied menu of seafood, vegetarian, Italian, Mediterranean, fusion and vegetarian food.

 

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Travel Insurance

 

From Carnavalesdelmundo.org we recommend to hire a good insurance to visit this carnival and to know the rest of the country. For being our readers we offer a 5% discount on all IATI insurance. Read more information about all insurance offers here:

 

 

What to see and do inside the CayMAS Carnival

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Within the carnivals you can be part of the different fetes or fetes that take place throughout the celebration. In addition, you can watch the different Steelpan and Soca competitions that take place on the first and fourth day of the festivities. Also, you can’t miss the J’ouvert and the parade. After all, they are the main attraction of the festivities.

If you don’t want to complicate things, here you can book interesting excursions in English in this city:.

 

What to see and do outside of CayMAS Carnivals

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St Ignatius Catholic Church

It is a Catholic religious temple with a clean facade. Inside it consists of wooden ceiling and beams and gilded chandeliers. The building is located a few minutes from the beach.

 

National Gallery of the Cayman Islands

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It is a small museum, but it is full of modern art pieces. The pieces are made by different local artists and reflect the daily life of the island, its identity and culture.

 

Port of George Town

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It is one of the main ports of the island. Here you can spend the afternoon or get some information about the different diving or snorkeling packages that private companies offer.

 

Cayman Spirits Co. Distillery

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It is a distillery that offers guided tours and rum tasting. The venue also offers a quiet and friendly atmosphere with some music for you to have a good time chatting and learning more about the production and importance of rum to the island.

 

Coral Beach

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The beach stretches all along the horizon, has clear blue waters and clean white sands. The local staff is friendly and also offers some local food and beverage outlets. The beach includes chair service that you can purchase for the price of 10 US dollars.

Also if you want to visit museums and important buildings in this city we recommend that you book your entrance ticket in advance through Tiquets: .

 

CayMAS Carnival Safety

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The Cayman Islands is a fairly safe tourist destination, you can feel completely safe while strolling the streets both day and night. As always, we recommend keeping your personal belongings in a safe place to avoid losing them. Also, we recommend the following products to keep your belongings safe:

 

 

Weather at CayMAS Carnival

 

During CayMAS Carnival the weather in the area is somewhat hot, with temperatures ranging between 24 and 31 degrees Celsius with little chance of precipitation. We recommend you to stay hydrated at all times, carry an umbrella to protect you from the sun and use sunscreen every hour.

 

 

How to get to CayMAS Carnival

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How to get there by plane

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Owen Roberts International Airport primarily serves Grand Cayman and George Town. In addition, it receives direct flights from British Airways, JetBlue, United and Air Canada. Once you are at the airport, you can use the different means of transportation to get to the city of George Town.

We recommend buying airline tickets through Kiwi.com or Skyscanner where they are usually cheaper. More information on this link to review Kiwi.com..

 

How to get there by ferry

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The port of Grand Cayman is one of the busiest and most important ports in the Caribbean. It receives vessels mainly from North America, Mexico and Europe.

 

How to get there by bus

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FromOwen Roberts International Airport you can take a bus to Agnes Way. The ride takes about 2 minutes and the fare is about US$3.

 

How to get there by car

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From Owen Roberts International Airport you can take a cab or private car to get to the city center of George Town, you only need to take Crewe Street. The journey takes about 5 minutes and if you decide to take a cab, the price of the same can be between 16 and 19 U.S. dollars.

 

Where to stay at CayMAS Carnival

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Booking.com

 

Palm Heights

5 star hotel 4.7 km from the city center. The hotel rooms are equipped with air conditioning, living room, satellite TV, kitchen, dining area and private bathroom with hairdryer and basic toiletries. In addition, the hotel has a restaurant, bike rental, water sports facilities, indoor pool, evening entertainment, 24-hour front desk, fitness center, beach entrance, bar, parking and free Wi-Fi.

 

Comfort Suites Seven Mile Beach

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3-star hotel 3.5 km from the city center. Rooms feature satellite TV, telephone, kitchenette, microwave, toaster and a refrigerator. In addition, the facility features a restaurant with a menu of local and international cuisine, including Italian food and salads. Facilities offer breakfast and room service, swimming pool, bar, private entrance to the beach, gym, coffee set, parking and free wifi.

 

The Locale Hotel Grand Cayman

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3 star hotel 3.9 km from the city center. The hotel is a mile from a beach, has a swimming pool, bar, 24-hour front desk, live entertainment, free wifi parking.

 

Sunshine Suites Resort

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3 star hotel 5 km from the city center. The hotel is only 200 meters from Seven Mile Beach. The hotel rooms have kitchen facilities and laundry machines. The hotel also has a swimming pool, bar and free parking.

 

Grand Caymanian Resort

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3-star hotel 6 km from the city center. The rooms have private bathrooms with bathtub or shower and hairdryer, television, air conditioning and some rooms have a living room. In addition, the facilities offer continental and a la carte breakfasts, swimming pool, entrance to the beach, gym, bar, wifi and private parking.

We recommend you use Booking.com to book hotels at a good price, check more information here:.

 

Thank you for reading

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