Visit During Carnival

[hotrns]

Although I haven’t been reading this group for long, I have been a long time lurker on that “other” group. From the brief time I have spent looking at your trip reports and replies, I have come to the impression that you are defiantly a fun group! I am going to be in St John from 1 July till 11 July with my children (3 20-somethings). Although my wife and I have been to STJ several times (the most recent in April at the Villa Maria), I have never been in the islands during carnival. What can we expect during our time on the island and what should we try to see or avoid? Thanks for all the info you provide.

[piscesgirl0314]

Hi there and happy friday! We were there during Carnival 2007 and will be there again in three weeks. Its a LOT of fun...lots going on...music, local artist's with tables set up, fire works, a parade...its just fun...we had a great time in 2007 and have no doubt we will this year as well...

[MIke]

We are usually there that time of year.It's great.
Just don't get in a hurry to see the parade.

[liamsaunt]

We were there for the days leading up to Carnival a couple of years ago. We left on the 3rd, so we missed the parade, but we did enjoy the festival village. There are all kinds of food vendors, live music, and dancing. My only "complaint" was that things got started a little late for me at the festival village. I have a hard time staying awake past 10 PM on St. John!

Welcome to the forum!

[Steve S]

Welcome to the forum!

I'm must say I was a little disappointed that with a forum name like hot-rns your avatar is of a guy in a beach chair with a beer!

[hotrns]

Mike ... you say don't be impatient for the parade to start, so when does it ususally start?
Steve S ... sorry about the false advertising I suppose I should get an aviatar of a pretty nurse off the internet . That handle has a long story associated with it that is best shared over a couple of painkillers (and no I am not a nurse).

[lust4life]

We are trying to decide whether to plan our trip in May or July, but now maybe it should be July.

[hotrns]

If it were up to me, I would choose May & July!!

[Iluvstjohn]

now, we are in a slightly different situation, as we have young kids..so obviously the 10pm thing is out. We have always stayed in Cruz bay or nearby...but every owner we contemplated renting from warned us on the noise and the lateness factor. Everywhere from Gallows, to Lavender, to villas, to condos, to Battery HIll....all gave us a huge disclaimer that it would be loud and late. So we opted to stay in Coral Bay this time....we always go at the end of JUne/beginning of July...so we end up leaving right before the thick of it, but are there for enough of the week to warrant a quiet place for kids.....

just so you know. There were great deals to be had but everyone "warned us"....
Holly

[DaleAndGreg]

We were there for Carnival in 2005 and had fun. Stayed in Cruz Bay and just soaked in the craziness. We are going this year - arriving the 3rd in time for jouvert that night, and then the parade and fireworks on the 4th. Then everything creeps back to normal after that. We timed it this way this year. We like the lazy STJ, so this time we will get the best of both.
Other years, we are usually there in the two weeks leading up to the 4th when there is no real down time. The park gets set up with vendors and the village comes to life. So we are looking forward to being there for the big bang on the 3rd and 4th and then recovering for another week.
The parade is great. The village is LOUD and great also. Enjoy! Maybe we'll see ya!

[lbrlwyr]

This is the first year we are going during Carnival (June 27-July 4th) and I am really curious to know how "crazy" the area gets (fortunately we are staying in Coral Bay but will head into town at night for th festivities). Are most of the crowds coming over at night from STT, or should we expect the beaches to be alot more crowded during the day as well? I think I better go make my restaurant reservations today as well!

Eric