Is Trinidad Carnival Safe? Safety Tips for Carnival 2027

Enjoy it, and keep your wits about you

Carnival is joyful, generous and very social, and most visitors leave with nothing worse than sore feet and glitter in places glitter should not be. But Trinidad and Tobago has a high level of violent crime, including gang-related shootings and armed robberies, and big crowds attract opportunistic thieves.¹ The aim of this page is not to scare you. It is to help you make the small decisions that keep a great trip great. If this is your first Carnival, pair it with our Trinidad Carnival first-timer's guide.

Save these numbers first

These are the numbers published by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and the Ministry of Health.^2,3 Add your hotel, your band's section leader and a trusted driver to your contacts too.

On the road with your band

• Stay with your section. The band's security rope and team are there for a reason. Agree a meeting point with friends in case you get separated.
• Carry the minimum. A phone in a pouch or zipped pocket, a card, ID copy and some cash. Leave jewellery and anything you cannot afford to lose at the hotel; the UK government advises against displaying jewellery and valuables during Carnival.¹
• Leave the glass at home. Glass bottles are banned during Carnival, and only licensed vendors may handle them, serving drinks in non-glass containers. Weapons are met with zero tolerance, and police run checks through the whole Carnival period, not only on J'ouvert morning.⁴
• Know the police are there. For Carnival 2026, the security plan included high-visibility policing, prohibitions on weapons, fireworks and glass bottles, the Queen's Park Savannah divided into four zones for crowd management, breath checks for sober driving and extra lifeguards for beaches and rivers.⁵ The Homeland Security Minister also reminded revellers that anyone arrested during Carnival has to wait until Ash Wednesday to appear in court.⁴

Drinks, fetes and getting home

Drink spiking is a real risk. The police have warned that drinks at Carnival events may be tampered with and could cause hallucinations, confusion or unconsciousness.⁶ Their advice for the season:⁶

• Do not mix different alcoholic drinks.
• Never leave your drink unattended.
• Only accept drinks from people you trust, ideally opened or prepared in front of you.
• Travel in groups, particularly women going to events.
• Wear comfortable shoes in case you need to move quickly.
• Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back.

The UK government adds that criminals have used dating apps, including those used by the LGBT+ community, to lure people into robberies and assaults, and advises against inviting strangers back to your accommodation.¹

Taxis and getting around

Use licensed taxis, which have number plates starting with H, or drivers recommended by your hotel.^7,1 The UK government also advises caution about accepting lifts in private cars or maxi taxis, keeping windows closed and doors locked while driving, and never leaving bags visible on a seat.¹ Our getting around guide explains the options.

Areas to be careful in

The UK government advises particular caution in downtown Port of Spain (east of Charlotte Street, south and west of Piccadilly Street, and north of Independence Square), in Carenage, Sea Lots, Belmont, Laventille, Morvant, Beetham, Barataria and Cocorite, and in the interior of the Queen's Park Savannah.¹ Parts of these areas fill with masqueraders and spectators on Carnival days, which is different from walking through them alone at night. Avoid isolated places after dark, including deserted beaches, and do not walk or hike alone.^1,7

Money and ATMs

• Use well-lit ATMs, ideally in daylight, and withdraw small amounts.¹
• Watch your card when you pay, to avoid skimming.¹
• Change money at banks and licensed cambios, not on the street.⁷
• Keep your passport and spare cards in the hotel safe.⁷

More in our money, SIM and tipping guide.

Heat, sun and hydration

Carnival falls in Trinidad's dry season, which the Ministry of Health describes as a time of high temperatures.³ Its advice: make water your first choice, avoid strenuous activity in the hottest part of the day (usually 10:00 to 14:00), take breaks in the shade and wear sunscreen of SPF 30 or above.³ On the road that means a refillable bottle, regular water between drinks, a hat for J'ouvert morning and sunscreen reapplied through the day.

Laws that catch visitors out

• Camouflage is illegal. It is an offence for anyone, including children, to wear camouflage clothing or bring it into the country.^1,7
• Cannabis rules are narrower than you might think. Possession of up to 30g is decriminalised, but you cannot smoke it in public or while driving.¹
• Respect private property. Trespass carries heavy penalties.¹
• LGBT+ travellers: the UK government notes that in March 2025 consensual same-sex activity was reinstated as a crime, though such laws have not been enforced in recent times, and that public displays of affection could attract negative attention.¹

If something goes wrong

• Call 999 for the police or 811 for an ambulance.²
• If your passport or cards are lost or stolen, report it to the police and your bank straight away.⁷
• If you are robbed, do not resist. Criminals may be armed.¹
• Contact your embassy or high commission if you need consular help.