πŸ‡°πŸ‡Ύ Batabano Carnival

Batabano is the Cayman Islands annual Caribbean Carnival! It is a wild, vibrant and colourful celebration that embraces Cayman Island culture and heritage. Here is everything you need to know about attending carnival in the Cayman Islands.

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    When is Batabano 2021?

    The 2021 Batabano CarnivalΒ dates have not yet been determined. The carnival generally takes place in May. We will keep you updated when we know.


    What is Batabano?

    batabano carnival

    BatabanoΒ pronounced BAH-tuh-buh-nu, is officially calledΒ the Cayman CarnivalΒ Batabano. It is an annual Caribbean CarnivalΒ that takes place in the Cayman Islands. It is one of the biggest events of the year in Grand CaymenΒ and a time when people from all different backgrounds come together to celebrate community spirit.

    The Cayman IslandΒ residents descend from over 100 different countries whose cultures have all melted together to create a unique cultural diversity that is demonstrated through local dance, music, fashion and lifestyles. Batabano is all about celebrating and embracing local CaymanΒ culture.

    BatabanoΒ is an explosion of culture and color. It is a celebration filled with CaribbeanΒ music, dance, elaborate costumes, lots of rum, feasting on local cuisine, parties and cultural events. It is the time when the usually conservative Cayman IslandsΒ let loose and live life to the fullest!

    While a relatively young Caribbean Carnival, only being 34 years old. The carnivalΒ has been growing in popularity year after year. The carnival attracts thousands of domestic and international visits who come to enjoy the celebrations.

    Where is Batabano?

    The Cayman IslandsΒ is a British Overseas Territory. The Cayman IslandsΒ consist of 3 islands that sit in the western CaribbeanΒ Sea. Grand Cayman, the largest island, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman,Β the smallest island.

    BatabanoΒ takes place on Grand CaymanΒ in George TownΒ which is the capital of the Cayman Islands. George TownΒ lies in the west of the island. It is a financial hub and a major port of call for cruise ships.

    What is the history of Batabano?

    The first BatabanoΒ was launched back in 1983 by the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman. The carnival got its name BatabanoΒ because they wanted to honor Cayman IslandsΒ turtling heritage. Turtles have always been a very important part of Cayman IslandΒ heritage. Back in the 1600s the Cayman IslandsΒ were a key stop for ships due to the abundant population of green sea turtles.

    The word Batabano means the tracks left in the sand by sea turtles and they walk across the beach to nest. Finding these turtle tracks on the beach was – and even to this day – is a wonderful reason to celebrate because it means the turtle population is replenishing. The turtle is an important symbol of the Cayman Islands.

    How do they celebrate Batabano?

    batabano carnival

    BatabanoΒ can be divided into two big celebrations. The first one is the more traditional Caribbean Carnival celebrationsΒ that are adult-focused. The other celebrations are more family friendly celebrations for the kids and whole family to take part in.

    The Adult BatabanoΒ celebrations take place first. The biggest part of the celebration is the road parade composed of Masquerade Bands, and stunning colorful costumes. The paradeΒ is judged and a Masquerade BandΒ is declared a winner.

    There are loads of other events on the day include a massive street partyΒ that has DJs across three stages. There are also fetes and parties in the lead up to paradeΒ day and of course what would a Caribbean carnivalΒ be without aΒ J’OuvertΒ celebration.

    The Junior BatabanoΒ was introduced in 2002 to make some carnival celebrationsΒ that were more family friendly celebrations. Junior BatabanoΒ sees the kids get a chance to participate in a parade and gets the next generation excited about carnival. There are loads of other fun activities from face painting,Β carnivalΒ rides, to mask decorating.

    Adult Batabano Events

    batabano carnival

    Batabano J’Ouvert

    J’ouvertΒ which is the French word for day break is one of the most popular events of Batabano. It is essentially a smaller sunrise parade. It occurs the weekend before carnival. You must buy tickets to join up with a J’ouvert band.Β Your tickets will get you a T-shirt, drinks, a CaribbeanΒ breakfast and a goodie bag. Trust us it is so much fun! You don’t want to miss this!

    Thursday May 2ndΒ Le Masque Ball

    Le Masque BallΒ is a very elegant masquerade ballΒ that is one of the main events of Batabano. It is a luxurious event that features wonderful cultural and costumeΒ displays, delicious Caymanian cuisine, and live entertainment featuring popular SocaΒ and Calypso artists. It kicks of with a cocktail reception and is then followed by dinner, dancing and live entertainment.

    Batabano Friday Night Fete β€œOutta De Blue”

    This is one of Batabano biggest fetes. It is a nightΒ feteΒ called β€œOutta De Blue. The feteΒ includes internationally-renowned DJs and popular SocaΒ artists in addition to some local artists. This is a popular fete to attend.

    Batabano Food Festival

    This is an experience that should not be missed. In what many call the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean!Β BatabanoΒ hosts an epic food festival. This will delight your senses. It is the ultimate street food extravaganza with loads of local food vendors serving up some of the most delicious Cayman, CaribbeanΒ as well as international cuisine.

    Saturday May 4, 2019Β – Cayman Carnival Batabano Street Parade

    BatabanoΒ has one of the best parade routesΒ in the CaribbeanΒ as it marches adjacent to the beautiful Seven Mile Beach, whilst winding around the center of George Town. If you don’t join in find a good spot along the parade routeΒ and enjoy watching as thousands of energetic revellers dance through the streets in the most exotic costumes.

    The adult street parade is the main event of Batabano. The streets come alive with an amalgamation of color, costumes, musicΒ and pageantry. Visitors can join Β in and parade or “jump” as the Caymanians say. There are stilt walkers, musicians, acrobats and limbo dancers.

    Batabano Last Lap

    The Batabano Last Lap feteΒ occurs directly after the street parade.Β There are 3 stages for music set up in the streets. It allows the party to continue after the parade, where people dance the night away to music from local and visiting artists and DJs.

    Sunday Batabano Sunday Boating

    Boating to Rum Point on the Sunday is a local CaymanΒ tradition, but it’s extra fun on Batabano Sunday! So jump on one of the Batabano Mas Band boat cruisesΒ or if you can head out in your own boat. It’s a fun day so get creative and wear a cool costume/swimwear outfit!

    Junior Batabano Events

    batabano carnival

    Junior Batabano “Pan and Pooches on Parade” & Junior Batabano Family Fun Day Β & Street Parade

    • Parade route: Begins at the Glass House Building, loops around George TownΒ and heads back to the Glass House Building.

    Cayman Carnival Junior BatabanoΒ is a family-friendly carnivalΒ where the kids get a chance to paradeΒ through George TownΒ in their own mas bands. It is like a mini version of the adult parade,Β lots of colorful costumes, socaΒ music and dancing. After the event the winners of the “Junior Band of the Year” competitionΒ are announced.

    The fun continues after the paradeΒ with loads of fun for the whole family. There are costume competitions, carnivalΒ rides, face painting, mask decorating, local food, snow cones and many other family fun activities.

    What is playing mas?

    When it comes to celebratingΒ carnival in the Cayman IslandsΒ you can either just be a spectator or you can join in the parades! When you want to join in it is calledΒ playing mas. For those not familiar withΒ CaribbeanΒ Carnival, to play masΒ you have to join aΒ masquerade band.

    You cannot just show up in a beautiful home-madeΒ costumeΒ and join theΒ parade.Β You must select aΒ mas bandΒ thatΒ you want to be part of, contact them, purchase their costumes, or t-shirts and dance through the streets with your chosenΒ band.

    Mas Bands Batabano

    batabano carnival

    The best way to enjoyΒ BatabanoΒ is to join in andΒ play mas! We highly recommend playing masΒ for the ultimate BatabanoΒ experience. How to choose a Mas Band?Β Well that’s a difficult decision because you have so many good options.Β TheΒ Batabano Carnival mas bandsΒ are:

    • MΓ‘s AzΓΊcar: This is a new Mas Bandfor the 2019 Batabano Carnival. It offers a Latin fusion carnival This is the band to join if you want to experience a explosion of salsa, reggaeton, merengue and soca. To join this band contact Mas AzucarΒ at info@masazucar.comΒ 324-9199
    • Renegade Mas: This band is only in their second year of carnivaland they are growing more popular. Renegade masΒ is an explosion of colors, festivity and CaribbeanΒ Carnival To join this band contact Renegade MasΒ info@renegademas.com
    • Local Carnival Mas Band: This mas bandis owned by two young local CaymaniansΒ whose vision for this band is all about expressing the natural beauty of the Cayman IslandΒ and spirit of
    • Fenomenal: Sharon Ebanks who is the leader of this mas band, has been participating in the carnival ever since the very first ever Batabano Paradeback in 1983! Passionate about BatabanoΒ she will be launching this new mas bandΒ in the 2019 Batabano Parade. To join contact Sharon Ebanks at fenomenalmasband@gmail.com
    • Kaotic Mas Band: This mas bandis another new band to join the Batabano paradeΒ in 2019. The aim of this band is to provide you with an absolute first class experience for all masquerades! To join this paradeΒ contact Pearlina McGaw-Lumsden Β 1 345-925-6151
    • Revel Unit:This mas bandΒ is filled with soca-loving like minded people who are all about living life and having lots of fun whilst playing mas. To join this band contact https://www.revelunit.com revelunit@gmail.com
    • Illusions Cayman: Illusions is a new and growing mas bandthat was established in 2018. It first began as a small sized T-shirt band and actually came in 3rdΒ place in the Batabano Street Parade. To join this band contact Illusions CaymanΒ at illusionscayman@gmail.com Β 345-939-7292
    • Fresh Carnival: This mas band won the Band of the YearΒ in 2016 and 2017, and is proud to provide people from all over the world to come and join in. To join in please contact Olujimi olujimilapierre@gmail.com Β 345-927-5703
    • Party Animals: This is mainly a T-shirt band but also has a β€œfete-ish” costume They aim to offer the most entertaining and fun masquerading experience. To join their band contact Richard Jackson partyanimals345@gmail.com Β 345-321-5766
    • Tribal Carnival Cayman: This is the winning masquerade band of 2018! Tribal has been participating in carnival since 2007 and has been participating in BatabanoΒ ever since. To join contact Dexter Seusahai tribal.carnivalcsr@gmail.com

    Batabano Music

    BatabanoΒ features a lot of Caribbean musicΒ like soca, calypso, reggaeΒ and it typically will have elements of soul. The lyrics usually express what life is like or talk about political or social issues. This feeds into the idea that BatabanoΒ is all about celebrating social justice.

    Batabano Costumes

    batabano carnival

    BatabanoΒ is famous for its colorful, vibrant and extravagant costumes The Masquerade Bands that use costumes as the key feature of their performances. Both the Junior and Adult Batabano ParadesΒ hand out rewards for the best costumes.

    Men’s costumesΒ traditionally will include shorts, an impressive feathered headdress as well as jewelled neck pieces and cuffs. Women’s costumesΒ are usually quite sexy and revealing. Often it is a multi-coloured bikini, with a feather headdress, jewelled pieces, and often tail feathers.

    Makeup is an important part of the Batabano costume. It is all about lots of bright colors and glitter. It is an important aspect that is usually used to accent the costumes. Sometimes darker makeup lis used to contrast the costumes.

    Tips and Tricks for Batabano

    1. Sun protection: this is essential! You are on Β tropical Caribbean islandand the paradeΒ begins Β midday and runs for several hours. So wear loads of sun block because it is hot and you don’t want sunburn ruining your carnival Bring some sunglasses to!
    2. Stay hydrated: Dancing and drinking, or even just standing for a few hours under the hot sun puts you at risk of dehydration. So drink lots of water all day! Bring a water bottle with you.
    3. Good comfy shoes: You will be on your feet for hours so wear comfortable shoes!
    4. Careful of your valuables: Leave important things like passport etc back in your hotel. Get a little bag to carry your cell phone, keys and cash.
    5. Don’t forget your camera: You are going to want to take lots of selfies! Plus the crowds energy is unreal so you are going to want to capture this day.
    6. Eat a good breakfast! Trust us you are going to want to have lots of energy to last the day jumping around under the hot sun, or even if your just watching.
    7. Get there early: If you are just going to be a spectator then get their early to get a good spot and bring some beach chairs with you and even a cooler. Park along the parade route and enjoy.

    Where do I purchase tickets for Batabano?

    It is free to watch theΒ parade. If you want to join a mas bandΒ you will need to contact that group and purchase their outfit. The same for J’ouvert you will need to purchase a t-shirt to be part of the celebrations. For all the other carnivalΒ events and fetesΒ you can purchase tickets from https://eventpro.ky/Β 

    Where to stay for Batabano?

    There is plenty of accommodation options to suit all budgets from luxury resorts, to guest houses and private rentals! Remember BatabanoΒ is very popular and accommodation can be scare and more expensive due to higher demands so book ahead of time.

    Check accomodation deals options

    How to get to Grand Cayman?

    batabano carnival

    There are only two ways to get here and that is to fly or by boat. Owen Roberts International AirportΒ is the Cayman’sΒ main airport to with flights from North America and the UK.

    Major international carriers British Airways, American Airlines and the local Cayman AirwaysΒ has Β flights to Cuba, Jamaica and Β Honduras.

    Hundreds of cruise ships stop in George Town. As there are no deep-water port facilities they will shuttle passengers to shore using frequent tenders. You can see what cruises will be in the Cayman during carnival by visiting the Cayman Port AuthorityΒ (www.caymanport.com).

    How to get around Grand Cayman?

    Grand Cayman is easy to get around and you have a lot of options to get you around the island. Your best option is to hire a rental car. Remember though they drive on the left hand side of the road so if you are not comfortable with this there are plenty of taxi services or public buses you can take. Get a quote for a rental car here.Β To rent a bike or a scooter get a quote here.

    What to do and see in Grand Cayman?

    batabano carnival

    Grand Cayman is a stunning part of the world. White sand, crystal clear water, swaying palm trees, fresh seafood, tasty rum. You can relax on the beach, enjoy a cocktail or you can have some more adventure and enjoy scuba diving, snorkelling, hiking the jungle and so much more.

    Georgetown, the capital of the Cayman IslandsΒ and where carnivalΒ takes place is known internationally as being a financial haven. It is also the first port of call for the cruise ship passengers. It is famous for duty free shopping with loads of luxury shops catering to the wealthy. It also has a lot of historical charm and great bars, restaurants and cafes.

    Seven Mile BeachΒ is the most iconic beach on Grand Cayman island. Situated close to Georgetown,Β the beach is always quite busy and bustling, but it’s the seven miles of tropical sunshine and white sand that make this beach popular. You can walk along the beach or stop along it and enjoy something to eat and drink.

    For more information about tours, things to do, sightseeing tours, day trips and more click here. For longer vacations check out Tour Radar for some cool trips.

    Before you go!

    We can’t stress enough the importance of travel insurance! Never travel without coverage! Being protected on your travels gives you an irreplaceable peace of mind. Don’t learn the hard way about the importance of travel insurance. Get a quote through our recommended insurance provider, World Nomads!

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