Learn more about how to plan a carnival trip that’s both educational and respectful.

But even under perfect conditions, its hard to convey just how euphoric how freeing the experience can be.

Destroying the commodity produced by their own forced labor was a powerful rebuke.

Men and women celebrating Carnival at a parade in Jamaica

Credit:Harvey Leon

Canboulay was a rebellion worthy of celebration.

Reggae is an implosion, soca is explosion,he toldCaribbean Beatmagazine in 1998.

Soca music takes all your pains out of you.

Woman dancing and groups celebrating at a carnival parade in Kingston, Jamaica

Courtesy of GenXS Jamaica

Bands provide everything from food and drink during festivities to the glorious costumes Carnival is famous for.

We stayed at theROK Hotel Kingston,a beautifully appointed modern hotel right in Kingstons downtown art district.

(The acronym in the propertys name stands for the Revival/Rebirth/Renaissance of Kingston.)

The carnival parade in Kingston, Jamaica

Courtesy of GenXS Jamaica

The hotel offers an extensive breakfast buffet, as well as dishes made to order.

This year, we thoroughly enjoyed concerts at Kingstons Sabina Park stadium.

And, thankfully, the Carnival season is still going strong throughout the rest of the Caribbean.

Women celebrating Carnival at a parade in Jamaica

Harvey Leon

If you want to make it out this year, youve still got lots of options.

Next up is Bermuda, which will have its Carnivalnext month, from June 16 - 19.

Vincymas, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Carnival, packs a whole lot of punch on the small islands.

The pool at ROK Hotel Kingston, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Photo Fusion Media/Courtesy of ROK Hotel Kingston, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Running fromJune 30 - July 11this year, Vincymas promises to be a deliciously musical good time.

For a rundown of the bands you could march with,visit vincymas.vc.

Lucia Carnivalruns all the way from the beginning of the month through the 19th.

Interior of an ocean view guest room at ROK Hotel Kingston, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Photo Fusion Media/Courtesy of ROK Hotel Kingston, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Antiguas one of my favorite islands, and itsCarnival historyis rich.This years mas bands can be found atantiguacarnival.com.

Mas bands should be announced later this month.Bougainvillea Barbadosis a lovely boutique resort on the islands south coast.

Even if you cant travel internationally any time soon, youre not out of luck.

Men and women celebrating Carnival at a parade with a Haitian flag wrapped around a man’s back in Jamaica

Harvey Leon

The sun may shine differently, but the soca will hit all the same.