The rule for J'ouvert is: carry as little as humanly possible. You're going to be in a dense crowd, in the dark, getting soaked in paint and water, for six hours. Anything in your hands is something you have to think about. Here's the honest list.
Bring on the Road
- Your phone in a proper waterproof pouch with a lanyard — not a sandwich bag
- A small amount of cash and your ID, in the same pouch
- Sunscreen — you start in the dark and finish in Caribbean sun
- A pair of cheap sunglasses for after sunrise
- A rag or small towel tucked into your waistband for your eyes
That is genuinely it. If you're playing all-inclusive with WE J'ouvert you don't need to carry drinks, water or money for food — the truck has all of it, which is a large part of why people play with a band.
Prep the Night Before
- Petroleum jelly or baby oil for your hairline, ears, neck and tattoos — it stops paint gripping
- Hair braided, in a bun, or under a bandana or old cap
- Clothes laid out: cheap white or light tee, light shorts, old shoes you'll throw away
- A rubbish bag by the door for everything you're wearing when you get back
- Old towels and a bar of soap in the bathroom, so future-you isn't ruining the good towels
The Phone Question
Everyone wants photos and everyone is scared for their phone. A waterproof pouch on a lanyard around your neck solves both — you can shoot through the plastic, it stays on your body, and paint can't get into the ports. If your phone matters to you, a genuine option is to leave it entirely and let the band's photographers do the work; our galleries from every year on the road are full of shots nobody had to hold a phone to get.
Leave at Home
- Jewellery of any kind — chains, watches, rings, earrings you like
- A good camera. Paint and water destroy lenses. Action cameras are the exception
- Any bag bigger than a pouch — backpacks and crossbodies get soaked and get in the way
- Cards, passports and anything you'd need to replace from abroad
- Clothing, shoes or towels with any sentimental value whatsoever
Footwear Is the One Thing People Underestimate
Old closed-toe sneakers you are ready to bin. Six hours of walking on wet road in a crowd of thousands is not the place for sliders, and it is definitely not the place for new shoes. Some people go barefoot — that's for people who know the road, not for a first J'ouvert.
Hydration
The single most useful habit on the road: one water for every drink. The bar is open all morning, you're dancing continuously, and the sun arrives halfway through. WE J'ouvert runs a water truck for exactly this reason — use it, on the inside and the outside.
Quick answers
- What should I bring to J'ouvert?
- Very little: your phone in a waterproof pouch on a lanyard, a small amount of cash, your ID, sunscreen, cheap sunglasses and a rag for your eyes. If you're playing all-inclusive, drinks, water and breakfast are already covered.
- Can I bring a bag to J'ouvert?
- Only a small waterproof pouch or fanny pack. Backpacks and larger bags get soaked in paint and water and are difficult to manage in a dense crowd.
- Will my phone survive J'ouvert?
- Yes, in a sealed waterproof pouch on a lanyard. You can take photos through the plastic. Loose phones and paint do not mix.
Keep reading
What to Wear to J'ouvert: Clothes, Footwear & Everything You Need to Know
You will get covered in paint, powder, and mud. Here's exactly what to wear (and what to leave at the hotel) for J'ouvert morning.
How to Get J'ouvert Paint Off: Skin, Hair, Nails and the Clothes You're Not Saving
Paint, Abir powder and mud come off — much more easily if you prep beforehand and shower before you nap. Here's the routine that works.
Your First J'ouvert: An Hour-by-Hour Guide to What Actually Happens
Nobody tells first-timers what the morning actually feels like. Here's J'ouvert hour by hour — from the 2AM alarm to the walk home covered in paint.