Carnival is about over-the-top, shed-your-inhibitions fun. Like Mardi Gras, its traditionally a last chance for excess before the solemn season of Lent for Catholics.

The annual bash is practically synonymous with Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans. But its also a big deal in the Caribbean, which, despite popular belief, isnt one homogeneous destination. Each Caribbean island has its own history, cuisine, culture and its own take on Carnival.

On some islands, the event is tied to Catholic traditions. On others, it commemorates slave emancipation or the harvest.

Celebrations on Curaao and Trinidad are held this time of year, but you can still catch the festivities on St. Lucia and Barbados, held in summer. One thing they all have in common: the chance to party like a local.

The pounding beat of African tumba music fills the air at a Carnival thats lively but not as risqu as the bashes on other islands. This is a Carnival youd be comfortable taking the kids to.

The parades, taking place today and Tuesday, are a big deal. Sixty marching groups stream down the streets of Willemstad, a capital city so picture-perfect youll think youve landed on the movie set for a quaint Caribbean island.

Two good spots to enjoy the festivities are the Carnival Dome near the beginning of the parade route and the Carnival Tribune, near the end. Both have seating, music, food and drink.

Curaao prides itself on making sure everyone can enjoy the party. Considered one of the Caribbeans most gay-friendly destinations, it has hotels catering to gay tourists and an annual gay pride parade. Our melting pot history has led to a progressive live and let live philosophy that has long welcomed the LGBT community, says Andre Rojer of the Curaao Tourist Board.

Pictured: Performers pose during festivities in Curaao.

WHERE TO STAY Sitting on a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kura Hulanda Village (kurahulanda.com) features 18th- and 19th-century buildings restored to their original splendor. Cobblestone paths meander through lush gardens filled with art and inviting pools. An on-site museum details how Curaao was once the epicenter of the slave trade in the Caribbean. Rates start at $180 a night during Carnival.

INSIDER TIP When its time to eat, head to the food stalls of Plasa Bieu, also known as the Old Market. Sample the popular goat stew or traditional tutu, a dish of ground-up beans with sugar and other goodies.

INFO curacaocarnival.info

Pictured: The colorful Dutch houses at the Sint Annabaai in Willemstad, Curaao.

Trinidad is the mecca for Carnival in the Caribbean. The riotous, multicultural spectacle starts with the pre-dawn Jouvert (daybreak in French Creole) on Carnival Monday, Feb. 27, when people throw paint on one another. It culminates with Parade of the Bands, where several thousand scantily clad costumed revelers dance to pulsating soca.

Birthplace of the steel pan, Trinidad is an oil-rich country whose ports have long been flooded with empty oil drums. Resourceful locals turned them into instruments. Panorama, the worlds largest steel pan competition, is held over several days in January and February leading up to the big final competition in Queens Park Savannah in Port of Spain. Many of the preliminary competitions are held in Port of Spains pan yards, where tourists are welcome to hear steel pan bands practice throughout the year.

Tour companies such as Banwari Experience (banwaricaribbean.com) will help you play mas with a Carnival band, which means you don a costume and march in the parade. They also can set you up to be part of ftes, Carnival-themed parties held all over the island that include your food and drink.

WHERE TO STAY Downtown Port of Spains traffic is at its worst during Carnival, so consider the Hilton Trinidad (hiltoncaribbean.com/destinations/trinidad.html), within walking distance of Queens Park Savannah, where many events are held. Carnival rates begin at $500 a night.

INSIDER TIP If someone asks if you want a wine, theyre not wondering if youd like a chardonnay. Theyre asking if you want to wind as in wind your hips or gyrate, presumably in tandem with the person asking.

INFO ncctt.org/new

Pictured: The Junior Queen of the Carnival competition is part of the festivities in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

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Known for its towering Piton mountains, breathtaking beaches and a world-class jazz festival, St. Lucia used to hold its Carnival before Lent. The country changed the festival date in 1999 to eliminate competition with Carnival titan Trinidad and Tobago and to attract more tourists to its lush playground in the summer.

St. Lucian Carnival is a more intimate affair that remains on the smaller side, with roughly eight bands participating in the festivities. It culminates in the three-mile-long Parade of the Bands through the capital city of Castries.

WHERE TO STAY Main events are on the north end of the island. The oceanfront St. Jamess Club Morgan Bay (morganbayresort.com) is a good choice in that area. Rates start at $291 a night for two people, including all food and drink.

INSIDER TIP Youll hear the locals talk about liming. Simply put, to lime is to party or to hang out. It refers to the art of doing nothing while sharing food, drink and laughter with friends. And no matter what season you visit, the fishing village of Gros Islet hosts a lively street party on Friday nights, full of barbecue, drinks and dancing.

INFO stlucia.org/events/carnival

Pictured:Carnival performers dance inCastries, Saint Lucia.

Barbados could give Trinidad a run for the title of top party island just dont call Barbados event Carnival. Its Crop Over, pictured, and its so important to this former British colony that its a national holiday. As the name suggests, Crop Over celebrates the end of the harvest, on an island that was once among the worlds largest sugar producers.

Soca music competitions, the coronation of the Crop Over king and queen, parties, boat rides and parades nearly two months of nonstop festivities lead up to the main event, Kadooment Day, the first Monday in August, when revelers parade through the streets in barely-there bikinis loaded with sequins and feathered finery. You might even see pop star Rihanna, who often returns to her native island for the festivities.

WHERE TO STAY Many events take place in the bustling capital, Bridgetown. To be in the heart of the party, try the beachfront Hilton Barbados. The concierge will assist with tickets to events and ftes (hiltonbarbadosresort.com). Rates start at $199.

INSIDER TIP Bring a bathing suit along on Kadooment Day. After parading and partying in the streets of Bridgetown, revelers head to the outskirts for a swim at Brandons Beach.

INFO visitbarbados.org/things-to-do

Pictured: Seafront at St. Lawrence Gap, Barbados.

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Caribbean islands offer Carnival travel choices: St. Lucia, Barbados and more - Newsday