Barranquilla Carnival 2020 will be a tremendous non-stop colorful party at a top Colombian Caribbean destination.
So huge it welcomes over one million and a half festival goers arriving from anywhere imaginable.
Barranquilla Carnival 2020 will be a tremendous non-stop colorful party at a top Colombian Caribbean destination. The carnival is so huge it welcomes over one million and a half festival goers arriving from anywhere imaginable.
It’s no surprise since this cultural gala full of coastal folklore is a unique experience not just during the carnival events but also in the vivacious people that live the carnival to the max partying on every city street transforming it into biggest dance floor in the world.
The carnival has scheduled grand events including traditional parades, folkloric dances, and music performances.
They take place at parks, plazas, and main city streets where adults, youth and children come together to enjoy the festivity.
The city is ready for the party as the art-deco buildings are decorated with brilliant flowers and vendors display their handcrafts.
You will see hats, woven bags and the famous carnival masks rendering the floor to the ‘lectura de Bando’ (proclamation) happening at two popular scenarios; Plaza de la Paz and the new Granada soccer field.
Happening on Saturday is the most important event composed by floats of colorful allegorical cars.
The carnival’s main characters are king ‘Rey Momo,’ and ‘Maria Monitas,’ parading in company of dancers in full costumes. They give tribute to their Indigenes, Spanish, and African roots through their choreographies and music.
Takes place on Sunday where only traditional folkloric groups compete with cumbias. This a traditional folkloric dance derived from the integration of the Indigenes, Africans and Spanish musical instrumental rhythms.
The result is in one of the most sensual, amusing, and famous dance worldwide.
Starting early Monday afternoon until the graveyard hours on Tuesday. Several music categories of orchestras and musical groups showcase various carnival music with drums, maracas and millet flutes.
They feature the year’s traditional dances that were vivid in the city during the 70s and 80s.
Happening on Tuesday the last day of the carnival Barranquilla.
Everyone mourns the death of Joselito, a traditional character representing the happiness of the Carnival.
After 4 days of partying he dies announcing the culmination of the festivities over crying widows wearing masks. No worries because everyone in Colombia are eager to welcome him back to life next year.
the carnival is characterized by carnival masks including the famous ‘Marimonda’ mask.
It consists of a hooded cloth bag with three holes, a long nose, and floppy elephant like ears. It is wore by men symbolizing their desire to sexual pursuits and to have the most fun possible at the Barranquilla Carnival.
Other famous masks made with mache paper with different colors and designs include ‘el toro’ (the bull) representing the leader of the herb, and ‘el gorila’ (gorilla) a member of the animal herb of the Congo’s (African) dances, other animal masks are tiger, dog, donkey, and many more.
Also, there are is a huge array of costumes that include dracula, demon, ‘cabezones’ (big heads) and of course the traditional African and Caribbean costumes.
They display the various cultures usually women wearing beautiful flowers on their head and dresses with long ruffle skirts, with different colors including the country’s flag yellow, blue, and red.
Carnaval de Barranquilla is about partying, music, food, but above all is about the striking people that live and feel carnival as if there is no tomorrow. 4 days of pure happiness.
You will get great views of the parade so arrive around 1:00 pm as parade starts at 2:00 pm you don’t want to miss anything.
Palcos have no assigned seats, some have access to portable toilets, and some shade so wear sunblock and a hat because it gets hot and humid.
Is popular and considered funny you can buy a can inside the palco also locals throw bags of flour to festival goers strolling the streets so get ready to be covered.
Inside the palcos are considered overpriced but still affordable. However, some locals bring their own drinks in plastic bottles such as beer and rum.
Especially on calle(street) 70 where it is a non-stop party for 72 hours as people convert their houses into bars and restaurants offering drinks, meat barbecued skewers, and even toilet use for a small fee, so friendly. Also, on calle 84 between carreras 44 & 46 is a strip of bars and restaurants where people are dancing salsa all night long, just to name few spots.
In Barranquilla a northern city in Colombia located where the Magdalena River meets the Caribbean Sea possessing the largest port of the region.
Plus, this magnificent city offers great places to visit such as the famous El Prado neighborhood known by its Republican-era architecture, where you can stroll the pleasant streets and visit the Metropolitan Cathedral of Queen Mary on Plaza de la Paz, a modern structure completed in 1982 containing beautiful stained-glass windows, mosaics, and an impressive altar with a 16 meter high sculpture by Rodrigo Arenas Betancourt, one of the most influential Colombian’s sculptors.
Also, visit the Salgar Castle a historic Spanish fort built in 1848, now a visitor’s paradise to relax listening to the sea waves and feeling the breeze of the Caribbean Sea.
For certain a must visit since Barranquilla is one of the top destinations in Colombia with easy access to other popular cities such as Cartagena and Santa Martha, the greatest opportunity to venture into these lively cities.
You can find a slight selection of hotels, apartments, guesthouses, and hostels located on Barranquilla’s prime districts like the historic center, El Prado, and Riomar precenting unbeatable prices.
Plus, most of the hotels offer great amenities such as Wi-Fi, pool, and modern living, reassuring during your stay you will be pampered by the best hospitality. Just keep in mind during carnival the demand is higher than the supply so do not wait and book your accommodations now.
The intensity of the carnival is also lived through the delicious Colombian gastronomy on this Caribbean region full of colors and flavors.
Plus, the proximity to the sea and river offers fresh and quality seafood so do not hesitate to try these delicious dishes. Also, it is extremely popular to eat coconut and ‘fritos’ (fried things) found everywhere in the city representing the African influences.
During the day to refresh drink ‘agua de panela con limon,’ ‘raspados,’ and tamarind juice to name some. For desert try the traditional coco desserts called ‘alegrias con coco y anis’ sold by the ‘palenqueras’ in the streets.
Arrive at Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport (BAQ) serving airlines as Avianca and American connecting Barranquilla to cities inside Colombia and the world.
Buses are a common way to get around the city with a large bus system considered safe and efficient connecting all city sections. Taxis are easy to use with most of them having a base rate that can be negotiated with the taxi driver taking you anywhere you desire. Also, walking is a popular way to get to places especially during carnival when some roads are closed to vehicles so take a nice stroll through the colorful streets.
From the airport is a 30 minute drive to the El Prado district and surrounding areas. If you are coming from Cartagena is about 2 hours straight on via Cartagena-Barranquilla (with tolls) and from Santa Marta is about 2 hour drive via Cienega-Barranquilla (with tolls), a nice opportunity to do a road trip between cities over the Atlantic blue waters.
The Barranquilla carnival dates back to the 19th century considered the most important folkloric celebration of Colombia was declared by UNESCO one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2003.
There is no certainty of the carnival’s origin but it is believed it originated from a combination of pagan ceremonies and catholic beliefs through the diverse ethnic groups.
The carnival begins on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday and for the following four days the city is paralyzed with the carnival activities including masquerade parades and dancing such as the Spanish paloteo, indigenous mico/micas, and African Congo.