Revel in Colombia’s Barranquilla Carnival
Enjoy the spectacle or join in the fun at Barranquilla’s extravagant carnival, a riot of passion and colour.
The UNESCO-listed Carnival of Barranquilla, held annually over four days leading up to Ash Wednesday, is reputedly the second largest fiesta of its type after Rio de Janeiro’s. Extravagant, exuberant, entertaining and exotic, it shows off the diversity and flamboyance of Colombian culture as a whole and that of the Caribbean region in particular.
This colourful spectacle fuses elements of both African pagan ceremonies and Catholic rituals, touched with inspirations from indigenous traditions. The result is an over-the-top display of music genres and dance, with participants dressed up in lavish costumes. The carnival was once considered a holiday for slaves of African origin, but now it has been embraced by many Colombians and foreign visitors as an opportunity to celebrate these traditions in a massively ebullient way.
Choose between a one day experience or dive in for the whole four day period of delirium, attended by over 1.5 million people watching or taking part.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
