Last week, we looked at the epic Carnaval celebrations that will be taking place in Europe in early March. But that’s only half the story, as celebrations take place all over Latin America as well. These events tend to have the same colorful costumes, exuberant parades, and lively street parties, but each with their own culture and traditions to add to the mix. If you’ve never been to one of these celebrations, then reading about it isn’t really going to do it justice, but we can at least give you a little taste. Read on as we explore the various places that Carnaval is celebrated across Latin America.
Brazil
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We start with the most well known and largest Carnaval celebration, not only in Latin America, but in the entire world. Carnaval is celebrated across the country in places like Salvador, Recife, and Olinda, but the most famous celebration is in the seaside city of Rio de Janeiro. These events are marked by inclusivity, attracting tourists from all over the world and blending traditional Brazilian culture with modern influences, making it an approachable way for tourists to connect with locals. In addition to the colorful costumes and extravagant parades, expect a lot of street parties and samba dancing. At the time this post will be published, we will be one week away from the start of Brazil’s celebration on 28 Feb, 2025, so it is not too late to grab a last-minute flight to Rio de Janeiro and get in on the action!
Trinidad and Tobago
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The Carnaval celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago are some of the most lively in the world, and well worth their own place here. These celebrations date back to colonial times and have their roots in traditional African culture. Soca and Calypso music, for instance, originated from these islands and can be heard throughout these celebrations. Starting things off is the “J'ouvert” Morning Celebration, a wild start where people cover themselves in mud, paint, and colored powders and parade through the streets. Costume contests are held, rewarding those with the most extravagant costumes, while steel drums are heard across the islands. This event is often referred to as the greatest show on Earth, and it isn’t hard to see why.
Caribbean Islands
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All across the Caribbean, island nations celebrate Carnaval in their own way, adding their own cultural traditions to the extravagant costumes and boisterous parades and parties. Dominica’s Carnaval is known as "The Real Mas" holds to traditional elements and features local music like bouyon and cadence-lypso. Puerto Rico is known for their Vejigante, which are colorful and mischievous costumes that playfully scare party goers. Aruba celebrates with a lighting parade after dark, with paraders wearing illuminated costumes. Each island has its own blend of African, Taíno, and Spanish, and that diversity is on full display during each unique Carnaval event. If you have a favorite island to visit during vacation, you own it to yourself to visit during one of these epic celebrations!
The Andean States
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Brazil isn’t the only country to celebrate Carnaval in South America, with the party extending all the way throughout the Andes. One of the most significant of these is the Carnival of Barranquilla in Colombia, which is recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity for its mix of indigenous, African, and European traditions. Bolivia’s Oruro Carnaval is also recognized by UNESCO, and is known for traditional Diablada dances that tell stories of the struggle of good versus evil. Uruguay boasts the longest Carnaval celebration, called Carnival of Montevideo and lasting over 40 days. There is a lot of diversity among the countries of South America, so each one offers its own traditions to the celebrations of Carnaval and has something special to offer to both locals and tourists alike.
Mexico
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Finally we come to Mexico, which is not as well known for its Carnaval celebrations, but still has plenty to offer. Some of the best places to go include Veracruz, known as one of the largest in the country, or Mazatlán, which is one of the oldest and most traditional celebrations. The Carnaval in Mérida highlights the region's Mayan heritage in their parades and musical performances, while Ensenada in Baja California demonstrated how tightly-knit their community is with their community-driven celebration. Rio may get all the press, but Mexico knows how to put on a Carnaval with the best of them!
