The Carnival of Barranquilla is one of the most important festivities in Colombia and one of the most colorful and fun cultural celebrations in the world. Every year, for four days, Barranquilla is transformed into a scene of joy, music, dance and tradition that attracts visitors from all over the world. The Carnival, declared by UNESCO as Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, is a unique opportunity to learn about the culture and customs of the Caribbean region of Colombia and to enjoy an unforgettable experience.

What is the Carnival of Barranquilla

This is a festivity that has been celebrated for more than a century and has become a meeting and celebration space for everyone, both locals and foreigners. But to say that Carnival is a party is to underestimate it: it is an opportunity to celebrate the joy, creativity and identity of the Caribbean, and to keep alive the traditions and diversity of Colombian culture.

When and where is celebrated

Barranquilla is a Colombian city located on the Caribbean coast of the country. It is known as the sandy or the Golden Gate and it is known for being the great cultural center of northern Colombia: great figures of Colombian thought and art such as Gabriel García Márquez, Alejandro Obregón, Fernando Botero, Rafael Escalona, ​​among many others. But, without a doubt, the greatest of its artistic milestones is the Carnival: four days before Ash Wednesday, the entire city puts on its most colorful costumes, turns on the music and takes to the streets to dance.

Main events of the Carnival of Barranquilla

These are the main events of each of the days:

• Saturday — The Battle of Flowers: one of the most emblematic events of the Carnival, in which parades of floats and troupes with costumes and decorations alluding to the culture and tradition of the Colombian Caribbean are held.
• Sunday — Great Parade of Tradition and Folklore: it is a parade that takes place in the historic center of the city, in which folkloric groups present themselves representing themes and characters of the region's culture through their emblematic figures, such as alligators and doodles.
• Monday — La Gran Parada de Comparsas: parade of floats and dance groups known as troupes, made up of around 50 to 100 people, who are dressed in colorful and extravagant costumes. During their journey, each comparsa presents a choreography, which includes dances and synchronized movements. In addition, spectators can also join the celebration of the comparas and dance with them in the street.
• Tuesday — Burial of Joselito Carnaval: marks the end of the festivities. The burial of the mythical character Joselito is parodied, who dies on the Tuesday before the Ash Wednesday to revive the Saturday of the following year and thus start the next Carnival.

Paid events and how to attend

In addition to public events, there are also others that require a ticket. Among them is the Festival of Orchestras, the Coronation of the Queen, and the concerts in the city stadium. To find out the dates of sale and prices, you can consult web portals such as tuboleta.com some time in advance.

Some Tips

If you plan to be part of the great Carnival party, we also recommend that you take into account the following self-care points:

• Arrive early to events to secure a good spot in the grandstands.
• You are going to dance, and a lot! So wear comfortable and cool clothes, as the weather in Barranquilla can get hot and very humid.
• Wear comfortable and appropriate footwear for walks and parades.
• Do not forget to constantly hydrate yourself and take water or soft drinks with you.
• Use sunscreen.
• Get ready for the cornstarch!

An immersive experience

There is no better way to immerse yourself in the culture of our country than by directly meeting its people, and what better place than Carnival to share their joy and warmth. Therefore, if you plan to learn Spanish, Colombia is your best option. This year, our students were able to go to rejoice Carnival in an incredible experience that definitely changed their lives.

In any case, it is important to point out that the city of Barranquilla is an interesting destination at any time of the year, not only during Carnival times. At school Nueva Lengua We have an office in Cartagena, just one hour from Barranquilla, and we have Spanish course plans and cultural immersion in which you can visit Arenosa during the weekends.

Come and discover all the color and excitement of the Colombian Caribbean from the inside while you learn Spanish with its people. We wait for you at Nueva Lengua!