At Barranquilla’s Carnival, They Dance Like This…

Every Easter the Colombian city of  Barranquilla is host to one of the biggest parties of the year in South America, forget Rio, this is the home of Shakira, Cumbia and the best dancers on the continent… this is definitely an event to put in your calendar for next year!

Although relatively unheard of, this is the second biggest carnival in the world, after Rio de Janeiro, and UNESCO recently gave it the nod as a World Heritage treasure because of the way it showcases this coast’s mix of European, African and indigenous cultures — and since the 1960s it’s been growing bigger and better every year.

For 4 days the city is shut down and people from all races, backgrounds and areas flood to the streets for a celebration with street dances, musical and masque parades.

Being here will make you laugh at any (of which I am sure you have heard enough) bad press on Colombia.  The bright colors, cheerful music and dancing like you’ve never seen before seem worlds away from the dark pictures of violence that are painted in the media. This is the true Colombia in all its glory.

The festivities start on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday with the ‘Battle of the Flowers’ which is a six hour show of floats, marchers, fire breathers and folkloric dance and music groups, you can see all the carnival characters here, my personal favourite, the Marimondas who wear bright trousers and vests and hoods that are represent a half monkey half elephant character with big floppy ears, spectacle-like eyes and long noses.

Grab a costume, and go to every event you can.  Now that you’re in the know head soon as this is guaranteed to turn into one of South America’s main tourist attractions before you know it.