The Best Party in Colombia: Barranquilla Carnival

I know what you guys are thinking and yes, it is my birthday weekend. No, that doesn’t mean I’m having the biggest party in Colombia this weekend. Fact is, this weekend I have to take second place to a little thing called ‘Carnival de Barranquilla’. Shucks.

Due to its amazing cultural display, El Carnaval de Barranquilla was proclaimed by UNESCO, in November 2003, as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It’s second only to the Carnival in Rio in terms of size and, of course, fun. Here’s what Marcela has to say about it:

El Carnaval de Barranquilla is the best example of our triple cultural fusion (European, African, and Indian) in which the Catholic festivities brought by the Spaniards from the Europe blended with aboriginal ceremonies and the musical heritage of African slaves to become a spectacular folk festivity. Although there are four main Carnival days, you can feel the ambiance changing weeks prior to it, when the Caribbean rhythm of carnival music fills the air in anticipation of the festival.

It’s an amazing weekend, and to get you in the mood we’ve got you a video from those cheeky French guys at Off2Colombia. Check it out:

So if you travel to the Caribbean coast of Colombia this weekend, get your salsa moves ready, get a cup for your aguardiente, and go and enjoy the party of the year.