Carnaval (or Carnival) is a time for wanton revelry before the abstention of Lent. It is celebrated in many destinations throughout Mexico. In some places festivities are comparable to Mardi Gras in Rio or New Orleans, whereas some towns have completely unique ways of celebrating. The largest fiestas take place in Mazatlan and Veracruz.
Carnaval takes place the week before Ash Wednesday (dates vary from year to year). The dates for Carnaval 2008 are January 30th to February 5th, though dates may vary slightly for each destination.
On Mexico's northern Pacific coast in the state of Sinaloa, Mazatlan is a beach resort town and a busy seaport. Mazatlan's Carnaval celebrates with costume parades, music, food, fireworks, art exhibits, beauty pageants and more. The event began over 100 years ago and is now one of the world’s largest Mardi Gras celebrations, attracting hundreds of thousands of revelers.
Veracruz, on Mexico's Gulf coast is a bustling tropical port city with a rich history and a strong Afro-Caribbean feel. During Carnaval, the city comes to life with music, parades, dancing, food, and fireworks. This year's celebrations will include performances by big name musical artists such as: Alejandra Guzmán, Sonora de Margarita, Julieta Venegas, Kumbia Kings, Lupita D’Alesio and Miranda.
The island of Cozumel is located east of the Yucatan Peninsula on top of the age-old structures of the Mayan coral reef. It's one of Mexico's top scuba diving destinations, but is also home to one of the most popular Carnaval celebrations in the Mexican Caribbean. During Carnaval, Cozumel springs to life in an exciting explosion of color and music. Cozumel's unique celebration includes a variety of costumed characters, such as Harlequins, rumba dancers, Spaniards, gypsy women, fairies, princesses and bullfighters.
Cozumel destination information
Merida, the capital of the state of Yucatan, is located in the northwest part of the state. It's a charming city with elegant colonial buildings and a vibrant cultural life. Merida's Carnaval is a week-long party featuring parades, music and dancing. This is a good place for families to celebrate Carnaval because there are activities for all ages.
Merida City Guide
This port city was walled to prevent attacks by pirates in the late 17th Century. Now it's one of Mexico's best preserved colonial cities, and a World Heritage Site. Campeche hosts the country's oldest Carnival celebrations and the city offers some of the most traditional fanfare associated with Carnival.
Ensenada, in Baja California, just south (70 miles) of Tijuana, hosts the northernmost Carnival celebration (and a perfect choice for those
traveling without a passport, because you can cross into the country by land). Ensenada's Carnival festivities include masquerade parties, carnival games, grand balls, street dancing, and parades.
San Juan Chamula
In San Juan Chamula, Chiapas, you can see a very different Carnival celebration. Here Carnival is given a pre-hispanic connotation - these days are associated with the five "lost" days of the Mesoamerican calendar - the solar calendar cycle had 360 named days and five days which had no name. During the festivities revelers run through the streets with flaming branches, re-enact Chiapan military battles and perform traditional dances.
