Carnival in Central America

Central America

It will soon be that time again - the peak of the fifth season in Germany begins. This means that carnival parades, exuberant celebrations and colourful costumes are the order of the day. But what does it look like in other parts of the world, such as Central America? We took a closer look at carnival in Panama, Cuba and Mexico and were really impressed.

Carnival in Panama

Carnival in Central America
The carnival in Panama City may not be as famous as the one in Rio, but the celebrations and dancing are exuberant here too. From Friday to the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, starting with the coronation of La Reina, the Queen of Carnival, visitors are on their feet day and night in many parts of the country. In addition to parades and concerts, the so-called "Culecos" are very popular. For the culecos, entire streets are sometimes provided with tanker lorries full of water to spray the crowds with water from fire hoses. At around 35°C, this is a welcome way for the many visitors to cool down as they dance and party under the jets of water. In addition to Panama City, the carnival in Las Tablas, a town further inland, is also very famous. Here, Calle Arriba battles Calle Abajo, upper street against lower street. With decorations on the streets, colourful decorations, culecos and fireworks, the two streets try to outdo each other in a competition until the most colourful, brightest and wettest street wins.

Carnival in Cuba

Drumming at carnival in Cuba
The carnival in Santiago de Cuba is famous the world over, with dancing crowds celebrating to rhythmic music. Unlike here, the carnival only takes place at the end of July each year, after it was decided at the end of the 18th century to postpone the carnival until July due to the sugar cane harvest in February. During the hottest time of the year, people dance and sweat to the wild rhythms. Music plays an important role here. The "corneta china", a Chinese horn, is blown and emits a peculiar sound. Many different percussion instruments are also part of the orchestra, such as the congas, which set the classic Cuban carnival rhythm. Dressed in colourful costumes, the crowds dance through the streets in parades and celebrate exuberantly alongside the floats and dance performances in the sweltering heat.

Carnival in Mexico

The carnival in Veracruz is probably the most famous and cheerful carnival in Mexico and lasts a whole 9 days. The carnival kicks off with "La quema del mal humor" - the burning of bad humour. A hated person or bad event from the previous year is commemorated and symbolically burnt with fireworks. A highlight is the coronation of the carnival queen and the carnival king, the "rey feo", the ugly king. Parades with floats, samba groups and other carnival groups stretch over 3 kilometres. People dance to Caribbean, Brazilian and traditional Mexican music in an exuberant atmosphere. The spectacle ends with the burial of the "Juan Carnaval", where the carnival kings dressed in black are present.
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Travelling Central America

A trip to Central America is so much more than rainforests, volcanoes and dream beaches. Look forward to colourful colonial cities, warm-hearted people, exotic wildlife, living traditions and real adventures between the Pacific and the Caribbean.

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