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Revel in Colombia’s Barranquilla Carnival

Revel_in_Colombias_Barranquilla_carnival

Enjoy the spectacle or join in the fun at Barranquilla's extravagant carnival, a riot of passion and colour. 

The UNESCO-listed Carnival of Barranquilla, held annually over four days leading up to Ash Wednesday, is reputedly the second largest fiesta of its type after Rio de Janeiro’s.  Extravagant, exuberant, entertaining and exotic, it shows off the diversity and flamboyance of Colombian culture as a whole and that of the Caribbean region in particular.

This colourful spectacle fuses elements of both African pagan ceremonies and Catholic rituals, touched with inspirations from indigenous traditions. The result is an over-the-top display of music genres and dance, with participants dressed up in lavish costumes. The carnival was once considered a holiday for slaves of African origin, but now it has been embraced by many Colombians and foreign visitors as an opportunity to celebrate these traditions in a massively ebullient way.

Choose between a one day experience or dive in for the whole four day period of delirium, attended by over 1.5 million people watching or taking part.

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  • Lina
    Lina Fuller - Travel Expert

    Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.

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    Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

    Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

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    Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

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    Rosie Kay - Travel Expert

    During a career break, Rosie embarked on an unforgettable year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. Now back in the UK, she is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others, helping them discover her favourite place in the world.

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    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

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    Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.

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