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Latin America brims with vibrant festivals, and it’s not just about the carnivals. Laura French seeks out some lesser-known options
d
oes anywhere throw a fiesta quite like Latin America? From Rio
Carnival – ‘the greatest party on Earth’ – to Mexico’s death- honouring Dia de los Muertos, via age-old indigenous festivals, extravagant float parades and plenty beyond, this diverse, music- loving region has something to tick just about every box. You could easily spend several
years exploring its February carnivals alone, with almost every country offering some form of Mardi Gras celebration in the run-up to lent – from egg, flower and water fights in Ecuador to folk dances in Bolivia, theatrical murga performances in Argentina to water-filled street parties in Panama – but there’s
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plenty beyond the carnival festivities, with enough revelry to fill an entire year’s calendar (and then some). It’s not just about the bigger
players, either. For those wanting to really get under the skin of the region – and witness age-old, authentic traditions that have shaped its places and people across the centuries – you’ll find plenty of lesser-known alternatives, from Andean rituals to kite-flying competitions, striking flower parades and more. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best to get you and your clients feeling inspired, so read on to find out what and where to sell to culture vultures on the hunt for their next big hit.
DESTINATIONS FESTIVALS | LATIN AMERICA
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BARRANQUILLA CARNIVAL, COLOMBIA
Colombia’s annual Mardi Gras festival is every bit as extravagant as you’d expect from the world’s second-biggest carnival, with a string of elaborate float parades and colourful street parties taking place across four days. The biggest celebrations take place in Caribbean coastal town Barranquilla, where performers shimmy on down to salsa, samba, cumbia and other local music, while weeping performers mourn the death of mythical character ‘Joselito’ on the final day.
MEDELLIN FLOWER FESTIVAL, COLOMBIA
THE BACKGROUND: It’s not just in February that the festivities descend on Colombia. Medellin turns into a riot of colour every August, when the Feria de las Flores tranforms its streets into one ginormous, ultra-pretty florist – showcasing the country’s reputation as the world’s second-biggest flower producer. HIGHLIGHTS: At its heart is the Silleteros Parade, when flower growers march around the city carrying exotic arrangements and sculptures – weighing up to 70kg and spanning up to five metres – on their backs. Open-air music and cultural performances take place across the city, as well as firework displays, equestrian activities, a dog parade, classic-car parade and improv singing battle. “It brings some of the country’s biggest growers together for weeks of celebrations, as they compete for the most beautiful arrangement,” says Carmel Hendry, Explore product manager for the Americas. BOOK IT: Explore has a special Flower Festival departure on its 13-day Contrasts of Colombia trip, departing August 2, 2020. Prices start at £3,770 including flights and accommodation.
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5 DECEMBER 2019
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