Barranquilla is South America’s ‘other’ carnival – so party in Colombia

By Justin Calderon, for CNN
2 minute read
Updated 7:49 PM EST, Mon February 8, 2016
The coastal Colombian city of Barranquilla hosts what organizers claim is the world's second-largest carnival celebration, behind Rio de Janeiro. The celebration runs February 6-9 this year.
The carnival you don't know —
The coastal Colombian city of Barranquilla hosts what organizers claim is the world's second-largest carnival celebration, behind Rio de Janeiro. The celebration runs February 6-9 this year.
Vizzor/CON/LatinContent Editorial/LatinContent/Getty Images
Barranquilla's carnival kicked off with the Batalla de Flores parade, which drew a 600,000-strong crowd this year.
All in —
Barranquilla's carnival kicked off with the Batalla de Flores parade, which drew a 600,000-strong crowd this year.
Justin Calderon for CNN
A dancer waves his arms into crescendo during the Mapale, a frenetic African dance. Indigenous and African cultures are emphasized in Barranquillo.
African elements —
A dancer waves his arms into crescendo during the Mapale, a frenetic African dance. Indigenous and African cultures are emphasized in Barranquillo.
Justin Calderon for CNN
The carnival "shares common sentiments in joy, music and awareness of the Caribbean self," say organizers.
Big Carib —
The carnival "shares common sentiments in joy, music and awareness of the Caribbean self," say organizers.
Vizzor/CON/LatinContent Editorial/LatinContent/Getty Images
Scanty costumes and vibrant colors are part of carnival festivities the world over. In Barranquilla, carnival also has a distinctly Caribbean flavor.
What would Carnaval be without ... —
Scanty costumes and vibrant colors are part of carnival festivities the world over. In Barranquilla, carnival also has a distinctly Caribbean flavor.
Justin Calderon for CNN
One of the more controversial characters of the Carnaval is the "Son de Negro," a figure of liberation, according to local tradition.
Local tradition —
One of the more controversial characters of the Carnaval is the "Son de Negro," a figure of liberation, according to local tradition.
Justin Calderon for CNN
Barranquilla attracts 1.5 million revelers throughout the carnival's duration, according to Carla Celia, director of the Carnaval de Barranquilla.
Crowd pleasing —
Barranquilla attracts 1.5 million revelers throughout the carnival's duration, according to Carla Celia, director of the Carnaval de Barranquilla.
Justin Calderon for CNN
"It's great to see all types of Colombian people come together," says Saskia Werner of the Netherlands (left), who attended with friend Lieke Prins.
International appeal —
"It's great to see all types of Colombian people come together," says Saskia Werner of the Netherlands (left), who attended with friend Lieke Prins.
Justin Calderon for CNN
Men painted in Colombian colors dance congo, a traditional warrior's dance from Africa.
Congo finery —
Men painted in Colombian colors dance congo, a traditional warrior's dance from Africa.
Justin Calderon for CNN
In a break from tradition, women dance congo, a performance that originally featured men disguised as women.
Congo dancing —
In a break from tradition, women dance congo, a performance that originally featured men disguised as women.
Justin Calderon for CNN
Costumes, music and dances portray the 220 years of the carnival's history.
Blended traditions —
Costumes, music and dances portray the 220 years of the carnival's history.
Justin Calderon for CNN
Some costumes are similar to those seen in Rio de Janeiro.
Feathers galore —
Some costumes are similar to those seen in Rio de Janeiro.
Justin Calderon for CNN
Carnaval of Barranquilla
Barranquilla, Colombia CNN  — 

Bikinis, bare skin, face paint, feathers. Pretty much what you’d expect from Rio Carnival, right? Well, sure.

But the world’s most famous carnival doesn’t have a monopoly on feather frenzies.

In the coastal Colombian city of Barranquilla, one of the world’s largest spectacles of dance and cultural pageantry, gives Rio a run for its money.

El Carnaval de Barranquilla is a spectacular display of Colombian customs and colors, with a Caribbean twist.

The four-day celebration, which ran February 6 through 9, 2016, rivals the headline-grabbing festivities of the world’s largest party in Rio de Janeiro.

Organizers in Barranquilla work all year to prepare for what they claim is the world’s second-largest carnival celebration, behind Rio.

Barranquilla attracts 1.5 million revelers throughout the carnival’s duration, according to Carla Celia, director of the Carnaval de Barranquilla.

The commercial Caribbean port city swells to accommodate visitors from across the world coming to witness some 25,000 performers.

“Hotels reach 98% occupancy and the city creates 20,000 direct and indirect jobs,” Celia says.

‘Caribbean self’ celebrated

This ain't Rio, baby. It's the Gran Parade at Barranquilla Carnival, one of Colombia's most important festivals.
This ain't Rio, baby. It's the Gran Parade at Barranquilla Carnival, one of Colombia's most important festivals.
Vizzor/CON/LatinContent Editorial/LatinContent/Getty Images

The first day of the carnival, known as the Batalla de Flores, which saw a 600,000-strong crowd this year, is the largest and most diverse of the festivities, incorporating costumes, music and dances that portray the 220 years of the carnival’s history.

Indigenous and African cultures are emphasized, similar to the carnival in Rio.

What makes Barranquilla’s carnival distinct are what organizers call its “13 different musical expressions” that, even if from African or other roots, are imbued with Colombian colors and flare.

People from all walks of society perform in the parades.

“It’s great to see all types of Colombian people come together,” says Saskia Werner, an attendee from the Netherlands. “It makes Colombia a beautiful place.”

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Big Carib

Carnaval de Barranquilla has a tone that’s distinctly Caribbean, setting the Colombia of the coast apart from the Colombia of the mountains.

The carnival “shares common sentiments in joy, music and awareness of the Caribbean self,” says Celia.

Like Mardi Gras, Barranquilla’s events include characters that bring viewers into a fantasy world, while kicking up laughs at the same time.

This year, performers in full costume parodied the Zika outbreak, El Chapo, late Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez and even Pope Francis, a surprising affront in a staunchly Catholic nation.

In a festival that aims to celebrate all the joys of life, laughter is an obvious and welcome ingredient.

10 things to know before visiting Colombia

Freelance writer Justin Calderon’s work has appeared in The New York Times, Newsweek (Japan), Global Post, Borneo Post and The Nation (Bangkok).