Top 5 South American carnival destinations
Tuesday, 4th January 2011
In January, February and March, South America is filled with colorful carnival parades and some of the loudest and liveliest parties in the world. Here's our pick of the top 5 to visit this year...
1. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The most famous carnival in South America takes place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from March 5th - 8th in 2011, and attracts people from all over the world. One of the highlights of this is samba parade competition, in which samba schools from different neighborhoods of the city take part. They each choose a different theme each year and spend all year practising their music and dancing, and preparing their costumes and floats. There are also street carnivals in different parts of the city with bands and dancers wearing all sorts of elaborate costumes, as well as balls and dance parties where dressing up is very much encouraged.
2. Salvador da Bahia, Brazil
Another famous Brazilian carnival, also known as the world’s largest party, is held in Salvador da Bahia on the north east coast of Brazil and attracts several million people each year. While the costumes aren’t as eleborate and spectacular as in Rio, there is a greater variety of music – not just samba – and most of the top Brazilian musicians and singers perform there. The bands parade slowly around the city on trucks known as trios electricos, and you can join them, watch from special stands known as camarotes along the route, or just watch and listen from wherever you can find space. In 2011 the Salvador carnival is from March 3rd - 8th.
3. El Callao, Venezuela
Each February a large carnival takes place in El Callao in the Venezuelan state of Boliva, featuring a mixture of music and costumes from Venezuela, the West Indies and the French Antilles. There are also carnivals in other parts of Venezuela, including Los Tambores de Bariovento and Trinidad.
4. Azuero, Penonme, and Panama City, Panama
Carnival celebrations are held all over Panama, with the largest in Azuero, Penonme, and Panama City the captial. These celebrations are huge parties with parades, music, dancing and amazing costumes. One particular Panamanian tradition is the throwing water at one another, or mojadera, which is a bit fun and helps keep people cool, so it’s not a good idea to wear your best clothes if you’re joining in. In 2011 these carnivals will be from March 5th - 8th.
5. Gualeguaychú, Argentina
Early each year the city of Gualeguaychú in the north east of Argentina holds huge carnival celebrations where you can enjoy fabulous costimes, music and dancing. The Carnaval del País is held every Saturday on January, February and early March in the corsódromo, a large, purpose-built stadium, and feature hundreds of dancers and musicians as well as a spectacular parade.
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Tags: carnival, south america, portuguese, language course, course, language, venezuela, panama, brazil, argentina, festival, french, spanish
Posted by Editor 2011-01 under Experience Cultures,
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