| Celebrated the week prior to Ash Wednesday and | | | | can expect to see Draculas, drag queens and women |
| normally lasting a little less than a week, Carnival in | | | | in sparkling dresses dancing to the infectious Caribbean |
| Mexico has a long tradition dating back to the | | | | Spanish rhythms along Miguel Avila Camacho |
| nineteenth century. Coming from the Latin word | | | | Boulevard. Groups from neighboring villages dance in |
| Carnavale, meaning “goodbye to the flesh,” | | | | peacock and pheasant-feathered headdresses. A |
| Carnival refers to the week before Lent (Cuaresma), | | | | must during Carnival in Veracruz is dancing! Visitors |
| where carefree abandonment and indulgence are | | | | should not miss the chance to dance at the zocalo, or |
| encouraged. | | | | central square. Salsa, cumbia, reggae and marimba are |
| Beauty Queens and Burning Moods, what else can | | | | popular, but Jarochos (people from Veracruz) hold a |
| you ask for? | | | | special place in their hearts for the music and dance |
| Kick-off begins with the burning of El Mal Humor (Bad | | | | known as danzon, which first arrived from Cuba in |
| Mood), in which an effigy, usually modeled after an | | | | 1880. For live music, visit the zocalo and/or the |
| unpopular politician of the day, is hung and burned, | | | | malecon on February 21, featuring Mexican artists. |
| followed by a flurry of confetti and fireworks. This | | | | And when they aren't dancing, there’s nothing like |
| gives commencement to nearly a week of festivities | | | | sitting on the banks of the Jamapa River in the nearby |
| in some of Mexico’s most popular coastal cities, | | | | town of Boca del Rio and enjoying succulent grilled |
| including Campeche, Mazatlan, Veracruz and Merida, | | | | huachinango (red snapper), or a vuelve a la vida |
| just to name a few. | | | | (Veracruz-style seafood cocktail, a well-known |
| Host cities celebrate all sorts of parades daily, | | | | hangover remedy) at bargain prices. |
| depending on the local carnival’s theme, which | | | | Cozumel – February 14-21 |
| differs from region to region. Parades display an array | | | | Known as one of the most popular celebrations in the |
| of floats decoratively inspired by Mexican scenery and | | | | Mexican Caribbean, Cozumel has commemorated this |
| normally featuring bright flowers and live entertainment. | | | | pre-Lenten celebration for nearly 100 years bringing |
| Some parades require an entrance fee, and visitors | | | | Carnaval to life in an exciting explosion of color and |
| are advised to get tickets to the parade as soon as | | | | music. Cozumel’s unique celebration includes a |
| they can through the local tourist office or hotel. | | | | variety of costumed characters, such as Harlequins, |
| Mexpipe Challenge Surf Carnaval-February 16-20 | | | | rumba dancers, Spaniards, gypsy women, fairies, |
| For the first time ever, a surf carnival has been added | | | | princesses, bullfighters and kings and queens that can |
| this year at Zacatela beach in Puerto Escondido, | | | | be spotted during the week. |
| Oaxaca. This festival with a laid-back Woodstock-like | | | | This carnival is also considered a family-friendly version |
| atmosphere will take place on the beach and will have | | | | of the holiday and begins with the crowning of the |
| D.J.S, a fashion show, electronic dance parties and | | | | emperor and empress as well as the king and queen |
| break dancing competitions as well as plenty of surf in | | | | of Carnaval. As the week progresses and the |
| the Pacific Ocean. | | | | momentum builds, the island’s celebration continues |
| Men and women can compete in surfing competitions | | | | with colorful parades, nightly street fairs and daily |
| as well as enjoy the many festivities offered in | | | | musical performances and dancing throughout the |
| conjunction with the carnival. The Grand Carnival | | | | streets of downtown San Miguel. |
| Parade takes place on Tuesday the 20th, followed by | | | | Merida– February 14-21 |
| a costume contest and an awards ceremony at | | | | The Yucatan Peninsula’s capital city of Merida is |
| Town Hall. | | | | one of the many cities that celebrate Carnival, with this |
| Mazatlan– February 8-20 | | | | year’s theme centered on “The Circus”. |
| Mazatlan, home to the third-largest Carnival celebration | | | | Since 1980, the people of the Yucatan celebrate the |
| in the world after those in New Orleans and Rio de | | | | marching of “El Jacarandoso,” a popular |
| Janeiro, attracts more than 400,000 people each year. | | | | character who was once king of the Carnival and |
| From February 8 to 20, thrill-seekers fill the malecón | | | | annually displays the most colorful and amusing |
| (oceanside promenade) running along downtown’s | | | | costume. On Monday during Carnival week, the ladies |
| Ollas Altas beach, singing and dancing along roving | | | | don hand-embroidered dresses and the gentlemen |
| mariachi bands. You can also catch regional | | | | sparkling white guayaberas, the dress shirts typical of |
| Sinaloenses bands with lots of brass, as well as rock | | | | the region. |
| groups that set up along the way. | | | | Other important carnival destinations in Mexico include |
| Food lovers can enjoy open-air culinary festivals in the | | | | Ensenada, Baja California; Guaymas, along the Sea of |
| Zona Dorada (Golden Zone) and in Machado Plaza. | | | | Cortez in Sonora; Tepic, Nayarit; and Chamula, Chiapas, |
| Prominent dishes on hand include Mazatlán's famous | | | | said to be one of the most indigenous festivals in the |
| pescado zarandeado (barbecued fish), camarones | | | | country. |
| con mango (mango shrimp) and marlín ahumado | | | | About the Mexico Tourism Board |
| (smoked marlin). After enjoying some fresh seafood, | | | | The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the |
| Ollas Atlas port offers a unique offshore fireworks | | | | resources of federal and state governments, |
| presentation February 17 representing a mock naval | | | | municipalities and private companies to promote |
| battle, in commemoration of Mazatlan's 1864 victory | | | | Mexico's tourism attractions and destinations |
| over the French Navy. | | | | internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico’s |
| Veracruz – February 13 - 21 | | | | tourism promotion agency, and its participants include |
| Known for its Afro-Caribbean-influenced culture, the | | | | members of both the private and public sectors. The |
| port city of Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico hosts the | | | | MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, |
| second-largest Carnival in the country. Parade-goers | | | | Asia and Latin America. |