Cajamarca Carnival, Peru
Santa Cruz de la Sierra Carnival, Bolivia
Ayacucho Carnival, Peru
Content of this article
What is the Carnival of Cajamarca?
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The Carnival of Cajamarca is a celebration that takes place every year, 40 days before Lent in the town of Cajamarca, Peru. The carnival festival is one of the most anticipated celebrations for the cajamarquinos, as the city is recognized for being the Capital of the Peruvian Carnival.
Everyone congregates in the streets of the city to see thetypical costumes and thetraditional music such as the “Cilulo” that are celebrated around the “Unsha”, which is a tree full of gifts that is installed during the festivities. Also, we can not forget the Carnival songs, which are one of the peculiarities of these carnivals for being funny and fun.
The carnivals of Cajamarca are visited by 60. 000 people a year, visitors from Peru and abroad come to see the main events, including the coronation of the Carnival Queen, the patrols and comparsas, the great parade and the reception and burial of the Ño Carnavalón, a rag or paper doll that simulates a political character. Playing with water and paint is another of the peculiarities of the carnival, everyone participates and who does not, too.
Cajamarca is considered the Carnival Capital of Peru for its colorful festivities and impressive costumes
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When is the Carnival of Cajamarca?
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The Cajamarca carnival celebration occurs before Ash Wednesday.
History of the Carnivals of Cajamarca
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The Cajamarca carnival began to be seen in 1930, only with corsos and floats simply decorated with flowers and carnival queens. Also, the parades were held in the Plaza de Armas inside the city. A Gran Festejo was held, in which people played with confetti, talcum powder and streamers. In addition, the presence of quartet groups was already seen on those dates, which resulted inthe contest of coplas that take place in the current carnivals in Cajamarca..
The carnival in Cajamarca has been in constant evolution and development, taking new elements that it integrates into its festivities, thus becoming the Capital of Carnival in Peru.
Where is the Carnival of Cajamarca?
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The celebration of the Cajamarca carnival is held in thecity of Cajamarca, in northern Peru. Cajamarca Carnival.
During the Cajamarca carnival patrols and parades people wear themed costumes or traditional costumes
How the Cajamarca Carnival is celebrated
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The carnivals of Cajamarca are celebrated with lots of water and paint, materials that are used to perform the great wars during the festival season. Also, there is an election of theCarnival Queen and contests of festive and traditional coplas of the dates. In addition, the Thursday of Compadres takes place, where two men become “compadres” and fraternize.
Once the celebration begins as such, the Carnavalón, a figure who is called the King of Carnival, is welcomed and the patrols and comparsas contest takes place, in which dozens of carnival groups perform dances and performances. The carnivals reach their most important point with the Gran Corso del carnaval, when comparsas and allegorical floats are seen crossing the streets of the city.
Finally, the unshsas festivities, where a decorated tree is thrown. During this event, the couples of the city participate to obtain gifts and garments. To end the festivities, the velorio de Ñó Carnavalón is held, where the “widows” of the character attend and the following day the Entierro de Ño Carnavalón, which consists of reading his testament and burning of the body, is held.
Tips to go to the Carnivals of Cajamarca
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If you wish to attend the carnivals in Cajamarca, be sure to plan your trip in advance, make a travel itinerary and book your lodging at the establishment of your choice.
Also, be sure to bring clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty, as you’ll probably end up covered in water and paint.
If you want to know more about tourism in this country I recommend this guide:.
Events at the Cajamarca Carnival
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The Cajamarca Carnival celebrations are held in a special way. First, theelection of the Carnival Queen takes place on the Sunday before the official start. The candidates tour the city and the event includes street parades and floats. Likewise, the concurso de coplas is held, integratingfestive songs and characteristic of the date. In addition, the Jueves de Compadres, an event exclusively for men, in which several locals fraternize and celebrate.
Once the party formally begins, the Carnavalón, a character that resembles a character from politics or current events, is welcomed by the Carnavalón. Likewise, a flour, water and paint war takes place. The Patrols and Comparsas contests are held on Sundays, when neighborhood residents gather, wear costumes and dance.
On Carnival Monday the Gran corso, the most awaited event, a celebration in which decorated allegorical floats and comparsas parade through the streets of the city. People parade through the streets and squares, also welcoming the Carnival Queen.
Finally, the Velorio y Entierro de Ño Carnavalón takes place on Tuesday of Carnival. During the wake, the misa takes place and is attended by the “widows” of the deceased. During the night there is a torchlight celebration.
The burial of Ño Carnavalón is the closing ceremony of the Cajamarca carnivals
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Cajamarca Carnival Parades
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The Grand Corso takes place on Carnival Monday which is when we can see a large number of comparsas and carrozas alegóricas parading through the streets of the city, being accompanied by the Reina del Carnaval. The parade is the perfect setting to see the groups wearing colorful costumes, often following a theme and performing incredible choreographies.
Parade route
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The comparsas and patrols wear bright colors during the Cajamarca carnival
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The Gran Corso usually starts at Avenida Pachacámac, then it goes to Avenida Alameda de los Incas, Avenida Atahualpa and finally to Avenida Atahualpa, Plaza Bolognesi until it reaches La Recoleta.
El chicharrón con mote es usual de la región de Cajamarca
What to eat at the Cajamarca Carnival[/h2>?
One of the foods you can enjoy during the carnival in Cajamarca is the rosquita de manteca, a kind of sponge cake that can be accompanied by jam or blancmange. Likewise, you can enjoy chicharrón con mote, which consists of pork rinds accompanied by beans.
Likewise, the city offers you some options to eat out, some of these are: Restaurante Paprika Cajamarca, Tuna Café and Restaurante Salas..
Las rosquitas de manteca son típica del carnaval de Cajamarca
Travel Insurance
From Carnavalesdelmundo.org we recommend to hire a good insurance to visit this carnival and to know the rest of the country. For being our readers we offer a 5% discount on all IATI insurances. Read more information about all insurance offers here:
What to see and do inside the Cajamarca Carnival
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Within the carnivals it is important that you participate in the water, flour and paint war, as it is one of the most popular and fun activities of the festival. Also, you can attend the contest of couplets and patrols that are held in different neighborhoods.
Finally, you can see the Grand Corso of the city with its floats and parades and attend the wake and burial of Ño Carnavalón.
What to see and do outside of the Cajamarca Carnivals
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Some of the tourist options that the city of Cajamarca and its surroundings offer you are:
Ventanillas de Otuzco
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It is located 8 kilometers from the city, however, is an archaeological work of great importance for the region. They are crypts dating from 50 BC and 500 years after Christ.
Cathedral of Cajamarca
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It is one of the main temples of the region and was listed as Cultural Historical Heritage of the Nation in 1972. Also, its construction was carried out in the seventeenth century.
Plaza de Armas of Cajamarca
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It is a public square of great importance for the city since different events are held here. In the square fell the Tahuantinsuyo Empire, an important event for America and the world.
Safety in the Carnivals of Cajamarca
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The city of Cajamarca is relatively safe. However, keep your eyes open for any suspicious activity such as pickpockets.
It is always a good idea to keep your valuables in a safe place to avoid theft or misplacement. Also, we recommend the following products to keep your valuables safe:
Weather at the Carnival of Cajamarca
During the dates the weather can vary a little, as the temperature can reach 23 degrees during the day and 8 degrees at night, so wear warm clothes even though it is cool during the day.
The water and paint war is traditional of the Cajamarca carnivals
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How to get to the Cajamarca Carnivals
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How to get there by plane
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The closest airport and with greater connectivity is the Airport Mayor General FAP Armando Revoredo Iglesias. You can arrive from the city of Lima. Once there, you can take the different means to get to the town.
How to get there by bus
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From Lima you can take a bus from Parque del Trabajo to Estación Tomas Valle. Once there, walk 5 minutes to Plaza Norte where you will take another bus that will take you directly to Cajamarca.
How to get there by car
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From the airport you can take a cab or vehicle to the city center by taking the main roads.
From Lima you can take the Cartera 1N to Cajamarca..
Where to stay in Cajamarca Carnival
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El Portal Del Marques
3-star hotel 300 meters from town. Rooms have cable TV and private bathrooms. The hotel has parking, bar and free wifi.
Costa del Sol Wyndham Wyndham Cajamarca
4-star hotel 150 meters from downtown. Rooms feature minibar, private bathroom and satellite TV. The hotel offers swimming pool, free parking, airport travel and bar.
Gran Hotel Guisama
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3-star hotel 300 meters from the center. Rooms have TV and private bathroom. Facilities offer parking, airport travel and bar.
We recommend you use Booking.com to book hotels at a good price, check more information here:.
Thank you for reading
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