International Carúpano Carnival, Venezuela

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What is the International Carnival of Carúpano?

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The carnivals of Carúpano are celebrations that take place in this city in the state of Sucre. The celebrations are one of the most famous in the country, which is why it has become one of the festivals of Regional Tourist Interest.

The carnival features some typical carnival elements such as the costumes, the carrozas, the parties around town and the parades. The carnival of Carúpano festivities are organized or held a few months before the opening of the official carnivals. One of these celebrations is the election of the Mini Carnival Queen, each of the parishes has one, also their election and parade occurs the Saturday before Carnival Monday. The streets of the city are filled with floats, parades, musicians and orchestras to welcome the Carupaneros Carnival. Every day is a day of celebration, with the purpose of receiving hundreds of tourists from other regions of the country to celebrate the festivities of the state.

 

 

The carnival festivities are the result of contributions from the different groupings of society, including the Government of the state, the private enterprise and the comunidad carupanera with the donations and payments they make in contribution to them.

 

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When is the International Carnival of Carúpano?

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The festivities last four days and begin on Carnival Saturday through Tuesday. The carnival takes place from approximately February 13 until February 16.

 

 

History of the International Carnivals of Carúpano

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The carnival of Carúpano dates back to 1873, when the festivities were celebrated with comparsas and parades. Showever, at the end of the celebrations, the parties became somewhat violent with water games, eggs and any other object.

During the 1920s, the carnival contained floats with which people would spread duces andthrow water balloons at whoever was in the street. In the middle of the century, a group called “Club de los Leones de Carúpano” decided to put into practice more friendly celebrations, in order to put an end to the water and balloon wars. That is why anofficial parade was established on the main roads of the town, which included the Carnival Queen.

As the years went by, characteristic figures of the carnival began to emerge, one of them was Mr. Humberto Angriso, who was known as “Padre del Carnaval de Carúpano” (Father of the Carnival of Carúpano). This person planned and organized the festivities, functioning as the president of the carnival board. Also emerged Diablo Luis, played by Luis del Valle Hurtado, and functioned as a counterpart to the Diablo Danzantes de Yare. During carnivals this person painted his body black and used accessories that allowed him to transform himself into a devil. In addition, he would go through the streets scaring people.

 

Where is the International Carnival of Carúpano?

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The carnivals of Carúpano are held is one of the cities of Sucre state, Venezuela..

 

 

How is the International Carnival of Carúpano celebrated?

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Carnival celebrations begin a few days after the end of the year, with the renowned “Grito de Carnaval“. It is a ceremony that is celebrated as a reception or preparation for the carnival. A few days before the parades, the Mini-Carnival Queen is crowned in each of the parishes of the locality. These queens will take part in the parades once the Carnival season has begun.

The carnivals of Carúpano are celebrated with a deep-rooted tradition and culture. The parades are accompanied by music characteristic of the town or traditional music of the country. Asome of the genres that we can identify in the parades are samba and calypso. The parade also has a musical band that accompanies the carriages and the participants..

At the end of the formal festivities, the so-called “octavita” is held, which is an excuse to continue the party eight days after its celebration.

If you want to know more about tourism in this country I recommend this guide:.

 

Tips to go to the International Carnival of Carúpano

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If you decide to visit the carnivals, remember to plan your trip, as well as to make a travel itinerary and book your lodging. It is necessary that you consider that the city of Carúpano is generally hot and dry, so it is advisable to bring with you adequate clothing and hydration.

 

Events in the International Carnival of Carúpano

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After the celebration of “El Grito del Carnaval”, you proceed to choose your Mini-Carnival Queen, selecting a girl from each parish that will incorporate the parade. After this, the Carnival Parade, the most anticipated event of the festivities, is held. People take to the streets to celebrate the carnival with costumes and colorful garments, many of them using the colors of the national flag or adapting certain attractions of the country in their costumes.

 

 

The comparsas and the carrozas go through the most important towns, streets and avenues of the city, while the music bands animate the atmosphere with calypso, samba and percussion. The floats are decorated with various colors, feathers and brillies and people take to the streets wearing the costume of their choice, impersonating some prócer of the country, caricature or some invented disguise.

 

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Carúpano International Carnival Parades

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The main parade features decorated floats of various colors, feathers and glitter. Asometimes it follows a particular theme. People accompany the floats with their costumes, some of these taking the form of typical characters or of some cartoon. Aalso, the music bands are always present, animating the streets of the city with typical music, samba and calypso.

 

Parade route

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The parade goes through the main access roads of the city. Floats cross the streets and avenues accompanied by visitors and locals who dance, sing and wear costumes.

 

 

What to eat at the International Carnival of Carupano

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One of the most typical foods of the area is Arroz con Coco, a sweet dessert with rice, coconut, spices and papelón. Another of the most typical dishes is the Panada de cazón, an empanada made of corn flour stuffed with fish and a traditional stew.

Some of the places that the city offers you to eat are: El Fogón De La Petaca, Nolita Bistró Bar or Restaurant El Rincón Criollo.

 

 

Travel Insurance

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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 International Carnival of Carupano

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There is no better way to celebrate the carnival of Carúpano than participating in the front row, so we encourage you to be part of the parades, to put on your costume and join the party with the locals and the musical band.

If you don’t want to complicate things, here you can book interesting excursions in Spanish in this city:.

 

What to see and do outside of the Carúpano International Carnivals

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Some of the local tourist attractions are:

 

Cathedral of Santa Rosa de Lima

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One of the main religious temples of the city. It was founded in 1742 and is currently a protected document.

 

Madina Beach

One of the most famous beaches of the town. The shore is lined with palm trees, the sand is clean and the water is crystal clear.

 

The streets of Carúpano

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If you wish, you can walk the streets of Carúpano, you will find houses of colonial architecture and typical houses.

Also if you want to visit museums and important buildings in this city we recommend that you book your ticket in advance through Tiquets: .

 

Safety in the International Carnivals of Carupano

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Carúpano is relatively safe compared to the rest of the cities in the country. However, remember that Venezuela is currently experiencing a deep economic, political and social crisis, which stirs up criminal activity in some areas.

We recommend that you keep your personal belongings in a safe place and avoid going out alone at night. Also, we recommend the following products to store your belongings safely:

 

 

Weather at the International Carnival of Carupano

 

The weather in the city during carnivals is somewhat hot, as the average temperature is about 26 degrees Celsius. If you are traveling, take with you clothing suitable for the climate of the area.

 

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How to get to the International Carnivals of Carúpano

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How to get there by plane

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The nearest airport is José Tadeo Monagas International Airport; however, it receives few international flights, so your best option would be to get to Maiquetía Simón Bolívar International Airport and then use the different means of transportation to get to Carúpano..

We recommend buying airline tickets through Kiwi.com or Skyscanner where they are usually cheaper. More information on this link to review Kiwi.com..

 

How to get there by car

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The best way to get to Carúpano is from Caracas, taking highway 9 or Troncal 9.

 

Where to stay at the Carúpano International Carnival

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Booking.com

 

Euro-Caribe International

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Facilities include free parking, wifi, restaurant, bar, swimming pool and beach access.

 

Posada La Escollera

The rooms have a refrigerator.

 

Posada La Piccola Toscana

Rooms feature room service and kitchenette. Facilities include free parking, wifi, beach access, free breakfast and airport shuttle.

We recommend using Booking.com to book hotels at a good price, check more information here:.

 

Thank you for reading

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