Barranquilla Carnival

The Barranquilla Carnival is a four day cultural event of music, dancing, colour and public exhibitions that allows the region to display the ethnic diversity. It is also becoming well known as the second largest carnival in the world. It is held annually on a Saturday, three days prior to Ash Wednesday.

The Carnival is a mixture of many wonderful traditions that have flourished over the past three centuries from a range of cultural and religious customs. These traditions include the Battle of the Flowers, the Grand Parade and the funeral of Joeselito Carnival. 

Battle of the Flowers

The Battle of the Flowers is the starting celebration of the Carnival, and also one of the most symbolic. It begins on the first Saturday of the carnival. The Battle of the Flowers is a parade of floats and disguised people that include King Momo and the carnival Queen.

The Grand Parade

The Grand Parade takes place on both the Sunday and the Monday and shows many of the local dances such as the Torito folk dance, the dance of Garabato and the Hilanderous dancers. Another element of the grand parade is the 84th street 

parade. This is a colourful event and shows the queen of the carnival dressed in black as a distraught widow, weeping until she faints. Following this the parade is an outburst of colours and dancers.

Funeral of Joselito Carnival

The funeral is the final event of the 

carnival where Joselito is symbolically buried
surrounded by his weeping widows .

Key Figures in Barranquilla Carnival

Rey Momo de Carnaval 2011 Jairo Cáceres

King Momo or Rey Momo in Spanish

King Momo opens the celebrations and encourages everyone to have an extraordinary time. In many Latin and Columbian cultures there are different versions of King Momo.

Reina de Carnaval 2011 Marcela  Davila

Burial of Joselito 2011

Carnival Queen - Reina de Carnaval in Spanish 

The Carnival queen is selected each October so that they have adequate time to prepare for the carnival. This role is a great privilege and considered by many a honor.

Joselito

Symbolises the enjoyment of the carnival. He is buried after four days of extreme partying. The funeral of Joselito signifies the end of the festivities.

History of the Barranquilla Carnival

Very little is known about exactly how and why this carnival began, but one thing that’s for sure is the carnival has always represented fun and vitality.

There are many theories as to the origin of this carnival; the most popular belief is that the carnival is the welcoming of spring and a celebration of birth and renewal. The carnival originates from a combination of pagan ceremonies, catholic beliefs and ethnic diversity and is a mixture of the European, African and Indian traditions, dances and music. It was at first a holiday for slaves, and grew to be a celebration of the region.

Although the time of the carnivals beginnings cannot be pin pointed, local beliefs date it back three centuries and it is confirmed that a great deal of the traditions were brought to America by the Spanish and Portuguese. The first notable date in the Carnivals history is the year 1888 when a figure known as King Momo appeared and so the documented history of the Carnival begins.  Shortly after this time in 1903 the first known battle of the flowers is recorded, apparently to recover long lost carnival tradition. Fifteen years later a Queen was chosen to preside over the festivities of the carnival and in 1923 the Carnival was institutionalised. In the years that followed the carnival grew and so did the traditions, including the integration of the great parade.

The year 2002 represents a great milestone for the Carnival of Barranquilla it is declared by the Senate of the Republic National Culture Heritage.  Following shortly afterwards in the year 2003 Carnival of Barranquilla is declared by UNESCO a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Barranquilla Carnival Traditional Costumes

There are many costume possibilities for the Baranquilla Carnival. Traditional costumes include

Marinonda – Spider Monkey

Garabato – Silk dance wear

Monocuco 

Barranquilla Culture

Barranquilla Street

Carros de mula

Dancers at the Carnaval

The City

Barranquilla is an easy going city with a laid back Caribbean culture on the coast of Colombia.  Although the people are laid back the city is a bustle and blur of activity with cars racing through traffic honking their horns when they come to an intersection, Mules pulling fruit and vegetable laden carts (carros de mula - mule car) across busy intersections and up and down streets yelling at the top of their voices what they have for sale, bus companies competing and racing each other missing gears and swerving in and out of traffic to get as many customers as possible and pause for too long on the side of the road and a swarm of taxis will head straight towards you like bees to honey.

The People

The people of Barranquilla are said to be some of the most friendly, sincere, kind and informal people in Colombia. Barranquillieros have a way of making you feel at home and are ready to help you when you are in need, for such a large city they have a way of collaborating together and with tourists to make it feel like a small homely village with everyone looking out for each. Colombians take care of and mutual respect for each other and elders; women are respected and given special attention. The middle class families in Colombia rely on a maid to do most of their everyday chores while richer families rely on a team of maids and workers to help them through every day with all tasks. 

Cultural Awareness

It is important as a tourist that you respect the host country and its’ locals that you are travelling to. Colombia in general has a large culture of music, literature, dance, food, language and education. In Barranquilla, as has been said, the people are quite laid back (yet extreme partiers) especially during the Carnaval, however there are some things that tourists can take heed to when mixing with the locals. In Colombia (as a whole) personal space is very important, so conversations take place at arms distance, the violation of this space is considered disrespectful and hostile (exceptions can occur in crowded bus stations and on buses within social classes). It is also considered polite (mandated) to greet strangers if you make eye contact with them or if they are your neighbours. Homosexuality is not illegal however it should be cautioned that it is still not widely accepted in the rural areas of Colombia; younger people are more accepting however will not openly display or converse the topic.

Unlike some would think, fashion is a large part of Colombia; even in Barranquilla the locals’ wear designer clothing. Although it is steaming hot and humid in Barranquilla the majority of men and women wear jeans and shirt it is commonly thought of that nobody but indigente (homeless people) wear shorts (the men). Although some middle class Baranquilleros wear shorts on the odd occasion in a very relaxed situations such as at the beach or in doors out of public view.

‘Though many people still associate Colombia with cocaine, it is in fact Peru that produces the largest amount of the drug and countries like the US and UK that consume the most.’ (Josian & Mickael  n.d.). Colombian people do not like or look upon drugs in a positive or welcoming manner. Dejectedly, the majority of drugs taken into Colombia are by foreigners going on drug tours. Those people who are considering travelling to Colombia for drugs should rethink their actions and have respect for the host country and its’ locals that they are traveling to. To deal drugs in Colombia is a criminal offence which can lead to severe penalties; any person who wants to travel to Colombia for a ‘drug tour’ should seriously reconsider their actions. It goes without saying ‘if you play with fire, you will get burnt’; that is, those who seek out the bad in a country (those on drug tours, seeking sex or a mail order brides) will not have a good experience and will come into contact with security and safety threats, a smart tourist whom abides by the laws, respects the culture and is aware to their surrounding will have less to no problems with their safety and security.

It is also a criminal offence to photograph military or strategic sites.

What you need to know before you go

Visas

Australians and most New Zealander’s don’t need a visa for entry into Colombia; however, visa regulations change frequently so make sure you check before you leave home.  Visitors will get an entry stamp in their passport upon arrival at the airport or land border crossing from the Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad (DAS).  Make sure you have your passport stamped, as some banks and money changers require proof.  You also need to show your entry stamp upon departure, or you may be fined.  Make sure you get your departure stamp for any return visits in the future.

Visas are valid for a maximum of 90 days but most officials will stamp 30 or 60 days. 

Visa Extensions

Visa extensions are available for 30 days for USD$25 from a DAS office in any departmental capital.  If you are looking to extend your stay, there is no need to wait until the expiry date, as the new 30 days begin from the end of the original visa start date stamped in your passport.

Vaccinations

Yellow Fever, Malaria and Rabies are all recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) before travelling to Colombia. 

A Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required by airlines for exit out of Colombia.  If you have been in Colombia six days prior to arrival in Australia, you will be required to show a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate for entry into Australia.

Hep A, Hep B & Typhoid are also recommended for travel through Colombia and South America.

If you are not sure what immunisations you have had or what is required for Colombia, it’s best to talk to your doctor or a travel clinic for more information before travelling.

Money Exchange
The local dollar in Colombia is the Colombian Peso (COP). 

Colombia is a relatively cheap country to travel in.  Budget travellers can get by on between AUD$20 to AUD$30 per day.  For those of you with a little more to spend, you can still have a reasonably cheap holiday for around AUD$30 to AUD$50 per day.

You won’t have any problems traveling with credit and debit cards in Colombia.  Most banks have ATMs nearby that you can access your money from easily.  Although not necessary, it can be handy to have some US dollars on you, if you are planning on having cash upon arrival.

It doesn’t hurt to notify your bank before travelling, so that you don’t end up with your accounts being frozen.

Getting there & accomodation

Travel

Air - The shortest flights to Colombia from Australia are via Argentina or Chile.  Flights to Colombia are not particularly cheap; you will be looking at around AUD$2500 to AUD$3000 for a return flight.

The most common way to get to Barranquilla is to fly into Bogotá and then catch a domestic flight to Baranquilla’s Ernesto Cortissoz Airport which is 7 kilometres south of the city.  The other option is to fly into Cartagena’s Rafael Nunez International Airport and travel overland by bus to Barranquilla for  around  $AUD15.

There are some international flights direct to Ernesto Cortissoz from US cities such as Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Panama City. 

Chat to a travel agent if you are not sure, they will be able to help you work out the cheapest route.

Land - Land borders for entry into Colombia are through Venezuela and Ecuador. 

The closest border crossing to Barranquilla is through Maracaibo (Venezuela) to Maicao (Colombia).  Maicao is located east of Barranquilla.  You can catch a domestic flight or bus (approx.. 10hrs) from Maicao to Barranquilla.

  

Accommodation

Depending on your budget, there is plenty of accommodation options in Barranquilla although at Carnival time prices are doubled or even tripled.  If you can, try to book your accommodation as early as possible to ensure you have somewhere to stay.  It is definitely not recommended to try and find somewhere once you have arrived.

One of the best ways to find accommodation options is to read other people’s travel blogs & reviews online like Trip Advisor, or the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree travel forum.  These sites help you get other travellers experience and a true picture of what to expect before you arrive.

Here are some accommodation options ranging in price;

• Hotel Skal – rooms range from AUD$10 to AUD$25
• Hotel San Francisco – rooms range from AUD$50 to AUD$70 per night.
• Hotel Country International – rooms start from AUD$150 per night.
• Hotel El Prado (4 stars) – as reviewed on Trip Advisor as the top hotel in Barranquilla, Hotel El Prado manages to keep its charm and old style that attracts many.  Rooms start from AUD$200 per night.

Safety Advice

 Barranquilla Carnival and City

Although Barranquilla is welcoming to the few tourists that arrive in the city, there still needs to be an awareness for your safety as there is in any Country or any large event. There is not too much to worry about in the Carnaval or city, the main problem is theft. Colombians are usually very protective over tourists so you should try to make friends with the locals; they are more likely to spot danger before you do. During the Carnaval do not keep anything in your back pockets and make sure you know where all your belongings are on your person. If you are in the unlikely event approached by a thief do not resist, remain calm and hand over your processions (your safety is more important) the same applies for outside the Carnaval. It should also be noted that during Carnival times taxi prices will go up significantly. Also anything you buy at the Carnival will cost twice as much as usual, the best thing to do here is take notice of who the locals buy from as they will have the best price to offer.

Safety Tips

•     O no dar papaya (don’t give a pawpaw) is a Colombian expression which means ‘don’t show off’ in other words, use common sense and don’t make it easy for people or thieves to take advantage of you.
•     Stay within the safer zones within the North of the city particularly at night
•     If you go to the poorer areas only do this if you are in the company of trusted friends
•     Be aware of your surroundings
•     Go out in groups
•     Take taxis at night.
•     Learn basic Spanish
•     Don’t walk far at night even in the northern part of the city
•     Get advice and listen to locals
•      Make friends with the locals, they will be protective over you and will spot danger before you do.
•      During Carnaval week there is a greater amount of petty crime as many tourists crowd the streets so be extra careful
•      Carry a copy of your passport with you
•      Carry extra money (20,000 pesos?) in a location other than your wallet
•     If someone does try to take something from you don’t resist
•     Most importantly, don’t be paranoid! Just keep your eyes open, o no dar papaya and abide by the laws and safety tips you are very unlikely to get into any danger.

(Sourced from inbarranquilla.com and off2colombia.com)

Emergency Numbers

Number to call for all services 112

Country code +57

International access code 90

Embassies Contacts

There is actually no Australian embassy on Colombia (the nearest being in Chile) however Australians can contact the Australian Consulate in Bogota.

Phone: +57 (1) 694 6320

Address: Calle 69#7,-51, Apt 302

For a list of all the Embassies and Consulates in Colombia go to the link below:

http://www.embassypages.com/colombia.php

Government information

The following sites are government sites with information regarded to traveling to Colombia:

United States: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1090.html

Australia: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Colombia

UK: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/south-america/colombia

The Language

Spanish is the main language spoken in Colombia.

Beginners

It is important for those who speak no Spanish to those who speak fluent Spanish brush of on the language. You don’t have to be fluent in Spanish to get around Barranquilla however it is polite to be able to say thank you to the locals in their own language. Beginners can take Spanish classes before they leave their country or they can take classes in Colombia.  The most legitimate place to learn Spanish in Colombia is at the Universidad del Norte, which is the top University in Atlantico.

Below is the direct link on the University website:

http://www.uninorte.edu.co/extensiones/idiomas/secciones.asp?ID=4

Contact information can be found at the bottom of the page and I have also included them below:

Sibila Maury

Phone: (57) (5) 3509509 or 4943-4157

Email: spanishprogram@uninorte.edu.co  - smaury@uninorte.edu.co

Simple Phrases

Hello Good Morning Good Night	Hola Buenos Días Buenas Noches
Good bye See You Later See You Tomorrow	Chao/Adiós Hasta Luego Hasta Mañana
Yes	Si
No	No
Thank You/No Thank you	Gracias/ No Gracias
Please	Por Favor
How are you?	cómo estás?
I am good thank you and you?	Estoy bien, gracias, y tú?
Do you speak English?	Tu habla inglés?
I don’t speak Spanish	No habla español
Nice to meet you	Mucho gusto
What is you name?	Cómo te llamas?
My name is...	Me llamo...
Help!	Ayúdame!
I don’t understand	No entiendo
Can you speak slower please	Por favor puedes hablar más despacio
I don’t like...	No me gusta…
I want...	(Yo) Quiero..
Word used to call white people, is more towards Americans however anyone who is white will be called it	Gringo/a

For more phrases of food, drinks, transport, direction, time, places ect. visit: http://www.the-backpacking-site.com/countries/colombia-phrase.html

Fluent

Those who are fluent in their Spanish may be in for a bit of a shock entering Barranquilla. Barranquilleros speak much faster, use more slang and drop usually the ‘s’ of the ends of their words. Below is a link to a list of some of the slang you may come across:

http://www.barranquilla-online.com/BOL/diccio.html