Carnaval

A week celebration with music, dance, and parades.  Past performances have featured Eddy Herrera, Damian Marley, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, and T.O.K. To celebrate the Day of the Cultures two cultures were united, the city of Puerto Limon take to the streets for dancing, singing, parades and drinking for ten days as a commemoration of cultures past, and cultures present. In this event, revelers mingle with onlookers and fill the streets with colorful costumes.  Parade dancers specialize in the Brazilian samba and other tropical rhythms . Penetrating percussive rhythms and dances invade the body and soul with sensuality and extravagance.

The late King Alfred brought the first carnival to Costa Rica in 1949, starting with a couple of friends and a common ideal. The celebration became a symbol of unity in Costa Rica, where sometimes the relationship between the black majority and the Spanish descendants in San Jose, were a bit tense. Today, the small celebration of King has become one of the most recognized civic festivals in Central America. While most Latin American countries celebrate Columbus Day or the Day of the Discovery of America on October 12, Costa Rica does not celebrate the arrival of Europe to the New World, but rather the Day of Cultures.

Carnival recognizes the contributions of all the influences that have touched the diverse cultures that exists today in our country. Once a year on October 12 (and the days surrounding it), Carnival hits Limon, in a week long celebration.

Book hotels in advance!  They will fill up.