Beautiful and cool weather has arrived in Banderas Bay, and with that comes plenty of great events to delight visitors and locals alike. Throughout Mexico, an annual Carnival event takes place during the days leading up to Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. In addition to tourist hot spots like here in Puerto Vallarta, other popular cities that host fabulous Carnival celebrations include Tepoztlán, Huejotzingo, Chamula, Veracruz, Cozumel, and Mazatlán. In the towns of Veracruz, Mazatlán, and Cozumel, the celebration is extra eccentric and exciting to the point that it even resembles the famous New Orleans’ Mardi Gras party. Read below to see why you can’t miss the Carnival in Puerto Vallarta starting this February 27th.
The History of Carnival
Each spring throughout Mexico, the Carnival is celebrated in many different cities and towns. Known as “Carnaval” in Spanish, Carnival is always held the week before Ash Wednesday which is called “miercoles de cenizas” in Spanish. This period signals the beginning of Lent and also is the beginning of a period of sobriety before Easter. Each year, the specific dates of Carnival celebrations vary a bit, but is always held prior to Ash Wednesday. This year in 2019, the Carnival festivities will be held from February 27th to March 5th. The party will reach a peak of celebrations on Mardi Gras, which translates to “Fat Tuesday” in English and “Martes de Carnaval” in Spanish. Each year, the specific dates for the annual Carnival are determined by Easter which is always celebrated the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the spring equinox.
Parades, Costumes and Fun!
In Puerto Vallarta, the Carnival is a huge and exciting street party that shouldn’t be missed. The streets will be filled with party goers soaking up the energy and excitement of the Carnival. The Carnival is celebrated in the Old Town region of Puerto Vallarta, which is also known as the Zona Romantica. Old Town is well known for being a party zone all year round, and the festive mood is turned up a notch higher during Carnival. Visitors will be overwhelmed by the excitement and activity of Carnival and festivities include incredible parades, energetic dancers dressed in bright Caribbean style costumes, and great food and drink. The streets will be rocking as thousands of party goers soak up the colors and fun of Carnival. There are even special Carnival cars specially decorated in Carnival decor that drive along in the parade. Be ready to dance because when the cars stop, that’s a signal for everyone to stop, dance and join in a giant street dance party like you’ve never experienced before.
Live Entertainment
There are also several Caribbean music concerts scheduled that will highlight both national and local talent. Listen to the festive music as you browse the delicious food offerings, drinks, and souvenirs that will be available. In Puerto Vallarta, the parade and Carnival festivities take place in Old Town Puerto Vallarta near the Lazaro Cardenas park. Since the Puerto Vallarta Carnival is a very popular event, we recommend you make your accommodation plans ahead of time. If possible, plan to arrive to Puerto Vallarta a couple of days before celebrations begin so you can get to know the area and enjoy the town without the huge crowds that Carnival will bring.
Find yourself in sunny Puerto Vallarta in late February 2019? Attend the PV Carnival so you can experience another one of the incredible annual events that residents or visitors in the area get to regularly enjoy. Ready to make the move and live in paradise yourself? Check out the incredible beachfront residences at Garza Blanca. With both full and fractional ownership options to suit every budget, living in paradise has never looked or felt so good. Visit Garza Blanca’s real estate website today at www.garzablancarealestate.com so you can see what units are still available for purchase. With incredible and luxurious amenities, world class service, and ideal location, you truly can have it all at Garza Blanca.
Remember, in late February 2019 don’t miss the Puerto Vallarta Carnival with its festive atmosphere and colorful parades…it is destined to be the street party of your life!