Tired of dressing up as captain Jack Sparrow, kitschy pink princess or fake-official policeman? Then discover the unique, vibrant versions of Carnival in Ecuador, Perú and Bolivia, merging Andean indigenous rituals with Catholic traditions from colonial times, characterized by intense street parties, water and foam fights, and colorful, folkloric parades. Ecuador features chaotic water games, while Peru focuses on regional dancing, and Bolivia hosts the renowned, religious Oruro Carnival. Like in Europe, Carnival in Latin America is celebrated in February or March (the week before Lent) and ends on Ash Wednesday. So, the celebrations are in full swing!
Carnival in Ecuador – about blue birds, flowers and friendship
In many regions, including the capital Quito, Carnival involves throwing balloons filled with water, bags filled with flour, eggs and anything else that may make others look messy. But it’s fun! Even before Carnival these water weapons are sold in every part of the country.
Carnival in Guaranda
Guaranda is venue for one of the most iconic Carnival celebrations. The ancient festival full of joy, music, songs, parades, and Andean traditions is led by the Taita Carnival (Father Carnvial) a man representing fertility and joy and the Carnival Patrols in traditional costumes. The Pájaro Azúl (Blue Bird) is both the symbol of the celebration and a traditional herbal liqueur served during carnival season. Carnival hosts continually offer festival goers a sip of this locally made 30 proof rum laced with essence of orange and even chicken broth!
Feast of Flowers and Fruits in Amabato
This vibrant annual celebration in Ambato honors the region’s rich agricultural bounty and the resilience of its people after a devastating earthquake in 1949. The city bustles with colorful parades, decorated floats adorned with local fruits and flowers, traditional music and dance, and the blessing of fruit, flowers, and bread. The parade is complemented with the election of the Queen of Ambato, a beauty pageant.
Carnival & Thursday of Friendship in Cuenca
Cuenca’s Carnival bursts into life even before the main celebrations begin, starting with the colorful Thursday of Friendship (Jueves de Compadres y Comadres), held two weeks ahead of Carnival. Rooted in tradition, this day is all about strengthening bonds, as friends and family choose their compadres and comadres to honor their closeness. They arrive bearing a Guagua, a girl-shaped figure made of bread or sugar, beautifully wrapped and sprinkled with flower petals. The gesture is joyfully returned with a glass of fruity mistela and a promise to reunite during Carnival, turning the city into a shared celebration of friendship, flavor, and festivity. Among Cuenca’s culinary Carnvial delights we find classic Cuenca bread; exquisite sweets such as macerated peach, quince, and figs; and the incomparable “mote pata”, prepared with peeled hominy, pork, bacon, and sausage.
Carnival in Peru: Among Carnival Trees, Kings and Queens
Cajamarca
A sleepy mountain town in the North of Per comes to life when Carnival rolls around and turns into the Capital of Peruvian Carnival. Buildings and parade routes, such as the Plaza de Armas square are decorated. Different community groups wear bright, festive costumes and dance throughout the weekend while onlookers cheer them on. “Rey Momo” (King Momo), a giant doll representing the “goodbye to bad energies”, is received with honors and then veiled and buried. The celebrations include contests of coplas (traditional sung verses) and one of the highlights is the allegorical Corso, along with a beauty contest where women from the city’s five neighborhoods compete for the title of Carnival Queen.
Cusco
Carnival in Cusco is a joyful celebration of culture, history, and gratitude to Pachamama—Mother Earth. The streets come alive with traditional dances and music, while playful water and talc games add to the fun. The iconic yunzas—trees decorated with gifts and surprises—stand at the heart of the celebration. As the party reaches its peak, the trees are joyfully cut down and the presents shared among the community. Another highlight is the gastronomic festival, where visitors can taste beloved dishes and drinks like puchero and thimpu (traditional Andean stews).
Ayacucho
The Carnaval de Ayacucho was declared National Cultural Heritage in 2003 and features massive parades, colorful, costumed dance troupes (comparsas), traditional Andean music, and lively, messy, fun with water, powder, and paint. The festival concludes with the reading of a humorous will and the burning of Ño Carnavalón, the festival’s effigy.
Carnival in Bolivia: Indigenous traditions, disguised as Christian
Carnival in Bolivia is headlined by the UNESCO-recognized Carnaval de Oruro, a vibrant 10-day fusion of Catholic and indigenous traditions, such as the Diablada (Devil Dance). The festivities feature over 28,000 dancers and 10,000 musicians, organized in about 50 groups.
Situated at an altitude of 3,700 metres, the town of Oruro, in the mountains of western Bolivia and once a pre-Columbian ceremonial site, was an important mining area in the 19th and 20th century. Resettled by the Spanish in 1606, it continued to be a sacred site for the Uru people, who would often travel long distances to perform their rituals, especially for the principal Ito festival. The Spanish banned these ceremonies in the seventeenth century, but they continued under the guise of Christian liturgy: the Andean gods were concealed behind Christian icons, and the Andean divinities became the Saints. The Ito festival was transformed into a Christian ritual, celebrated on Candlemas (2 February). The traditional llama llama or diablada in worship of the Uru god Tiw became the main dance at the Carnival of Oruro.
Carnival in Oruro gives rise to a panoply of popular arts expressed in masks, textiles and embroider, showing many features dating back to medieval mystery plays. The main event in the Carnival is the procession or entrada. During the ceremony, the dancers walk the four kilometers of the processional route and repeat the journey for a full twenty hours without interruption.
Happy Carnival Season!
Carnival in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador is as diverse as its cultures, peoples, and landscapes, guaranteeing lifelong memories. And even if you may not make it to Ecuador, Perú or Bolivia for Carnival this year and end-up disguised as superman again, save the date for 2027: 6 – 9 February. We at Gulliver Expeditions would be happy to welcome you!
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