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Barranquilla Carnival is one of the grandest festivals in Colombia, known as the "second largest carnival in the world", second only to Rio de Janeiro. This crazy celebration is held in Barranquilla, on the Caribbean coast, every February. It lasts for four days and nights and is full of music, dancing, alcohol and...all kinds of unexpected "intimate contact". If you plan to participate, it is best to be mentally prepared-here, the enthusiastic and unrestrained Colombians may express their welcome with hugs, kisses, or even directly pull you to dance. So the question is: What if you are kissed by a stranger? Don't panic, this survival guide will teach you how to have fun in the carnival while keeping the bottom line!
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1. Understand the culture of "La Carnavalada" first: kissing may just be a "tradition"
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At Barranquilla Carnival, locals believe in "La Carnavalada", which means that social boundaries are much more blurred than usual. Strangers may suddenly come over and kiss your cheek (or even mouth!), but this is usually just an impromptu behavior in the festive atmosphere, not harassment.
Survival strategy:
If it is a cheek kiss: accept it calmly, this is a common etiquette in Latin America.
If it is a mouth-to-mouth kiss: quickly turn your head or cover your face with your hands, and laugh and shout "¡Tranquilo, amigo! (Calm down, friend!)", and the other party will usually laugh and let you go.
Carry a whistle or bell with you: If you encounter someone who really crosses the line, make a noise to attract the attention of people around you. Colombians are very united and will help you out.
2. Don't dress too "easy to bully"
At Carnival, the more exaggerated the dress, the safer it is! Locals like to hide their identities with masks, paint and fancy clothes, and you should also blend in:
Recommended look:
"Marimonda" mask (local classic clown image, long nose + colorful clothes, highly recognizable).
Sequins + feathers all over the body (the more exaggerated, the less likely you are to be "attacked" casually).
Bring an inflatable toy or a big hat - physically block overly enthusiastic people.
1. Must-see activities list
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La Batalla de Flores (Float Battle): The highlight of the opening ceremony, giant floats + sexy dancers, remember to reserve a seat in advance!
La Gran Parada (Carnival Parade): Street carnival on the second day, anyone can join in the dance, but be careful not to be dragged into the "close salsa" session.
El Festival de Orquestas (Band Battle): Open-air concert that lasts all night, be careful of drunk audience members!
2. Drinking tips: Don't accept drinks from strangers casually
Try "Ron con Coca": A classic local combination, but be sure to order it yourself to avoid being drugged.
Remember to wipe your mouth after "¡Salud!": Colombians like to feed you wine directly after clinking glasses. If you want to refuse, just say "Tengo pareja (I have a partner)", which works every time.
3. Guide to prevent "raids" when dancing
Cumbia and Salsa are the mainstream: if you don't want to be hugged by strangers, learn to keep your distance with your arms, or join a group dance (such as the "Conga" team).
"No, gracias" should be said loudly: smile but be firm, the locals actually respect those who clearly refuse.
Accommodation: Book half a year in advance! During the Carnival, hostels are priced sky-high. It is recommended to stay in the El Prado area, which is safe and close to the main venue.
Transportation: Don't even think about taking a taxi, the streets are all closed, wear comfortable shoes and walk!
Wallet safety: Keep it close to your body, carnival thieves are more terrible than kissing monsters.
The charm of Barranquilla Carnival lies in its freedom, but "crazy" does not mean "indulgence". If you encounter real discomfort, say "No" boldly! Colombians are friendly in nature, as long as you make your attitude clear, they will respect you more. Remember, the ultimate secret of this party is to have fun, but never wrong yourself. Now, put on your mask and rush into the crowd!