13. February 2023 · Comments Off on Carnaval in Puerto Morelos! · Categories: Beach Reads The Blog
These ladies are looking spectacular in their leaning lighthouse lids!

Puerto Morelos loves a good party, and everyone loves a parade, so Carnaval is our kind of thing! (Click any photo for a full-screen view)

Carnival in Puerto Morelos: March 2003

Carnaval in Puerto Morelos has come a long way since we first arrived 20 years ago. At that time Carnaval was so small that they would run the parade once and then run all the floats past us again with all new revellers on board… then they would switch riders and do it again! There were more people in the parade than watching.

Carnaval confetti! (Photo courtesy Ayuntamiento de Puerto Morelos)

This year, Carnaval started last week in Puerto Morelos. Normally Carnaval celebrations around the world occur just before the liturgical season of Lent. Since our town is rather small, we can’t attract the big bands and midway attractions during the official dates, (they play the big cities at that time) so we always celebrate Carnaval a little early or a little late. This year we are early.

The King and Queen of Carnaval wth our mayor, Blanca Merari Tziu Muñoz

Celebrations have been lower-key in the past few years due to pandemic restrictions, but this year’s celebrations have been big.

This enormous covered stage is the centrepiece of Carnaval celebrations in Puerto Morelos.

The town erected a giant stage at the rodeo grounds in the Colonia and lots of midway attractions and food stands have moved in. The music plays until the wee hours.

On Superbowl Sunday, the town staged the Carnaval parade. We were tied up with Superbowl preps, but Casa de los Viajeros guest June from Minnesota took in the festivities and loaned us these great pictures.

Colourful float!
Careful…that shark looks hungry!
Pirates of the Caribbean!
…and where there is a pirate ship, there are bound to be pirates!
A fantastic fishy float.
These folks look quite pleased with their Jellyfish hats!
Carnaval royalty
So many dancers!
Colourful costumes!
I just can’t get enough of the leaning lighthouse hats!

Carnaval wraps up soon in Puerto Morelos, but celebrations will begin shortly in Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Cozumel has a particularly big celebration, as does Merida. If you play your cards right, you could hit several celebrations in one season!

And again a special thanks to June for taking all these great photos! Plan to be here next year!