sparklegem

What is Carnaval on Cozumel like? Where are the celebrations? What are the events? Does anyone know the dates for 2006? I think that I read somewhere that there are pre-Carnaval events the week before. Is that true? How busy is it? Does it get scary busy?

Dorgal

I was trying to find out this info a few years ago. Ad it turned out for us - we didn't chance going there because we were a fraid we might miss the last ferry back and be stranded. Do a specific search in the search box for "carnival" and you will see a few threads about Cozumel activies. Also infomration here but I think you missed it for this year!
http://www.cozumelmycozumel.com/Page...rnival2005.htm

CozAnnie

Hi, I think I can help with your Carnaval question, as I live here in Cozumel. You have missed it this year. Cozumel is a big party for Carnaval, lots of people but never "scary". We have big lavish parades on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday nights (Tuesday being Fat Tuesday, that last night). The town square or plaza turns into a fiesta with food and beer booths, live bands playing all day and late into the night. They build a big stage in the center of the square where they put on shows with dancers in incredible costumes and the local kids also put on fun shows. They have a pet masquerade show, kids parades, crowning of the king and queen...lots of fun activities all week prior to Fat Tuesday. For pictures of the festivities this year, go to: www.cozumelinsider.com.

sparklegem

Thank you, CozAnnie! The dates look like they might work for us. Thank you for telling me about the photos on the website. I had looked at the website but had not found the pictures. They are amazing!

How long have you lived on Cozumel? I lived there seventeen years ago. I haven't been back since then. I have been wondering how much it has changed and if any of my old friends would still be there.

Thank you for your help,

Gem

TC

Carnival Week 2006 is February 25th. A majority of the activities (crowning of the Queen/King, dance competitions, etc) are held the week before. The parades start on the 25th. Carnival always floats with Easter - as it is the week prior to Lent. Fat Tuesday is always the day before Ash Wednesday. That said, Cozumel changes its Carnival dates every three years due to local elections. That happened this year.

CozAnnie, I was down for Carnival week this year and never saw "live bands playng all day". There were a couple of nights with bands playing on the square. Did I miss something?

SusanInToronto

We've definitely seen bands playing during the day. Last time (2000), we saw a couple of vehicles pull up, block off a street, and set up to play. It was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed being on Cozumel during carnival.

TC

Susan, O.K. I know about the dance groups traveling around town, blocking off streets and doing their routines. It IS wonderful to watch. We've seen that many times. But I haven't seen bands playing on the stage in the square in the daytime. Have you? I've been there for Carnival the last three years and two or three other years as well. Just wondering if I'm missing something.

CozAnnie

TC, they set up a huge stage now on the waterfront, where the big flag pole is. It's about a block south of the ferry pier. There are bands playing there off and on most of the day and night. Of course, they don't play during the parades, because that goes right by the stage. But before and after the parades there is music and dancing there with big tents selling beer there.

TC

Thanks, CozAnnie. I did see that stage but must not have gone past it at the right time of day to catch a performance so didn't realize there was music all the time. We are usually diving during the day and only in town at night for dinner -- sometimes in for a quick grocery run or to check email at lunchtime.