Barranquilla Carnival is Caribbean joy with a UNESCO listing. The Batalla de Flores parade carries flowers, costume, and humor; grandstand tickets should be bought ahead. In the streets, cumbia and mapalé turn walking into dance—comfortable shoes are mandatory.
Group costumes are family labor; do not touch pieces without asking. Water, sunscreen, and a meeting point save long afternoons. Night parties are lively; leave valuables at the hotel.
Carnival here is identity celebration. Bring applause as much as a camera.