Do you need to pay to see the Carnival?

Many activities are on the street, but to see the main parades from a stand, you need to buy a ticket.

Barranquilla Carnival 2027: Dates, Parades, and How to Get There

Q: Where are the Carnival parades?

The major parades, like the Battle of Flowers, take place on Vía 40 in Barranquilla.

Q: How to get to the Carnival by bus?

Marsol has buses every hour from Cartagena and Santa Marta (about 2 h 30 min) to Barranquilla. Book in advance: buses fill up during Carnival.

Q: What to bring to the Carnival?

Light clothing, cap, sunscreen, water, cash in small bills, and your ID. Keep an eye on your belongings in crowds.

Q: Why is the Carnival a World Heritage?

UNESCO proclaimed it a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2003 for its rich dances, music, and traditions of the Colombian Caribbean.

The Barranquilla Carnival, a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, is celebrated from Saturday 6th to Tuesday 9th February 2027. Arrive by bus with Marsol from Cartagena or Santa Marta.

Barranquilla in Brief

The essentials for planning your bus trip with Marsol to Barranquilla.

$40,000

Fare from Cartagena (COP)

2 h 30 min

By bus from Cartagena

32

Daily departures from Marsol to this destination

View schedules and tickets

Why Travel with Marsol

Official Tickets

Direct purchase on the Marsol site, no intermediaries.

Multiple Departures a Day

Check the schedules for each route and choose the one that suits you best.

Marsol Offices in Each City

Departures and arrivals for these routes are at Transportes Marsol offices.

Book Online

Choose your departure and book in a few steps from any device.

How to Get to Barranquilla by Bus

Daily buses from Marsol Transport. Schedules and prices may change; confirm them when booking.

From	Departures a day	Duration	Price from
Cartagena	14	2 h 30 min	$40.000
Santa Marta	14	2 h 30 min	$40.000
Parque Tayrona (El Zaino)	2	3 h 30 min	$85.000
Palomino	2	4 h 30 min	$105.000

Arrival and Getting Around

Where the Marsol bus drops you off and how to continue your journey.

Arrival by Bus: Barranquilla

Marsol Transport Office
Calle 93 47-13, Barranquilla, Atlántico

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Where to See the Parades

The main parades take place along Vía 40. Stand tickets are sold in advance; arrive early, bring water, sunscreen, and ID.

View Barranquilla in Google Maps

Carnival 2027 Programme

Saturday, February 6th: Battle of Flowers, the grand opening parade
Sunday, February 7th: Grand Parade of Tradition, with traditional dances and troupes
Monday, February 8th: Grand Parade of Troupes and Fantasy
Tuesday, February 9th: death and burial of Joselito Carnaval, the closing of the festival
January: pre-carnival activities like the Reading of the Bando and the Guacherna; dates are published by the organisation

Photos from Wikimedia Commons. La Marimonda: Michele Mariani (CC BY-SA 2.0); Troupes: Michele Mariani (CC BY-SA 2.0); Garabato Dance: Jdvillalobos (CC BY 3.0).

Disfraz de marimonda en el Carnaval de Barranquilla

La Marimonda

One of the most emblematic costumes of the Carnival, with its long nose and colourful ears.

Comparsa en el desfile del Carnaval de Barranquilla

Parades

Hundreds of groups parade with costumes, music, and choreography during the four days.

Danza del garabato en el Carnaval de Barranquilla

Garabato Dance

A traditional dance representing the struggle between life and death, a highlight of the parades.

Frequently Asked Questions about Barranquilla

Answers to the most common questions before travelling.

When is the Barranquilla Carnival 2027?

From Saturday, February 6th to Tuesday, February 9th, 2027, with pre-carnival activities from January.

Where are the Carnival parades?

How to get to the Carnival by bus?

Do you have to pay to see the Carnival?

What to bring to the Carnival?

Why is the Carnival a World Heritage?

Travel to Barranquilla with Marsol

Official tickets, purchased online, from $40,000 COP. Seats are limited in high season: book in advance.

Buy tickets

Barranquilla Carnival 2027: Dates, Parades, and How to Get There