Carnival is one of the most colorful and cheerful traditions of the Dominicans. The most vibrant celebration of Dominican culture and identity, where people of all ages take place to the streets to share and enjoy the parades, moving from one location to another to participate in the different carnival customs of each region.

Every Sunday of February you will find colorful parades in the main cities and regions of the Dominican Republic, some extending until the first week of March. The beautiful costumes, masks and mystical characters are different for each area and reveal our folk traditions and beliefs, as diverse as the population of the country.

Despite the beauty that surrounds each one of these exhibitions, the best known internationally Carnival is the one performed in La Vega, followed by the one organized in Santo Domingo, our Capital city, which unites carnival groups and characters from across the country for a last and great carnival parade along the city boardwalk.

Every year in Punta Cana, we live this magical celebration. Which takes place on the main avenue of Punta Cana Village, a parade of costumes and colorful masks; some adapted to foreign cultures. Many of the participants disguise themselves with the immense decorated masks that simulate demons, known as “Diablos Cojuelos”, typical characters of the Dominican Republic. If what you are looking for is to have a good time at the rhythm of bachata and merengue, enjoying the festive character of the Dominicans, there is no doubt, the Carnival of Punta Cana is the perfect event to discover the most festive face of the Dominican Republic.

In order to understand and enjoy Dominican Carnival, it is important to familiarize yourself with the main characters and their meaning in Dominican folklore, including:

El Diablo Cojuelo, this character wears a colorful suit with small mirrors, rattles, ribbons and cowbells, as a parody of the Spanish medieval knights. A mask with long horns covers the devil's face, while wearing a bladder made of a cow's dry and cured inflamed bladder, and goes along the parade delivering a blow to the back of the distracted spectators.

Roba La Gallina, is a man dressed in an extravagant dress, with exaggerated breasts and butts that also carries a large wallet and an umbrella.

Los Lechones, their costumes are always very bright, colorful, inlaid with bells and bowls; their masks represent the face of a pig, with a long snout and large horns. Their role is to maintain order in the streets during the holidays, what they try to do by spinning their whip in the air.

Los Taimáscaros,  a version of the ”diablo cojuelo”, who mix three cultural influences in their costumes: a mask that represents the Taino´s gods, blouses and coats that represent the Spanish heritage and scarves that symbolize the African deities.

Los Guloyas, proclaimed by the UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It’s most important feature is the originality of its clothing, complemented by a layer of bright colors, stones and mirrors giving joy and dynamism to its folkloric representation, the head stands out with long and colorful peacock feathers.

In your visit to the Dominican Republic, do not miss the opportunity to learn about our origins, making a tour full of history and culture; as is our Adventure Boogie Safari, where you will travel in your own boogie through the most beautiful landscapes of the east in a totally unforgettable adventure. On this tour, you will border the entire rural area through plantations, coconut trees and the majestic Macao beach. You will have the opportunity to know and taste our Dominican organic products, such as: Coffee, chocolate, tobacco and also live the experience of knowing the Taino culture; where you can see how they lived, what they did, their beliefs and a presentation of their traditional dance, “El Areito”. Finally, a relaxing and refreshing swim in one of the most impressive cenotes in Punta Cana.

Unquestionably, carnival is a representation of art and culture, which you cannot miss during your visit to the Dominican Republic, so that you can get to know our roots, beliefs and, above all, the warmth and joy of its people.

For reservations, please go to the following link:

https://www.vacacionesbarcelo.com/excursion/dominican-republic/punta-cana/adventure-buggy-macao