v2.webp){kind=logo}
- Explosive Parades and Comparsas — Floats, drumlines and neighborhood dance troupes (comparsas) snake through the streets with loud music and bright costumes. The energy is infectious: small towns and big groups compete for spectacle, and you’ll see choreography, satire, and plenty of surprises — the kind of parade that pulls you off the curb and into the street.
- Live Music & Spontaneous Street Dancing — From salsa and cumbia to reggaetón and local bands, music is non-stop and people dance wherever there’s space. It’s less staged concert, more communal dance floor: musicians and passersby feed off each other, which keeps the vibe raw and fun.
- Water Play and Beachside Revelry — This is a coastal carnival, so expect hoses, buckets, foam and people cooling off in the ocean between sets. The
- Explosive Parades and Comparsas — Floats, drumlines and neighborhood dance troupes (comparsas) snake through the streets with loud music and bright costumes. The energy is infectious: small towns and big groups compete for spectacle, and you’ll see choreography, satire, and plenty of surprises — the kind of parade that pulls you off the curb and into the street.
- Live Music & Spontaneous Street Dancing — From salsa and cumbia to reggaetón and local bands, music is non-stop and people dance wherever there’s space. It’s less staged concert, more communal dance floor: musicians and passersby feed off each other, which keeps the vibe raw and fun.
- Water Play and Beachside Revelry — This is a coastal carnival, so expect hoses, buckets, foam and people cooling off in the ocean between sets. The mix of sand, party, and sudden water fights makes it uniquely relaxed and joyful — my personal favorite because nothing wakes you up faster than a splash of seawater at noon.
- Fresh Seafood & Street Food Scene — Puntarenas is a fishing port, so the carnival is a great excuse to eat well and cheaply: fried fish, ceviche, grilled seafood skewers, plantains and fresh coconut water from street vendors. It’s comfort food that doubles as cultural immersion; eat where the locals queue.
- Costumes, Masks and Local Traditions — You’ll see handmade masks, playful costumes, and folkloric elements woven into the festivities. It’s not museum culture — it’s living tradition: artisans selling small crafts, costume contests, and symbolic bits of folklore that give the carnival local flavor beyond the party.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
2-Hour Surf Lesson in Montezuma
Half day surf and adventure in Montezuma
White Sand Beach Jaco Snorkel Adventure with Monkeys
EXCLUSIVE CLOUD FOREST BIRDING + FREE Binoculars + hummingbirds
Crocodiles and Monkeys Tour to the Coast
Experience the Adventure Explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest
Guided Bird Watching Tour in Monteverde
3-Hour Private Birdwatching Experience in Uvita / Ojochal
Horseback Riding on the beach
Best Backpacking
.jpg)
Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.