Cancun’s colorful carnival reminiscent of Mardi Gras

Tear yourself away from the luxe Ritz-Carlton Cancun and enjoy Cancun’s carnival from Feb. 15 to 22.

By Erin Behan

Visitors to Cancun often don’t make it beyond the hotel strip — the snow white sand, turquoise blue waters and mild year-round temperatures probably have something to do with it — but downtown Cancun should not be missed for its dose of local culture and inexpensive yet authentic cuisine. Come February, there’s one more reason to leave your Cancun hotel and head to the town center and explore: the town’s spirited, colorful carnival.

February marks Cancun’s version of the festival, a colorful parade of stilt walkers, scantily clad women, musicians and dance troupes with scores of performers. Think Mardi Gras but in Mexico (and, yes, beads have recently become popular). Carnival officially starts the week before Ash Wednesday, Feb. 15, and runs through Feb. 22.

Expect the city-wide fete to take over the streets of downtown Cancun where as many locals as tourists get in on the fun. Beyond the marchers and dancers, there are concerts, exhibitions, and, of course, plenty of opportunities to sample the region’s cuisine.

But most importantly, the Cancun carnival is a good excuse for getting off the beach and leaving your cushy Cancun hotel (the Ritz-Carlton Cancun is a good choice) for a little bit of real Mexico spirit. Who knows, you just might come back from your Cancun vacation with a handful of beads and a couple of stories to tell the folks back home,too.

Related resources:

• Cheap flights to Cancun
• Cancun vacation packages

Erin Behan is a freelance writer and editor out of Brooklyn, N.Y., who counts good food, intoxicating drink and adventurous travel among her favorite things.

Tagged: Mexico