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Barranquilla Carnaval 2006

Hello room, this is my first post on this site. I have been interested for so long about Barranquilla Carnaval. I came to hear about it by surfing the net. I have been to Bahia (Brazil) Carnaval twice and would like to attend the one in Barranquilla next year.

I am a black man, 30 years old and living in Toronto. I find it hard to find information about staying accomodations in Barranquilla, or what generally goes on in Barranquilla during Carnaval because I've never actually known of someone that's been. I'd prefer to rent a apartment for about 1 month, as opposed to stay in a hotel. I speak virtually no Spanish whatsoever, however through my travels to Brazil, I am somewhat adequate in Portuguese, although I realize they are two totally different languages. Would going to Barranquilla solo with limited to no knowledge of Spanish be a big problem during Carnaval?

I am a solo traveller, and my Spanish is virtually nada. Nevertheless I'd really like to see Colombia soon. If possible does anyone care to share their Carnaval experiences and what to expect on this thread. And if possible would anyone have a link with regards to possible apartment rentals next year?

By Markaveli on Jun 10, 2005, 14:48 in Friendly Talkzone.

tigredelnorte says on Jun 10, 2005, 15:58:

Carnival 2005 Baranquilla I was there. I'll say this. There are not many english speakers in Baranquilla. I'm sure you can find something there to rent for a month. It will take making a connection. You have 9 months. You can pick up some spanish. I would recomend it. I'll ask around, about an apartment. The hotel that I stayed at would not give me a weekly rate. They did not need the business, as it was Carnival.

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Erik says on Jun 10, 2005, 16:07:

Carnaval Tour Every year we organize special tours to the Carnaval of Barranquilla and they are a great succes. Contact us at info at deunacolombia.com or take a look at our website www.deunacolombia.com.
Beside this tour we can also help you with a lot of information about Barranquilla and the carnaval.

Erik

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ryanrowedotcom says on Jun 10, 2005, 16:54:

Stay in Cartagena and travel back and forth IMO, Barranquilla is not the best city for tourists, you'd probably enjoy Cartagena or Santa Marta more. You could always stay in one of those cities and travel back and forth to barranquilla and stay the night when needed.
I went to barranquilla carnaval, I didn't sleep anyways. it was nuts. you'll have a lot of fun bud.
Check my website for updates on life in colombia
http://www.ryanrowe.com

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Miguel says on Jun 11, 2005, 05:40:

La Curramba If you are going for Carnaval, by all means stay in Barranquilla. Why "commute" to it??? Start working on Spanish hoy mismo!

"There is nothing lower than the human race...except for the French." - Mark Twain 1878-79

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COLDK says on Jun 11, 2005, 20:43:

apartmentos & apartahotel can recomend:

http://www.apartamentosalvarojesus.com/

http://www.paginasamarillas.com/pagamanet/procesos/web.aspx?ie=1263679&tipo=6&web=www.paginasamarillas.com%2fapartoteleslait.htm

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Markaveli says on Jun 12, 2005, 10:42:

Barranquilla carnaval 2006 Thank you for your input. I finally have a foothold on what goes on down there. I am more a traveller than a tourist, I am more for embracing people and learning more about how and where they live rather than sitting on a beach a umbrella sipping Pina Colada's.
I've read that you must go to Cartagena/Santa Marta for beaches, because there are none in Barranquill, is this true?

Can you join Carnaval bands and party with people, or do you just watch it go by from the sidewalks? How is the nightlife in this city during Carnaval?

About safety I read once on a website that I can't remember that there is only one road in, and also one road to exit the city, and there are searches of cars coming in and out of Barranquilla.

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Miguel says on Jun 12, 2005, 12:03:

Beaches In B/Quilla The city is actually inland and the best beach close by is Puerto Colombia.

"There is nothing lower than the human race...except for the French." - Mark Twain 1878-79

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rjstuff says on Jun 13, 2005, 19:59:

Carnaval http://ramanjalota.com/crpics/Colombia1.htm This is my website with pictures from the Barranquilla carnaval and then cartagena, santa marta etc. Without enough Spanish or someone with you that knows Spanish, its very difficult - I have traveled many times in Costa Rica and those people there do speak or understand English - Colombia I will rate at 10% English speakers if that much! Barranquilla is very very hot and the beach in Barranquilla is dirty, but the carnaval is outstanding and lasts several weeks - I think they have three days of parades at the end . Have fun

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Markaveli says on Jun 20, 2005, 15:27:

rjstuff........Thank you for the photo's they are very interesting. May I ask, is this Carnaval along the lines of Rio de Janeiro where you watch the big trucks go from the sides like the O Sambodromo. Or can you participate in it, like in Salvador, Brazil.

Again, I have experience travelling to places with limited to no knowledge of the language that weren't exaclty tourist mecca's so I am not so put off by not knowing Spanish. I have 9 months beforehand, so I indeed intend to learn some.

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Markaveli says on Sep 3, 2005, 17:45:

Need help Can anyone that's attended Barranquilla carnaval answer this question about the parade? I am finding it a bit difficult to learn more about Carnaval in Barranquilla compared to other festivals that take place at the same time.

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Spanish in Barranquilla says on Sep 7, 2005, 13:35:

Learn Spanish before Carnivals Tha Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla offers a Spanish Program from February 6 to 24, it ends just before Carnivals so you can enjoy this time of the year in Barranquilla.

We can help you find a host family, apartment or hotel.

Classes will be held from 8:30 to 1:30 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays

For more information.

iidiomas at uninorte.edu.co
www.uninorte.edu.co/extensiones/idiomas

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Markaveli says on Sep 8, 2005, 00:02:

b'quilla 2006 Can you participate with the parade itself? I know nothing of the physical geography of B'Quilla, but I guess it's best from what you're saying to look for somewhere in the north of the city right? I'd prefer a apartment to a hotel personally.

Are the nightclubs packed leading up to carnaval? Do you need a to travel by taxi's a lot or are buses available as well. About the chicas part....you really perked my interest :)

Thanks for your input, without PBH it would be virtually impossible for me to know anything about B'Quilla carnaval.

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Miguel says on Sep 8, 2005, 00:07:

10,000 Taxis in Barranquilla Cheap, dependable, and always close by.

"There is nothing lower than the human race...except for the French." - Mark Twain 1878-79

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Markaveli says on Sep 11, 2005, 17:46:

B'Quilla 2006 So the place to stay is in the North of the city? Is that where all the nightclubs are located? I'd like to hit a few nightclubs down there during the Carnaval. Do you recommend the clubs down there as a place to meet women, or is it better to meet them in the streets or the malls?

When would you recommend a good time to arrive before Carnaval? I was thinking maybe 2 weeks before carnaval, and leave to come back here 2 weeks after carnaval is finished. Thanks for your input

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