The 2023 Puerto Plata Carnival parade will be held on February 19th and 26th, both Sundays in La Puntilla. Earlier on February 5th and 12th the comparsas showed up in several neighborhoods of Puerto Plata, so watch out for the colorful costumes walking in town. The big parade is on March 11th in el Malecon.
The origins of the Puerto Plata carnival go back to the end of the 19th century. However, it wasn’t until the end of the 20th century that the Carnival became widespread and popular in the city, especially with the arrival of Cuban immigrants who promoted this festival, which has deep roots in their country of origin.
The Puerto Plata Carnival has had a boom in recent decades, promoted by Dominicans who want to highlight their cultural identity and folkloric roots. As part of this boom, the taimáscaros, emerged in 1991. This diablo cojuelo (limping devil) is native to the Puerto Plata carnival.
HOW TO GET THERE: drive along El Malecon towards La Puntilla in Puerto Plata, across the Taino Bay Port.
Organizer: UCAPPLATA
https://www.facebook.com/ucapplata
