Where to Celebrate Carnival in Mexico

As public events continue to return to Mexico, one of the nation’s liveliest annual celebrations — Carnival — is promising to be especially big in 2023. Savvy travelers should start making plans now, as hotels will fill up quickly in the most popular destinations.

An annual pre-Lenten Catholic celebration, Carnival is often celebrated in Mexico with parades, live musical performances, festivals and the crowning of a Carnival queen and king. The dates change every year; for 2023, it’s taking place Feb. 15-21, 2023 — although exact dates and specific activities may vary by destination.

“While Carnival is celebrated across a number of destinations, the flavor of each is uniquely different,” said Jenita Lawal, a travel advisor for Lawal Travel Services in Nashville, Tenn. “Carnival is a great opportunity to experience the culture and artistry of each destination.

Since every celebration is different, travelers should choose their destination and accommodations carefully, Lawal advises.

What to Consider When Choosing Your Carnival Destination

“When planning travel for Carnival, consider whether you want to be in the thick of things or at a distance,” she said. “If your lodging is on the parade route or near ancillary celebrations, you will get the traffic, crowds and noise that comes with that. If your lodging is at a distance, consider transportation to events and activities. And, of course, plan early. This typically gives you more options.”

Lawal is a big fan of Carnival in Merida, the capital of Yucatan.

“In Merida, the celebrations are influenced by Africa, Mexico and Mayan heritage,” she said. “You can hear it in the music and see it in the costumes and dances.”

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In fact, Merida is getting into the Carnival spirit several months before the actual celebration. The city is kicking off the winter season with a variety of events, including a Carnival-themed cycling day on Dec. 4, a live concert with multiple bands on Dec. 9 and an open-air festival on Dec. 17. (Merida’s official Carnival, meanwhile, takes place Feb. 15-22, 2023.)

The Biggest Carnivals in Mexico: Mazatlan and Veracruz

Mexico’s largest Carnival celebrations take place in the cities of Mazatlan and Veracruz. Grand Fiesta Americana Veracruz is among the best-located hotels for the festivities, thanks to its spot just a few blocks from the parade route.

Mazatlan also attracts a large number of domestic and international visitors for its vibrant Carnival celebration, which includes a yearly theme, parades, fireworks and lots of banda music (a regional genre with an ensemble of wind instruments). The theme for 2023’s party is “Dejavu, Dreams of a Carnival,” and events will take place Feb. 16-21.

Small-Scale Carnivals: Tlaxcala and Puebla

While the large Carnival celebrations in Veracruz and Mazatlan attract the largest numbers of revelers, smaller-scale gatherings elsewhere in Mexico can provide additional opportunities for immersive vacation experiences.

“For a quieter, cultural Carnival celebration off the beaten path, visit the colonial city of Tlaxcala,” recommends Alexander Gareis, the founder of Tortilla Land Mexico, a website focused on travel to central Mexico. “Within walking distance of the downtown area, you can watch the parade of 'huehues' in colorful costumes with hand-carved wooden masks; check out the oldest bull-fighting ring in the Americas; try an insectivore pizza or other pre-Hispanic-inspired foods at the Meztli rooftop terrace; and drink pulque, the pre-Hispanic fermented agave nectar of Aztec gods and kings.”

In the state of Puebla, the top Carnival destination is the town of Huejotzingo, not far from the capital. Marriott International is among the hoteliers with programs designed around the town’s event. Four Points by Sheraton Puebla, for example, will feature traditional cuisine of the season from Feb.16-23, 2023, and Marriott Puebla Hotel Meson del Angel is offering a package for stays between Feb. 18-21 that includes ground transportation for guests to attend the Carnival activities. Travelers booking at Courtyard Puebla Las Animas, meanwhile, can receive 10% off food and beverage items from Feb. 18-21.

Tour Operators With Carnival Packages

Tour operators with programs timed to coincide with Carnival 2023 include Tia Stephanie Tours, which is offering an itinerary in the states of Guerrero and Oaxaca that runs Feb. 18-23; guests can witness Carnival in locales such as the Oaxacan towns of Pinotepa de Don Luis and San Juan Colorado.

Those looking to document the eye-catching visuals of Carnival in Oaxaca, meanwhile, may be interested in the Carnaval Experience 2023 workshop offered by Mexican street photographer David Coleman. The seven-day photo experience, which runs Feb. 17-23, focuses on the festivities in San Martin Tilcajete, a town known for its colorful Carnival costumes and unique traditions (at one point, some Carnival participants cover themselves in motor oil and dance in the street). The package includes accommodations, classroom instruction and private coaching.