Cozumel Carnival 2023

One of the most longed-for festivities in Quintana Roo is the traditional 'Carnival of Cozumel', as it has been celebrated with pride for 149 years, being an awaited and recognized event within the 'world of Mexican carnivals'.

For this 2023 edition, the days of celebration will take place from February 15 to 22. During the day and at night there will be different amenities (check at the bottom of this page for the event's line-up). No doubt, you will want to join the carnival rides, as the different parades make their way through the main avenues with different floats, and where groups of people in colorful costumes dance and spread their musical rhythm.

The Cozumel Carnival 2023 is also getting ready with the different contests for the coronation of the carnival kings, the competition of different troupes, costume contest, costume night, the burning of Juan Carnival and the Reading of the Will.

The 'comparsas de fantasía' were created thinking mostly of young souls looking for more elevated amusement. These comparsas can be presented up to 10 times in one day, so if you have plenty of energy and desire to dance, the music doesn't stop here.
We must make it clear that in this party there is a Pre-Carnival and a Carnival, obviously our recommendation will always be that you attend the official carnival, but the best dates to consider are Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in both celebrations.  These are days when the city is completely paralyzed for hours due to the non-stop parades and parties. Although if you have several days to vacation, the 'Pre-Carnival' is also worth a complete tour. 

Cozumel Pre-Carnival
The objective of the Pre-Carnival of Cozumel is to crown the king and queen of the carnival, in a beauty contest with three male and three female candidates. From here the King and Queen of Carnival, the King and Queen of Joy and the King and Queen of Fantasy will be announced weeks later. During four weekends the candidates are presented to the different stages:

1st Weekend: Presentation of all candidates.
2nd Weekend: Presentation of Candidates in individual costume.
3rd Weekend: Presentation and election of the Carnival King and Queen and their groups.
4th Weekend: Presentation and election of Youth Kings, Children Kings and Diversity Kings.

The night of the election of the Carnival Kings is a very special night, ecstasy and nervousness always take over the atmosphere. The candidates are introduced and have to do their best on the dance floor and prove that they are worthy of the long-awaited crown. Once the demonstration is over, at 4:00 am the votes are counted and the kings of that year's carnival are named.

This would be the itinerary of what is known as the Pre-Carnival of Cozumel. Once all the kings have been crowned, the biggest party in the Mexican Caribbean begins, the long awaited Cozumel Carnival.
 

• Saturday of fantasy and masks

We also recommend you to enjoy the Saturday of fantasy and masks. On this third day the whole city is paralyzed by the music, the atmosphere and the colors. You can find comparsas everywhere, and this is the first day of the remaining four where you will see that the city stops to enjoy the experience of the whole event, as in the afternoon the parade of floats takes place through the main streets.

It is here where all the comparsas are involved and it is an act with a lot of public, both day and night, because when the sun goes down the events with the invited artists are born.
 

• Tradition Sunday and second Carnival ball

Second big parade on the Malecon of Conzumel, and at the Carnival Palace, tropical night and wacax che torito contest.
 

• Regional Tropical Monday 

In Benito Juarez Park, at 2:00 pm, the renowned Ceviche Festival 2023 will take place, and a race with a cause 'paint and run 5k 2023'.
 

• Tuesday of apotheosis.

This is the third and last parade of floats known as Martes de Apoteosis (Tuesday of Apotheosis). This night, as every year, closes with a free outdoor concert (it is said that this year two great artists of the musical genre 'reggaeton' will be present); however, their names have not yet been officially confirmed.

If you don't know Cozumel, you will love to do it on this date, since it is an island located in the paradisiacal Mexican Caribbean, which in this carnival season is decorated according to the event; on the other hand, its reef is one of the most famous in the world and because of its geographical location has a port where many cruise ships and boats dock, which makes the view something more special.

How to get to Cozumel?

Cozumel has its own International Airport, so you can make a direct flight, even from Canada and the United States; you can also arrive from Cancun International Airport, which is an hour away from Playa del Carmen.

From Playa del Carmen there are several ferry lines that take us to Cozumel in approximately 40 minutes, if you rent a car at Hertz, you can take it on board the ferry for an extra cost, and thus be more comfortable wherever you go.