Carnaval Ponceño
The six days ending on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, almost always in February
Approximate window. The organisers publish the exact days a few months ahead.
What it is
The Carnaval de Ponce dates back to 1858 and is credited to the Spaniard José de la Guardia, who organized the first masked ball. Its emblem is the vejigante, wearing a papier-mâché mask covered in horns and made by Ponce artisans. It always ends on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday with the Entierro de la Sardina (burial of the sardine), a mock funeral that opens Lent.
What to expect
Six days of parades through the center of Ponce, the crowning of the queen, comparsas and vejigantes chasing children with inflated bladders. The big parade is on Sunday and the theatrical closing is Tuesday with the Entierro de la Sardina. The artisan masks are sold at the carnival itself and they are the souvenir with the most real value on the island.
Getting there
Ponce is an hour and a half from San Juan on the PR-52 freeway and has its own airport with limited flights. During carnival the streets around Plaza Las Delicias close, so you park outside the center and walk. Sleeping in Ponce those days means booking months ahead.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Carnaval de Ponce?
What is the Entierro de la Sardina?
What is a vejigante?
Does it cost money?
Sources: facebook.com, es.wikipedia.org, periodicolaperla.com, elvocero.com
