Carnaval in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize, is truly one of a kind. Nowhere else will you find a festival quite like this—where the streets come alive with paint, color, music, dance, and pure joy. It’s a time when the town turns technicolor, with paint-covered revelers, extravagant comparsas, and endless laughter filling the air.
As Ambergris Today celebrates 25 years of documenting life on the island, I’ve had the privilege of capturing some of the best Carnaval moments over the years. This year was no different! From outrageous dance performances to first-time tourists jumping into the fun, here are 25 of my most memorable moments from Carnaval 2025, all captured in photos.
The Madness of the Paint Wars
One of my favorite traditions is the painting in Central Park. There’s nothing quite like seeing friends, families, and even total strangers turn into walking works of art. Red faces, blue arms, neon-green legs—it’s all part of the fun! Tourists, at first hesitant, quickly grab their bottles of paint and dive in. This year, I met a group of visitors who had no idea what was going on but decided, “Why not?” and got completely covered in seconds.
The Wildest Comparsa Groups
The comparsas (street dancing groups) are the heartbeat of the festivities. This year, Francisco Mendez stole the show, first dressing his group as “badly wrapped tamales” in a hilarious nod to a viral TikToker. The next night, he took on Donald Trump and Melania, making light of immigration issues in a way only Carnaval can. It was satirical, outrageous, and absolutely brilliant!
And then there were the Barbies—a men’s group dressed in full drag, high heels and all, who gave us an unforgettable performance of Shakira’s ‘Soltera’. One of their dancers, now an island resident, first joined a comparsa 15 years ago as a visiting tourist and has been hooked ever since. That’s the magic of Carnaval!
Tourists Jumping into the Action
Every year, I love watching the expressions on tourists’ faces as they witness Carnaval for the first time. Some stand back, taking photos and videos, while others can’t resist jumping in. This year, two visiting ladies came prepared—they brought their own ‘Brazilian-style’ costumes just to join a comparsa! After a quick dance lesson, they were twirling through the streets, embracing the spirit of San Pedro like locals.
The History & Heart of Carnaval
Beyond the paint and performances, Carnaval is a cultural tradition nearly 100 years old. Rooted in folklore, it honors Don Juan Carnaval, who brought music, dance, and festivities before the solemn period of Lent. Each year, this festival reminds me how important it is to celebrate and preserve our heritage—and to have a little fun while doing it!
See the Photos!
I could go on forever, but nothing tells the story of Carnaval better than the photos. Swipe through my top 25 moments of Carnaval 2025 and experience the magic for yourself. Whether you were here celebrating with us or watching from afar, Carnaval in San Pedro will always be something special! 🎭✨
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Interesting Read: Things That Are Normal on Ambergris Caye only During Carnaval
