2025 Travel News ArchiveTravel

It’s carnival time in the Dominican Republic: La Vega, Santiago, Bonao, Puerto Plata and Punta Cana

The iconic La Vega Carnival kicked off on Sunday, 31 January 2025 with the parading of some 195 carnival groups. The famous “diablos cojuelos” (limping devils) were let loose to do their pranks on Sunday afternoons.

Thousands of people were captivated by the spectacle of the floats and the magic that surrounds one of the most famous cultural events in the Dominican Republic.

The event attracts thousands of Dominicans and hundreds of foreigners who join in the enjoyment of the joy that characterizes the activity each year.

Those in La Vega can also come early to tour the La Vega Carnival museum in the city center.

There are also carnival parades in Santiago, Bonao and Puerto Plata on Sundays in February, too.

In Santiago, the carnival is taking place within the Parque Central starting Sunday, 9 February through Sunday, 2 March. In Bonao, the carnival organized by Cocabo will also be held on Sundays and will be extended to the second Sunday of March.

In Puerto Plata’s this year’s carnival activities coincide with the 500th anniversary of the city and are organized by the Unión Carnavalesca de Puerto Plata (Ucapplata) on the western side of the Puerto Plata Malecon.

The Puntacana carnival parade is a one-day affair set for Saturday, 22 February 2025 at the Av. 1 de Noviembre, the main street of the Puntacana Village, near the Punta Cana International Airport. The Puntacana Carnival is organized by the Grupo Puntacana. Carnival troupes from all around the country send their representatives to this carnival.

Read more:
Noticias SIN – Bonao
Noticias SIN La Vega
El Nuevo Diario Puerto Plata
Puerto Plata carnival
Puntacana

4 February 2025