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Music & Culture Festivals in La Ceiba
Gran Carnaval Internacional de La Ceiba
The largest city on the Caribbean coast of Honduras and its party capital, La Ceiba sits between the Pico Bonito rainforest and the sea. It is the gateway to the Rio Cangrejal and the Bay Islands, and home to the country's biggest street carnival each May.
Organized by Municipalidad de La Ceiba, which publishes the official dates and program.
Why here
The Gran Carnaval Internacional de La Ceiba is the biggest street party in Honduras, and for one Saturday in May the whole city pours onto Avenida San Isidro. It is the climax of the Feria Isidra, the city fair held since 1917 in honour of San Isidro, and by 2026 the carnival reaches its fifty-fourth edition. The main avenue closes to traffic and fills with floats, brass and drum bands, the reigning carnival queens on carrozas and dozens of costumed comparsas dancing punta, the Garifuna rhythm of this coast, late into the night. In the days before, smaller neighbourhood carnavalitos spread the party across the city's barrios, each with its own stage and food stalls. It draws hundreds of thousands from across the country and the diaspora, and unlike a ticketed festival the street is the venue, free and open, with the rainforest and the Caribbean framing a city that lets loose once a year.
Best months
The Gran Carnaval falls on a Saturday in May during the Feria Isidra, honouring the feast of San Isidro. The main parade takes over Avenida San Isidro from afternoon into the early hours; the week before brings neighbourhood carnavalitos across the city. May is hot and humid on the coast, so light clothing, water and sun cover help. Crowds are dense on the avenue, so agree a meeting point and watch your belongings.
Getting there & around
La Ceiba has its own airport and the ferry terminal for the Bay Islands, and is about three hours by road from San Pedro Sula. The carnival centres on Avenida San Isidro in the heart of the city, walkable from central hotels, which sell out months ahead for the weekend. Roads close and transport is stretched on parade night, so base yourself within walking distance of the avenue and book accommodation early.
Skill levels: beginner
Schools & guides (1)
Gran Carnaval de La Ceiba
OrganizerThe Gran Carnaval Internacional de La Ceiba is organised each May by the city government of La Ceiba as the climax of the Feria Isidra, the city fair held since 1917 in honour of San Isidro. The main parade fills Avenida San Isidro with floats, brass and drum bands, Garifuna punta dancing and dozens of costumed comparsas late into the night, drawing crowds from across the country to its fifty-fourth edition in 2026. Smaller neighbourhood carnavalitos run through the preceding week.