Cayman Carnival Batabano is the national carnival of the Cayman Islands which started in 1983 and is held annually in the first week of May. The event which is linked to the island’s turtling heritage and pays homage to these sea creatures takes place at the start of the turtle nesting season and offers up a reason to celebrate. In fact, according to the island’s history, Batabano is a Caymanian term meaning “tracks left in the sand by sea turtles as they crawl ashore to nest.”
Batabano is a vibrant highlight in the island’s entertainment calendar offering two weekends of color, music, and togetherness. It is also a time when Cayman’s history and culture come alive in a rich showcase representative of the blend of the over 100 nationalities that come together to celebrate and have fun. It’s a mix of live bands and pageantry, colorful costumes, street parades, floats, fetes, and more. A time to unleash all inhibitions…and visitors are welcome to join in.
Cayman Carnival Batabano celebrates juniors, families, and adults. Junior Batabano takes place on the weekend before the adult version and is a family day of fun including the junior parade followed by other kid and family-friendly activities including face painting, food stalls, and bouncing castles.
Looking to take part in Batabano, click here to learn more about the bands and to purchase your tickets.
Cayman Islands Accommodation
