Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Bolivia

From the 2nd to 5th of February every year the quiet lakeside town of Copacabana comes alive with thousands of pilgrims and revellers, celebrating the patron saint of Bolivia; The Virgin of Candelaria. I was lucky enough to be there two years ago and here are a few of my favourite pictures.

Dancers in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Musicians, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Musicians, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancer in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancer in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancer in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancer in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancer in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancer in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Musicians, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Musicians, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional costume, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional dress, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional dress, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional dress, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional dress, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional dress, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional dress, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Festival reveller, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Festival reveller, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional dress having a break, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional dress having a break, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional dress, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Dancers in traditional dress, Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Miner’s Carnival – Cerro Rico, Potosi, Bolivia

Processions during The Miners Carnival, Cerro Rico, Potosi, Southern Altiplano, Bolivia

Mid February, a few weeks before the main Carnaval, Potosi hosts the miner’s carnival. This involves processions down from Cerro Rico to the town, lots of drinking, and lots of water fights. I got a taxi first thing in the … Continue reading

Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Copacabana, Bolivia

Nowadays I try and plan my trips to coincide with local festivals. This was partly ignited a few years ago in Guatemala when by chance on visiting a nearby village I happened to be there for their annual fiesta. It … Continue reading