Festival de la Diablada Oruro

Festival de la Diablada de Oruro

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Carnival & ParadeOruro
DatesDates TBA · Usually FebruaryCheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forMasks, paradesThe Diablada's power lies in its layered
Language["es"]Currency: BOB
CategoryCarnival & ParadeFestival type
The story

Festival de la Diablada Oruro in Oruro

La Diablada, the Dance of the Devils, is the signature spectacle of Carnaval de Oruro, Bolivia. Performers in horned masks and elaborate devil costumes fill the streets in the days before Ash Wednesday, honoring the Virgen del Socavon. Established in its modern form by 1891 and drawing more than 28,000 dancers and 10,000 musicians, it stands as the visual centerpiece of a carnival UNESCO inscribed as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008.

Each year, in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday, Oruro becomes the stage for one of the Andes' most striking spectacles: La Diablada, the Dance of the Devils.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The Diablada's power lies in its layered symbolism: dancers embody a battle of good against evil and the seven deadly sins, drawing on both pre-Columbian Andean belief and Catholic mythology in a single costume

02

The mystery stays covered

Devils appear in pink tights and red-and-white boots decorated with dragon and serpent motifs, velvet capes sewn with silver thread, coins and mirrors, topped with golden wigs and heavy horned masks, an outfit that takes considerable craft and expense to produce

03

The city starts moving

Scale reinforces the spectacle: more than 28,000 dancers and 10,000 musicians take part across the Carnaval de Oruro, an event honoring the Virgen del Socavon and the Virgen de la Candelaria that UNESCO recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008, cementing a tradition whose modern annual form dates to 1891

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Dancers perform in horned masks

Water and renewal

Living ritual

golden wigs and silver-thread velvet capes to stage the battle of good against evil and the seven deadly sins

The sacred route

Living ritual

honoring the Virgen del Socavon and Virgen de la Candelaria in the days before Ash Wednesday

The local code

Living ritual

a devotional dance tradition dating to 1891 in its modern form

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually February

Getting around

Use Oruro transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

What to wear

Comfortable, warm layered clothing suits Oruro's high altitude, with sturdy walking shoes for long hours on foot along the parade route. Spectators do not wear costume themselves; sun...

Safety

At Festival de la Diablada Oruro, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Oruro, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Many carnival moments are public, but confirm paid areas or stands before travel.

Language/currency

["es"] · BOB

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map17.97 S, 67.09 WOpen in Google Maps

Oruro, Oruro, Bolivia

Nearest airportORU — Juan Mendoza
TransportUse Oruro transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Oruro, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Oruro via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Oruro, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for February.Compare faresFestival gearComfortable, warm layered clothing suits Oruro's high altitude, with sturdy walking shoes for long hours on foot along the parade route. Spectators do not wear costume themselves; sun protection and a light rain layer are practical additions.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Bolivia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Festival de la Diablada Oruro?

Festival de la Diablada Oruro is listed for February. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Festival de la Diablada Oruro take place?

The festival is listed in Oruro, Bolivia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Oruro, Oruro, Bolivia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually February
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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