Carnaval de Barranquilla. Barranquilla's Carnaval is a carnival with traditions that date back to the 19th century. It takes place for four days preceding Ash Wednesday. Barranquilla's Carnival is reputed for being second in size to Rio's, but is far less commercialized. The Carnival of Barranquilla was proclaimed by UNESCO, in November 2003, as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity