Candelaria is a city on the east shore of the island Tenerife in the Canary Islands archipelago. It is a city of 28,000 inhabitants (2018), best known for its basilica which includes the sculpture of the Virgin Mary (Vir
Travelers soon discover that "Candelaria" is not a single destination but a family of towns scattered across Latin America and even the Philippines. Each bears a distinct colonial imprint: the Venezuelan Candelaria rests on a coffee‑rich plateau, while its Argentine counterpart clings to the foothills of the Andes, and Brazil's Candelária neighbourhood pulses with Rio’s samba rhythm. When planning a visit, double‑check the country and province codes on your tickets and map apps – a simple typo can land you on the opposite side of the continent. The shared name stems from a devotion to the Virgin of Candelaria, a thread that subtly ties these disparate locales together.
If you time your trip to coincide with the local feast of the Virgin of Candelaria, you’ll witness a blend of religious solemnity and vibrant street life that most guidebooks skim over. In Venezuela, the celebration spills onto the town square with brass bands and traditional curagua dances, while in the Brazilian neighbourhood, colourful lanterns illuminate samba rehearsals that echo late into the night. These events are organised by community committees rather than municipal authorities, offering a more intimate glimpse of resident pride. Arriving a day early provides a chance to join volunteer prep crews, granting access to backstage rituals that most visitors miss.
Most Candelarias are serviced by modest regional airports or bus hubs rather than major international gateways. For a smoother arrival, consider flying into the nearest capital – Caracas, Buenos Aires, or Rio – and then connecting via a domestic carrier or reputable coach line. Pack a reusable water bottle and sun protection; high altitude towns such as Candelaria, Argentina, can experience strong UV exposure even in winter. Finally, a handful of basic phrases in the local dialect (Spanish or Portuguese) goes a long way, especially when navigating informal markets where cash transactions dominate and English signage is rare.
[edit] Jacob Candelaria (born 1987), American politician and attorney John Candelaria (born 1953), American baseball pitcher Luis Candelaria (1892–1963), Argentine military aviator, who completed the first air crossing of the Andes in 1918 Nash Candelaria (1928–2016), American author Richard G. Candelaria (1922–2024), American WWII fighter ace
[edit] Argentina[edit] Candelaria, Misiones, Misiones Province Candelaria, San Luis, a village and municipality in San Luis Province La Candelaria, Catamarca, a village and municipality in Catamarca Province La Candelaria, Salta, a village and rural municipality in Salta Province Brazil[edit] Candelária Church, a historical church in Rio de Janeiro Candelária, Rio Grande do Sul Chile[edit] Candelaria mine, a copper deposit in Atacama Region Colombia[edit] Candelaria, Valle del Cauca Candelaria, Atlántico La Candelaria, Bogotá, a historic neighborhood in Bogotá Cuba[edit] Candelaria, Cuba, Artemisa Province El Salvador[edit] Candelaria, Cuscatlán Candelaria de la Frontera Guatemala[edit] Candelaria Caves, a natural cave system in the municipalities of Chisec and Raxruha Honduras[edit] Candelaria, Lempira Mexico[edit] Candelaria Municipality, Campeche Candelaria railway station, a Tren Maya station Candelaria Loxicha Candelaria metro station, a station on the Mexico City Metro Philippines[edit] Candelaria, Quezon Candelaria station (PNR), a railway station that is part of the PNR South Long Haul project Candelaria, Zambales Portugal[edit] Candelária (Madalena), a civil parish in the municipality of Madalena, island of Pico, Azores Candelária (Ponta Delgada), a civil parish in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, island of São Miguel, Azores Puerto Rico[edit] Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, founded as Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria Candelaria, Lajas, Puerto Rico, a barrio Candelaria, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, a barrio Candelaria, Vega Alta, Puerto Rico, a barrio Spain[edit] Candelaria, Tenerife, a municipality in the island of Tenerife, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands United States[edit] Candelaria, Texas, Presidio County Candelaria, Nevada, a mining ghost town
[edit] Fiesta de la Candelaria or Candlemas Virgin of Candelaria, an apparition of the Virgin Mary
[edit] Candelaria (lichen), a genus of yellow lichens Candelaria (reptile), an extinct genus of owenettid parareptiles Candelaria (film), a 2017 romantic drama film Candelária massacre, a 1993 massacre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Candelária Sport Clube, a roller hockey team from the civil parish of Candelária Club Atlético Candelaria, an Argentine football club from Misiones Province