©
Leandro Neumann Ciuffo
Brazil Travel Guide
©
Leandro Neumann Ciuffo
Choose your most off-beat and colourful clothes, or even better, sequinned clothes, and follow the rhythm. The Rio de Janeiro Carnival is a national icon, and also international (the first one took place in 1840!) It is an institution! In February or early March, samba troops and schools process and compete with rhythm, music and wild dancing. A true festival of colour and a magical and memorable experience.
If you are lucky enough to be going to Brazil during this period, don't hesitate! Here you will find some advice to give you the best experience of the Carnival. Lift-off for Rio!
Going to the Rio Carnival needs planning! You cannot wing it, otherwise you may end up without a hotel carried along in a crowd of Carioca.
For 6 days, between February and March, depending on the year, the 6 days before Ash Wednesday (the day after Shrove Tuesday), the city of Rio is alive with the sounds of the carnival and the samba, a very lively dance with African roots but emblematic of Brazil.
It is in the Sambadrome, a 700 metres long stadium, that the official parade takes place during which the best samba troop is chosen according to specific criteria (consistency with the theme, floats, harmonies, etc). One of the most important criteria is the quality and beauty of the costumes, these are made by the troops themselves during the year before the carnival.
Entry to the stadium is paying and is expensive (between £50 and several thousand pounds!). Seats can be bought at the last moment, in local agencies or on the internet. There are many categories of seats so choose carefully. If you choose the stands, you will need to arrive early to get the best spot.
©Leandro Neumann Ciuffo
Is the Rio Carnival elitist? No, fortunately, the entry prices for the Sambadrome parade don't stop the Carioca and the samba schools from parading in the streets, with all their floats, glitz and glamour, nor the street bands from playing their best and loudest. Join in with the crowds and enjoy this phenomenal atmosphere.
One handy tip: in the weeks leading up to the carnival, some samba schools practise in the streets of Rio. They all also practise in the "quadras", their rehearsal spots, usually big hangars. Entry is free. These are other ways to take part in this event. Don't miss out!
