Attracting revellers across the globe, Rio Carnival is quite literally the greatest party in the world. Celebrated the weekend before Lent, people of all ages come and let their hair down as they shake their tail feathers on the streets of Rio de Janeiro. If you’re headed to Rio this Carnival, make sure you soak up everything it has to offer with our essential guide.
Find yourself a Bloco
What is a ‘bloco’ you ask? The best part of Carnival! They are street parties run during the day by teams of people in different areas of Rio de Janeiro. They lead revellers around the streets of Rio, with the sounds of samba paving the way. Each one has a theme which you can choose to acknowledge – for instance, those that attend the Bloco das Carmelitas tend to dress up as nuns – based on the legend that a Carmelita nun jumped the wall of the St Teresa convent to join the Rio Carnival celebrations.
Whether this is true or not is debatable, however, whatever bloco you choose, you will be sure to have a good time. In fact there are so many that the challenge becomes organising yourself to make the most out of it. This app is really good in helping you find all the different blocos and perfect for making the most out of your time. If you want to party in true Carnival style, make sure you wear a light costume (as it will get hot!) and comfortable shoes.
Bask on the beaches
After dancing the night away you will want some time to relax. Luckily Rio de Janeiro has some of the most stunning beaches in the country. They are all separated into ‘postos’ (life guard posts) and each have their own atmosphere. Posto 9 in Ipanema Beach attracts the young and beautiful of Rio as well as a lively gay scene, whereas Leme has a quieter area for families. Whether you want to join in on a game of volleyball or simply sip caipirinhas, it is a perfect place to watch the world go by and recover from post carnival celebrations! If you fancy a bite there are various vendors selling delicious street food (we recommend a bowl of Açai topped with granola!).
See some sights
Ok so you may be here during one of the best parties on the planet but you can’t forget Rio de Janeiro’s famous sights. One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Christ-the-Redeemer stands atop Corcovado Mountain and is a must-see for most visitors. You will be blown away by the art-deco statue, but do try and get there early in the morning or later in the evening as crowds do tend to gather. Other places of interest include a cable car ride up Sugar Loaf Mountain, the Lapa Steps (where Pharrell and Snoop Dogg filmed ‘Beautiful’) and a tour of the Favelas.
Lapa nightlife
Recently renovated, the neighbourhood of Lapa is home to trendy bars and restaurants attracting some of the best partiers in Rio. Although it is popular all year round, during carnival the nightlife gets turned up to 10. A stage is erected with bands playing all sorts of sounds, street vendors line the road to sell delicious fruit cocktails and people head there to dance the night away and really let their hair down.
Carnival Balls
During Carnival period there are a number of balls which are available to attend. One of the most popular is the Gay Ball, which attracts people of all different sexualities. Outfits are outrageous and the colourful crowd makes it a popular event.
Another popular ball is the Magic Ball at Copacabana, however, tickets are not cheap and those that attend will find themselves mingling with Rio’s elite as well as some celebrities.
Get yourself to the Sambadrome
We can’t forget about this world-famous competition. The Sambadrome, packed to capacity with 90,000 tourists and cariocas (local name for native inhabitants of the city of Rio de Janeiro), present the top samba schools in Rio as they compete whilst being broadcast across the world. The open air runway is flanked by bleachers where the judges and audience sit to watch the parades take place. As the action unfolds the energy ripples through the purpose built parade grounds, and everyone is captivated.
Make friends
Whether you are travelling independently or with a tour group, Carnival is the chance to make lots of new friends. Everyone is there for the same reason – to have a great time! There really is nothing like swapping wigs, admiring costumes, and dancing to the sounds of samba with your new pals. Bring your dancing shoes, a warm smile, and an open mind and soon you will be finding your inner ‘carioca’.
Brazilian food
A trip to Rio de Janeiro would be nothing without sampling the array of tasty delicacies on offer. If you are a carnivore then it is time to get your cutlery out – Brazil is famous for their delicious meat and there are restaurants specifically for your protein laden appetites. Rodizios or churrascarias are a popular choice. They offer a variety of meat, often cooked on a BBQ which is generally served with salad, beans or rice. Many offer a pricing service where you pay ‘por kilo’ and eat as much as you can fit! Street food is also plentiful and there are plenty of places to pick up an afternoon snack as you lounge on the beaches of Copacabana. Finally none of this would be complete without washing it down with a ‘caipirinha’ the local cocktail of Brazil.
Hang gliding
Imagine seeing Rio without the crowds, and taking in all the sights with a bird’s eye view. Hang gliding is a popular excursion for the adventurous types. Hovering over the land you get incredible views of Sugar Loaf Mountain, Christ the Reedemer and more. Feel the breeze on your face and really take in the best of this magical city.
Beyond Rio
If you have time before or after Carnival it really is worth exploring more of Brazil. Pay a visit to the stunning Iguazú Falls where you can see the majestic waterfalls from both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides or head to the swampy Pantanal Wetlands where you will see all manners of wildlife. There are also a plethora of stunning beaches depending in what direction you want to head. Travelling west you will find Parati, a UNESCO World Heritage Site complete with cobbled streets, beaches and an artistic culture. It is also possible to take island boat trips to neighbouring beaches which offers seriously sun-soaked slices of paradise! Northeast you will find Salvador da Bahia, complete with unspoilt beaches and a vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture. Here you can enjoy traditional music, art and architecture.
With so much to choose from, it’s important to have some kind of plan in order to get the most out of the carnival. We recommend dancing the days away at the blocos, a sultry night at The Sambadrome and an experience in Lapa to keep that “samba feeling” going. If you´re still on your feet after all that dancing, get yourself to one of the balls!
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