Carnival in Rio de Janeiro: Samba, Beaches & Sambódromo
- Parade tickets: approximately 50 euros per person in advance, we paid 100 euros spontaneously.
- Sambadrome: Space for around 90,000 people, 700-meter-long street, 6 samba schools
- Each samba school attracts at most 2 hours, then a 20-30 minute break
- Per person, the number allowed is... 2 x 500 ml Plastic bottles and 2 snacks
- Arrive 2-3 hours early and bring a cushion, you'll be sitting on stones.
Contents of this post4 chapters
What you should know before you go to Carnival:
- Normally no bags are allowed! However, I had absolutely no problems and was simply able to take my big tote bag with me.
- Each person may bring 2 plastic bottles of 500ml each (alcoholic drinks are allowed too!)
- 2 snacks per person are allowed.
- It's not common to dress up much as a spectator. A little glitter here & there is totally enough.
- You can get food & drinks cheaply at the counter!
- Each samba school performs for at most 2 hours, afterwards there is a 20-30 minute break.
- Restrooms are free of charge & quickly reachable.
- You should be there about 2-3 hours beforehand so you can snag a good spot!
- There's enough space & you won't be cramped (at least that's how it was for us).
- Wear comfortable shoes or just take them off (there's a lot of dancing)
- Bring a seat cushion or a blanket, since you'll be sitting on stone.
- Find a group before the event to party with, e.g. on Facebook.
- The event takes place on Brazilian time. So don't count on German punctuality!
- If you want to see all 6 samba schools, expect to be there, the whole night!
- You won't need a jacket at these temperatures! It's more too hot than too cold!
- Book tickets early & the accommodation too! (approx. 50 euros p. p.)
- Don't forget your good mood!
“Life is too short for ‘someday’.”
Janet Dannehl
Off to Rio de Janeiro
This year, due to Corona, Carnival was postponed to April 20 – 30. On 04/23/2022 we took our flight at 3:00 a.m. from Fortaleza to Rio. So we arrived already pretty wiped out. Our accommodation was right on Copacabana beach. A beautiful beach! Of course the hotel prices were enormously high again. For a really shabby hostel you have to expect 60 euros a night (when booking spontaneously). Luckily we still got the last, relatively good accommodation!
During our last stay in Rio, we met a group via Facebook, with whom we arranged to meet again. At first we thought it would be really busy at the beach, but no such luck. So we quickly grabbed tickets for one of the biggest events in the world, the Carnival parade. A total of 6 different samba schools performed here. An incredible experience!
Little tip: Always book tickets in advance! We paid double, so 100 euros per person!
There's room for roughly 90,000 people. The best samba schools (escolas do samba) parade along the 700-meter-long street of the Sambódromo. I couldn't stop marveling. One artfully decorated float after another rolled past us. I don't even need to start on the fascinating dancers. It was simply impressive!
On top of that, there was a really beautiful fireworks show! The music was brilliant & everyone sang along loudly. Some even danced samba in the stands. It was a totally crazy feeling. You didn't know where to look first!
The fact is: You should have seen this breathtaking event at least once in your life! Trust me
I can only say it again: It was breathtaking! Here once more a before, after picture:
In the end we finally took an UBER back to the hotel & fell asleep with our earworm. Despite the shower in the evening, the next morning everything, but really EVERYTHING, was full of glitter. And this glitter is stubborn, I'm telling you! Even days later we found glitter in our washed socks. Hallelujah. Finally we set off for our next adventure: an absolutely brilliant road trip from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo!
Tours and activities: Rio de Janeiro
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do tickets for the Carnival parade in Rio cost?
Around 50 euros per person if you book early. We booked at the last minute and paid twice as much, so 100 euros per person. Book accommodation early too: even a really shabby hostel costs 60 euros a night at the last minute.
What can I bring into the Sambadrome?
Bags are usually not allowed, though I had no problems at all with my large tote bag. Each person is allowed 2× 500 ml plastic bottles, including alcohol, plus 2 snacks. Food and drinks are available at reasonable prices at the counter, and toilets are free.
How long does the parade last?
Each samba school performs for a maximum of 2 hours, followed by a break of 20 to 30 minutes. If you want to see all 6 samba schools, expect to be there all night. And don't expect German punctuality.
Do I need to dress up as a spectator?
No. Spectators don't usually dress up much, a little glitter here and there is plenty. Wear comfortable shoes, there will be plenty of dancing, and you won't need a jacket in these temperatures.
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