RIO CARNIVAL
Join the greatest party on earth
Rio de Janeiro is arguably one of the most exciting and beautiful cities in the world. It offers a little bit of everything, from the cool beaches and artsy promenades to the striking backdrop of the Tijuca National Park. Warm & welcoming locals, vibrant samba & to top it off, the city hosts millions of visitors every year to join their carnival celebrations.
JOIN A GROUP FOR CARNIVAL
One of the best ways to experience Rio Carnival is by joining a group tour, especially if you're travelling solo or in a couple. This is a great way to share the celebrations, make new friends and explore the city with a local tour guide.
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Our group tours include visits to Rio's iconic sights, such as Christ the Redeemer & Sugar Loaf mountain, tickets to the Sambadrome for the Carnival parade and optional visits to the many street parties of Rio, known as blocos. We include breakfasts & tickets for the metro to get around.
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From £2,505 for a six day itinerary (excluding flights)
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We recommend booking early to avoid disappointment, as Carnival sells out quickly.
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WHAT TO DO & WHEN TO GO
The people of Rio, are friendly, welcoming and fun and one of the best ways to get to know Rio is by taking a tour or workshop with a local. Highly recommended is a tour of the fruit market, so you can taste your way around the vast choice of Brazilian fruits, or a cooking class, where you'll learn to make local dishes and a caipirinha, the national drink. From chocolate tasting to samba classes, there is something for everyone.
Future dates for Carnival in Brazil (Friday-Wednesday) are:
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2026: 13-18-February
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2027: 5-10 February
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For a consultation on a tailor made Carnival experience, please get in touch. I would recommend combining your visit with a few days to unwind on the beautiful beaches of Buzios or the UNESCO heritage site of Paraty for a lovely boat trip on the emerald coast. Perhaps even a visit to the mighty Iguaçu Falls beforehand, an Amazon slow boat or search for jaguars in the Pantanal, Brazil's epic wetland.
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ABOUT RIO CARNIVAL
Every year the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's striking & vibrant coastal city, is transformed to host the Carnival celebrations. Rio is a fantastic city to visit at any time of year, a firm favourite for many visitors. But it becomes something quite different, spectacular & unique for Carnival or Carnaval, as it is known.
Businesses close their doors, people dress up and street carnivals begin all over the city, each with their own theme, from dogs & cats to the Beetles! The main event, a huge competition held over a number of nights is held in the Rio's Sambadrome. It sees the top 12 Samba schools parade their elaborate floats & outlandish costumes, with dancers sometimes floating on hover boards, or perched high-up on a stage resembling a dragon or a parrot, each led by their samba Kings & Queens.
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Rio Carnival is held at the beginning of Lent, which means February or March, this is Rio's hottest time of the year and it is not uncommon for there to be heavy downpours, followed by glorious sunshine. The rain often brings a welcome refresh from the heat. There's plenty of time to explore the city by day or simply kick back and relax on one of the beaches, with a caipirinha in hand.
