Carnival in Río de Janeiro

(Last update: Oct 03, 2011 )

The city of Rio de Janeiro is known as one of the funniest one in the world. This is a consequence of one of the most intense and extensive celebrations of the whole planet. The idea of dancing in honor of King Momo in the warm nights of Rio is an experience than no traveler should miss to pass. Something like the feast of the world's largest bacchanalia, beautiful men and women barely cover with some glitter and feathers their sculptural bodies. Other people, clad in white or deep colors, move themselves through the Sambodromo with a drawn smile. Samba, a lot of rhythm, debauchery and alcohol, Cariocas and tourists mingled in dance and fun, this and much more is the carnival in Rio. Cariocas delayed a whole year to prepare this feast, costumes, songs, music, to wait for all visitors to be part of this event, which incredibly takes only three days, in late February or March. The next is scheduled for 5 to March 8, 2012. An excelent option to go and get yourself carry away by those pleasures.

The Sambodromo

The main place where this festival takes place is in the mythical Sambodromo is a gateway to 700 m long, designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer Rio where parade all Escolas do Samba that participate in the official competition. Sambodromo is located in the Cidade Nova, Rua do Catumbi. The best way to get there is by taxi or metro (Station Praca Onze, from there you should go to Rua Júlio Carmo, or to Avenida Salvador de Sá, according to the location you have.) It is desirable that from the hotel where you are staying, at, you ask for a taxi to take you there. Please note that Rio is a city where thousands of extra tourists arrive there at these dates. That is why it is recommended that you take some basic safety measures to avoid problems. Like that, if you let the driver know which ticket you have, he surely take you to the right place. Beside Sambodromo, you can find Carnaval Museum. The ticket is free and there you will find information about all Scolas do Samba, their history, etc. Sometimes also it is allowed to visitors to wear some of the costumes for a photo at the Sambodromo, of course not during the days when Carnival is celebrated.

Streets

But the party does not just take place by the Sambodromo at those days. It is true that there you can see Escolas do Samba to parade (or sambar) but to enjoy the whole carnival you should also take advantage of any of the activities taking place in the city streets those day. One of the best ways to participate in the celebration of King Momo, is go to the bands, or blocos (usually the name given to the carnival celebrations that take place in Salvador de Bahia, but occasionally used in the case of Rio too.) These are kind of holidays that take place on the streets which involved percussion groups. Imagine a sort of procession of drummers where all people sing and dance around them, sipping cold beer rivers. This "Carnaval da rua" (Carnival of street) is the real carnival. Most percussion groups use to have their identifying colors, so they use to sell flags, headbands and allegorical T-shirts.

The parties

Some of the most popular carnival are the band of Ipanema, the Barbas or the Bloco de Bip Bip. Ipanema's band is organized during Carnival's precedent Saturday and Saturday of Carnival itself, ideal if you have no entry for Sambodromo. Is performed on the Praca General Osorio, at Ipanema and usually goes down to the beach. It is one of the most picturesque party and use to participate drags queen and transvestites. Barbas band is located in the Botafogo area in Rua (street) Assis Bueno and Rua Arnaldo Quintela, that takes place during Carnival's Saturday, here you can meet one of the most memorable bands of the southern Rio de Janeiro where everything is red and white. That is Also very funny. Finally we introduce the band, Bloc Bip Bip. This is undoubtedly the best ever. Start the Carnival's Friday night and lasts until Monday. Located at Rua Almirante Gonçalves 50, Copacabana. Music festivals usually take place there the whole year, however, Carnival celebration is special. Tickets usually go on sale in September in Riotur (Rua Assembléia 10), the government tourist office has the information you need on prices and outlets. A classic event are dances and private parties of Carnival: the best known are Scala Rio ones, in Scala nightclub, where people usually go with a spectacular costumes, dancing at the Copacabana Palace (in most important dancing night are only allowed luxurious fancy costumes or formal dress suit for men and long dresses for women). Like that, there is also the Gloria Hotel party (also an elegant and expensive event.) However, depending on location, for most of dancing places, the tickets do not usually exceed $ 100.

Escolas do samba (Samba schools)

Carnival classic groupings, deserve a separate chapter. You may experiment with the technical trials of different escolas, both for fans that year after year continue supporting them, and for tourists. The "samba enredo" that will be heard in the same Sambodromo few days later, the dancers, musicians, the flag carrier and the mestre-sala, each member of scola, without their costumes but with the same enthusiasm and joy that in the official event . There are several scolas do samba that offer the possibility to visitors, especially foreigners from forming part of their training for at least one night. The idea is to contact any scola, at least 10 days before and agree the service that costs about USD 400. In exchange for this amount, you can dance on the samba, in carnival night, leading some of the costumes that were designed especially for the season. Most popular, lavish and known Escolas are Beija Flor (with its classic blue and white), Portela (also blue and white), Mangueira (their colors are green and pink), Imperio Serrano (green and white) and Unidos da Tijuca (blue and yellow). If taking part of the dance and music inside a scola is not your thing, you could acquire a terrace in the Sambodromo, the minimum prices start at USD 300 and grow up significantly if you want to hire a VIP cabin (where ever famous Brazilian and the world will gather to witness and take part in the dizzying spectacle of the parade to the beat of samba).

Tips

Finally we leave you some tips that can come in handy if you decide to join to the celebration of Carnival in Rio::

• .- Bring in your bag a couple of costumes since they will be useful and funny in many parties and dances, because at this time use to be difficult to get one.
  
• .- Each bloco, or street dance party of "carnival da rua" or in Sambodromo will be thousands of tourists and Cariocas tight in a nonstop dancing: do not carry more than a minimum amount of money to spend on drinks, food and transportation that you have planned, plus any identification (it is better to leave your passport at the hotel).
  
• .- Since many street parties start early, do not forget your sunscreen, sunglasses and a cap. There are always high temperatures in the summer Carnival: avoid dehydration drinking juices and mineral water (do not take risk with tap water, buy bottled water), or very classic caipirinha and beer.
  
• .- The fun, joy and dance spread over many hours (night and day), so use comfortable shoes (is better those who not mind discarding before returning home, they use to end up dirty and trampled by the crowds of partying).

Are you ready? All this is the Carnival in Rio: a massive party, frenetic, colorful and sensual as no one else, as happy as the people of Brazil, where music, eroticism and beauty of Brazil show their colors most intense, where Brazilians and tourists are welcome to take part in dance and music, regardless of age, sex or social class. A party that once in your life, you should live to the fullest. A party like no other else on earth.

Other guides about Carnival in Rio de Janeiro

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