RIO CARNIVAL

CHECK OUR 2024 RIO CARNAVAL EXPERIENCE AND UDATED INFO: RIO CARNAVAL

What is famous about Rio de Janeiro? Of course The Carnival, the biggest party of the world! 
On April 2022 when I planned to go to Rio with my mom, I wasn't expecting to find the Rio Carnival at all! 
Due to the Covid regulations, the parade dates were shifted from February to April. 
I had to organize everything in 1 day just after we arrived! 
I was lucky to find good seats in one of the best sectors without spending too much money. 
All information and tips about my Carnaval experience are below!

What happens at the Rio Carnival?

​First of all, do not think of confusion or parties all around Rio De Janeiro and get scared of going there during this event.  
Life in Rio goes on as always during the Carnival, with the exception of blocks and bands in the designated areas and many crazy costumed people you can come across in the streets or in the metro.  
But the real thing happens in Sambodromo!
​​Carnival in the SAMBODROMO (the Samba Stadium) lasts 5 days.

• 2 days - The Access Group
• 2 days - The Special Group (the winners of the first 2 days )
• The last day is the Champion's parade. ​

​WHAT IS THE BEST DAY TO GO TO RIO CARNIVAL?

​While everybody suggests that the best day of Rio Carnival is the last day, I watched the Special Groups parade and it was more than amazing!

​Is Carnival in Rio worth it?

​I thought that I could live the Carnival experience without paying for a ticket at the Sambodromo. However, all Carnival images in my head and all the pictures and videos I have seen my whole life about the Rio Carnival were all about Sambodromo, a hippodrome (racetracks) shape stadium, built especially for this occasion. I was satisfied with each penny I spent on the Sambodromo tickets. 
​Carnival in Rio is really worth it! ​

WATCHING RIO CARNIVAL AT THE SAMBODROMO

How to get tickets to Rio Carnival

At our hotel in Copacabana, they proposed tickets but I didn't want to risk and followed the instructions of the Rio Carnaval official website https://www.riocarnaval.org and tracked them to find their official sales office at the first floor of the Hotel Atlântico Copacabana. 
The staff who sold me the tickets were very nice and explanative.

• Purchase your Carnival Tickets from a reliable source. RioCarnival.net 
• Rio Carnival's Customer Service Center is at the Hotel Atlântico Copacabana. Here, they sell and deliver the tickets. ​

How expensive is Rio Carnival?

• During the Carnival, you can watch for free "bands" and "blocks" on the streets, as well as join parties. None of them is comparable to the real parade experience at the Sambodromo.
• Sambodromo tickets vary enormously from 20 USD to 2500 USD! You can expect to pay a price of about 150 USD for an average ticket. 
• You can bring your food and any kind of drink (no glass bottles are allowed) to the Sambodromo even the vendors often pass to sell drinks and food, but mostly drinks. At the entrance you can find free water and if you are lucky even some sponsors distributing glasses and drinks.

What are the best seats for Rio Carnival?

• There are different sectors and seat options at the Sambodromo. The best quality-price ratio is the grandstands in Sectors 6, 7, 8 and 9. 
• Your objective should be to choose a sector as central as possible. Because you have a chance to see the parade longer in the centre. So avoid Sectors 1, 11 and 12. 
• The grandstands are made of concrete, even if you won't be seated too much. Brazilians stay up and dance till the morning! It is a good idea to bring/ purchase a cushion to seat. ​

SAMBODROMO MAP

HOW EARLY TO ARRIVE AT THE SAMBODROMO?

• The first samba school parade starts at around 21.30. 
•  It may finish at 6 a.m. in the morning!
• If you have grandstand tickets, you will not have allocated seats or chairs. Go as early as 19 you will be able to find a front seat. The time till the parade will pass fast as you will enjoy observing locals with colourful and shiny clothes.

Sambodromo 1 hour before the parade

​What should I wear to Rio Carnival?

Brasilians wear cheerful, colourful, shiny, glittery clothes and crazy make ups. You may want to enjoy and exagrate with your clothing to be a part of it. It is also important to wear as comfortable as possibile, especially the shoes. 

Is it safe to go to Rio Carnival?

Rio becomes safer during the Carnival Event.
Around the Sambodromo and blocks, there is a high level of security, so yes, it is definitely safe in Rio during the Carnival!
In the Sambodromo or at parties, carry with you only the essentials, money, credit card and your phone but keep them in a closed bag and in front of your body all the time. 

HOW TO GET TO RIO CARNIVAL SAMBODROMO?

The best and most enjoyable way to get to Sambodromo is via metro as you may observe the colourful costumes of the exhibitors closely. It is open 24 hrs during the carnival period. 
But attention, according to your sector in the Sambadrome, you need to get off at different stations. If you have tickets from sectors 2,4 and 6 then you need to get off at the PRAÇA ONZE station. For the rest of the sectors, you need to get off at the central station and walk for around 700mt. You may consider taking a taxi for sectors 1,3,5, 7,9,11 and 13.
It is quite safe to walk at night during the carnival as the Federal Police gets extra safety precautions, still avoiding lonely streets. ​

A SAMBA SCHOOL PARADE IN SAMBODROMO RIO CARNIVAL