Making the most of your experience at Rio de Janeiro Carnival

Interested in attending Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro Carnival? Here are a few tips before you go.

Brazil is known for its beaches and street parties, and the Rio de Janeiro Carnival is the grand daddy of all parties! It is essentially the country’s annual highlighted event. People from across the globe descend on Rio to witness the spectacle. Fortunately, for some countries, having a Brazil visa is not necessary to enter, making it easier to join in on the festivities. If you are one of the chosen few, then what should you do to make the most out of your Rio de Janeiro Carnival experience?

Book a Ticket to the Sambadrome

The Rio de Janeiro Carnival is probably the most famous event in the country and the Sambadrome hosts a huge Samba competition during Carnival season. Designed by the famous architect Oscar Niemeyer and inaugurated in 1984, the Sambadrome of Rio de Janeiro is the most popular in the country and one of the largest outdoor spaces in the city.

In here, the top Samba schools in the country duke it out to see who’s the best and is a show you can’t miss if you happen to be in Rio during. Which ones should you buy depends on your budget. The first two nights feature smaller schools, while Sunday and Monday host the contenders. If you are interested enough, you can book a third show which is essentially the Champion’s Parade.

Do not be a parade spectator

Speaking of parades, you do not have to be in the sidelines when they start – you can be right in the middle of it. If you’re into it and want to showcase your Samba skills, even if you don’t have one, just buy a ticket, bring a costume and smile and own the platform. There is nothing more captivating than an individual sure to have fun in one of the most festive events in the world, besides being an experience you will not want to miss.

Join a Carnival Ball

Just like the Sambadrome, you have options which ranges from cheap to the expensive depending on what you want to enjoy. If you feel like joining the latter, the only party that hosts the rich and famous is Copacabana Palace’s Magic Ball. Otherwise, you can always to nightclubs who hosts a bunch of parties, especially at this time of the year.

Dance along block parties

To the Carnival rookies, a block party is simply a band playing their instruments on a truck or van and the people follow them along the streets, dancing and drinking as they go. Although the biggest ones happen downtown, it is rampant in the city. In fact, if you hit the streets, it would not be long before you see a party somewhere.

Lapa arches know how to party

Of course, they do. They do it on a regular basis – all year round, especially on Friday nights. So, when Carnival comes along, expect the bars down here to turn it up a notch.

Enjoy the view from the top

Take this opportunity to experience what it feels like to be on one of the highest peaks in the world, made all the more beautiful by Christ the Redeemer. There are ways to reach the top which includes walking the entire way. Regardless, just make sure you pick a sunny weather to do it if you want to have the full experience.

Brazil can easily be considered the party capital of the world, because when they decide to party, it is all out. The Rio Carnival is just a small part of their culture, and it does not take a lot to make the most out of it. You just have to live in the moment.