Carnival in rio de Janeiro
Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourself for A LOT of fun. The Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is one of the most iconic and exuberant celebrations in the world. It's an annual festival that usually takes place in February or March.
Carnival in Rio is a whole new world for which you need a bit of preparation.
Things you must know before attending carnival in Rio:
Carnival season is expensive: Not everything is, but accommodation and flight prices are skyrocketing. As a matter of example, a bed in a dorm can go as high in price as 250 euros (and for a shit one too!!). So, the sooner you organise your trip the better.
If you organise it on a whim, this is what you should look into:
Ask around you, go on Facebook groups to see who might be renting out a room in their apartment. I paid 450 euros for 8 nights.
Book a flight to São Paulo, then a bus to Rio de Janeiro. Although this may look like a hassle it is really not that bad and so much cheaper than flying directly to Rio. As for your return flight, this one may leave from Rio as the main carnival dates will be behind.
Book your Sambadrome tickets in advance: Otherwise you’ll end up not being able to attend, just like me (oops)
Price: Range from 30 euros to 300 euros
Security: Carnival season is supposed to be the most awaited period for thieves. Although nothing happened to me, I heard many stories and they are not the always nice to hear. So this is what you must do: Be smart.
Dos:
Take a fanny bag with you, preferably one that you can hide underneath your clothes, but as you’ll spend your time half naked no worries if it is a visible one.
Have fun! Carnival is so much fun. Let yourself be aware of the surroundings while having the best time!
Donts:
Do not show off your brand new phone, your wallet full of banknotes and what not
Do not walk alone when the sun has set, NEVER. Even if your hotel is “just around the corner”. This is when you become vulnerable, especially if you are a bit drunk. If you find yourself alone take a taxi/uber.
Do not take all of your cash with you. Leave your bank cards at home, take the minimum you have for the day.
Sambadrome vs Blocos; two different types of atmospheres:
While Sambadrome is the place where the grandeur and magic of Rio Carnival comes alive with it's iconic avenue purpose-built for the samba school parades,
Blocos are street parties or block parties that are an integral part of the Rio Carnival experience and are characterized by lively music, dancing, and vibrant celebrations.
Blocos typically begin a few weeks before the official start of Carnival and continue throughout the festive season.
Each bloco has its own unique theme, style of music, and often attracts a specific crowd. Some blocos focus on traditional samba music, while others incorporate various music genres like funk, rock, or even electronic music. These street parties can range from small, intimate gatherings in local neighborhoods to massive events that attract thousands of people.
One of the highlights of the blocos is the inclusivity and spontaneity. Anyone is welcome to join the celebrations, and it's common for both locals and tourists to participate, creating a diverse and dynamic environment.
*App: Blocos de Rua will help you know where and when the next Bloco will happen*
This is your time to dress up like you’ve never done before !!
