10 Essential Travel Tips for Carnival in Rio de Janeiro
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If you’re looking for the biggest party in the world, look no further than Carnival in Rio de Janeiro! The annual festival draws millions of visitors to Brazil’s coastal cities and in response, the country completely unifies for the week. I found Rio de Janeiro at its best during Carnival and absolutely recommend visiting during this time. Even as an introvert, I found the energy of the city infectious during Carnival and had an absolute blast!
Are you curious to experience the most iconic party in the world? In this post, I share 10 essential travel tips to consider for Carnival in Rio de Janeiro!
Disclosure: Booking your tour/accommodations via the links in this guide will earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. Earnings will go back to the maintenance of the travel guides provided on The Thrill of Pursuit. Thanks for your support!
<3 Dominique
1) Book as soon as possible!
To understand the who, what, why, where, when and how of Brazilian Carnival, check out The Ultimate Guide to Carnival in Brazil.
Carnival is the most expensive time in Brazil. Prices for tours and accommodations are easily double during the week and the week after. The moment that you decide to attend Rio Carnival, start booking your accommodations and tours as soon as possible! Prices aren’t going to go down and options will become more limited the longer you wait.
2) Decide which neighbourhood is right for your stay during Carnival in Rio
I think a map would help with this discussion, especially if you are going to Rio de Janeiro for the first time:
Rio de Janeiro is divided into four districts: Zona Norte (North Zone), Centro (Central), Zona Sul (South Zone) and Zona Oeste (West Zone).
My recommendation: make Zona Sul your base for Rio Carnival. Zona Sul is comprised of beaches, some of the most iconic Rio landmarks, and some of Rio’s most affluent neighbourhoods. In addition, the best blocos during Carnival are in Zona Sul. Looking at the map above, the following neighbourhoods can be found in Zona Sul:
- Jardim Botânico
- Gávea
- Leblon
- Lagoa
- Ipanema
- Arpoador
- Botafogo
- Santa Teresa
- Copacabana
- Santa Teresa
- Flamengo
- Leme
- Urca
Out of all the neighbourhoods listed above, I recommend Copacabana. I like Copacabana for its location; you can stay right on the beach and walk to the mall in Botafogo and the restaurants in Leme and Ipanema. There are also metro stations in the neighbourhood. I like the easygoing, vibrant vibe of Copacabana. It is definitely the more approachable neighbourhood in comparison to affluent Ipanema and exclusive Leblon.
Hotel recommendations in Copacabana
- For budget travellers, check out Socialtel Copacabana.
- For those with a mid-range budget, check out Windsor Palace Copacabana, Casa Rio Copacabana, Miramar by Windsor Copacabana (which is close to Arpoador) and Windsor California Copacabana (more centrally located in Copacabana).
- For those looking for the ultimate luxury experience, check out the historic Copacabana Palace or Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana.
3) Getting around during Carnival in Rio de Janeiro
Regardless of where you decide to stay, Uber is a convenient and reliable option for getting around. Keep in mind though that during Carnival, Rio’s streets are super busy with blocos and road closures. Allocate an extra 15-30 minutes to your expected travel time if tardiness is a concern. I found that 10-15 minutes was required just for my Uber driver to find me in Copacabana.
To avoid traffic and road closures, Rio’s metro system offers a cheap and convenient option. When I came to Rio for Carnival, it was my second time in the city and I only learned of their subway system on that visit! You may also find that Uber drivers are apprehensive about picking people up from the beach and getting their car sandy. That was a concern I had and planned my visits to Arpoador via the metro. I recommend taking the subway if not to save money and avoid traffic but to see everyone’s bloco costumes at 9am.
These pictures were taken in Rio’s metro system during Carnival at 9:30 in the morning.
Of course, if you planned accordingly and stayed somewhere that is walking distance to everything you need for Rio Carnival, exploring Rio on foot is a fantastic option. The streets of Rio aren’t as lawless as the media makes it out to be and are actually safer during Carnival. BUT, you should still take the same precautions as you would in any other big city around the world.
The Thrill of Pursuit’s tips for navigating Carnival in Rio de Janeiro as a solo female traveller:
- Avoid public intoxication.
- Avoid quiet streets.
- Avoid wearing jewellery or brand shoes. If you want to shine during Carnival, you can get cheap, sparkly costumes and jewels pretty much anywhere.
- Use Uber if travelling after 9pm.
- Keep your phone concealed when you don’t need it and just have an awareness of where it is.
- When you do need your phone, use it away from the curb and busy traffic. I also kept my phone close to my body when I was using it in a busy area. Alternatively, if you feel uncomfortable using your phone out in the streets, step into a shop to use it.
4) Show up a week before Carnival
I highly recommend exploring Rio de Janeiro beyond Carnival. I have never seen a metropolis that is so green with varied landscapes! The city is surrounded by rolling, green mountains and the ocean blues provide such a dramatic contrast to… well, all of it! Besides the stunning scenery, Rio de Janeiro is also home to famous landmarks such as Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor in Portuguese) – one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
If you’re planning on exploring Rio and the surrounding areas, I recommend doing it before the official start of Carnival. In doing so, you will save money. I showed up to Rio a week earlier because I wanted to explore independently before meeting up with my Carnival tour group. I found that hotel and day tour prices doubled between the week before and during Carnival!
An added bonus of showing up early: I was the only one doing day tours on the week before Carnival. So I got intimate, private tours for the price of a group tour! I am only speaking of my experience though so this may not be a guarantee. I definitely lucked out on my day tours that I booked on the weekdays leading up to Carnival.
5) Remember: Cariocas are also celebrating Carnival
A Carioca is someone who lives in Rio de Janeiro. If a Carioca hasn’t left town for Carnival, then they are definitely there to celebrate. And Cariocas who celebrate Carnival celebrate hard! As one Carioca explained it to me, many Brazilians save up for Carnival all year long so that they can enjoy it to the fullest and continue the cycle for next year. Carnival is the most popular holiday in Brazil and those who love it, LOVE it.
Read more: What is Carnival? – coming soon
All this to say, it is NOT business as usual in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival. Anticipate that many services may be limited or not available at all.
An example: laundry service was tough to find. Laundry service at my hotel was already expensive (in comparison to local laundries around the neighbourhood). On top of the inflated prices, I was told that my clothes will be returned AFTER Carnival which didn’t work with my itinerary. None of the local laundries around my hotel were accepting more laundry during Carnival. Understandably, the nearby self serve laundromat was super busy during Carnival. I mention this example specifically for those travelling around LATAM and are planning on making a stop to Rio during Carnival.
6) What to bring for Carnival in Rio
Regardless of whether you’re headed to a bloco or the Sambadrome, these are the essentials:
- Money belt/belt bag – this is THE accessory for Carnival. It hugs your body, it is not too bulky, and it is convenient. For the most part, Carnival goers look out for each other and call out pickpockets. But to err on the safe side, party like a Carioca and use a belt bag!
- Comfortable shoes – Carnival = a lot of steps. You will want to bring comfortable shoes as you follow blocos around for several blocks or when you’re dancing in the Sambadrome.
- Cash – have small bills on hand to buy drinks from street vendors. Rio during Carnival is HOT and you should stay hydrated. I recommend leaving the reusable water bottles at home for blocos so that you do not stand out as a tourist (for opportunistic pickpockets). Tap payment and credit cards are widely accepted in Rio so I recommend saving your cash for street transactions.
- Sunscreen – the best (and safest) blocos start early in the day in Rio. Chances of being out when the UV index is at its highest are high so I recommend bringing a small bottle of SPF that will fit in your belt bag. Bonus: sunscreen also serves as a base for your Carnival glitter to stick to.
- Glitter! This can be easily purchased from a street vendor. Even in my sleep deprived state, glitter got me in the Carnival spirit and helped me blend in at blocos (even when I never knew what the theme of the bloco was).
For Carnival, the less you carry with you, the better. The list above covers all that you will ever really need.
7) Finding the blocos during Rio Carnival
Blocos are themed street parties and are iconic of Carnival in Rio. There are hundreds of organized blocos in Rio and multiple blocos could be occurring at the same time. There are multiple ways to find the bloco that matches your vibe.
Blocos de Rua website
Blocos de Rua website is the the largest Street Carnival content platform in Brazil and is a fantastic source for finding blocos in Rio. The platform conveniently lets you search for blocos by date and neighbourhood. Starting locations and start and end times are also listed. In addition, Blocos de Rua covers other Brazilian cities outside of Rio de Janeiro.
Hotel lobbies
If you are staying at a hotel, look out for notices in the lobby. They list nearby blocos for the week that are recommended by the hotel. You can also get local insight by asking the staff for popular bloco recommendations.
Social media
There are Facebook groups dedicated to Rio Carnival as well as foreigners in Brazil communities. They update members on upcoming blocos. There are also Instagram accounts that post fun and helpful pictures and Reels regarding upcoming Carnival events. Below are the accounts that I follow:
Mobile apps
Note: I didn’t test these apps myself. Cariocas have recommended the following to stay updated on the blocos around Rio:
- Blocos de Rua – this is the app from the people who run the Blocos de Rua website.
- Blocos do Rio – this app is run by the city government.
Additional notes on blocos
- For the purposes of my article, when I say ‘bloco’ I am referring to TRUE blocos that are the FREE street parties and parades that are organized around Rio. Locally, they can also be referred to as ‘bloquinhos’.
- There are ‘blocos’ that require tickets for admission and are purchased online. I do not know anything about this paid experience, so I am not the best source for them.
- For first timers, be wary of the LARGE blocos that start in the afternoon and go well into the night. Locals who just want to vibe and have a great time recommend looking for the official blocos that start at 7 am in Rio.
8) Buy tickets to see the Sambadrome parades!
The Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí was built specifically as the centerpiece of Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. The Sambadrome is where Rio hosts its famous samba school parades every year during Carnival. You cannot miss this event if you’re in Rio for Carnival!
The official Carnival parades are held in the Sambadrome for multiple, consecutive nights. The kickoff is always on the Friday night before Ash Wednesday. Traditionally, the samba school parades competitions occur from Friday to Monday. It looks like, starting 2025, the competitions have been extended to include Tuesday night as well.
If purchasing tickets independently, expect ticket prices to the Sambadrome range from $48 USD to $1,500 USD. The price is dependent on the night and sector you choose.
Tickets to the Friday and Saturday night parade competitions are cheaper because these nights are reserved for the Access Group samba schools. The Access Group is a division of Rio’s samba school system that would be like a minor league in sports. At stake for the Access Group is an opportunity to compete at the Special Group level in the next Carnival.
The Special Group is the premier league of Rio’s samba school system. They compete in the Sambadrome on the Sunday and Monday night. Starting 2025, they have added Tuesday night for the Special Group parades. Sunday and Monday are the busiest and most popular nights at the Sambadrome and are therefore more expensive.
Sambadrome sections explained
Deciding on where you want to be seated in the Sambadrome is dependent on your budget and desired experience. Below is a breakdown of each Sambadrome section, ordered from cheapest to most expensive tickets.
Grandstands
These are the large concrete steps that line the length of the Sambadrome. You can choose from Sector 2 to 11. Sectors 6 to 9 are the most central sections meaning the performers are less likely to rush through these portions of the runway. With the exception of Sector 9, seats are NOT numbered or assigned in the Grandstands. These seats are the most lively and are perfect for those who want to mingle with the Cariocas… because you will get up close and personal with your seatmates.
Allocated Chairs
These are plastic, numbered seats that are arranged on a sloped ramp. It is located in Sector 12 which is at the very end of the Sambadrome runway. These tickets are actually cheaper than Sector 9 tickets and are great value for anyone who wants assigned seating.
Front Boxes
These boxes are located at floor level with the runway. Each box has a capacity for six people so they are relatively more exclusive. These seats have the best proximity to the runway.
Covered Boxes
These offer most luxurious Sambadrome experience. Covered Boxes are located at Sector 7, Row D only. It is covered so you and 11 other guests within your box are protected from the elements. Each box is equipped with sofas, fans, phone sockets and a dedicated concierge.
Buy your tickets through a reliable source like riocarnaval.org or rio.com or carnivalbookers.com. To ensure that you get tickets to your desired section and night, I would recommend booking ahead of time. For those looking for a deal, you can wait closer to Carnival to get discounts on Grandstand tickets (though they do sell fast).
9) Prep for the Sambadrome during Rio Carnival
The Sambadrome parades start around 9 pm and run until about 6 am so prepare for a night of partying. This section covers my tips for preparing for a night in the Sambadrome.
Before the samba school parade nights
- Learn the parade songs. The Special Group samba parade competitions are INTENSE. Samba schools spend all year designing and rehearsing their presentations and this includes song selection. Each school releases their official Carnival song for the year in an album compilation after Christmas. This is so that the locals can sing along come parade night. If you want to familiarize yourself with the songs, search for “Sambas de Enredo Rio Carnaval <current year>” in your favourite streaming platform.
- Buy your tickets ahead of time. Secure tickets to the night and section of your choice by purchasing your Sambadrome tickets in advance.
Day of the samba school parades
- Take it easy during the day. If you plan on enjoying the samba school parades from start to finish, don’t exert yourself during the day. Try not to get too much sun and make sure to carb up and stay hydrated.
- Dress accordingly. It is hot in Rio during Carnival so you can shed unnecessary layers and you might want to wear festive Carnival clothes. Summer rain is possible, so I would check the forecast if a poncho might come in handy. Umbrellas in the Sambadrome are discouraged.
- Pack the essentials for the parades. I would recommend bringing a belt bag to carry cash, your phone and keys at the very least. Remember: the less you carry, the better. You might also want to bring some toilet paper and hand sanitizer if you’re staying for the entire night.
The Sambadrome allows for people to bring two 500ml plastic beverage containers and two food items, like fruits, sandwiches or other snacks. If you don’t want to spend money at the concession stands, you can pack some snacks.
Some items that are not permitted in the Sambadrome include: items made of polystyrene, glass bottles, vapes, coolers, large bags, weapons and sharp objects. - Plan your route to the Sambadrome. Doors open at 6 pm. And while the official start of the parade isn’t until 10 pm, I would recommend aiming to arrive at least two hours before that to get the seat of your choice in the Grandstands.
At the Sambadrome during Rio Carnival
- Mind your belongings. While I like to think that people in general have the best of intentions, be mindful of your valuables to avoid pickpockets. Better safe than sorry.
- Exercise patience. Speaking from my experience in the Grandstands where it gets crowded and hot, remember that everyone is there for a great time. The vibe is very similar to that of a concert or sports event. It will get loud, some people might get drunk (speaking more of tourists than the locals here), and things can get annoying over time. Your seat may also get taken as part of the experience of sitting in a section with no assigned seating. By outlining these expectations, I hope to better prepare you for what it’s like in the Sambadrome and to not let the little things ruin your night.
- Pick up a Roteiro dos Desfiles booklet. Outside of the Sambadrome, you will notice people passing out what looks like the program booklets they pass out at plays. These are Carnaval Parade Guides that are specific for that night. They are awesome keepsakes. The guides provide all the context on the samba school presentations including the message that the schools are trying to convey in their presentations.
- Buy samba school merch! I absolutely loved the Sambadrome experience. I loved watching the locals display their love for the samba school representing their neighbourhood. It is comparable to attending a championship match of your home team. Consider buying merch supporting one of the competing samba schools because I wish I did. Context: I had the privilege of joining the samba school Mocidade during their Carnival presentation and regret not buying Mocidade merch while I was there!
Join a tour to experience the Sambadrome!
If you want to have a stress-free Carnival experience at the Sambadrome, I recommend joining a group tour to take the hassle out of navigating the streets of Rio and the Sambadrome during its busiest nights of the year. Below are listings from trusted tour providers in Rio:
- For budget travellers should check out this tour that includes transfer to and from your accommodation with tickets to Sector 4 of the Sambadrome.
- For those with a mid-range budget, check out this tour that includes transfer to and from your accommodation with reserved seats in Sector 7 of the Sambadrome.
- For those looking for the VIP experience at the Sambadrome, check out this tour that includes transfer to and from your accommodation with a private box, open bar, and buffet access.
10) Pace yourself
There is so much happening all at once and all the time during Carnival in Rio de Janeiro that it is easy to exert yourself. Trust me, I was getting about three hours of sleep every day during Carnival (do as I say though and not as I do). It is important to plan for some breathing room between activities.
It gets very hot and humid in Rio during Carnival. Remember to hydrate and to take breaks from the sun once in awhile. I would highly suggest allocating time to go back to your hotel to shower during the day. Brazilians are famous for taking multiple showers a day. It is the cultural norm there. Don’t be that one gringo that is stinking up the bloco. Pragmatically, showers during the day also serve to refresh you in the hot and humid Brazilian climate.
Are you currently planning your adventure to Rio de Janeiro for Carnival? I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Do you have any tips for fellow travellers headed to Carnival? Please share them in the comments below!