When people think of Rio de Janeiro, they normally think of the beach, football, and Carnival. Carnival is the iconic party that happens once a year, during Rio’s summer, spanning “officially” 4 days, but in reality lasting much longer, due to the pre-Carnival parties that are in abundance around the city, well before the party is officially launched.
As a guest of Rio Exclusive, you have exclusive access to our local network of the best that Carnival has to offer.
For any inquiry about our Carnival experiences, or our year round concierge services, please contact us directly.
Bola Preta
This street party, known as the Black Ball, was founded in 1918, and is the oldest street carnival in Rio de Janeiro and one of the oldest in the whole country.
It’s an ode to the classic Carnival - from when the party first started in 1918, and has grown into Rio’s greatest street party.
It’s off the tourist path – not being in Ipanema or Copacabana, but rather downtown running through Rio Branco Ave – and is well worth being part of.
When you go to Bola Preta, you feel the beat of Samba music in the streets, a continuous party with thousands upon thousands of fellow Carnival goers, and so you become part of the Bola Preta, instead of just a voyeur.
Banda de Ipanema
Some of the best times had during Rio’s Carnival, aren’t the organized events which you need tickets for, but the street parties – or blocos as the locals call them. The Banda de Ipanema is one of the city’s most popular, as you start in Praca General Osorio – just steps from our Rio Exclusive office – and wind through the finely manicured streets of the trendy beachside neighborhood of Ipanema.
This is a travelling party – in that the revellers and the band walk the neighborhood, and along the ocean front Boulevard, together. The rhythm of the samba from the band is infectious, and as they start to play “Cidade Maravilhosa” in Praca General Osorio, and then onto the other Carnival classics, you’ll be joining in the singing with the rest of the party-goers. This bloco starts 2 weeks before Carnival officially opens, and serves as the launch of Rio’s blocos. Rio Exclusive is able to offer you guides to the blocos, to take you at the right times, to the right places, and enjoy the music, the drinks and the people.
Sambadromo
The Sambadromo is the place you must go, if you’re in Rio for Carnival. It is the legendary stadium, where Rio hosts its world famous Carnival parades and competition.
Here you’ll see the best Samba schools in Rio, taking their turns down the parade route through the stadium, showcasing their dancing skills, their samba playing, and their extraordinary designs of their floats and costumes.
The Cariocas (natives of Rio) in attendance are so involved and connected to the samba schools, that the energy of the crowd and the schools feed off each other, creating an atmosphere that is indescribable.
Brazil Exclusive is able to offer you exclusive access to this event – not just the general tickets that are available to the public, but the VIP “camarotes” and luxury suites, which are normally reserved for the elite of Brazil, and the international jet-set crowd who fly into Rio just for the Sambadromo party.
Samba Schools
If you’d like to get even closer to Carnival and the samba schools then the parades through the Sambadromo, then Rio Exclusive can help you gain access to attend a rehearsal party at various samba schools around the city.
These rehearsals are held almost year round and are at the school’s own facilities. For any guest who wants to feel the true local, authentic Carnival samba experience – this is the best way how.
You’ll be taught the steps of the samba so you can join in yourself, with some of the most popular schools, such as Mangueira and Salgueiro.
These samba rehearsals are one huge party, mixing together tourists, cariocas, samba dancers, and musicians, to dance, sing and drink the night away.
Parade
Another great option for experiencing the true Carnival spirit, is to actually take part in one of the parades yourself.
Instead of watching the samba schools parade past in the Sambadromo, why not join a school yourself?
Brazil Exclusive can arrange for you, participation with one of the samba schools, so you can be in the middle of the incredible experience which is the parade competition at the Sambadromo.
An experience which is simply unforgettable! We can help with everything you need in regards to participating – from helping you choose your costumes, to drivers, to guides personally taking you to the schools themselves.
Rio’s Year Round Party
When you’re in Rio for Carnival, there are so many blocos, parties and parades to experience. But along with this, don’t forget about everything else that Rio has to offer, some of which you’ll find under our Rio Guide. Secluded beaches outside of the city, rock-climbing, historical tours, Sugar Loaf & Christ Redeemer, jungle walks, private chef services, yacht rentals and cachaça tasting are just a small sample of the excursions and experience Rio Exclusive has access to, all around this marvellous city.
For any inquiry about our Carnival experiences, or our year round concierge services, please contact us directly.