Rio de Janeiro · CARNIVAL EXPERIENCES
This is the shortlist to send a friend: 15 carnival experiences worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Rio Carnival backstage tour at Cidade do Samba: costume try-ons, samba workshop, Grande Rio factory visit, and caipirinha. Small group.
“The tour was very well organised, the guide was very helpful and funny. We enjoyed it a lot!”
Backstage at Rio’s Samba City with caipirinhas, a samba class, and costume play at the Grande Rio workshop. Guided and ticket included.
“Unforgettable experience! We Witnessed the creation of stunning Carnaval floats and costumes at Rio's Samba Factory, this is a one of a kind tour! Displaying Mind-blowing craftsmanship! The Carnaval Factory Tour showcased the vibrant spirit of Rio's Samba culture & preparations for the “carnival” with the float and costume making process.”
Behind-the-scenes Rio Carnaval at Cidade do Samba and Grande Rio factory, try costumes, learn samba basics, with South Zone hotel pickup.
“You cancelled on me twice !😡 you cancelled my first reservation stating you could pick me up but not return me to my hotel. And then you rebooked me and cancelled that evening”
Rio Carnival in a prime box with hotel shuttle, bilingual guide, skip-the-queue access, and an open bar buffet all evening.
“This was a great experience and Camila did a very nice job, but there were a number of things that were unclear. 1) everyone is taken to the Novatel hotel. This is where you get your shirts and they do alterations and make up and where the spa is. There are no lockers here or at the box, you wear your shirt over what you are wearing or carry it. 2) Despite what we were told, people entered the box with small backpacks, tote bags etc. You will board a bus to the sambadome. 3) It is impossible to see the parade from seats unless you are the first people…”
Rio Carnival parade ticket with optional shuttle to the Sambadrome, reserved seats by sector, 9 pm to dawn samba school competition.
“We went to Carnival on Friday night with hotel transfers. It was awesome! The dancers were amazing and the venue was well set up to manage the volume of people. Transfer to and from the venue was very efficient and would definitely recommend paying a little extra to have them. Would recommend anyone to see carnival, it was like nothing i have ever seen before!!”
Backstage at Rio’s Carnival Factory, Cidade do Samba tour with costume try-on, caipirinha, and a short samba lesson.
“So informative!! I had no idea about the history and the competition involved in Carnaval. The tour was fabulous and so fun. I made new friends and we got to enjoy this great Carnaval Experience without the crowds.”
Go backstage at a Rio samba school, try on Carnaval costumes, sip a caipirinha, then learn samba in a fun 3-hour tour.
“Great tour of one of the samba schools in Samba City, the pace of the tour was excellent and you got a very nice mix of history, background and personal immersion into the world of samba. Our tour guide Lucas was outstanding!”
Private Rio Carnaval backstage tour with pickup, Samba workshop, costume try-on, cocktail and caipirinha, plus factory insights at Samba City.
“This is such a cool way to experience Carnival up close and personalized! It was amazing seeing the floats and costumes. This was the perfect amount of insight into Carnival's history and what it all takes. The guides were a lot of fun too! Definitely think this is a must when visiting Rio to experience a bit of Carnival for yourself!”
Watch Rio Carnival from a VIP box at the Sambadrome with food, drinks, and transfers, plus a guide to keep your night smooth.
“Camilla was amazing and made the carnival experience extremely memorable.”
Rio’s Cidade do Samba tour: see Grande Rio floats, try costumes, sip a caipirinha, and learn samba history with hotel pickup.
“The dedication each school put towards the carnival each year to make it spectacular. Also the warehouse had many great designs!”
Backstage at Rio’s Cidade do Samba with a bilingual guide, optional hotel transfers, and tickets included. Small group, about 2 hours.
“You learn behind the scene facts of Carnaval and how it happens. Interesting to know, it’s only a 70 minute experience for each float.”
Join local hosts for Rio Carnival blocos by metro, with water, glitter and cachaça shots. 8 am, 4 to 5 hours.
“We spent a wonderful day together discovering the Carnival roadblocks in Rio. They are very helpful, kind, open and nice. Advise”
Behind the Scenes of Carnival Magic in Rio: City of Samba + Grande Rio backstage, samba history, costumes, floats, caipirinha.
“This tour is a "Real" experience as you actually do go behind the scenes. It's not just lively, colourful and fun it is educational and informative, to learn the origins of the carnival and how much hard work and training that goes into it is absolutely amazing. Plus the whole carnival operation employees thousands of people and deported many, many more. Highly recommended”
Private Rio tour blending Maracanã stadium backstage with Carnival at the Sambodrome, plus Cidade do Samba and a samba lesson.
“That was the best tour and experience we had in Rio! It’s absolutely highly recommended! Finally, we had carnival explained - characters, process, allegories, history. The tour around samba city was mind blowing. And costumes experience is so much fun. We enjoyed this tour even being extremely tired after the busy week.”
Dress in a Carnival costume, sing and dance inside Rio’s Sambadrome, with hotel pickup from Copacabana and included admission for the performance.
“The organisation of the whole experience was excellent he could not be faulted in any way, would definitely recommend it to everyone, I am in a wheelchair and I was treated excellentlyThe organisation of the whole experience was excellent he could not be faulted in any way, would definitely recommend it to everyone, I am in a wheelchair and I was treated excellently”
Every kind of day this city offers, and the best of each.
