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Welcome to Rio Carnival
Viva la festa at the iconic Rio Carnival! Find out everything you need to know about booking your tour to Rio and how to make the most of your Brazilian adventure.
Rio Carnival Tours | Rio Carnival: FAQ | About the Sambadrome | Brazil travel inspiration
Rio Carnival Fast Facts
Currency
The currency used in Brazil is Real (BRL).
Carnival Dates
Rio Carnival is held every year just before Lent
Language
Portuguese is the official language of Brazil
Rio Carnival Tour Experiences
Missed out on this year's carnival? Book early to get in with a chance to experience Rio Carnival 2020 with our range of packages to Rio! Get into the party spirit staying in thethe city centre and enjoy the party, on our Rio Carnival city experience tour. Don't want to break the bank? Check out our Rio Carnival on a budget trip. You can enjoy one of these on their own or add them to one of our group tours that meet Rio in time for Carnival!
Group tours that meet Rio Carnival
Tour name
Route
From Price
South America Highlights
Lima to Rio de Janeiro
Lima to Rio de Janeiro
32 Days
32 Days
US$7,719
35% off
US$7,719
35% off
From
US$ 5,017
From
US$ 5,017
View Tour
Highlights of Argentina and Brazil
Santiago to Rio de Janeiro
Santiago to Rio de Janeiro
11 Days
11 Days
US$2,949
35% off
US$2,949
35% off
From
US$ 1,916
From
US$ 1,916
View Tour
Buenos Aires to Rio Carnival
Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro
Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro
11 Days
11 Days
US$3,889
15% off
US$3,889
15% off
From
US$ 3,305
From
US$ 3,305
View Tour
Group tours that meet Rio Carnival
| Tour name | Route | From Price | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South America Highlights | Lima to Rio de Janeiro |
Lima to Rio de Janeiro 32 Days |
32 Days |
US$7,719 35% off |
US$7,719 35% off |
From
US$ 5,017 |
From US$ 5,017 |
View Tour |
|
| Highlights of Argentina and Brazil | Santiago to Rio de Janeiro |
Santiago to Rio de Janeiro 11 Days |
11 Days |
US$2,949 35% off |
US$2,949 35% off |
From
US$ 1,916 |
From US$ 1,916 |
View Tour |
|
| Buenos Aires to Rio Carnival | Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro |
Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro 11 Days |
11 Days |
US$3,889 15% off |
US$3,889 15% off |
From
US$ 3,305 |
From US$ 3,305 |
View Tour |
|
Rio de Janeiro Highlights
A visit to Rio de Janeiro also means a chance to come face to face with the very best that this energetic city has to offer. Our tours not only get you straight to the party, but let you experience the highlights.
Christ the redeemer
Christ the Redeemer is one of Rio's most visited landmarks. At an impressive 98 feet, the statue is a symbol of Christianity for the people of Brazil and worth ticking off your bucket list of sites to visit.
Sugar Loaf Mountain
Ride the cable cars and take in eye-popping panoramic views of Sugar Loaf Mountain which is located between Rio de Janeiro and the Atlantic Ocean. If the name itself isn't enough to convince you, we don't know what will!
Copacabana Beach
Join the groups of soccer players as you stroll through the 4km long Copacabana Beach. Nicknamed 'Little Princess of the sea', Copacabana is the place to be for some fun in the sun and impressive views of Rio bay.
Sambadrome
With Samba being an important part of Brazilian culture, this is the place to be during carnival season. We've put together some handy tips below on the Sambadrome to get you prepped for Brazil's biggest 'festa'.
Rio Carnival with Tucan Travel FAQ
Eager to be a part of the world's biggest party? We've answered some of your most frequently asked questions about Rio Carnival below:
-
What's a Tucan Travel tour to Rio Carnival like?
If you're travelling on one of our group tours that meet Rio Carnival we have a space already saved for you at the biggest event of the year! We make block bookings at our tour hotels in Rio de Janeiro to ensure our travellers don't miss out on the party. You'll still need to book the tour in advance though, as we release extra space back for general sale at least a couple of months before the beginning of Carnival. -
How long is Rio Carnival?
Carnival normally takes place every year in February and lasts for 6 days. The most important tip! Rio Carnival is the world's biggest and most popular party. If you wish to experience Rio Carnival 2019 it is important to organise your flights well in advance. -
What happens at Rio Carnival?
Rio De Janeiro's Carnival is a the world's biggest carnival that takes place across the city. Over 2 million locals and tourists from across the globe gather together to dance and watch colourful parades filled with bands, costumes and Samba music. You'll also come across hundreds of different style street parties which are known as 'blocos' around the city that often start in the run up to carnival. -
Are there optional activities on tours?
We offer a range of included excursions on our tours such as a city tour of Rio De Janeiro and plenty more exciting activities in the lead up to Rio Carnival.
The Sambadrome
Where the Samba schools compete and we party all night at the Sunday parade. The main event at Rio Carnival is the Samba parades held at the purpose-built stadium called the Sambadrome. Here the best Samba schools will compete with outrageous, colourful costumes, dance routines, drum rhythms and floats. Find out more about what Sambadrome is and the layout of the stadium to see where you will be sitting!
What is the Sambadrome?
For many Rio Carnival revellers the highlight of the festival is the main parade where hundreds of samba schools come to show off their dancing skills... and other feather-covered talents... in a purpose-built stadium called the Sambadrome. Parades in the Sambadrome, also known as the Sambadromo, run every night of the carnival week of Friday through to Monday night.
The most spectacular parades occur on the Sunday and Monday evenings when the top 12 schools, known as the Special Group, bring extraordinary glamour to the event. The show starts at 9pm and goes throughout the night, ending only with sunlight the next day at around 8am
