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Looking for the best Carnival tours in Rio? You’ve come to the right place!
If you’re heading to Rio de Janeiro for Carnival, you’re in for a treat. After experiencing this crazy celebration for ourselves, we learned one big important lesson: book things in advance! Carnival is the busiest time of year to visit Rio and it’s certainly hectic. If you’re a bit worried about navigating this event, we’d highly recommend booking a tour.
Below, I’ve listed the top tickets and behind-the-scenes experiences. You can book your Sambadrome tickets now, and rest assured that your time at Carnival will be as easy as it can be!
Important info: It’s essential to book your tickets to Carnival well in advance. If you don’t purchase your tickets beforehand, they WILL sell out and you will miss out.
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this front-row Carnival parade ticket! Not only do you get the best seats in the house, but they also provide transportation to the event! Check out the dozens of positive reviews and book this tour well in advance.
Tip: These tickets will sell out quickly, be sure to reserve your tickets as far out as possible!
Best Sambadrome Carnival Tours in Rio de Janeiro
1. Front-row Carnival parade tickets with transportation
Watching the famous parade at the Sambadrome really is a mind-blowing experience. You can’t even really imagine the level of creativity and passion that goes into it until you see it yourself. It’s truly a unique spectacle and something you’ll never forget, so don’t skip it!
The Sambadrome is a long, narrow stadium built especially for Carnival parades, with tiered seating on both sides. The Sambadrome celebration is the main event of Carnival in Rio and it’s truly not to be missed.
It’s best to buy tickets online in advance. Once they sell out, you may be able to still purchase them but you’ll have to buy them from ticket scalpers, who really hike up the prices.
We recommend these front-row Sambradrome seats for an unforgettable Carnival experience! You’ll have the best view in the house. Tickets start at $120 USD and also include shuttle pick-up and drop-off at your hotel so you don’t have to navigate public transit, which can be a bit of a nightmare on busy festival nights.
When you’re buying your tickets, you’ll see different “sectors” available in the grandstands of the Sambradrome. Front box tickets will put you at ground level and closest to the parade. Sectors 2-4 are higher up and will also give you a view of the backstage areas. Sectors 5-11 are in the center of the Sambadrome and have awesome views. Note that only Sector 9 offers numbered seats, so it tends to sell out quickly.
These tickets WILL sell out, so it’s essential to buy them in advance – get your tickets here!
2. Rio Carnival parade tickets (ticket only)
Another top ticket option are these Sambadrome Parade tickets, perfect for budget travelers! There are several options to choose from with basic tickets in the grandstand starting at only $30 USD. These tickets also include a subway pass, so your transportation is taken care of too.
These tickets offer similar seat options as the previous tickets, with sectors 2-4 being the cheapest option at the top and sectors 5-11 being right in the middle of the stadium. Sector 9 is the one that has numbered seats and typically sells out quickly. This ticket option also offers front box tickets, but those sell out really quickly so don’t wait to purchase your tickets.
This is a great option if you’re hoping to experience Carnival at your own pace or attend other events. While we love the convenience of the shuttle mentioned in the previous tour, these tickets offer flexibility to explore the street parties before or after the parade.
It’s very important to purchase your tickets well in advance because they will sell out. Especially since these are some of the cheapest options to buy beforehand – you don’t want to miss these tickets!
Purchase your Sambadrome tickets in advance here, before they’re gone!
3. Rio de Janeiro Carnival parade ticket with optional transport
This third Sambadrome Parade ticket option is a great mid-range option. The tickets are for Sector 9, so you’ll have an assigned seat with your pre-booked tickets, taking any stress out of the experience! You can also choose to be picked up from your hotel to really make the process smooth. Or you can opt to purchase the parade tickets only.
If you choose to add transportation from your hotel, they will provide a bilingual guide. I think this is a great addition, especially if you aren’t super comfortable with Brazil. The guides know exactly where to go and want to make your experience as positive as possible! Plus, you can ask them all your questions about Carnival – if you’re anything like me I’m sure you’ll have a lot!
We highly recommend this ticket option, as booking your tickets in advance will ensure your spot. Having a tour company help with this chaotic event will make the whole experience a lot easier!
Don’t miss out – book your Carnival parade tickets well in advance here.
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
Behind the Scenes Carnival Experiences
If you want to peek behind the curtain and learn how this impressive show is pulled off, there are some fantastic behind-the-scenes tours available. These are super fun to pair with your parade tickets and bloco parties so you can learn a bit more about the cultural side of the party. This is also a good option if you aren’t in Rio during Carnival but still want to experience a piece of the lively festival, as they are offered year-round!
4. Backstage tours at Samba City with cocktails
For a rare glimpse of what goes into this incredible event, this Carnival Backstage tour is the way to go. You’ll explore the Carnival Factory to see how the parade’s floats and costumes are made and learn about the history of samba and carnival.
The best part has to be hitting up the dressing rooms to try on costumes and take photos! You’ll also get cocktails and a samba class to complete the experience. Plus, it’s only $22 USD a ticket and lasts for 1.5 hours, so it’s easy to fit into your busy schedule!
Book this tour with over 175 5-star reviews here!
5. Behind-the-scenes tour of Carnival
For a hassle-free tour that also includes transportation, this Rio backstage tour is our pick. You’ll tour through the City of Samba – a warehouse where some of the amazing floats and costumes can be found. You’ll also tour the Samba Factory to learn the history of samba and get a samba lesson while wearing a traditional costume.
Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included in the $85 USD cost. This experience is 2 hours and such a fun way to learn about Carnival, samba, and the lively Brazilian culture!
Reserve this tour in advance to access FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
Other Things to do in Rio de Janeiro
While you may be heading to Rio for Carnival, there is plenty more to explore! It’s very important to book experiences in advance, as Carnival is the busiest time of year. There will be lots of other people traveling to Rio, so don’t wait until the last minute to plan your other experiences – they will likely be sold out! Here are a few more fun activities to book in advance and add to your Rio itinerary.
- See Christ de Redeemer – Of course, it’s one of the most iconic sights in the entire world, so every trip to Rio should include a visit to Christ de Redeemer Statue. Because of its popularity, we recommend this skip-the-line ticket so you’ll board the next available train up Corcovado Mountain whenever you arrive and beat the crowds!
- Enjoy Samba at Pedra do Sal – For a more authentic side of Rio, Pedra do Sal at night is the place to go. Known as the birthplace of Samba, this neighborhood knows how to party! You can experience this lively scene by yourself or book this Samba tour that includes a bit of the history and culture and a Samba party!
- Hike to the Two Brothers Lookout – This is one of the most iconic viewpoints in Rio, overlooking Copacabana Beach and offering incredible views of the landscape below. Two Brothers Lookout is a 3 km (1.8 mile) out-and-back hike that is doable for most travelers. For an even more epic view, you can book a hiking tour to catch the sunrise from the top and have the convenience of a local guide.
- Take the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountian – A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sugarloaf Mountian is a stunning monolith right in the city. You can take the historic cable car up the mountain for sweeping views of the city and bay below. I recommend purchasing your cable car tickets in advance so you can skip the long lines and get to the top!
- Relax on Copacabana Beach – A trip to Rio is not complete without spending some time on Copacabana Beach. After all of your days of partying, a fun beach day will be needed! This is a lively beach with vendors selling beers, cocktails, and food so you can really hang out all day. You can’t miss out on this classic Rio beach!
- Take a Brazilian cooking class – You are going to encounter some amazing food while in Brazil. What better souvenirs to take home than knowing how to make some popular meals? This 3-hour cooking class will teach you how to make seven dishes, including dessert and the famous Caipirinha. It’s a fun way to dive into the culture and eat some yummy food!
Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro
There are a couple of key areas to stay in Rio for Carnival, and they all offer something different. Unfortunately, accommodation does tend to get pretty pricey in Rio during Carnival due to the high demand, but we’ve found a few options that won’t break the bank. Just like everything in this blog, I recommend booking your accommodation as far out as possible to secure the best rates.
Copacabana
Luxury travelers should stay at PortoBay Rio de Janeiro. It’s a 4-star beachfront hotel with a rooftop pool, gym, spa, and sauna. If you want you can book a room with a sea view and it’s within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and popular bars. The on-site La Finestra restaurant serves really delicious Brazilian dishes as well as other international cuisine. The complementary breakfast buffet has fresh fruits, juices, and hot and cold choices.
For a moderate budget, Nacional Inn Rio Copacabana is a popular choice that’s a few blocks from the beach and has a pool with an excellent view. Although the rooms are on the small side that shouldn’t matter too much if you plan to spend most of your time outside of the hotel. They offer a fresh breakfast with bread, meats, cheeses, and fruits. There’s an on-site bar and a sauna to take advantage of.
Budget travelers will love Pura Vida Hostel. It’s clean and social with lots of space to party just like a local, and dorm beds are available. It’s only 2 blocks away from Copacabana Beach and a 15-minute walk to Arpoador which has plenty of restaurants, supermarkets, and pharmacies. The staff is warm and welcoming and makes your stay even more fun with their social personalities! You can book a room on either Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Ipanema
Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro is another fantastic option for luxury travelers. You can’t get any closer to the water and with a rooftop pool and all the facilities you’d expect such as a wellness center offering massages with a gym and sauna, a fine-dining Italian restaurant, a sunroom, and a nightclub – it’s perfect! Your room will have modern furnishings, a minibar, robes, and a TV. Some even have a seating area and a bathtub.
For medium-budget travelers, Arena Ipanema Hotel is a beachfront property with stunning views, a restaurant and bar, and a rooftop pool with lots of lounge chairs to work on your tan. There is a fitness center and sauna that all guests are welcome to use as well as a 24-hour help desk if you need anything.
Ipanema Beach House is the best budget option with dorm beds starting at $16 USD in a very safe neighborhood of Rio. It’s only 2 blocks to reach the beach and also has a pool at the Ipanema Beach House just a block from the main building which is also where the metro station is if you need to use it! The other more popular beaches aren’t as close, about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away. It’s also easy to book on either Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Lapa and Santa Teresa
The Mansion Aline is located in Santa Teresa and would suit the medium to high-end budget. The hotel has a rooftop jacuzzi as well as breathtaking views over the city. The deluxe suites have their own spa baths, a patio, and a private kitchen with a minibar and coffee maker. All rooms have a view of the city and river/garden views.
I love the Selina Lapa Rio de Janeiro for budget travelers. This chain hostel is trusted all around the world for being clean and modern vibe with excellent facilities. Rooms are air-conditioned and you can choose a dorm room or a standard private room. The property is close to nearby happening bars and restaurants but Selina’s restaurant is loved by its guests for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or for coffee from the coffee house – give it a try! You can reserve a room on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Hopefully, this guide to the best Carnival tours in Rio has been helpful as you plan to attend this epic party! Even doing just a bit of pre-planning, like buying a Sambadrome ticket and booking a hotel in Rio will help make sure you can focus on having fun once you arrive.
If Carnival is only one stop on your upcoming travels, make sure to check out our other South American blogs. We have lots of ideas for great destinations and activities you shouldn’t miss while exploring this part of the world.
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