Rio de Janeiro and carnival are synonymous. Carnival is a celebration of the human spirit unmatched anywhere in the world, in terms of its gaiety, enthusiasm, energy, music, dancing and of course the spectacular & colorful samba school parades in the Sambodrome. Every one on earth should treat themselves to at least one carnival in there lives.

And the Rio de Janeiro Guesthouse offers a Carnivale experience covering 7 days of elegant and exciting parties, samba, fine food, comfort and security.

The “spirit” of carnival commences soon after the New Year in Rio. Samba schools are then really starting to get quite serious about practicing for Carnival, and at least 2-3 times per week you can participate in the school practice sessions. Visiting Salgueiro, Mangueira or Rocinha samba schools is a very definitive part of Carioca life, not seen to the same level of energy anywhere else in Brazil. It is an opportunity to experience a very proud and important part of Rio’s culture, and to mix with local people of all ages in a well organized, safe and family environment. You will see and hear the finest samba in the world at the same time. Bring your dancing shoes.

In the preceding 2-3 weeks and during Carnival, the smaller and local community samba schools take to the streets of Rio on the weekends. These community samba schools (called “Bandas” “Blocos”) are a rich tapestry of local people, and the whole experience is orientated to having fun, making some music, dressing up in costumes and parading in the streets. The names of the samba schools help convey the lighthearted imagery of the schools: where else can you find a school called “The armpit of Christ Samba School” (the school is located under the outstretched arms of Corcovado, the Statue of Christ the Redeemer that is so synonymous with Rio). In addition the larger samba schools conduct promotional samba sessions along Copacabana on Sunday evenings from which you can watch or join in at The Rio de Janeiro Guesthouse.

Then as Carnival commences, the days and nights are filled with festivities, balls (called “Bailles”) and parties, some black tie and costume dress affairs, others less formal. The festivities take place in a wide range of locations; at 5 star hotels, the famous nightclubs, sporting and social clubs of Rio de Janeiro. There is lovely “edge” to partying in Rio, where risks and adventures are taken, people loosen there inhibitions, and mix in social spectrums that would not normally take place. Often these moments produce the most memorable experiences of Carnival in Rio.

Then on the Sunday and Monday of Carnival, the formal samba school parades take place at the Sambodrome. Each night, seven samba schools will parade and be judged in a competition to be the best samba school in Rio. The evening starts at around 8:00 PM, and continues all night through to 7:00 AM, with each school parading for 1.5 hours approximately. You can of course join the samba school and parade in costume or simply go to the samba school and watch one of the worlds most spectacular shows on earth. Marta can help organize your tickets to the Carnival Parade and Costumes to parading with one of the samba schools.

To help round out your experience in Rio, Marta organizes a traditional “Feijoada” lunch on the terrace on the Tuesday of Carnival. The lunch includes caiparinhas, beer, cold drinks, a home cooked feijoada (the national and very distinctive cuisine of Brazil), deserts and coffee.

Finally, if you are still having the energy, the Saturday after carnival provides a “Night of Champions” samba parade at the Sambodrome. This is the 7 best samba schools parading in one night, without formal judging and competition and provides a excellent opportunity to see the samba schools if you were not fortunate to see the schools during the competition nights.

The Rio de Janeiro Guesthouse has a 7-Nights package that is designed to keep you dancing and partying through Carnival. What’s more, we are there to make sure your time in Rio is productive, safe, and filled with unforgettable memories. Whether you need help joining a samba school, getting your costume organized, buying tickets to the sambadrome or the “Bailles”, or simply where to mix and hangout, Marta and the Rio de Janeiro Guesthouse can help make your carnival a celebration that you will never forget.