Rio Carnival has grown into such a global phenomenon that the city of Rio itself has now become synonymous with partying. So what is the real deal?
What is Rio Carnival?
Rio Carnival is without doubt the biggest and most famous street party in the world, with hundreds of thousands of people flocking to Rio de Janeiro each year to partake in the festivities. And now it's your chance to join in all the fun!
For four days the already-lively city of Rio is transformed into a sea of sequins and brightly coloured feathers on body-painted dancers moving to the infectious rhythms of samba beats and banging drums. Impromptu street parties erupt spontaneously throughout the city each night and in the daytime thousands flock to the city's famous beaches to recharge for the night ahead.
Carnival has its origins in marking the arrival of Lent; ostensibly one last big blow out ahead of the following 40 days of self-denial before Easter. Today the days of Lent may not be observed as they once were, but each year Carnival is bigger and livelier than the year before.
Where exactly is the party at?
Everywhere in the city over the weekend really. However, the epicentre of Carnival is the Sambadrome, which is a custom-built stadium that surrounds the main parade route. It is here that samba schools from throughout the city fiercely compete to be crowned the grandest spectacle. The Sambadrome parades are on all week but the most spectacular displays occur on Sunday and Monday night.
Outside of the parade ground, there are thousands of free street pageants and block parties that revel from dusk till dawn. These can either be in well-established locations just erupt spontaneously; such is the spirit of festivity that flows through the Brazilian city during the Carnival weekend. And if that wasn't enough all weekend there is slew of organised balls; from the glamorous to the glitzy, there are balls where you go to be seen with the city's glitterati, and balls where go to be not seen such as the famous masked ball.
Enough already, how do I get myself there?
First thing you need to remember to do is organise your flights well in advance. Rio Carnival is the world's biggest and most popular party and these fill up fast. Accommodation can be a thorny issue with room prices exploding for that weekend as about as fast as they sell out.
One good way to ensure you get the best out of Rio is to travel with a well-established tour operator. The biggest advantage of going with an operator is that you can rely on their knowledge of Carnival, their experience of where the best parties in town happen to be happening and importantly how to make the most of this fabulous festival and really ensure yourself the party of a Lifetime!
A keen traveller himself, Ben McIntosh works as communications coordinator for adventure-travel specialists Tucan Travel. Tucan Travel is a specialist adventure tour operator with hundreds of high-quality, affordable and exciting adventures to worldwide destinations. Choose from over 470 group tours, Independent Travel packages and Expedition Cruises to Europe, the Middle East & North Africa, Asia & Russia, East & Southern Africa, Latin America and Antarctica.
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