We have created some special tours to help your clients enjoy the true spirit of Carnival. A Brilliant opportunity to differentiate their experience and live the full emotion and excitement of this special celebration.
We are also offering for the first time, the Samba Parade for the Access Group on Saturday. Over the years, the Access parade has become more and more professional, and very similar to the main parade that happens Sunday and Monday, and at a much more affordable rate.
All experiences will be done in small groups of maximum 14 people (except for transfers) and on mentioned dates.
SPECIAL ARRIVAL IN RIO
Arrival Transfer at “Cidade Maravilhosa ” – our guide will be waiting outside luggage claim area to drive you to the hotel.
After you have stowed your luggage at the hotel and are waiting for your check-in time, your guide will give you a short walking tour of your hotel neighborhood to show you some good restaurant options near your hotel, the best beach spot to hang out, will give you some tips on how to have fun in Rio during carnival, and will take you to a very carioca experience, your first “açai” at a juice bar! For the next few days, you will participate in the most exciting party in the world! We prepared a welcome gift bag with some props and decorations so you can get in the mood, an exclusive Rio Carnival Guide with the dos-and-don’ts of the party, a pre-charged metro card and a t-shirt for your parade night.
CARNIVAL COSTUME HUNTING
For some revelers, carnival is a serious business! They never leave home without a costume. They always know the best “blocos de rua” (street carnival). They are hardcore carnival lovers who have been preparing for a while for these 5 days of party and fun! We will help you prepare for the street carnival. by far the oldest and most widely enjoyed form of Carnival revelry is found in the streets – over carnival week, hundreds of free parties take place across the whole city. His is the coming together of thoursands of people with the fun-loving carioca soul to dance, parade and party through the streets.
This afternoon, you will tag along with one of these carnival experts to get a taste of the pre and post carnival hype.
First, you will head to Saara, Rio’s downtown historic shopping area, where you will scout for costume pieces, with the smart help and advice of your carnival host. With his many years of carnival expertise, he will make sure you will buy only ‘bloco’ appropriate props and costumes. The idea is to buy cheap and disposable.
Then, take out one of your recently purchased outfits as you will get your first taste of carnival in Rio. This is the opening day for carnival, there are many blocos in downtown Rio where locals go straight out of work! Your host will take you to one of these parties and will give you all the insider tips on how to have fun at blocos.
Obs.: Participants of this tour must pay for whatever costume they choose.
CARNIVAL BEHIND THE SCENES
This tour will introduce you to the artistry and imagination involved in the creation of Carnival. You will witness the construction and production process of thousands of costumes and incredible floats. This experience includes: a visit to Grande Rio Samba School warehouse to discover the secrets behind the creation of carnival; getting up close to gigantic floats; explanation about the history of Samba and the intricate details of the Carnival Parade; a chance to dress up in past carnival costumes; experience the music and enjoy a Caipirinha welcome drink.
FEIJOADA LUNCH AT CAIS WITH COSTUMES AND PROPS WORKSHOP
A Brazilian tradition on the Saturday of carnival, feijoada and caipirinhas are the perfect pairing for this festive time. Located in the oldest part of Rio, inside a 1878 manor built of rock, brick and whale oil, Cais is a charming restaurant that will be the ideal starting point for a fun afternoon. Many blocos pass only a few streets away from it. Carnival costumes and props workshopFollowing the introduction to carnival, your hosts at Grande Rio will invite you for a hands-on activity during your feijoada lunch. Artisans who make the carnival costumes and kids from Pimpolhos, their children’s samba school, will join in as instructors to help you customize your own carnival t-shirt, hat or headpiece. Feathers, sequins, lace and sparkles, lots of sparkles, the same ones used to build the majestic costumes, will be available to embellish your outfit and accessories. Get creative and don’t hold back, it is carnival, after all!
OBS.: Bring the t-shirt we gave you on your welcome kit to customize it. We ask that you wear it on the night of the Sambadrome to facilitate our staff to identify you throughout the night and during the transfer boarding times.
SAMBA PARADE ACCESS GROUP
Tonight, is time to experience the beginning of the Samba Parade show. A Secondary parade event, but that has become almost as glamorours as the main parade night (Sunday & Monday), and much more affordable as well !
Transfer from the hotel to the Sambadrome
Our carnival bus will pass by some specific hotels located on Copacabana to pick guests to go to the Sambadrome. If your hotel is not a pick up point, you will have to meet at one of the hotels of the pick up.
Carnival Parade at the Sambadrome
The spectacular Samba Parade is the main attraction of Carnival in Rio and is broadcasted to dozens of countries around the world and to all of Brazil.
Six Samba schools march in the parade on Carnival’s Saturday to compete for a chance to move to the special group. The parade starts at 9PM and goes on until the dawn of the following day, around 6AM. This samba marathon is also a fierce competition! Each year, one school will drop down from the “Special Group” to the “Access Group”, and vice-versa. Ticket included at Frisas (front boexes). Transfer from the Sambadrome to the hotel From midnight at the end of each samba schools’ parade a full bus leaves the Sambadrome with those passengers who are ready to return to their hotels. Our uniformed staff will be at the Sambadrome to guide the passengers to the correct bus. The bus makes stops at most of the beach hotels with Leblon being the final drop off.
Obs.: For hotels in Leme the bus stop will be at the Princesa Isabel Avenue.
CARNIVAL LIKE A NATIVE ACCESS GROUP
Be part of the parade!
This is the best way for you to discover the true spirit of Carnival, and it’s a great way to elevate your Carnival experience by letting you live all the emotion and excitement of this special celebration. You will be a guest at one of Rio’s fabled Samba Schools. You will receive your very own costume for one of the ‘alas’. On parade night, a guide will escort you to the concentration area of the Samba school, and leave you with the members of your ala. Prior instructions will be given on what to do and behave during the parade. After Parading, you can return to your seat to watch the rest of the parade.
IMPORTANT – When purchasing the Carnival Costume, it is necessary for us to have some measurements – Shoe size – Clothing size S/M/L/XL. The purchase of the costume does not include a ticket to watch the parade and it must be purchased separately.
BELMOND GALA CARNIVAL BALL
The Magic Ball at the Belmond Hotel, is considered one of the most extravagant events of Carnival season in Rio, full of the masqueraded rich and famous. High fashion, five star service, a live band, sophisticated buffet and open bar are some of the charms of this high-profile party. Guests have included celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Gerard Butler and Vincent Cassel in the past. Strict dress code: black-tie or Luxury costume. Rates include a buffet dinner with a full open bar. All tables will be filled to capacity and therefore guest will be sharing table. Please note that standing tickets do not entitle the holder to be seated at a table.
Important: The rates for Copacabana Palace Ball are rack rates, in US dollars. They do not give any special conditions or commissions for the ball. Blumar will charge a booking fee of 10% on top of above rates.
DISCOVER STREET CARNIVAL
By far the oldest and most widely enjoyed form of carnival revelry is found in the streets. Over carnival week, hundreds of free parties take place across the city. This is the coming together of thousands of people with the fun -loving carioca soul to ance, parade and party through the streets.
In the afternoon, your carnival guide will take you to have fun with one of the blocos, either by walking or taking the metro. Put on costumes and props, some glitter on your face, and prepare to dance to the drums, drinking ice cold beer, and throwing confetti. The only thing you need to do is show up and join the party.
SAMBA PARADE MAIN GROUP
Tonight, is time to experience the main Samba Parade show. Carnival´s main attraction that is broadcasted to dozens of countries and across all Brazilian states.
Transfer from the hotel to the Sambadrome
Our carnival bus will pass by some specific hotels located on Copacabana to pick guests to go to the Sambadrome. If your hotel is not a pick up point, you will have to meet at one of the hotels of the pick up.
Carnival Parade at the Sambadrome
Six Samba schools march in the parade on Carnival’s to compete. The parade starts at 9PM and goes on until the dawn of the following day, around 6AM. This samba marathon is also a fierce competition! Each year, one school will drop down from the “Special Group” to the “Access Group”, and vice-versa.
There are 3 different seating areas available for those interested in viewing this event:
1) Camarotes (Luxury Boxes) are the most expensive and coveted positions. These camarotes are all-inclusive tickets, offering drinks, food and other perks. Some camarotes occupy two floors, with access to the parade’s street level.
2) Frisas (Front Boxes) consist of an open-air box with 6 chairs. When you buy a seat at a Frisa, it is important to mention that you will have 1 seat/chair per ticket purchased. As each box has a capacity for 6 people, there will be other people next to you, in the same box, unless you buy all 6 seats. The Frisas are set on a grandstand formation, with rows from A to D, starting at street level, being the closest seats to the parade. No drinks or food are included, but there are vendors passing by selling drinks, or you can purchase them at the bars located throughout the Sambadrome.
3) Arquibancandas (bleachers) are the most reasonably priced seats. Their elevated position provides a better view of the school in its entirety. The grandstand does not have individual chairs to sit on and is basically of open-air large concrete steps. No drinks or food are included, but there are vendors passing by selling drinks, or you can purchase them at the bars located throughout the Sambadrome.
Transfer from the Sambadrome to the hotel
From midnight at the end of each samba schools’ parade a full bus leaves the Sambadrome with those passengers who are ready to return to their hotels. Our uniformed staff will be at the Sambadrome to guide the passengers to the correct bus. The bus makes stops at most of the beach hotels with Leblon being the final drop off.
CARNIVAL LIKE A NATIVE MAIN GROUP
Be part of the parade!
This is the best way for you to discover the true spirit of Carnival, and it’s a great way to elevate your Carnival experience by letting you live all the emotion and excitement of this special celebration. You will be a guest at one of Rio’s fabled Samba Schools. You will receive your very own costume for one of the ‘alas’. On parade night, a guide will escort you to the concentration area of the Samba school, and leave you with the members of your ala. Prior instructions will be given on what to do and behave during the parade. After Parading, you can return to your seat to watch the rest of the parade.
IMPORTANT – When purchasing the Carnival Costume, it is necessary for us to have some measurements – Shoe size – Clothing size S/M/L/XL. The purchase of the costume does not include a ticket to watch the parade and it must be purchased separately.
MASCARADE BALL AT RIO SCENARIUM
Rio Scenarium is a reference for good music and fun in Rio’s nightlife. Their Mascarade Ball gathers a crowd looking to party the night away wearing the evening’s themed costume, dancing to the sound of DJs, samba schools, and live bands.
Obs.: The round trip shared transfer is included. The ticket does not include drinks or food.