10 Things to Know About Rio Carnival

Rio Carnival, the largest outdoor street party in the world, might not be until February, but if you’re looking to visit, now’s the time to book. Even if you’re not looking to get tickets for the Sambodromo, the accommodation gets nabbed months in advance. If you’re a carnival newbie, here’s out list of 10 things you should know before you visit.

Should I get tickets for the Rio carnival?

That completely depends on how you’d like to experience the carnival and how large your budget is. You only need to buy tickets if you’d like to enter the iconic Sambodromo where you can catch a glimpse of the colourful parades. Tickets can be as cheap as US $70 and reach over US $1000 depending on where your positioned. Don’t worry if it’s too late, the real party happens on the streets where colourful blocos erupt across the city and are full of dance, food and fun.

Where should I stay during the Rio Carnival?

The short answer is wherever you can get a room. Guestrooms in hotels, hostels and private rentals get booked out well in advance. If you’re feeling flush and you want to party, try one of the beachfront hotels along Ipenema or Copacabana. Alternatively, splurge on one of the private rentals or villas up in Santa Teresa where you’ll be close enough to the action, but far enough you can escape if it all gets too much. If you haven’t already booked your Rio Carnival accommodation for 2019 and you want to visit, get in quick to avoid disappointment. It’s worth remembering that all accommodation, whether it’s a hotel or hostel, puts up their prices by around double over the carnival.

Zhu

What should I bring to the Rio Carnival?

The simple answer is as little as possible. Of course, you’re going to need your wallet and phone, though you should keep them both in plastic to avoid them getting wet when the crowds get soaked. Bring your camera at your own risk. If you do, try to keep it in a waterproof cover. Other than that, try to leave anything else at home. While it might be tempting to get dressed up for the occasion, leaving your jewellery, watch and things like iPads at home is a wise choice.

Zhu

Will I be safe at the Rio Carnival?

Rio Carnival is perfectly safe, and the chances of any violent crime is very small. That said, you may encounter opportunistic pickpocketing, so keep anything you bring in a zipped pocket if possible. Other than that, just go with the flow. It will be busy, noisy and a riot of colour, but that’s part of the fun.

Joseph King

How to get to the Rio Carnival?

Getting around during the Carnival isn’t always the easiest. If you’ve found yourself a beachfront hotel, you can simply walk back through the crowds. Those staying further afield will need to make use of the metro or one of the buses, both of which cost less than a pound. It’s worth keeping in mind that there are lots of people moving around the city, so the public transport will be very full all day and you may have to wait for a spot.

Terry George

What currency should I pay in?

If possible, pay for everything in Brazilian real, but you will find bars, shops and street vendors excepting euros, dollars and even pounds. Expect to pay a terrible exchange rate.

How to I last the full 5 days of Rio Carnival?

Even the most well-partied of individuals might find it hard to keep up with locals over 5 days of celebrations that start in the morning and push through until the wee hours. To last the distance, try to drink plenty of fluids, pace your caipirinha drinking and take advantage of the great street food on offer. Make sure to use plenty of sun-screen, so you don’t get burnt on day one and wear the most comfortable shoes you own because you’ll be on your feet a lot. If you do make it to the end, the city clears out surprisingly fast leaving you plenty of beach space to lie out on and recover.

What’s banned at the Rio Carnival?

There are several things you just won’t find at the Carnival, some obvious, others not so much. Drinks are always served in plastic – glass is never a good idea at a street party. While firecrackers and fireworks might sound fun, they are completely banned. No one wants to get hurt during the celebrations. Though you will see people relieving themselves in the street, you can get into some serious trouble if you follow suit. If might be a pain to find one of the public toilets and queue, but you don’t won’t want to get slapped with a big fine.

Joseph King

How do I enjoy Rio Carnival?

Simply go with the flow and an open mind. If you try to plan, you’ll find yourself disappointed.

RELATED: Top 5 holidays in Brazil

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