How to Enjoy Rio Carnival on a Budget

Free parades, parties and events!

The visual splendour and world-famous glamour that make Rio Carnival have recently come and gone for another year. But all that means is that all the cogs are now creaking back into action in preparation for Carnival 2012.

Best of all, if you are travelling on a budget, there are plenty of things going on in the city during the Rio Carnival which won’t break the bank while being witness to this global spectacle.

Although Sambadrome tickets are included in Tucan Travel's carnival packages, there is another way to enjoy samba school parades, for free! That’s because there are two kinds of samba schools: those which parade on the Avenida Rio Branco and those at the Sambadrome. The schools that parade on Avenida Rio Branco are considered less prestigious but are top quality and their parades are free of charge.

Street parties called 'blocos' are held everywhere during Rio Carnival, with more than a hundred taking place in different neighbourhoods every day, at no charge. The most important blocos are "O cordão do bola preta" that parades around the historical city centre, and "Suvaco de Cristo", which takes place below the Christ the Redeemer statue. The music is composed and played by local bands and people wear special costumes and t-shirts designed especially for their particular areas. Everyone is welcome at these parties and the dancing can go on till late at night.

There is an alternative party that takes place in the Lapa district in the southern corner of Rio's city centre, where Tucan Travel hotels are based. A stage is erected in front of the famous Arcos de Lapa (the Lapa aqueduct) and bands of all styles play every night – this party is free of charge.

One of the highlights of Rio Carnival is the opportunity to go to a ball. The balls vary in style and theme and cost about approximately 90 Real / US$40. They are great fun and worth saving a little bit of budget for if you can!

About Rio Carnival

Rio Carnival is the biggest street party in the world, with hundreds of thousands of people pouring into the city each year to take part in the festival. During the last 4 days and nights prior to Ash Wednesday the whole city closes down for wild and euphoric celebrations. The party hits the streets in a huge way - with colourful feathers, sequins and silk as far as the eye can see, and samba drums filling the air with an infectious rhythm. The entertainment continues well into the night with carnival balls each evening as well as free street parties and parades all over the city, but the major highlight of carnival is the spectacular Sambadrome parade, where samba schools battle it out to win the hearts and minds of carnival goers, with glittery costumes, fabulous floats and elaborate dance routines.

Rio Carnival Dates
Carnival occurs annually on the weekend before Ash Wednesday.

Rio Carnival 2012 Friday 17 February to Tuesday 21 February
Rio Carnival 2013 Friday 8 February to Tuesday 12 February