Rio de Janeiro

15 Best Rio Carnival Experiences

The Carnival access that runs all year: backstage tours at Samba City where the floats are built, costume fittings and cocktails with the samba schools’ artisans. Carnival is a year-round industry; February is just the deadline.

1.Rio: Carnival Backstage Tour at Samba City with Cocktail

Experience Rio's Carnival backstage with a guided tour, costume try-ons, samba dance, and a Caipirinha, all for just $24. Authentic and fun.

Most Popular★ 4.6

“We enjoyed our tour and our guide was good fun. Only issue was the meeting place was difficult to find and a lot of the group had problems finding it too.”

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2.Carnaval Experience: Backstage Tour at Samba City with Cocktail

Discover Rio's Carnival behind the scenes with this backstage tour at Samba City, including costume try-ons, samba class, and cocktails for a genuine cultural experience.

★ 4.5

“This is an amazing tour and really good opportunity to understand what is Carnaval about. We get to try on the beautiful costumes and learn how to do samba . Highly recommended”

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3.Tropical Carnival Show – Brazilian Rhythms and Roots

Experience Brazil’s vibrant rhythms and colorful costumes at Rio’s Ginga Tropical Show, a lively blend of dance, music, and folklore for an authentic cultural night out.

★ 4.0

“I loved everything. I felt proud of my people and my culture and wanted to share it with my boys. I guess a little playtime with a soccer ball would be nice. I did not know which statue was that.”

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4.Carnaval Experience – Behind the Scenes of Rios Carnival in the City of Samba

Discover the behind-the-scenes magic of Rio's Carnival with this engaging tour, exploring Samba schools, costumes, floats, and dance in just 2 hours.

★ 4.5

“Really interesting, well organised and a very fun activity that takes around 2 hours. It was heavy rain the day we went so also a helpful activity to do we couldn’t be outside. Money also goes to a very worthy cause. Definitely recommend!”

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6.Rio de Janeiro Carnival Parade Ticket with Optional Transport

Experience Rio’s legendary Carnival parade with tickets and optional transport, enjoying vibrant floats, samba dancers, and electric atmosphere.

★ 4.0

“Excellent experience that exceeded our expectations. Everything worked out perfectly: the show, the transportation and the overall experience. Prior to the event, we were concerned about our safety. But were pleasantly surprised by the tour organization. All the time we felt safe and well taken…”

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7.Rio Carnival Experience at Backstage of Carnaval Factory (Pick-up included)

Discover the secrets behind Rio's spectacular Carnival with a backstage tour, costumes, samba lessons, and a caipirinha for a truly authentic experience.

★ 5.0

“You do not need a guide. The people there have their own tour guides. It was a lot of waiting before it began. The tour itself was informative and interesting.”

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9.Private Carnaval Experience with Pickup: Carnival backstage, Drink, Samba & more

Explore Rio's Carnival backstage with a private guide, see costumes and floats, try on authentic outfits, dance Samba, and enjoy a Caipirinha.

★ 5.0

“This is such a cool way to experience Carnival up close and personalized! It was amazing seeing the floats and costumes. This was the perfect amount of insight into Carnival's history and what it all takes. The guides were a lot of fun too! Definitely…”

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11.Cidade do Samba Behind-the-Scenes Carnival Tour in Rio de Janeiro

Discover Rio’s vibrant samba culture with a behind-the-scenes tour of Cidade do Samba, exploring floats, costumes, and Carnival traditions—an authentic Rio experience.

★ 4.0

“The dedication each school put towards the carnival each year to make it spectacular. Also the warehouse had many great designs!”

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13.Carnival Experience: Behind the Scenes of Carnival Magic

Discover Rio’s Carnival magic with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Grande Rio samba school, exploring costumes, floats, and local community projects.

★ 5.0

“This tour is a "Real" experience as you actually do go behind the scenes. It's not just lively, colourful and fun it is educational and informative, to learn the origins of the carnival and how much hard work and training that goes into it is…”

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14.Private Passion & Culture Fun: Football, Carnival Tour and More!

Discover Rio’s vibrant football and Carnival scenes with this private full-day tour, including visits to Maracanã, Sambadrome, and Samba City—all with personalized guidance.

★ 5.0

“That was the best tour and experience we had in Rio! It’s absolutely highly recommended! Finally, we had carnival explained - characters, process, allegories, history. The tour around samba city was mind blowing. And costumes experience is so much fun. We enjoyed this tour even…”

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15.Rio de Janeiro Costume Experience in the Carnival Parade & Transfer

Experience Rio’s Carnival firsthand with this costume participation tour, dancing in the Sambadrome, and enjoying authentic, immersive festivities.

★ 5.0

“The organisation of the whole experience was excellent he could not be faulted in any way, would definitely recommend it to everyone, I am in a wheelchair and I was treated excellentlyThe organisation of the whole experience was excellent he could not be faulted in…”

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