About this experience
Learn more about the Rio Carnival visitation areas that the public is normally allowed to visit. Dress up in costumes, learn about Afro-Brazilian rhythms, the basics of samba from the dancers and the history of samba, play carnival percussion instruments, see floats, taste a caipirinha and much more.
After pickup at your place, your guide takes you to explore the Carnaval Factory for a behind-the-scenes look.
In this warehouse, see how the showy costumes used in the parades are made. Admire the details of the floats that parade through the sambadrome.
Then, head to the exhibition hall to learn about the history of samba and the carioca carnival, celebrated for over a century. During the visit, feel the atmosphere of union and emotion that is felt during Carnival.
Continue to the backstage dressing rooms, where you'll have the opportunity to try on some costumes. Professional dancers and musicians will give brief samba and instrument lessons before enjoying a delicious caipirinha.
At a glance
- Duration: 3 hr–4 hr
- Private experience
Plan your experience
Set aside 3 hr–4 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Compare the available options before choosing: their itinerary, inclusions and pickup arrangements can differ. Check the price for your date and whole group.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Local guides to help you plan
Rio de Janeiro Carnival Guide for First Timers
Plan your first Rio Carnival with clear advice on 2027 parade dates, Sambadrome nights, street blocos, budgeting, crowds, safety, and where to begin.
What is included
- Professional licensed private tour guide.
- Guided tour of the Acadêmicos da Grande Rio.
- Hotel, airport or port pick-up and drop-off. (Within Rio de Janeiro City)
- Dance, Percussion and Music Workshop
- Transport by fully-equipped vehicle.
- Samba class with a professional dancers.
- Private driver for groups bigger 4 people, otherwise the guide drives the vehicle themselves.
- Welcome caipirinha.
- Costumes to wear and photograph.
Not included
- Tips. (optional)
Itinerary and highlights
At the selected time, your guide will meet you at your hotel and drive to the Carnival Experience in downtown of Rio. Do you know how its most popular celebration is planned? We'll find out.
We'll visit the backstage of the Rio de Janeiro carnival, that is, the areas behind the scenes that the public does isn't normally allowed to visit. In these rooms, we'll see how the elaborate costumes displayed in the parades are fashioned. We'll also admire the details of the floats that parade through the Marquês de Sapucaí sambadrome.
Participants will get in touch with different Afro-Brazilian rhythms such as Ijexá, Coco, Jongo, Samba-de-roda and learn samba steps with professional dancers. They will also learn a little about playing a typical carnival percussion instrument, in a class offered by teenagers and children of the Samba School of Grande Rio.
Next, we'll move on to the exhibition hall to learn about the history of samba and the Carioca carnival, which has been celebrated for over a century. During the visit to this special venue, we'll feel the atmosphere of unity and emotion that is felt during Carnival. It's not surprising that this event is not considered a mere party, but a way of life.
The visit will continue to one of the backstage dressing rooms, where you'll have the opportunity to try on some of Rio's carnival costumes. To round off this experience, a professional dancer will give you a short samba lesson - everybody to the dance floor!
Lastly, we'll enjoy a delicious caipirinha and, after an hour and a half of touring the backstage areas, we'll end this incredible visit.
Meeting and pickup information
- PICK-UP INFORMATION: • Wherever place you specify at the time of the booking. As it’s a private tour, you choose the best pick-up point that suits your needs as long as it's within the city of Rio. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DROP-OFF INSTRUCTIONS: • Wherever place you specify at the time of the booking. As it’s a private tour, you choose the best drop-off point that suits your needs as long as it's within the city of Rio. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HOTEL PICK-UP INSTRUCTIONS: • As soon as the tour guide arrives at your hotel, they get the front desk to call you in the room in case you are not at the lobby. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - AIRPORTS / PORT ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS: • Once you have arrived at the airport there will be a member of our staff waiting for you at the arrivals area holding a clear sign with your name on it, they will then escort you to your waiting private transfer vehicle.
Languages and tickets
- German — Guide
- Portuguese — Guide
- English — Guide
- French — Guide
- Spanish — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Gregtur Turismo
Accessibility and practical details
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Questions about this experience
How long is this experience?
What are the pickup arrangements?
• Wherever place you specify at the time of the booking. As it’s a private tour, you choose the best pick-up point that suits your needs as long as it's within the city of Rio.
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DROP-OFF INSTRUCTIONS:
• Wherever place you specify at the time of the booking. As it’s a private tour, you choose the best drop-off point that suits your needs as long as it's within the city of Rio.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
HOTEL PICK-UP INSTRUCTIONS:
• As soon as the tour guide arrives at your hotel, they get the front desk to call you in the room in case you are not at the lobby.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
AIRPORTS / PORT ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS:
• Once you have arrived at the airport there will be a member of our staff waiting for you at the arrivals area holding a clear sign with your name on it, they will then escort you to your waiting private transfer vehicle.
Which guide languages are listed?
What ticket format is listed?
What is the cancellation policy?
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