CARNAVAL IN RIO DE JANEIRO: Everything You Need to Know for an Unforgettable Experience!

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The Carnaval (as it is spelled in Portuguese) of Rio de Janeiro is the biggest celebration in the world, and it had been sitting on my bucket list for many years. This year, I decided to make it happen and be part of the full experience, arriving in Rio in time for the pre-Carnaval festivities. Rehearsals for samba shows and street blocos start long before the actual Carnaval, so it’s best to arrive earlier and ease into the craziness at a slower pace.

You might be wondering what exactly a street bloco is and what actually goes on during Carnaval. Well, I’m here to enlighten you! I spent a total of two months (yes, you read that right) in Rio, arriving 35 days before Carnaval started and staying for two weeks after it ended. I participated in the pre, during, and post-festivities, so I know what I’m talking about!

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When is Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro and what is the best time to arrive?

The main event takes place in February or March, with the dates shifting slightly each year depending on when Easter falls. This year, in 2025, the official period was from February 28th to March 8th. When I arrived in Rio de Janeiro at the end of January, the city was covered in billboards featuring countdowns to the main event!

I highly advise arriving at least a few days early, and make sure to give yourself some time to recover afterward. It’s a good idea to book a spot in a beach town nearby to wind down and relax for a few days before you leave Brazil.

What I knew before going and what Carnaval is actually all about…

I knew a few things about what I was signing up for before landing in Rio during high season… I already knew that Brazilians are some of the biggest party animals in the world, that it would be a good time, I’d get little sleep, and I had to pace myself if I wanted to stay in shape throughout the festive period. I also knew there would be samba shows, and that was the extent of my knowledge.

On my first weekend in town, I was invited to a “bloco” rehearsal at Flamengo beach. When I arrived there around noon, I found a bunch of people dressed up in costumes and revealing outfits, covered in glitter, already tipsy, making out with each other, and dancing to the drumbeats from a band. I was a little confused about what was happening and asked my friend if there would be some real music starting and whether we were going somewhere. It seemed to be just people gathering around a few guys playing the drums. He told me that this is the bloco party, and there won’t be anything else starting. And that was my introduction to Carnaval.

Check out my YouTube video to see what a bloco looks like!

Blocos: A Wild Introduction to Rio’s Carnaval Culture

Throughout the month, on random days, I’d wake up, go outside my place in Botafogo (more on where to stay in Rio later), grab a coffee, and find myself in the middle of a bloco, with a random guy asking me to give him a very Brazilian kiss before I was even fully awake. By the way, if you don’t know what a Brazilian kiss is, think of it as a French kiss but way more intense, with lots of tongue action, making you think the people kissing are long-lost lovers from a different period—full of lust and passion, even though they just met a second ago. To give you a better understanding of a bloco, I’d say it’s like a giant pride parade (if you’ve ever been to one), with an undertone of a wild Halloween party.

As the month progressed and the countdown to the official event got into single digits, the blocos became more frequent and intense. My jaw dropped when I heard they started as early as 6 AM and went well into midnight. You’d think no sane person would be dressed up as Mickey Mouse outdoors under the blazing sun at 6 AM, but trust me, you’ll find huge crowds wherever you go. It’s still unclear to me if anyone ever gets any sleep during the whole period and how they make it to these early morning blocos after a long night of drinking.

If you made a New Year’s resolution in January to lead a healthy life, forget about it. They say the new year doesn’t start in Brazil until Carnaval ends, and it’ll make sense why they say that. Just make sure you get your body and mind in shape before you land, so you can keep up with the wild rhythm and rock your creative outfits with confidence.

An expression of freedom, creativity, and love like you’ve never seen before!

Whatever you’ve ever wished to be, this is your time to be it! Ever wanted to dress up in a unicorn onesie, crack open a beer at 6 AM, go out on the streets, kiss people, and have nobody judge you? This is the time for it. You can live out your childhood dreams of being Superman, a mermaid, a bunny, an alien from another planet, or anything else you can think of. This is your time to do it! To fully immerse yourself in the experience, it’s best to be single or have an open-minded partner during Carnaval.

How to find the best blocos 

The blocos take place all across the city, and there’s an endless number of them happening at any given time, so your only struggle will be picking the best ones and handling your FOMO. There’s actually an official list of blocos on the Carnaval Instagram and Facebook pages that I recommend you follow to better plan your day and night.

There’s a bloco for everyone and every music taste. I loved the Frida-themed bloco I attended in Santa Teresa, where the creativity of people’s outfits blew my mind. If I hadn’t been so busy keeping my phone hidden for security reasons, I would’ve been photographing all of it.

Some blocos march all across the city with the band or DJ playing in the front, and everyone else follows them. Nobody ever really knows if the bloco will be moving or standing still, and the best you can do is go with the flow.

Famous local singers also have their own blocos during Carnaval—think of it as a free street concert. I loved seeing Anitta sing live for the crowds, where millions of people attended.

What about the Samba shows at the Sambadrome?

When you mention Carnaval in Rio, the first thing that will come to mind for most people are the giant samba parades in the Sambadrome. After all, it has been described as “the greatest show on Earth,” and rightly so.

Samba schools prepare for the event for a full year. The eclectic atmosphere of the Sambadrome, the energy and unity of the people, combined with the artistic and innovative floats and costumes of dancers, create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for anyone who attends.

Although most Brazilians opt to watch the event from the comfort of their homes, in my opinion, you can’t say you’ve been to Carnaval if you haven’t visited the Sambadrome at least once.

During the pre-Carnaval period, samba schools rehearse for the main event, and the general public can watch them for free. It’s a great option for those who want to experience it without the crowds.

If you choose to attend the real event, you have a few options and dates that you can check on the official Carnaval website. I was recommended to go on the final day for the winner’s parade, and the atmosphere was magical. Mind you, the event starts late and goes until sunrise, so it’s an all-night affair. Be prepared to sit for a long time and enjoy the show.

Click here to watch my Youtube video from the Winner’s Parade at the Sambadrome.

Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro during Carnaval

As the street parties are happening everywhere in the city, wherever you choose to stay, you can’t go wrong. I initially stayed in Leme beach, then moved to Botafogo, and finally to Lapa during Carnaval.

If you want easy access to the beach and great restaurants, Ipanema, Copacabana, and Leblon are your best options. Botafogo has a more laid-back vibe but is still close enough to Copacabana beach and Santa Teresa, where many blocos take place.

Alternatively, you could stay in Lapa to experience the most vibrant nightlife scene in Rio.

Whichever you choose, you’re guaranteed to have a good time. Just make sure to book well in advance, as most places will sell out fast, and last-minute bookings can be very expensive.

Extra tips and safety during Carnaval

Security is a big issue in Rio de Janeiro, especially during Carnaval. Tourists and locals alike are taken advantage of during the busiest season of the year, and almost everyone I met had their phone stolen at least once. That tells you something about the precautions you need to take. Here are some tips you should know before you go:

• Leave your expensive phone, camera, or any electronics at home.
• Carry a cheap burner phone that you won’t mind losing.
• Do not carry large amounts of cash or no cash at all. All street vendors, including caipirinha stands, accept cards. Just make sure they enter the correct amount before you pay.
• Buy a money belt and ideally wear it under your outfit (many people have had their fanny packs cut open without realizing it).
• Be aware of your surroundings, never leave your drink unattended, don’t stroll alone on streets where you feel unsafe… use common sense like you would in any foreign country.
• And lastly, make sure you check out my travel essentials page to be extra prepared!

Attending Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro as a solo traveler

If you’re attending Carnaval during your solo travels across South America or simply traveling to Brazil solo, fear not—you’ll have the best time. Although I believe blocos are best enjoyed solo, I still recommend going with a group for safety reasons.

A good tip is to arrive a few days early and form a Carnaval group with other solo travellers. Even if you’re not staying at a hostel, you can attend their happy hours and meet-ups to connect with people. Additionally, there are WhatsApp groups that make solo travellers feel welcome as soon as they land in the city.

If you plan to attend Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro next year and want access to these groups, you can get in touch with me, and I’ll share the details with you.

Be ready to have the time of your life

 I’m so grateful to have checked off this massive item from my bucket list and had a real Carnaval experience in Brazil. It defied all my expectations and raised the bar to unbeatable levels when it comes to creativity, freedom, and party spirit. I suggest you go with an open mind, free of prejudices, and be prepared to have a wild and unforgettable time.

I truly believe it’s an experience everyone should have at least once in their lives, and the world would be a better place for it.

Have you ever been to the Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro? What were some of your best and wildest moments? Let me know in the comments!

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