After a day at leisure, this evening you will be transferred by shared shuttle to the purpose-built Sambadrome parade avenue to experience all the thrills of the Rio Carnival – the largest and most exciting festival in the world.
Settle into your Frisa grandstand seating in the Tourist Sector (box holds 6 people) in this 60,000-seater stadium. Then absorb the atmosphere of this world famous carnival held from Friday to Tuesday in the week before the Christian celebration of Lent (i.e. seven weeks before Easter) and is considered the 'Greatest Show on Earth'.
Preparations leading up to the Rio Carnival are very serious and take many months, with 12 samba dance schools competing for the prize money. These schools originated in the favelas, so the performances have a strong Afro-Brazilian influence. The floats are elaborate, the singing and dancing outstanding, and the costumes are simply out of this world. Visitors are encourage to also dress up, so don your costume and let the rhythm of the samba take over, as you get swept up in the energy and euphoria of the biggest party on earth.
There are two Special Parades that take place on the Sunday and the Monday. These start at around 21:30 with six samba schools parading each day, and end around 05:00 the next morning, making it an all night affair - although you can take an earlier shuttle back to your hotel. Each school has a minimum of 65 minutes and a maximum of 82 minutes to parade, with most taking the maximum permitted time. It really is an amazing experience and the energy and passion from those parading is incredible.
Note: Tickets are non-refundable. Expect huge crowds of people at this global event, with millions on the streets. Your shuttle drop off and collection point is close to the entrance, but expect traffic disruptions which can be severe at times.