Caipirinhas, Costumes & Samba Carnival Kickoff

Welcome to Lapa: Rio's Bohemian Heart

Arrive in the lively neighborhood of Lapa, known for its buzzing samba clubs, historic streets, and dynamic nightlife. It’s the perfect start to your Carnival adventure, with artistic energy and lively crowds waiting just outside your accommodation.

Settle In & Explore

From 3:00 PM  Check into your accommodation and start soaking in the local vibes. Marvel at colorful street art, browse quirky antique stores, and enjoy funky bars and charming cafés, all set in Lapa’s beautiful historic buildings.

Group Welcome & Orientation

6:00 PM  Meet your tour leader and fellow travelers for a welcome meeting. Review your Carnival schedule and get insider tips for making the most of your stay.

Caipirinhas & Samba Class

Kick off the evening by toasting with your first caipirinha, Brazil's legendary cocktail. Then, loosen up at a vibrant group samba class—no experience needed, just bring your best moves and enthusiasm!

Carnival Makeover

Get Carnival-ready with a professional face-paint session. Whether you want sparkles, feathers, or wild colors, it’s your time to shine.

Dive into Lapa’s Street Parties

Follow your tour leader straight into the heart of Lapa’s famous street parties. The music, costumes, and contagious energy promise an unforgettable introduction to Rio’s nightlife.

Pro Tip: Pack your wildest costumes—anything goes in Carnival! Local shops offer plenty of options if you want to up your party game.

Guide: Included for the day

Carnival Choices & Sambadrome Showdown

Choose Your Rhythm: Carnival Street Party, Beach, or City Tour

Morning (after breakfast):

Start your day with a group breakfast where your tour leader will walk you through the day’s exhilarating options and answer your burning questions.

Carnival Bloco Bash:

Join the Essential Experience group and dive into Rio’s legendary bloco street party. Get swept up in vibrant music, joyous crowds, and over-the-top costumes—every block buzzes with infectious Carnival energy.

Flamengo Beach Escape:

Prefer to unwind? Join a relaxing walk to Flamengo Beach. Feel the sun on your skin, enjoy the company of new friends, and soak in stunning views of Sugarloaf Mountain from the sand.

Take It Easy:

If you’d rather recharge, simply relax and soak up the buzzing atmosphere in preparation for the night ahead.

Get Glam for the Main Event

Afternoon: Return to your accommodation to prepare for a show-stopping evening. Our professional makeup artist is on hand to get you Carnival-ready with dazzling face and body art. Strike a pose for vibrant photos to capture your unique look!

The Spectacle of the Sambadrome Parade

Evening: Head to the world-famous Sambadrome, the heart of Rio’s Carnival. Watch in awe as samba schools parade with jaw-dropping floats, glittering costumes, and booming percussion. Lose yourself in the exhilarating crowd—this is Carnival at its most electrifying!

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Bloco Beats, Beaches & Bay Sunset Cruise

Choose Your Carnival Adventure

After breakfast, kick off your Saturday in Rio with a choice of quintessential experiences:

Bloco Street Party Blast

Follow your tour leader to another electrifying Carnival bloco—each one showcases Rio’s wild party spirit in a new neighborhood! Dive into pulsing samba, bold costumes, and the infectious joy that fills the streets. You may even venture out to discover a different bloco party yourself.

Ipanema Beach Escape

If you’re craving the sun and sea, another tour leader will whisk you away to world-famous Ipanema Beach. Swim, sunbathe, or soak up the laid-back beach vibes surrounded by Rio’s iconic mountain backdrop.

Recharge and Relax

Want to take it easy? Sleep in, lounge at your accommodation, and enjoy a peaceful morning to refuel for the evening festivities.

Afternoon & Sunset: Rio Boat Party Cruise

Meet at hotel; Cruise Departs Mid-Afternoon  Gather with your group and stroll down to Marina da Gloria for an unforgettable boat party adventure. Step aboard a classic schooner and set sail around Guanabara Bay for 4-5 exhilarating hours. Enjoy a complimentary open bar for the first hour, hit the dance floor, mingle in the chill-out area, and soak in panoramic sights of Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer bathed in golden sunset light.

Night: Experience Rio’s Lively Nightlife

Return After Sunset

After returning to your accommodation and freshening up, get ready for another night of revelry! Your tour leader will guide you to Rio’s top nightlife spots—expect music, dancing, and memorable moments in the city that never sleeps.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Favela Insights, Ipanema Bloco & Sunset Sips

Morning: Breakfast & Day Planning

From 8:00 AM  Fuel up with a delicious breakfast while your tour leader reviews the day’s thrilling options and answers any lingering questions. This is your chance to set the perfect pace for your Sunday.

Option 1: Morning Bloco Party

Craving more street party excitement? Join your tour leader for another energetic morning bloco—each one is a unique taste of Rio’s Carnival spirit, filled with music, wild costumes, and unmatched revelry.

Option 2: Leisurely Morning

If you’re in the mood to relax, sleep in at the accommodation or consult your guides for the city’s most charming brunch spots—a relaxing way to enjoy the festive city.

Afternoon: Ipanema’s Biggest Bloco

Get ready for one of the grandest bloco parties of Carnival! Gather with the group and immerse yourself in the sea of revelers along the iconic Ipanema Beach—more than a million partygoers pack the beach for this unforgettable afternoon of music, dancing, and joy.

Sunset: Drinks at Arpoador Rock

As the sun dips lower, follow your group to Arpoador Rock. Sip on your favorite drink—maybe straight from a coconut—and watch the legendary sun set behind the Dois Irmãos mountains. This scenic vantage point offers sweeping views from Copacabana through Ipanema and Leblon, painting the city in golden hues.

Evening: Wind Down or Rally On

Head back to your accommodation—collapse into bed after an action-packed day, or rally for yet another Carnival adventure. Your tour leader will lead you to Rio’s hottest nightspots for more music, dancing, and dazzling memories!

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Final Bloco Bash & Carnival Farewell Party

Morning: Bloco Street Party Adventure

Morning  Kick off your last Carnival day in Rio with another legendary bloco street party! Throw on your boldest costume (and a swimsuit underneath), slather on sunscreen, and get swept into the unstoppable rhythm, colorful crowds, and contagious energy of Carnival’s heart.

Afternoon: Copacabana Beach Chill

After Bloco, Early Afternoon,   After the revelry, it’s time to switch gears and recharge at the iconic Copacabana Beach. Relax on the warm sand, swim in shimmering waves, or simply people-watch—it’s all about soaking up the Rio sun and those final festive vibes.

Evening: Rest or Prepare for the Finale

Return to your accommodation to unwind and freshen up. Choose to rest after an action-packed Carnival, or rally for the biggest night yet!

Night: Grand Carnival Finale

Evening Till Late    Your final night in Rio is set to be unforgettable! Start with a mouthwatering. Then, rejoin your fellow Carnival crew for a huge farewell party—your last dance, last caipirinha, and last taste of Rio’s world-famous celebration. We’re sending you off with a bang!

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Morning: Farewell Breakfast & Check-Out

Morning, Check-Out by 11:00 AM (sometimes midday, to be confirmed)

Wake up and enjoy a final breakfast, reflecting on your unforgettable Carnival experience. Make sure your belongings are packed and ready, as accommodation check-out is scheduled for 11:00 AM (or possibly midday—your tour leader will let you know the exact time).

Midday: Leisure Time in Rio

After checking out, the rest of your day is your own! Whether you have extra hours to explore more of Rio, grab some last-minute souvenirs, trace your favorite steps along the beach, or simply savor your last moments in this magical city, let the memories linger.

Departure: Bon Voyage!

As you say goodbye to Rio and your fellow travelers, carry with you the wild spirit and vivid memories of Carnival. Safe travels on your onward journey—until the next adventure!

Meals: Breakfast