Carnival 2003 - INFO COMING SOON

The high spot of Rio's fun-in-the-sun calendar, Carnival is closely identified with the nation's roots and traditions. From Friday evening through to the following Tuesday, Carnival revelers dance through the streets. The highlight is undoubtedly the world-famous Samba School Parade in the Sambadrome downtown. This is surely the world's largest and liveliest street festival, involving locals and foreigners alike with its irresistible excitement.

Months of intensive preparation include sewing elaborate costumes, rehearsing at the samba schools and try-outs for neighborhood samba groups. Rio gears up for the great day, eager to welcome visitors with typical Carioca warmth.

Surrounded by a dazzling array of costumes and floats, quick-footed samba stars dance to the driving percussion beat of deafening drums as the public cheers. This is truly the people's festival, with everyone welcome to join in the fun, swept away by the dazzle and excitement of this unique event. Smaller informal groups dance through the streets to the music of neighborhood bands, while Carnaval Balls organized by clubs and hotels all over town confirm that Carnaval in Rio weaves gaiety and music, lore and light, into a bewitching blend of myth and magic.

Seating for Carnival Parade

On two nights 16 Samba Schools parade down the Sambadrom for about 1 hour and a half each. They start at 9 PM and finish close to 5 AM. On a third night a few days later the top 8 schools parade again. The choices of seating are :

• Banceiros - Standing where the sector numbers are located (About 100 Reals)
• Frisas - Seating on street Level (About 300 Reals)
• Camarotes - Rooms for 12 People (About 1,200 Reals)

It is our opinion that the Frizas offer the closest viewing and certainly the best value for money.