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Hosting the enormous Carnival every year since the 1650s, Rio De Janeiro takes millions by surprise with its boisterous and carefree atmos, demonstrating joie de vivre like no place else.
They say you haven’t experienced a party until you've been to Rio De Janeiro, in Brazil, and it's hard to argue with that. This exuberant city of Samba takes leisure to a whole new level, marked by sunny days lazing on the beach and pulling off all-nighters as you party with euphoric strangers.
No wonder Brazil’s party capital brings millions of tourists to its beaches and streets throughout the year. But there is one week in summer when you will find Rio De Janeiro at its wildest. With neon lights glowing and Samba beats thumping, the city comes alive at night, hosting a carnival that draws over 2 million people. So, dear reader, allow me to introduce you to Rio Carnival, famed as the largest – and craziest – festival on earth.
The five-day party begins on a Friday, like all true parties do, leading up to Ash Wednesday. During this time, Rio De Janeiro is well into its summer months, providing the perfect atmosphere for cooling caipirinhas, sparkling bikinis, and all-night parties.
Despite what you may think, this festival is far from a creation of Gen Z. Carnivals in Rio go as far back as the 1650s when elaborate feasts were organised to honour the Greek gods of wine. The Portuguese brought the tradition of carnivals to Brazil, and the first Rio masquerade was conducted in the 1840s. Back then, citizens danced to waltz and polka, with the trend slowly transforming into Samba that’s all the rage today. Nowadays, the festival tends to stretch over a week, including the following weekend, so it's a good idea to plan a weeklong celebration to make the most of the festivities.
You see, ever since my teenage years, I have romanticised the city of Rio De Janeiro. I cannot wait to relish dish after dish of fried cheese while guzzling Brazilian beer. I dream of lazing the afternoon away at the iconic Copacabana beach and then, a dinner date in the picturesque quarters of Santa Teresa. Devouring mouthfuls of feijoada (black bean stew) and pão de queijo (cheese bread) sounds lovely too.
While for me, it could still take a couple of summers to make it to Brazil, there are plenty of reasons why you shouldn’t wait for long. The best one on the list, of course, is to dance with the locals at the Carnival, dressed up in an extravagant costume and taking in the gala sight. So, how do you go about it?
To make the most of the festival, fly down to Galeão International Airport at least a day in advance. This will give you time to have a sense of the pulse of the city before the big Friday night festivities begin. A must-do on your tour itinerary for your first day in Rio is the 20-minute cable ride to the Tijuca rainforest, all the way to the top of Corcovado Mountain. You'll be awed by the breathtaking views of Rio De Janeiro from above. And as soon as you step out of the trolley, you’ll be standing at the feet of the 98-ft-tall Christ the Redeemer statue.
For a different kind of adventure, take another cable car ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. Grab a snack from a local fast food chain and sip your drink as you battle the sun, all the while soaking in the 360-degree views of the city, surrounding ocean, and lush green forest. As the sun begins to set, head for the adjacent Copacabana beach. For dinner, try Galeto Sat's which is known for its crisp-roasted galeto (three-month-old chicken) and cold beers.
The next morning, make your way to Cinelandia, Rio’s historic square, to explore its many historical gems, including the Municipal Theatre, the National Museum of Fine Arts, and the National History Museum. Or skip straight to Santa Teresa, one of the prettiest neighbourhoods with colourful and artsy streets. Grab your lunch at Aprazivel, a sloping garden restaurant that serves contemporary Brazilian. Don't forget to try their refreshing caipirinha made with starfruit, passionfruit, or ginger – they'll help you beat the heat. You will thank me later.
Reserve your late afternoon to explore the city streets. Come evening, the bloca (a street party) kicks off, and the best place to witness it is at Cordão da Bola Preta, the oldest street block of Rio de Janeiro's Carnival. Alternatively, you can head to Lapa, the city's nightlife area, which is only a 10-minute walk away. While Rio’s reputed clubs host enticing parties that last all night during the Carnival, locals recommend stepping out into the streets instead.
One of the must-sees during the Rio Carnival is the hotly anticipated Samba performances. Brazil’s finest Samba schools compete for four nights, showcasing their music and dance performances in extravagant costumes. Visitors from all over the world come here to watch the Samba as the locals do, watching the event as unfolds through impressive parades, sensual performances, and captivating shows. The teams are led by their respective Queen of the Drummers, who delivers a mesmerising performance with the entire world as her stage.
The performances take place at the Sambadrome, a magnificent stadium designed by world-renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer in 1984. Tickets to the stadium sell out pretty quickly, so it is a good idea to book yours at least a couple of months in advance. Remember that Secor 9 is the tourist sector where seats are reserved for international visitors.
Across the city, you can also enjoy some of Brazil’s finest dance performances, music shows, and night parties. Some of the popular artists or bands you may get to watch live in action include Suvaco de Cristo, Cardao do Bola Prita, and Banda das Carmelitas.
To make the most of your trip to Rio, be sure to drink, sing, frolic, and party your nights away while reserving the daytime to explore the city's cultural offerings. For a slice of the sun and surf, visit Prainha Beach located in the protected eco-park. Visit Da Gema, one of the best bars in the city, for cold beers and shrimp rissoles. If you're in the mood for some beach fun, head for Barra Da Tijuca and the Ipanema beach closer to downtown, where you can play volleyball with locals and sunbathe aplenty. Visit the Sunday hippie fair in Ipanema to take home souvenirs from your holiday in Rio De Janeiro.
Then again, it’s impossible to talk about Brazil without mentioning the country’s love for football. If you have an extra day to spare, visit the Maracana football stadium on your day out and, then, catch the sunset at Guanabara Bay. No matter what you do, be sure to circle back to Rio’s street parties at night. Dancing with the locals at Rio De Janeiro’s Carnival is a unique experience that you will continue to tell stories about for years to come.
Rio De Janeiro attracts crowds of tourists not only during the Carnival but pretty much all year round. As one of the most popular tourist destinations in South America, the city’s hotels and flights are often jam-packed, so I recommend making bookings well in advance. Flights from metro cities, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Kolkata run frequently. A night's stay in a mid-range hotel can cost anywhere between Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 30,000 for two people.
So, is Rio seeing you at the Carnival next summer?
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