How to Celebrate Carnival in Sao Paulo, Brazil

There is no better place to celebrate Carnival than Brazil, but few realize that each region of the country offers a different Carnival experience. Rio and Salvador feature feverish street parades and oversized crowds with an oceanside atmosphere. Sao Paulo, the country's largest city, offers a calmer more metropolitan version of Carnival. If you love big city life, prefer smaller crowds and enjoy cosmopolitan night clubs, then the sophisticated Carnival of Sao Paulo is for you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Passport
• Portuguese phrase book
• Tourist visa
• Tickets

1. Plan ahead. Brazil requires a tourist visa even for short visits, so check out the nearest Brazilian consulate for instructions. Also, Carnival officially begins 40 days before Easter, so the actual dates vary from year to year. Check your calendar and be sure to book a flight and hotel far in advance as this is peak tourist season in Brazil.
2. Get your tickets early. The Samba School Parade held at the Anhembi Sambodromo (Samba Stadium) on Friday and Saturday of Carnival weekend is the highlight event of the season. Samba schools (or teams) compete in this all night spectacle that is a must see. Keep in mind that tickets are expensive and sell out quickly so get them in advance. They can be purchased online or through a travel agency.
3. Spend at least a week in Sao Paulo during Carnival season. This is one of the world's largest cities so there is always something to do. Also, since so many people leave Sao Paulo for other cities during Carnival, traffic is surprisingly light, making getting around town easier than usual.
   
   
4. Go to a street parade called a banda or bloco. The main bloco in Sao Paulo is along the Avenida Paulista, a long thoroughfare that runs through the city's central business district. Live bands perform and costumes are optional.
   
5. Check out the city's world-class nightclubs. Most of them have lively Carnival parties (some even costume parties) throughout the season. Whether you want to hobnob with the rich and famous, hang out with drag queens or dance to hip-hop all night long, there are so many different varieties and types of clubs that you're certain to find one to suit every individual taste.

Tips & Warnings

• Samba schools are not schools at all, but they are the organizations that compete in the parade and were formed by residents of the city's working class neighborhoods. Each school invests millions of dollars each year to design and make their own costumes and floats and to write and choreograph their own dances to make up the Samba Parade. The parade is not just a beautiful show, but it is also a fierce competition that Brazilians take very seriously.
• If you're on a budget, consider attending the free pre-carnival parades that takes place at the Anhembi Sambodromo the two weeks prior to Carnival. Tickets to the feature shows are very expensive and may not fit every budget. While the pre-shows are basically rehearsals, they're still worth checking out.
• Consider a Carnival Vacation Package. Many online travel agencies offer them and they will be able to set you up with the best venues. These packages usually include air fare, accommodations and tickets to the Samba Parade.
• Remember Portuguese is the official language of Brazil and should not be confused with Spanish. While the languages may look the same on paper, they sound quite different. Get a Portuguese phrase book on tape to hear the Brazilian pronunciations and memorize the essentials. English is not widely spoken, especially outside the tourist districts, so be prepared.
• Don't go it alone. They say there is safety in numbers and this is especially true for Carnival. Also, Sao Paulo is so big that crime is always a problem, so it's best to use the buddy system to stay safe. Taxis are generally considered safest but can be costly. An economic alternative is the subway, which in Sao Paulo is well maintained and safer than buses. When using public transportation only take the essentials, leave any valuables such as jewelry, cameras, watches and important documents at the hotel. Only take necessary cash with you and use a disposable camera if you want to take pictures.