How to Celebrate Carnival in Rio

Carnival, like Mardi Gras, is one of the most prominent events held annually in locations around the world. Rio de Janeiro, for example, is one of the prominent tourist destinations at the time of Carnival. Street parties, parades, dancing and colorful, elaborate costumes characterize Carnival. Anyone heading to Rio to celebrate Carnival is in for a true cultural treat.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Portuguese phrasebook (helpful, but not explicitly required)
• Passport
• Tourist visa

Celebrate Carnival in Rio

1. Get a tourist visa to visit Brazil before you even book airfare or hotel accommodations. Brazil requires a tourist visa for all visitors coming from North America.

2. Double-check the dates of Carnival while you are planning to celebrate. Carnival never falls on the exact same date since it uses Lent as its beginning (40 days prior to Easter, which changes from year to year).

3. Wear a costume to show your Carnival spirit. One of the most enjoyable ways to celebrate Carnival is to act like a local and become a part of the celebration instead of just someone who watches it. You can pick up a costume in Rio once you arrive, or you can order one online and pack it for the journey.

4. Attend the Samba School Parade. This is one of the premier events of Carnival in Rio, held in the Sambadrome. The Samba School Parade is a competitive event in which each of the samba schools has 80 minutes to perform along the parade route. Thousands of spectators gather for the Samba School Parade, so expect a crowd.

5. Head to one of the many Carnival Balls, which are relatively inexpensive ways to enjoy Carnival, with tickets affordable and easy to come by. Live music and dancing are the mainstay of the Carnival Balls, and some are even telecast live.

Tips & Warnings

• Find one of the trio-eletricos that makes its way through the city. The trio-eletricos are trucks that have been equipped with a stage for popular bands to play music along the parade route.
• Blend in with the Carnival revelers by buying your own costume. Many tour books include information about buying souvenirs and costumes for Carnival, and you can always stop a local or even ask at your hotel for store recommendations.
• Carnival, though a terrific event to celebrate, does draw big crowds. With those crowds come thieves and petty criminals, unfortunately, so it is better to be at a Carnival celebration with a group. This reduces the risk of pickpocketing or mugging.

[olimadhi]

on 2/4/2008 Good tips , i am planning attend carnival next year i shall make arrangements keeping these tips in mind. Thank You !!!