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Are you ready to embark on the Ultimate Rio Carnival Experience? Spend 7 days deep diving into Brazilian culture around one of the country’s most important celebrations, the Rio Carnival! Experience the highlights of Brazil travel, including Rio de Janeiro beach days, free time to explore and, of course, every opportunity to see and take part in the parades! Get a literal taste of local life with a traditional BBQ and spend lots of leisure time living the local life. Embark on one of the best Brazil guided tours with Expat Explore.
- Join the world’s biggest party and watch the main Rio Carnival parade
- Soak up the Rio sun on Ipanema and Barra da Tijuca beaches
- Get a taste of Brazil with a traditional feijoada dinner
- Experience the local Brazilian spirit at a street party
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DAY 1: Start of tour in Rio de Janeiro
This exciting Rio Carnival tour kicks off this evening! Arrive at the hotel and meet up with your tour leader and fellow travellers before heading to a local restaurant for this evening’s included welcome dinner. On the way, admire the world-famous Praia de Copacabana (Copacabana Beach) and wander along its distinctive, mosaiced promenade. Then, look forward to tasting Brazil’s national dish, feijoada – a hearty and flavourful meat and bean stew. Feast on as much feijoada as you can eat, enjoy a drink, and receive your Carnival Kit, consisting of a T-shirt, an iconic Carnival mask as well as glitter! The rest of the evening is free. Why not get a taste of Rio’s legendary nightlife?
Experiences
Meet your local Brazilian tour leader: What better way to be guided through Rio and its carnival than with a true local? Meet your expert Brazilian tour leader who will be with you every step of the way on this jam-packed Carnival tour.
Visit Copacabana Beach: Praia de Copacabana is one of the world’s most sought-after beaches thanks to its white sands, calm waters and iconic, mosaiced promenade. Wander along this lively promenade before dinner tonight. The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of Copacabana, making it the perfect place to visit during free time!
Rio Welcome Dinner: Sit down with your tour leader and new travel companions for your first taste of Brazil! Look forward to tucking into Brazil’s national dish, feijoada, a hearty and flavourful stew consisting of meat and beans. Not only is this dish delicious, it is an important part of Brazilian culture and is usually enjoyed as a social experience. At dinner, enjoy a drink of your choice and all-you-can-eat feijoada.
Get your Carnival Kit: With this stylish kit you’ll have everything you need to get the party started! Your very own carnival kit consists of a T-shirt, a classic and colourful Carnival mask and plenty of glitter to make your tour sparkle!DAY 2: Ipanema Beach
After breakfast this morning, head out for a day of experiencing Rio like a local or Carioca (Rio resident)! Take the metro to the dazzling Ipanema Beach (which you may recognise from the Bossa Nova classic The Girl from Ipanema) for a day of fun, sun and sand! Here, become a part of the Rio rhythm! Swim in the azure waters, partake in some beach sports such as soccer and volleyball or simply relax under the sparkling Rio sunshine. Later, head back to the hotel and freshen up as the day isn’t over yet! This evening, further embrace the Carioca lifestyle by joining the optional Carioca Dinner Experience for a mouthwatering meal and drinks at a buzzing local bar.
Experiences
Spend a day on Ipanema Beach: Take the metro to the beautiful and widely popular Ipanema Beach, known for its dreamy blue waters, beach sports and spectacular sunshine. Soak up the sun and sand, take a dip in the irresistible waves, and quench your thirst with an included coconut drink.
On Tour Excursions
Carioca Dinner Experience
Feel like a true Carioca (Rio resident) as you taste three local delicacies and enjoy drinks at a popular local bar!
US$ 50DAY 3: Bloco Carnival
Are you ready for your first taste of Carnival? Today, this Rio Carnival tour takes to the streets like locals do for what’s considered an integral part of the overall Carnival celebration. Blocos de Carnaval (Carnival Blocks) are local street bands that draw crowds to the streets and get them moving with spirited music and dancing. So, pull out the Carnival Kit you received on the first night, and prepare to make some lifelong memories today! After a full day of festivities, head back to the hotel to rest and spend the evening as you wish.
Experiences
Join a Rio street carnival: Get ready to party like the locals! Put on your t-shirt, mask and glitter, and take to the streets where street bands lead dancing and celebrating crowds in a popular Carnival experience.DAY 4: Sambódromo Parade
Enjoy a relaxing morning after last night’s festivities and spend today’s free time however you like. If it’s more beachtime you seek, take a walk to the nearby Praia do Leme (Leme beach), a peaceful and scenic escape. Or, spend some more time on Copacabana beach. Don’t miss out on this afternoon’s optional excursion – an all-you-can-eat Rodizio at a local Churrascaria. This is a Brazilian-style BBQ restaurant where waiters will serve you various, unlimited cuts of high-quality meat! Then, it’s time for one of the highlights of this Rio Carnival tour. Join tonight’s included experience and take a seat at the Sambódromo for the biggest party in the world on Parade Day!
Experiences
Join the world’s biggest party: Take a seat at Sambódromo and enjoy a Rio Carnival tour highlight – watching the biggest party in the world on Parade Day! The Sambadrome was specially designed by celebrated architect Oscar Niemeyer as a parade area and hosts Rio’s renowned Samba parade annually. Here, join thousands of spectators as you take in the sights and sounds of the Rio Carnival’s most spectacular performances.
On Tour Excursions
Traditional Brazilian BBQ Lunch
Join a rodizio at a local Churrascaria. Tuck into an all-you-can-eat pork, beef, chicken and fish BBQ as well as a salad buffet.
US$ 50DAY 5: Rio de Janeiro: Free Day
Enjoy a later start this morning after last night’s unforgettable party! The day is free to spend as you wish. Why not check out some top Rio highlights such as Christ the Redeemer and the 800-yard-long Botanical Gardens? You could even take a cable car to the top of the UNESCO-protected Sugarloaf Mountain! However you choose to spend the day, be sure to save some energy for this evening’s optional excursion. Join the festivities and actually take part in a Parade Day performance! This is the opportunity of a lifetime to not only see the biggest show on earth but be in it too. Don your costume and party like a true Rio local!
On Tour Excursions
Rio Carnival: Join a Parade
Get immersed in the Rio Carnival, literally, by being in a parade! Put on your costume and take part in a Carnival tradition – Parade Day.
US$ 850DAY 6: Barra da Tijuca Beach
If you partied true Rio style, a relaxed day followed by some beach time might be exactly what the day calls for! After breakfast, enjoy some free time to get some rest or take advantage of the last opportunity to explore on your own. This afternoon, the group heads to Barra da Tijuca Beach for sun and serenity, this beach is a bit of a hidden gem and not nearly as busy as the popular Ipanema Beach. Enjoy time in the sun and on the sand, as well as some included snacks and water to quench your thirst. This evening, enjoy the final group dinner at the deck bar, including a drink of your choice, a delicious main course and dessert!
Experiences
Barra da Tijuca Beach Day: Enjoy an afternoon on the stunning Barra da Tijuca Beach to rest and grab some sun! Included in this experience is a bottle of water, some snacks for the beach, plus transport to and from the hotel.
Farewell dinner in Rio: Sit down for the final group dinner at the fabulous deck bar. Enjoy a drink of your choice, a delicious main course and dessert as you bid the Carnival spirit farewell.DAY 7: End of tour in Rio de Janeiro
After a week of getting immersed in Brazilian culture, living like a local, and experiencing the iconic Rio Carnival, this tour wraps up after breakfast this morning. Remember to exchange contact details with your new global friends. Whether you’re journeying back home or to your next destination, Expat Explore wishes you safe travels. We hope to see you on the road again soon!
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Accommodation
- 6 nights hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms. The majority of our accommodations are of a 3- and 4-star standard, offering excellent value, comfort and convenience
- Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
Meals
- 6 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners *Vegetarian options available for all meals on request
Transport
- Air-conditioned vehicles
Tour Leader
- Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
- Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details
9 Experiences!
- Enjoy the expertise of a local Brazilian tour leader
- Visit the world-famous Copacabana beach
- Taste feijoada, Brazil’s national dish, at a welcome dinner in Rio
- Get a Carnival Kit complete with a T-shirt, mask and glitter
- Soak up the Rio sun on Ipanema Beach
- Join the locals for a lively Bloco de Carnaval street party
- See the world’s biggest party, the Sambódromo Parade
- Laze on the less-crowded Barra da Tijuca Beach
- Say goodbye to Carnival spirit with a farewell dinner
DEPARTURE DATES AND RATES
Start Date / End Date Status Price Per Person 12 Feb 2026 – 18 Feb 2026 Book now with low deposit Up To $2,480Now $2,045
