Guide to Rio Carnival: 5 Things You Should Know
Celebrating Carnival in Rio de Janiero was never specifically on my bucket list. But after getting to experience it last year I’m SO glad I did! I did some research beforehand so I knew a little about what to expect; however, I found there were 5 things I DIDN’T know about Carnival until I experienced them. So as a guide to Rio Carnival, here’s my list of 5 things you should know. š
Dressing Up is Part of the Fun.
You HAVE to dress up for Carnival. Itās part of the experience! Youāll find a wide range of Carnival attire from full out Halloween type costumes, to a few simple accessories, to hardly any clothes at all! My friend and I went for a middle of the road option. We found bedazzled facial stickers, colorful fake eyelashes, head band accessories, neon tank tops and glittered tutus. (Our eyelashes were a total HIT by the way. Everyone kept asking us for butterfly kisses. š) Regardless of what you decide to wear you should be able to find it pretty easily. The whole city embraces Carnival including local stores that sell clothing, accessories, decorations, etc.
Blacos Are Where the Parties Are at!
I recommend searching around on Google to find the most up to date information on the locations and start times of blacos around the city. (Blacos are basically block parties. Itās where all the excitement happens!) Numerous blacos happen around the same time so make sure to check the descriptions of them to decide which youād like to attend. (Youāll also find that some are more family friendly, others draw in a young adult crowd, etc.) If itās a moving blaco know that it ACTUALLY does move. Think parade… but a party parade that anyone is welcome to join. Just make sure you know when it starts and where itās going so you donāt miss it.
If You Lock Eyes With Someone For Longer Than 5 Seconds, Pucker Up!
I couldnāt tell you how this tradition started but I can tell you itās DEFINITELY a thing. While youāre out and about during Carnival youāll find wandering eyes everywhere. My theory is that if you lock eyes with someone you wouldnāt want to smooch, smile and look away before you hit the 5 second mark. If you lock eyes with someone you would like to smooch, smile and keep staring at them until it happens. If you do kiss someone be prepared for the people who see it to cheer and clap because thatās totally a thing too!
Plan to Pull an All Nighter in Any Weather at the Sambodromo.
The Sambodromo is the place where Samba schools parade competitively against each other during Carnival. It was built specifically for that purpose! These are the parades you may have seen pictures or videos of where people are wearing bright colored costumes, playing music, riding on floats, dancing their hearts out, and some of the women are wearing bedazzled outfits with giant feathers on the back! (Ring a bell at all?) The parade “runway” so to speak is 700 meters long and there’s stadium seating for spectators on either side. This is your heads up that the parades take place through the night and in any weather. As in they START at like 10pm and last until 4am or so, and the show goes on whether it’s raining or not. So take a nap, bring some weather gear and be ready to pull an all nighter because the Sambodromo is the EPITOME of Carnvial to me. You can’t miss it!
Itās Not ALL About DrinkingĀ
I was so happy to see this! That Carnival isnāt just about drinking. I mean, thereās definitely alcohol but my personal observation was that it seemed to be consumed pretty responsibly. The main vibe I got during Carnival was that itās a big party and tradition thatās all about having a fun time. Partying to have fun rather than partying solely to get drunk. (If that makes sense?) Iād honestly say thereās something fun to offer those who donāt drink (like myself) and even families with kids.
So what do you think? Would you go to Carnival in Rio? Or have you been…? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Safe travels friends. š
CE
