Rio Carnival: Everything you should know about the biggest party celebration in this world.

Two Million People, releasing all inhibitions, drinking, being merry and partying non-stop for a period of 7 days all over the streets. Sounds exciting, isn’t it? Well, that’s exactly the scene of the Rio Carnival every year. Considered as one of the best-known parties in the world filled with music, parades, drinking and people having fun, Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is the largest carnival celebration in the world. The carnival is a national holiday in Brazil and almost a week-long celebration,  that brings in about half a million foreign tourists together each year.

Stemming out ironically from the Catholic roots as a celebration before the 40 days of Lent fasting, this Brazil’s carnival is a unique combination of Portuguese and African culture. Originally celebrated as a food festival during Brazil’s colonization period the festival served the purpose to eat before fasting for the 40 days of Lent. Later, with the gradual influence of African culture in Brazil that introduced in new rhythms, music and dancing the food carnival transformed into the party it is known today.

Celebrated every year either in February or March marking the end of 40 days fasting in the month of Lent before Easter, the carnival commemorates the closing of the long, hot Brazilian summer. With more than two million people on the streets of the city each day of the celebration, it is a sight to behold. The carnival can be enjoyed by tapping on other lavish and popular itinerants such as street parties, and chic, high-gloss costumed balls. If you are planning a trip to Carnival, here is a list of things you must do while in attendance to maximize your experience.

Attend Carnival Parade at the Sambadrome

Considered as the pinnacle of the Rio Carnival celebration, where various samba dance schools in the region compete in Rio’s one-of-a-kind Carnival stadium, the Sambadrome. Rio is home to over 70 samba schools that have a parade tradition dating back to the 1930s. First opened in 1984 the nearly 2,300-foot-long stadium, is jokingly referred to as a concrete thing with its distinctive arch that has a capacity to hold up to 90,000 clamorous spectators.

Crowded by tens of thousands of spectators and nearly 5,000 contestants for an ultimate samba throw down the competition is a must attend. The competition airs on television throughout the country and can be watched easily late into the night on the Sunday and Monday of Carnival. The carnival consists of a series of performances by each of the top 12 samba school’s with their 3,000 members non-stop singing and dancing for approximately 90 minutes, slowly parading down the length of the Sambadrome amidst the wild cheering of their fans and the intense scrutiny of the parade judges.

So who would miss the opportunity to see it up close and personal!? Grab the tickets ahead of time for the best seats possible. P.S: this event is a big deal in Rio and tickets will not be cheap. People pay anything from R$10 to whopping R$5,000 for the privilege of cheering on their favorite schools amid the unmatched energy of the Carnival.

Rendezvous on the Street!

Each year in the days leading up to the big Carnival weekend celebration, constant street parties are held. The jargons for the street parties are called as BLOCOS. Blocos pop up throughout Rio with the celebrations running from 8 am today to 8 am the next morning. You don’t need to be invited to attend these events because these are supposed to be an open event for everyone walking up on the streets in the area. Wondering about what sort of parties these are? Well, you may have no visions in your mind of how wild the party at Carnival must be, this is the reality of it. It is wild but generally safe and good.

From people donning homemade costumes and guzzling uncountable amounts of beer and cachaça (Brazilian rum) to Lots of music, dancing, drinking it won’t be wrong to call it as ‘the constant state of euphoria’ where you may have unexpected encounters with others having a great time of their lives. These parties are intense and if you don’t like meeting new people, then just stay at home.

Become a part of the festivities

 
Want to join in the festivities? Locals and visitors can participate in the parades by getting dressed up. Unlike other events around the globe, visitors at the Rio Carnival are welcome to join in the parades with their favorite amongst the samba schools.  How? It’s as simple as the blinking of an eye. Make sure you choose your favorite school to support and can surely past the march with them.

P.S: You do need to dress appropriately. During this particular time dressing is something you really need to plan for. It may also cost a considerable amount of money. Remember, this costume acts as your ticket into the parade. You can meet up with your favorite group and then accompany the group through the streets of Rio in your feathers, beads or whatever you choose your design to be.

Relax @the world’s sexiest beach!

Wondering whether what better can happen to you except having been able to trip to Rio and attend the biggest party in the world. Well, how about you pay a visit to the world’s sexiest beach? Sounds amazing right? Hell yeah! Described as the “sexiest in the world” by the Travel Channel, Ipanema Beach with the hottest crown in the neighborhood and is said to have amazing boutiques and local shops to shop from.

We at TravelUR brings some amazing deals and a platform to make and meet other travel buddies. So join us to enjoy other traveler’s story. Still waiting? Hop on to book your tickets with TravelUR and plan your visit, remember the time is ticking!!!