Brief History of Carnival

The origins of Carnival are unclear, but most agree that it started as a pagan celebration in ancient Rome or Greece. It was developed over the years in Brazil as the Catholics decided to let loose before Lent. Traditionally during Lent, Catholics gave up certain pleasures such as eating red meat and drinking alcohol for 40 days, starting on Ash Wednesday, the last day of Carnival.

The famous Samba Parade, the best known event in the city, began in the 30's - first timidly at Praça XI, and later on Presidente Vargas Avenue. It found a permanent home in 1984 at the Sambodromo, a structure in the downtown area. This is a big parade that takes place over three days (of which two are for the Special Group of Samba Schools), and lasts approximately from 9pm to 7am each day. It is truly an amazing show to behold as each Samba School, made up of thousands of sambistas (people who participate on parade), parades along the Sambodromo with its legions of dancers, musicians and floats. Today the Samba Parade is broadcast to dozens of countries, and all Brazilian states. Many people think of it as the greatest show on earth.

The five-day long celebration begins with a ceremonial handing over of the keys of the city from the city Mayor to Rei Momo, the king of carnival and Lord of Misrule.

What is the Sambodromo?

The Sambodromo was designed by world famous architect Oscar Niemeyer, the same guy who designed Brazil`s capital Brasilia. It is 600 meters long and has capacity for 43,000 people. The Sambodromo consists of several independent concrete structures along both sides of Marques de Sapucai Avenue. The street itself is painted white, and becomes the samba runway.

The Sambodromo is divided in sectors, and each sector has different kinds of seats. Camarotes (or mezzanine boxes) are the most coveted positions. This is where you get to meet international stars, socialites, soccer players, politicians, diplomats, and fashion models. Frisas or runway boxes are numbered sets of six seats with a small coffee table. They are at street level, offering a very close view to the parade. There are only four rows of frisas in each odd sector, so the number of seats is quite limited. Arquibancadas (bleachers or "grand stand") are the most reasonably priced seats. The elevated position gives you a better idea of schools as a group. Bleachers are not much more than big concrete steps and most people stand to dance while schools pass.

There are snack bars, refreshment stands and restrooms in each sector. They are kept clean under the constant supervision of janitors. In addition, everybody has access to a promenade within the Sambodromo, behind the bleachers. It is lined up with restaurants, ice-cream stands, shops with souvenirs, and more restrooms. They also sell disposable rain jackets when the weather is cloudy. The largest food court is right behind Sector 11.

The Sectors

Sector 9 is available through travel agencies only and seats are reserved mostly for tourists. The big advantage is that this sector has numbered seats, so you can get up and walk around during intermissions without losing your seat. But remember that most people stand up and dance every time a school passes so be ready to join along if you want to see anything.

Sector 11 has lately been reserved mostly to cruise passengers. Seats are numbered, the view is great, but these travelers tend to do everything together. As their buses leave back to the ship very early, this may become a ghost sector after the third of fourth school.

For tickets to the Samba Parade, please contact us at 1-800-326-7088 or send us an email at basi@ecovoyager.com

Carnival in the streets

By far the oldest, most widely enjoyed and, of course, cheapest form of Carnival revelry. Every neighborhood in Rio has its own form of Carnival in the street. Participants usually gather at some well known spot (such as a square or a bar). After a while, the band starts marching its way down the streets. The show performed by drag queens is a “must see”!

There are some traditional street bands such as: Banda de Ipanema (The Band of Ipanema), Monobloco, Simpatia é Quase Amor (Affection is almost love), Banda da Sá Ferreira (Sá Ferreira Street Band), Banda da Santa Clara (Santa Clara Street Band), Bloco Suvaco de Cristo (Christ´s Underarm), etc.

Carnival Balls

Carnival Balls were imported to Rio from Italy in the late 19th century, and had their golden era in the 1930 through 50's, when legendary balls were held at the Copacabana Palace Hotel and the Municipal Theater.

Today parties range from super chic, like the one at the world famous Copacabana Palace Hotel, to risqué party scenes similar in nature to what you might have seen at Mardi Gras in New Orleans. So the price ranges vary greatly. But one thing you can be sure of is that prices for drinks and food at these balls are always inflated.

The big Balls are the Red and Black Ball Friday and the Gay Ball on Tuesday. The Ball at the Copacabana Palace Hotel is a high-class option, as is ATU Hall in Barra. If you want a wild party, Scala in Leblon is a good choice on Afranio de Melo Franco Avenue, or Canecao on Venceslau Avenue in Botafogo. In Copacabana there is a big Ball at Help, a nightclub right on Avenida Atlantica. Tickets can be purchased in advance and the parties usually start the week before Carnival and run through till the end. With a wide range of themes, dress and constituents, the Carnival Balls can be a good option for those who look for fun in a not so expensive way. Balls usually don’t start until 11PM and go strong until sunrise, with a never-ending succession of samba bands pounding out a steady rhythm all night long. Most of the balls are quite informal affairs, open to the middle and upper-middle classes of Rio. No dress code exists, and no costume is mandatory at most balls.

Rehearsals

To prepare for such elaborate parades, Samba schools start rehearsals as early as August. About one month before carnival, they are open to the public. Going to a Samba school rehearsal can be a great experience. You have probably never seen a woman move her hips and feet so fast in your life. The schools are usually far from your hotel and in poor neighborhoods so it is recommended to go with a local to feel safe. We can easily arrange this tour for our passengers attending carnival. Please contact us for details.

Museum

There is a carnival museum at the Sambadromo, which is located downtown on Rua Marques de Sapucai. The Museum is free of charge and is open from 11am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday. The entrance is on Rua Frei Caneca. The staff is bilingual and quite informative. It is a good way to prepare yourself for the parade by understanding the traditions of the schools participating.