Rio de Janeiro Carnival: Why is it so special?

It's hard to hear about Carnival and not think of Rio de Janeiro, isn't it? Every year the city receives approximately 1 million tourists from all over the world who come to experience the fun of Rio de Janeiro. But what makes Rio de Janeiro's Carnival so special?

To answer this question, we wrote this article with the purpose of pointing out everything that is part of the festivities in the marvelous city. So, get your costume, glitter, confetti ready and come with us!

Rio de Janeiro Samba School Parade

Without a doubt, one of the most popular attractions for the public is watching the Samba Schools parade at the Sambadrome. The most popular days are Sunday and Monday of Carnival. On these days, the Special Group schools perform, which include champions such as Portela, Mangueira and Beija-Flor.

The following Saturday is the day of the Champions Parade, when those who had the best scores in the count carried out on Ash Wednesday parade down the avenue. The last school to parade is, obviously, the champion of the year.

So, if you come to Rio Carnival and miss both days of parades, don't worry. As a last resort, you can still see the winners at Marquês de Sapucaí.

Rio de Janeiro Carnival street blocks

Another must-see attraction is the street parties! It's very difficult to move around the city and not find at least one. And there are all kinds: marchinhas, samba, even rock n' roll and nerd march.

Unlike Carnival parties that require tickets and a abadá, Rio's bloco parties don't have any of that: you just have to go in and join the party! All you need is willingness, lots of energy and excitement, especially in the ones that are packed with people like Monobloco, Banda de Ipanema and Carmelitas, classics of the Rio carnival.

Carnival Safety

Street parties bring together a lot of people, so some precautions are necessary so that you can enjoy it without worrying.

First of all, it is important to take as few belongings as possible; jewelry, designer watches and the like can be left at home or at the hotel. Cell phones are essential these days, so carry them somewhere safe (in your front pocket or handbag, for example).

Don't take too much money with you either, just enough to drink, eat and take a taxi if necessary. After all, you won't need to spend a lot to have fun!

Tips for Carnival in Rio

Finally, if you are thinking of spending Carnival in the wonderful city, here are some tips to ensure everything goes well:

• Book your flight and accommodation in advance, because the closer the date is, the more expensive it will be and the fewer options there will be. After all, the whole world wants to experience Rio Carnival!
• Also, get your tickets to see the Samba School parade through a travel agency. It is common to find scalpers selling tickets on the day itself, but buying your tickets through a travel agency is better.

So, we can understand why Rio de Janeiro's Carnival is so special: it's a really fun party that pleases everyone, from those who just want to watch the parades calmly to those who want to jump through all the blocks!

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