Brazil – Rio Carnival Festival

The Experience

Often called Cidade Maravilhosa (The Marvelous City) Rio de Janeiro is unmatched in its breathtaking landscapes and location, nestled between lush, green mountains and crystal-clear seas. And there is no better time to visit Rio than during Carnival, considered to be the largest in the world. With Discover Corps, you’ll go behind-the-scenes as an invited guest of a local Samba school to actually join in on the parade! Venture to local neighborhoods to experience blocos, or block parties, tour the Grande Rio Samba School and learn how to dance samba.

Over the course of seven days, we’ll also explore all that Rio de Janeiro has to offer. Cruise high in a cable car to Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain), venture to Christo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer statue), and relax on the iconic beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. We’ll also dive into Brazilian culture with a private Brazilian cooking class & percussion workshop. Our boutique hotel located on the famous Copacabana Beach will put us in the center of all of the action.

Rio’s Famous Carnival Festival

Rio de Janeiro’s world-famous Carnival is an extraordinary, boisterous five-day celebration of singing, dancing, and community. This party begins on Friday and continues through Tuesday as millions of people take to the streets for impromptu Blocos (block parties) and pack the Sambodromo, home of the famous and fiercely competitive Samba Parade. You can expect to see larger than life floats, throngs of dancers and musicians numbering into the thousands, decadent food and drink, and richly textured costumes. As a Discover Corps guest, you will have the unique opportunity to experience Carnival like a local joining the parade alongside a local samba school and going out to the city’s vibrant block parties with your local guide.