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Sambadrome (Sambadrome Marques de Sapucaí)

Sambadrome (Sambadrome Marques de Sapucaí) Tours

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Rio de Janeiro Carnival Parade Ticket with Optional Transport

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

From $107.35

Select Date and Travelers

Non-refundable
You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
Rio de Janeiro Tours
All Rio de Janeiro Tours
Audio Guides
Kid-Friendly
Likely To Sell Out
  • 6 to 9 hours (approx.)
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Attend the epic Rio de Janeiro Carnaval (Carnival) parade with this ticket for a seat in Sector 9 in the Sambadromo (Sambadrome). View talented samba dancers in outrageous costumes as they dance their hearts out in one of the world's most famous Carnival celebrations. This ticket provides a fantastic view of the parade grounds, where you'll see all of Rio's samba schools strut their stuff, accompanied by elaborate parade floats and infectious drumming. Choose one of four nights, and upgrade to include round-trip transportation from your Rio hotel if you choose.
  • Ticket to the world-famous Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro
  • Watch as the costumed samba dancers and floats pass by
  • Listen to the drumbeats, song lyrics, and cheering of the crowd
  • Enjoy the party atmosphere of the Sambadrome
  • Choose the Access Group, Special Group, or Champions Parade
  • Upgrade for optional hotel pickup and drop-off by comfortable shuttle

What's Included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off from most hotels located in Rio's South Zone (if option selected)
  • Tickets to Carnaval Parade at Marques de Sapucaí.
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option not selected)

Meeting And Pickup

Start time

Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.

Opening hours

Select your preferred ticket/pass option to see hours.
View tour option

Ticket redemption point

Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort, Av. Niemeyer, 121 - Leblon, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22450-220, Brazil

What To Expect

Choose one of the four nights of Carnaval (Carnival) when Rio's famous samba schools compete in the Sambadromo (Sambadrome). This competition takes place in the middle of the open-air stadium, and the performers parade down a 3,000-foot (700-meter) aisle surrounded on both sides by grandstands filled with 90,000 spectators.

Upgrade your experience with round-trip transportation, or find your own way to the Sambadromo's entrance with your pre-booked ticket in hand. Make your way to your numbered seat in Sector 9 with the full knowledge that you won't be sitting in it for long—this is one of the world's biggest, most enthusiastic celebrations, best enjoyed on your feet. 

Each samba school brings 4,000 dancers, along with drummers and elaborate parade floats, to compete for cash prizes, titles and the privilege of moving on to the next round. The competition starts at 9pm, and the dancing doesn't stop until dawn as six schools pass through the Sambadromo. 

On the first Saturday of Carnaval, six samba schools from the Access Group compete for the following year's Special Group status. On Sunday or Monday, top schools in the Special Group perform. The five schools voted the best participate in the Champions Parade on the following Saturday.

At the end of this epic parade and a night of applauding and whistling, enjoy transportation back to your hotel, if selected.

Sambodromo da Marques de Sapucai

Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival takes place during four nights each year when the local (samba schools) compete by parading through the open-air Sambodrome, a 3,000-foot (700-meter) avenue with grandstand seats rising from each side. When you arrive at the entrance with your pre-booked ticket, take your allocated seat in Sector 9 (if option selected) and get ready to partake in one of the biggest celebrations on Earth. Watch fireworks light up the sky and enjoy the excellent view of the parading dancers, percussionists and elaborate floats, along with 90,000 other spectators! Around 4,000 participants from each samba school prepare themed songs, dances, costumes and floats all year to compete for Carnival titles and cash prizes. From 9pm until early morning, you’ll see six schools pass through – each taking about an hour – as they convince the crowd that their performance is the best. At the end of the parade, your night ends either at the Sambadrome or with hotel drop-off, if selected.

Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Pay atention for different options: Ticket and transportation included OR Ticket only
  • This product is non-refundable
  • Customers have to collect up credentials and/or tickets to the day before your selected Parade date, from 10:00am to 5:00pm (for Access and special Group). Exceptions should be communicated
  • Address for Collection: Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort at the Gray Line desk at the Lobby - Avenida Niemeyer, 121 – Leblon, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 22450-220
  • Pick ups for options that include transportation now start at 06:00pm, 08:00pm or 10:00pm. Option to be selected in advance. Final time will be confirmed upon collection of the credential..
  • The customer must be in the lobby at the start of the hour of the selected time slot. He will be droped off at a point and must return to the same point for the return transfer that will take place at the final of each Samba School parade.
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • If you do not inform our team of your desired pick up time, then we will assign you for the first available pick up time, from your hotel or closest pick up location
  • Final exact times will be advised exactly when you collect your tickets as per voucher instructions, but you must select your pick up time before then. Remember you need collect your credentials for the bus transportation and/or ticket to the Parade.
  • For return, buses will depart from the same spot where you were dropped off at the end of each parade.
  • Please see departure and drop off points. If your hotel is not listed, you will have to go to one of these locations. The exact alternate point will be settle when you collect your bus credentials and tickets.
  • Guides available only during transportation.
  • Children under 5 years of age are not allowed.
  • Please be aware that we offer seats for different Sectors (3, 5, 7 or 9) on Special Group Parade days. The choice must be made at the time of purchase.
  • You might be upgraded to a better sector if your chosen ticket is unavailable.
  • In Sector 9 you can catch the best views from the cars and dancers passing by. This sector has marked places and bilingual attendants.
  • Sector 3 is near the beginning of the Parade and near the first Samba Drums retreat; Sectors 5 and 7 (more in the middle of the Sambadrome, but with a good view of the parade). Such sectors do not have numbered seats; they are not marked and therefore free to choose.
  • Departure Point: Select Rio de Janeiro hotels, if option selected; please see the full list on the View Additional Info tab. If transport is not selected, make your own way to the Sambadrome Directions: Exact times will be advised when you collect your tickets as per voucher instructions. At that time, you will need to choose a time and pickup point, as well as collect your credentials for bus transportation (if option selected) and ticket to the Parade. Hotel drop-off: Buses will depart from the same spot where you were dropped off at the end of each parade.
  • Most travelers can participate

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

      about cancellations.

      Traveler Tips

      Make sure you eat an early dinner and bring snacks and water, unless you want to stand in lines for food and drink.
      Reviews
      4.5
      8 reviews
      Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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      Reviews by Viator travelers.
      Showing 1-6 of 8 reviews
      Carnival experience
      Stoycho_S, Feb 2023
      The Carnival is just amazing. Unfortunately the organization was completely mess. The organizers had no idea what to do. We came back because someone was forgotten, we were constantly waiting for something. absolute incompetence.
      Rio Carnival 2020
      Tyrone_F, Feb 2020
      WONDERFUL - made superb by BRUNO, who exemplified personal service & worked tirelessly to make our RIO Carnival a fabulous experience. Cannot praise Bruno & team enough, & without whom the event would not have taken place. From booking, tickets, to experience, all excellent. A big thank you to you all.
      An Experience of a Lifetime
      Ana_C, Feb 2020
      Directions for ticket pick-up were very clearly stated. Smooth shuttle service to and from sambódromo. Suggest you get the earliest pick-up, so that you can choose your seat. The later you go, the harder it is to find a seat in your chosen section. The seating is on cement, a very hard surface, so buy a seat mat or bring something soft to sit on. It had rained earlier, so many seats were very wet, so plan to bring some plastic to lay down for sitting and to wear just in case of rain. Everyone stands and are using their cell phones to video or do selfies, so plan on hours of standing and juggling for clear view. In between the samba school performances, there is a short break to sit down. Also had to deal with rude smokers. Make sure you eat an early dinner and bring snacks and water, unless you want to stand in lines for food and drink. There are individuals selling drinks but as crowd in seats thicken, difficult to buy or move to get out. This means make sure you get to bathroom before sitting down.
      1 traveler found this review helpful
      Once in a lifetime experience
      Colleen_P, Feb 2020
      We went to Carnival on Friday night with hotel transfers. It was awesome! The dancers were amazing and the venue was well set up to manage the volume of people. Transfer to and from the venue was very efficient and would definitely recommend paying a little extra to have them. Would recommend anyone to see carnival, it was like nothing i have ever seen before!!
      Once in a lifetime experience, the...
      Sigrid M K, Aug 2017
      Once in a lifetime experience, the colors, the music, the atmosphere everything is great
      1 traveler found this review helpful
      Carnaval au top mais l'organisation pas top
      Paz69, May 2022
      Devoir se deplacer à un autre hôtel pour prendre les tickets + ne pas tenir au courant d'un retard de plus de 30 minutes au point de rendez-vous -> partie mediocre Les animateurs étaient sympas mais au moment de prendre les billets je pense qu'il aurait été bien de rappeler que dans certains secteurs il n'y que des locaux, ça m'aurait evité de me retrouver seul pendant la parade
      Response from Host, May 2022
      Bonsoir. Cette procédure est effectuée pour prévenir la fraude. et fonctionne depuis 15 ans. C'était dans la description et les notes de la visite. Comme il s'agit d'un transport régulier (non privé), il peut y avoir des retards. Merci pour votre avis et tenez-nous au courant

      Questions?

      Product code: 2484RIOCT

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