Brazil Travel Deal: Rio Carnival

• Upon arrival to the Rio de Janeiro airport, you will be collected by a Brazil For Less representative, who will take you to your comfortable Rio hotel.
• Check out our selection of great value Rio de Janeiro hotels. You will have the remainder of the day or evening to spend at your leisure, exploring the vibrant city on your own, and taking advantage of Rio’s restaurants and legendary nightlife.

• Today, you will ascend Corcovado, known as the Hunchback Mountain. This 2,460 foot high (710 meters) peak is famous for its spectacular views of the city and for the iconic towering statue of Christ the Redeemer that sits on its summit, overlooking Rio. Named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, this statue attracts over 300,000 visitors each year.
• At 130 feet, the statue of Christ the Redeemer is considered the second largest Art Deco statue in the world. A symbol of Christianity, this world-famous statue has also become a logo for Rio and Brazil in general. Designed by local engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, the statue was made by French sculptor Paul Landowski over a period of 9 years between 1922 and 1931.
• Your Rio tour will first take you through Laranjeiras, one of the city’s oldest and most charming residential districts, and into the traditional Cosme Velho neighborhood. Then, you will board a mountain train for a scenic trip through the Tijuca forest, largest urban forest in the world. At the top, you will enjoy breathtaking, 360-degree views of the gigantic city lying at the foot of the hill from the observation deck that can be reached with either elevators or escalators. Or, if you are craving a little exercise, you can climb the 223 steps up to the deck.
• After your Corcovado tour, you will have the remainder of the day to explore Rio at your leisure.

• amba Schools, or organized groups of samba dancers, compete to steal the hearts of spectators and judges alike. Samba, an African-Brazilian dance, has developed into many varieties over the past century. Since the 1930s, samba schools have competed during Carnival.
• A samba school begins with a row of greeters who salute the crowd, then ladies with large dresses gyrate, followed by singers and musicians, plus the old guard—former samba heroes—as well as many other bare-bellied, elaborately costumed dancers. These dances, costumes, and floats often take a year of planning to prepare.

• After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to the airport for your return home or to the next destination on your Brazil holiday.
• We highly recommend that you remain in Rio de Janeiro for the Champions Parade, which takes place on the following weekend. During this parade, the best of the best perform once again for partygoers who just can’t get enough of the Rio Carnival, and fireworks top off the show. Between parades, you will have the perfect amount of time to visit the nearby local favorite beach town Búzios, or the quiet island of Ihla Grande, or the many other pearls of Brazil.

For more ideas on what to do in Rio de Janeiro, see our Travel Guide.

• 4 nights at a Rio de Janeiro hotel based on US standards
• All guided visits are with English speaking tour guides
• All transfers and entrance fees
• All breakfasts