Brazil Packages: Rio Carnival Tour

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Carnival fever is here! Thousands of bare-bellied dancers bejeweled from head to toe in sparkling sequins gyrate to the rhythms of the Brazilian samba. Gilded parade floats adorned with acrobats, dancers, and musicians crawl through the Sambodromo stadium. Thousands of party-goers cheer from the stands for their favorite samba schools. This is the Rio Carnival, the peak of Brazilian cultural festivities and arguably the greatest show on earth.

Beginning on Ash Wednesday, this week of festivities known as Carnaval in Portuguese has roots in the centuries-old Portuguese pre-Lent masquerades. Rio de Janeiro, formally the capital of Brazil during the colonial era, has become the capital of Carnival since the 1930s. Preparations have become year-long affairs: samba schools begin planning their floats, costumes, and routines months in advance. Nearly 70,000 people flock to the Sambodromo, a stadium in the heart of the city built specifically to host the Carnival parade, to cheer on the several samba schools over the course of several days. The samba schools, traditionally organized by dancers in a neighborhood nightclub, have become enormous groups, the smallest of which include 1200 participants.

Throughout the city during Carnival week, festivities continue day and night. Street bands compete, masquerades are held in hotels and nightclubs, and nearly every Carioca, or Rio resident, is decked out in an elaborate costume – or lack thereof. The music, song, dance – everything that is Carnival – will ring in your ears long after the festivities.

Day 1 : Arrival to Rio de Janeiro
Day 2 : Corcovado Tour
Day 3 : Rio Carnival
Day 4 : Rio Free Day
Day 5 : Departure from Rio de Janeiro

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Day 1 : Arrival to Rio de Janeiro

• Upon arrival to the Rio de Janeiro airport, you will be met by a Brazil For Less representative who will take you to your comfortable Rio hotel.
• 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.

Day 2 : Corcovado Tour

• 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 an icon 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.

Day 3 : Rio Carnival

•  Samba 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.  

Day 4 : Rio Free Day

Day 5 : Departure from Rio de Janeiro

Top Pick Rio de Janeiro Hotels

JW Marriott Rio 5*

Avenida Atlantica 2600 , Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro

One of the premier Copacabana Hotels in Rio de Janeiro, the excellent JW Marriott Rio exquisitely captures the enrapturing spirit of Rio de Janeiro. Guests will truly feel on top of the world as they soak up Rio’s magic from the hotel’s rooftop terrace and enjoy breathtaking views of the Sugarloaf Mountain and Corcovado from the swimming pool. Copacabana’s newest 5-star hotel, the JW Marriott Rio does not fall short of comforts with a Spa & Fitness Center, Mediterranean and Japanese gourmet restaurants, and a fully equipped business center. All 245 rooms are equally luxurious, elegantly furnished, and feature the latest modern amenities, including wireless internet, phone, work desk, 24h room service, newspaper delivery, and much more. Awarded as “Brazil’s Leading Hotel” by the World Travel Awards in 2009, and voted as one of the “World’s Best Places to Stay” by the Conde Nast Traveler, the JW Marriott has everything to offer for your utmost comfort and to make your stay in Rio an unforgettable experience.

Restaurant Gym Swimming Pool Room Service Laundry Service Parking Spa Internet Gift Shop

JW Marriott Rio Photos & Info »

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Excelsior Copacabana Hotel 4*

Avenida Atlantica 1800
Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro

A member of the Windsor chain, the very pleasant Excelsior sits on a wide corner offering excellent ocean views. Rooms either have a side view (superior) or a full ocean view (frentemar). All are elegantly furnished, spotless, and very well maintained. The best rooms are the deluxe suites that take up the entire corner and offer both side and full ocean views (luxo frentemar). The suites also come with spacious bathrooms, Jacuzzi tub, flat screen TV, and a king-size bed. The hotel also throws in free local calls, free parking, and an excellent breakfast buffet. The rooftop swimming pool and terrace are also a great place to unwind after a long day of exploring Rio’s many attractions.

Restaurant Room Service Gym Swimming Pool Laundry Service

Excelsior Copacabana Hotel Photos & Info »

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Martinique Copa Hotel 3*

Rua Sa Ferreira, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro

The Martinique is the newest budget option of the Windsor chain, offering excellent services at great value. Located just around the corner from the Miramar, the hotel is only half a block off the Avenida Atlântica, within walking distance from Rio’s best shops, restaurants, and bars. The hotel comprises two buildings gutted and joined together, making for some mazelike hallways, and is brand new, offering top-notch and modern amenities. It also boasts a rooftop pool and sun deck.

Restaurant Room Service Laundry Service Swimming Pool Parking

Martinique Copa Hotel Photos & Info »

See all Rio de Janeiro Hotels

• 4 nights at a Rio de Janeiro hotel based on US standards
• All tours stated in the itinerary with English-speaking guides
• All transfers and entrance fees
• All breakfasts

Rio de Janeiro

• Samba and Dinner Show
• Half-day Petropolis Tour
• Full-day Tropical Island Tour
• Half Day Sugarloaf Tour
• Favela Jeep Tour
• Paraty Bike Tour

Samba and Dinner Show

This tour begins with a ride along the beautiful beaches of Rio. Afterwards, you'll enjoy a delicious dinner while watching a spectacular Brazilian samba show and experience the rhythm that pulses through the veins of every Brazilian.

Price per Person	$ 149

Half-day Petropolis Tour

Take a beautiful trip to Petropolis climbing the "Orgaos" Mountains. Each curve will bring you different spectacular sights of lush subtropical vegetation and mountain views. In Petropolis, the famed summer resort city, you will visit the former Palace of the Emperor, Dom Pedro II, today the Imperial Museum. There you will be able to admire the beauty of the antique furniture, jewelry, and tapestries.

After this visit, you will see the best example of Gothic Cathedral called Sao Pedro de Alcantara, built in honor of the Emperor of Brazil, where you will be able to admire the tombs of the Imperial Family. You will also get a chance to visit the Quitandinha Palace. This luxurious residence was opened in 1944 and experienced fame as a Hotel and Casino until 1946 when gambling was prohibited in Brazil. It is now a Convention and Tourist Center, keeping the old architecture with ballrooms, galleries, theater, convention center, and balconies.

Price per Person	$ 89

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Full-day Tropical Island Tour

Tropical Island has been acclaimed as one of the most charming attractions in the entire Rio area. You’ll meet your guide at your hotel and drive for approximately 1.5 hours through numerous fields, banana plantations and villages along the way to the small fishing village of Itacurussa.

There you’ll embark on a "Saveiro" (schooner from the northeast of Brazil) for a leisure cruise in the calm waters of the Sepetiba Bay. Stop for swim on a deserted island, and then continue to a private island to enjoy a tantalizing buffet luncheon served in a tranquil and rustic atmosphere. After the meal, guests will be free to explore the island's charm by strolling along the beach, swimming or just working on their Rio tan. Special features can be arranged to enhance the day even more: treasure hunt, beach Olympic games, snorkeling, water skiing, etc.

Price per Person	$ 129

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Half Day Sugarloaf Tour

You will meet your guide at your hotel to begin this exciting tour of downtown Rio and the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain. First, you will visit the Sambodrome, where Samba schools perform during Carnival, and then continue to the Metropolitan Cathedral, famous for its distinctive conical form.The next stop is Cinelândia Square, which features historical buildings, the Municipal Theater, the National Library, and the National Museum of Fine Arts.

Finally, you will be taken to the neighborhood of Urca where one of Rio's most iconic symbols is located: the Sugar Loaf. This visit is made in two steps by cable car. The first cable car takes passengers to Urca Hill which is 215 meters high and from where one can take in beautiful views of the Guanabara Bay and its islands, the Rio-Niterói Bridge, and Corcovado hill. From this stage, a second cable car will be taken 395 meters up to the top for splendid views of Copacabana beach, the Santa Cruz fortress, and the beaches of Niterói.

Price per Person	$ 99

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Favela Jeep Tour

 

This unique tour of one of the famed favelas in Rio de Janeiro offers travelers a glimpse into a side of Rio that visitors rarely get to experience. Santa Marta is one of the first communities in a program designed to welcome tourists to the favelas; poor but culturally vibrant neighborhoods where a strong sense of community has inspired a long tradition of music and art.

Santa Marta is located on Dona Marta Hill, officially part of Botafogo, in Rio de Janeiro. The residents refer to the district as Santa Marta because of the image of the saint which has adorned the inside of the chapel at the top of the hill since the beginning of the twentieth century.

Believe it or not, you may have already had a quick view of this neighborhood if you saw Michael Jackson’s music video for They Don’t Care About Us, meant to draw international attention to the residents of these communities. There are plans to build a statue of the famous pop star in one of the places he used for filming, Beco do Curió, beside the church of Assembly of God on the terrace of the district’s Culture House.

On this three hour tour, you will be picked up from your hotel by jeep, and driven to the neighborhood. From here you will stop at the elevator turret and see the place where Michael Jackson filmed, before walking through the streets to the residents’ association. On your way back to your hotel, the driver will take a picturesque route near the Lagoon. 

Price per Person	$ 69

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Paraty Bike Tour

 

On this half-day biking tour, you will get the chance to discover Paraty’s beautiful streets and outskirts. You will ride a mountain bike and follow one of various routes throughout town. You can ride up to Jabaquara beach, where stands the Forte Defensor Perpetuo, former fortress built to defend the city against pirate raids, now turned into a museum. From there, you can enjoy spectacular views of the bay and historical center. You can also ride your bike into the lush Serra da Bocaina National Park and see some of its waterfalls, or follow the routes to some nearby beaches. Note: Maps with routes will be handed to you when you rent your bike, and it is up to you to decide where you want to go.On this half-day biking tour, you will get the chance to discover Paraty’s beautiful streets and outskirts. You will ride a mountain bike and follow one of various routes throughout town. You can ride up to Jabaquara beach, where stands the Forte Defensor Perpetuo, former fortress built to defend the city against pirate raids, now turned into a museum. From there, you can enjoy spectacular views of the bay and historical center. You can also ride your bike into the lush Serra da Bocaina National Park and see some of its waterfalls, or follow the routes to some nearby beaches. Note: Maps with routes will be handed to you when you rent your bike, and it is up to you to decide where you want to go.

Price per Person	$ 69