Samba City (Cidade do Samba) Tours and Tickets

Get a glimpse behind the scenes of Carnival during this tour of Cidade do Samba. On this outing, follow your guide on a tour of the Acadêmicos do Grande Rio's warehouse, one of Rio's top samba schools, where they store their outrageous costumes and grandiose parade floats. Toast to your insider's experience with a traditional caipirinha while you learn about the history and culture of the Carnival in Brazil. Brave visitors can even try on a few feathered costumes. Round-trip transportation from central Rio hotels is included.

Experience an unforgettable day with your exceptional tour guide. I am knowledgeable, fun, smart, attentive, and passionate. I love interacting with tourists. I am fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese to ensure a seamless and engaging experience for all. We will pick you up in the morning and begin our journey in two iconic landmarks: Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf. Absorb the breathtaking views and immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of these renowned attractions. In the afternoon, the choice is yours. We can discover hidden gems, or even embark on an adventure that aligns with your preferences. Together, we will tailor the itinerary to create a truly magical day, personalized just for you. Your satisfaction and enjoyment are our top priorities. We are here to make your experience exceptional in every way possible. Let us create memories that will last a lifetime.

Rio de Janeiro is much-loved by travelers for its sun, sand, and samba, but this tour takes you deeper into the city’s history and culture. Your guide will take you to the most important places in the city’s history of civil rights and immerse you in Afro-Brazilian culture and traditions while teaching you about the struggle for the abolition of slavery in Brazil. The tour concludes at a samba school where you will learn about the engaging dance form’s history of resistance.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s biggest parties during this tour in Rio de Janeiro. See all the work that goes into this week-long party as you tour the City of Samba, a warehouse where floats and costumes are kept, and the Grande Rio’s Samba Factory, to learn about the history of samba and how to samba while wearing a traditional costume.

Discover Rio de Janeiro with our Private Guided Tours, guaranteeing a tailor-made experience in the Marvelous City. Your Tour Guide will pick you up at your hotel or meeting point to provide you with an unforgettable tour. The duration of the tour is 8 hours, and you have the freedom to choose the destinations you want to visit during this period. What makes our experience unique is that our Guide does not receive commissions from stores, attractions or restaurants, ensuring that you only explore what interests you. The Guide will contact you to define the order of visits, ideal times and share insights about each location. Or, if you prefer, you can simply relax and leave everything in the Guide's hands, making the most of the tour. Tickets to attractions are not included, as the tour is personalized, giving freedom of choice for visits. Locations mentioned here are just suggestions and cannot necessarily be visited in just 8 hours.

Nothing says Brazil like Samba, whose roots go back to the colonial days when millions of Africans arrived via the slave trade. It's hard to imagine how something so terrible could produce something so beautiful and joyous, but that’s the story of Samba told in intimate detail during this tour of Little Africa and the City of Samba. Go behind the scenes of Rio’s Carnival celebration and visit several culturally significant sites including Volongo Warf, a potential UNESCO World Heritage site.

The “‌Little Africa” tour is historically highlighted as a territory of sensitive memory, struggle and resistance of the black people in Brazil. Despite this, the city is listed as the biggest slave harbor in the history of mankind. This former harbor is an archaeological site listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage because it’s the most important physical trade of the arrival of African slaves on the America continent. It’s also a territory where the black people used to live, struggle and work. By this harbor nearly 1 million Africans disembarked bringing their values, culture and history.

Looking to experience a dose of Carnaval magic, even if you’re not visiting Rio de Janeiro during the annual festival? This tour offers the perfect introduction. Choose from several start times and travel via air-conditioned vehicle from Copacabana straight to one of the city’s top samba schools. You’ll meet dancers, try on costumes, discover floats, and enjoy a celebratory caipirinha cocktail. Then, learn insider tips during a hands-on samba lesson.

Get backstage access to the Samba School rehearsals and see the magic of Rio Carnival before it even reaches the streets. Each Samba School practices for the Carnival year-round, so experience the sounds and colour of the carnival even in the off season. Enjoy the music and dancing from a privileged position, and hear about how the schools train their dancers and musicians.

Explore the center and seaport areas, filled with history of the city and the population of Brazil. In the 'Little Africa' region, you will hear the history of slavery from the point of view of those who suffered from the Atlantic trade and their descendants, on racial issues from Rio de Janeiro, and Brazil as well as the impact and legacy of Afro culture on national identity. In the end, let's learn all about Carnaval and have some fun in the Carnaval Experience tour.

Find out more about the Rio carnival visiting areas that the public is's normally allowed to visit. Dress up in costumes, learn the basics of samba from dancers and the history of samba, see floats, taste a caipirinha and other essentials of this celebration. After pickup at your place, your guide takes you to explore the Carnaval Factory for a behind-the-scenes look. In this warehouse, see how the showy costumes worn in the parades are made. Admire the details of the floats that parade through the sambadrome. Then, head to the exhibition hall to learn about the history of samba and Rio's carnival, which has been celebrated for over a century. During the visit, feel the atmosphere of union and emotion that is felt during Carnival. Continue to the backstage dressing rooms, where you will have the opportunity to try on some costumes. To end this experience, a professional dancer will give a brief samba class. Finally, enjoy a delicious caipirinha before being dropped at your place.

This full-day itinerary includes private tours of Maracanã stadium and the Sambadrome parade venue, so visitors to Rio can get an introduction to two Brazilian cultural institutions: football and Carnival. With hotel transport and a personal guide on hand to share information and history, you’ll gain a better understanding of the Cariocas (Rio’s residents) than going alone. You’ll even have a chance to order the national dish and drink (own expense).

Do you want to feel like a football player? Do you want to live the emotion felt during the Carnival parade? So do not miss this opportunity and come on this special tour to the most famous stadium in the world, MARACANÃ and Do you want to feel like a soccer player? Do you want to live the emotion felt during the Carnival parade? So do not miss this opportunity and come on this special tour to the most famous stadium in the world, the Maracanã. Learn everything about carnival in the "city of Samba", the place where carnival dreams are built. SAMBA TOWN, carnival preparation stage.

Not everyone gets to say they’ve been backstage at one of the world’s most famous carnivals. Get your exclusive access behind the scenes and learn about Afro-Brazilian rhythms while trying your hand at the percussion instruments. Perfect for visitors looking to let their hair down and get a local’s experience of the carnival fun.