Carnival in Brazil: Rio, Salvador or Olinda?

Every year, in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday, Brazil moves to the rhythm of Carnival. In 2027, the official festivities will run from Saturday, February 6, to Tuesday, February 9, but in many cities the street blocos get going several weeks earlier. Three cities stand out, each with its own atmosphere.

Rio de Janeiro: the samba school spectacle

In Rio, Carnival is first and foremost the parade of the major samba schools at the Sambódromo: thousands of dancers, monumental floats and extravagant costumes, in a competition the whole country follows. You can watch from the grandstands or the boxes or, if you’re feeling adventurous, parade yourself with a school.

But Rio’s Carnival also happens in the streets, with hundreds of blocos livening up the neighborhoods from morning to night, each with its own music and its own crowd.

Salvador: the party in the streets

In Salvador, you don’t watch Carnival, you live it. The trios elétricos, trucks turned into stages where the biggest names in Bahian music perform, crawl along the Barra-Ondina and downtown routes, followed by enormous crowds. You can follow a trio inside its cordon wearing an abadá, or watch the parade from a camarote, a grandstand with services.

Brazil Vip tip: Salvador’s Carnival is intense and very crowded. To enjoy it without stress, we recommend a camarote, at least for one or two evenings, and accommodation close to the parade routes.

Olinda and Recife: traditional Carnival

In Pernambuco, Carnival keeps a more popular, traditional character. In the colorful lanes of Olinda, a colonial town listed by UNESCO, people dance the frevo behind giant puppets called bonecos. In Recife, the Galo da Madrugada, one of the largest blocos in the world, kicks off the festivities on Saturday, and maracatu drums echo throughout the historic center.

• Rio de Janeiro — The vibe: grand spectacle and neighborhood blocos — Best for: those who want to see the samba schools
• Salvador — The vibe: a giant street party around the trios elétricos — Best for: music lovers who don’t mind crowds
• Olinda and Recife — The vibe: traditions, frevo and giant bonecos — Best for: those looking for a more authentic Carnival

Planning your Carnival

Carnival is the most sought-after time of the year. Hotels often require a minimum stay of four or five nights, prices rise sharply, and the best seats at the Sambódromo or in the camarotes sell out fast. You need to plan several months ahead, ideally starting the summer before.

Think about after Carnival, too: a few days of rest on the beach, in Ilha Grande, Morro de São Paulo or Porto de Galinhas, is the best way to end the trip.

Brazil Vip tip: During Carnival, travel light: a little cash, a copy of your passport, and your phone safely tucked away. And drink plenty of water, since heat and partying don’t always mix well.