Rio Carnival Behind the Scenes

Step across the threshold of the vividly pulsing Samba City and let the drumbeat lead you deep into the secrets of Carnival. This is no ordinary tour – it’s a private pass to the heart of the greatest show on Earth. Step by step you peek into the workshops where vast allegorical floats are born, where glittering phoenix wings shimmer, and over three thousand costumes are tailored to the dancers’ dreams.

In the workshops of the Acadêmicos da Grande Rio school, champions of the 2022 parade, you’re greeted by the smell of paint, the sparkle of feathers, and people who lovingly stitch on every sequin. You’ll hear stories of samba’s humble beginnings, of nights when music became freedom, and of the evolution of Carnival from street revelry to a spectacle broadcast around the world. Once you’ve learnt the history, it’s time to add your own line.

The dressing room opens: you choose a headdress, fasten a jewelled belt and look in the mirror – this is your moment in the spotlight. A passista instructor teaches the first steps; hips sway softly to the repinique, feet look for freedom, and you feel the asphalt of the Sambódromo already trembling beneath you.

An ice-cold caipirinha with a tang of lime lands on your tongue – a toast to the courage to dance and dream. You leave lighter, warmed by the rhythm, with a head full of colours and a heart beating a little faster. Are you ready to plunge into a samba adventure, uncover the secrets of the queen of Carnival and take a spark of that fire with you? Join us before the drums fall silent.

We’re waiting in Rio – let yourself be swept away by the rhythms of the Sambódromo.