Rio de Janeiro Carnival Parade Ticket with Optional Transport
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- 6 to 9 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Attend the epic Rio de Janeiro Carnaval (Carnival) parade with this ticket for a seat in Sector 9 in the Sambadromo (Sambadrome). View talented samba dancers in outrageous costumes as they dance their hearts out in one of the world's most famous Carnival celebrations. This ticket provides a fantastic view of the parade grounds, where you'll see all of Rio's samba schools strut their stuff, accompanied by elaborate parade floats and infectious drumming. Choose one of four nights, and upgrade to include round-trip transportation from your Rio hotel if you choose.
- Ticket to the world-famous Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro
- Watch as the costumed samba dancers and floats pass by
- Listen to the drumbeats, song lyrics, and cheering of the crowd
- Enjoy the party atmosphere of the Sambadrome
- Choose the Access Group, Special Group, or Champions Parade
- Upgrade for optional hotel pickup and drop-off by comfortable shuttle
What's Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from most hotels located in Rio's South Zone (if option selected)
- Tickets to Carnaval Parade at Marques de Sapucaí.
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option not selected)
Meeting and Pickup
Arranged start time
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
Select your preferred ticket/pass option to see hours.
View tour option
Departure Point
- Sambodromo da Marques de Sapucai, Rua Marques de Sapucai, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 20220-007 Brazil
Ticket Redemption Point
Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort, Av. Niemeyer, 121 - Leblon, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22450-220, Brazil
What To Expect
Choose one of the four nights of Carnaval (Carnival) when Rio's famous samba schools compete in the Sambadromo (Sambadrome). This competition takes place in the middle of the open-air stadium, and the performers parade down a 3,000-foot (700-meter) aisle surrounded on both sides by grandstands filled with 90,000 spectators.
Upgrade your experience with round-trip transportation, or find your own way to the Sambadromo's entrance with your pre-booked ticket in hand. Make your way to your numbered seat in Sector 9 with the full knowledge that you won't be sitting in it for long—this is one of the world's biggest, most enthusiastic celebrations, best enjoyed on your feet.
Each samba school brings 4,000 dancers, along with drummers and elaborate parade floats, to compete for cash prizes, titles and the privilege of moving on to the next round. The competition starts at 9pm, and the dancing doesn't stop until dawn as six schools pass through the Sambadromo.
On the first Saturday of Carnaval, six samba schools from the Access Group compete for the following year's Special Group status. On Sunday or Monday, top schools in the Special Group perform. The five schools voted the best participate in the Champions Parade on the following Saturday.
At the end of this epic parade and a night of applauding and whistling, enjoy transportation back to your hotel, if selected.
Upgrade your experience with round-trip transportation, or find your own way to the Sambadromo's entrance with your pre-booked ticket in hand. Make your way to your numbered seat in Sector 9 with the full knowledge that you won't be sitting in it for long—this is one of the world's biggest, most enthusiastic celebrations, best enjoyed on your feet.
Each samba school brings 4,000 dancers, along with drummers and elaborate parade floats, to compete for cash prizes, titles and the privilege of moving on to the next round. The competition starts at 9pm, and the dancing doesn't stop until dawn as six schools pass through the Sambadromo.
On the first Saturday of Carnaval, six samba schools from the Access Group compete for the following year's Special Group status. On Sunday or Monday, top schools in the Special Group perform. The five schools voted the best participate in the Champions Parade on the following Saturday.
At the end of this epic parade and a night of applauding and whistling, enjoy transportation back to your hotel, if selected.
1
Sambodromo da Marques de Sapucai
Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Pay atention for different options: Ticket and transportation included OR Ticket only
- This product is non-refundable
- Pick ups for options that include transportation now start at 06:00pm, 08:00pm or 10:00pm. Option to be selected in advance. Final time will be confirmed upon collection of the credential..
- The customer must be in the lobby at the start of the hour of the selected time slot. He will be droped off at a point and must return to the same point for the return transfer that will take place at the final of each Samba School parade.
- If you do not inform our team of your desired pick up time, then we will assign you for the first available pick up time, from your hotel or closest pick up location
- Final exact times will be advised exactly when you collect your tickets as per voucher instructions, but you must select your pick up time before then. Remember you need collect your credentials for the bus transportation and/or ticket to the Parade.
- For return, buses will depart from the same spot where you were dropped off at the end of each parade.
- Please see departure and drop off points. If your hotel is not listed, you will have to go to one of these locations. The exact alternate point will be settle when you collect your bus credentials and tickets.
- Guides available only during transportation.
- Children under 5 years of age are not allowed.
- Please be aware that we offer seats for different Sectors (5, 7 or 9) on Special Group Parade days. The choice must be made at the time of purchase.
- You might be upgraded to a better sector if your chosen ticket is unavailable.
- In Sector 9 you can catch the best views from the cars and dancers passing by. This sector has marked places and bilingual attendants.
- Sector 3 is near the beginning of the Parade and near the first Samba Drums retreat; Sectors 5 and 7 (more in the middle of the Sambadrome, but with a good view of the parade). Such sectors do not have numbered seats; they are not marked and therefore free to choose.
- Departure Point: Select Rio de Janeiro hotels, if option selected; please see the full list on the View Additional Info tab. If transport is not selected, make your own way to the Sambadrome Directions: Exact times will be advised when you collect your tickets as per voucher instructions. At that time, you will need to choose a time and pickup point, as well as collect your credentials for bus transportation (if option selected) and ticket to the Parade. Hotel drop-off: Buses will depart from the same spot where you were dropped off at the end of each parade.
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Cancellation Policy
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.1
based on 22 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Amazing day out, tour guide Santos was fantastic and his knowledge was first class, unfortunately the driver William was not as his driving was erratic and angry at times.
I’m very unhappy with this as I was given the wrong information and I missed out on Carnaval., I don’t recommend using this service provider and will be requesting a refund .
Response from Host, Feb 2026
WRONG PROVIDER.
Good afternoon. We had no Carnival bookings through Viator with Rick or Richard .
We had no refund request at all concerning our operational Carnival reservations .
This is a mistake. you didnt book with us.
kind regards
Excellent experience that exceeded our expectations. Everything worked out perfectly: the show, the transportation and the overall experience. Prior to the event, we were concerned about our safety. But we’re pleasantly surprised by the tour organization. All the time we felt safe and well taken care of. We were escorted to the venue and to our sector both ways without any problems. We wholeheartedly recommend this trip to those who are a little apprehensive about the night out in Rio during Carnival. Absolute must thing do to while in Rio!
Great atmosphere
Shows started nearly 2 hours late so only managed to see 3 schools but very enjoyable experience
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Dear Customer.
Thanks a lot for the review.
We are glad that you liked the tour.
Please count on us on future trips.
Thanks.
It’s party time in RDJ all the time but when the carnival is on it’s even better , the sambrodome is a great venue, what a night
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Dear Customer.
Thanks a lot for the review.
We are glad that you liked the tour.
Please count on us on future trips.
Thanks.
Best service 🙌🏾 I will definitely book again on my future trips. Highly recommended. helpful guides.
The Carnival is just amazing. Unfortunately the organization was completely mess. The organizers had no idea what to do. We came back because someone was forgotten, we were constantly waiting for something. absolute incompetence.
WONDERFUL - made superb by BRUNO, who exemplified personal service & worked tirelessly to make our RIO Carnival a fabulous experience. Cannot praise Bruno & team enough, & without whom the event would not have taken place. From booking, tickets, to experience, all excellent. A big thank you to you all.
Directions for ticket pick-up were very clearly stated. Smooth shuttle service to and from sambódromo. Suggest you get the earliest pick-up, so that you can choose your seat. The later you go, the harder it is to find a seat in your chosen section. The seating is on cement, a very hard surface, so buy a seat mat or bring something soft to sit on. It had rained earlier, so many seats were very wet, so plan to bring some plastic to lay down for sitting and to wear just in case of rain. Everyone stands and are using their cell phones to video or do selfies, so plan on hours of standing and juggling for clear view. In between the samba school performances, there is a short break to sit down. Also had to deal with rude smokers. Make sure you eat an early dinner and bring snacks and water, unless you want to stand in lines for food and drink. There are individuals selling drinks but as crowd in seats thicken, difficult to buy or move to get out. This means make sure you get to bathroom before sitting down.
We went to Carnival on Friday night with hotel transfers. It was awesome! The dancers were amazing and the venue was well set up to manage the volume of people. Transfer to and from the venue was very efficient and would definitely recommend paying a little extra to have them. Would recommend anyone to see carnival, it was like nothing i have ever seen before!!
Once in a lifetime experience, the colors, the music, the atmosphere everything is great
The parade in the sambodrome is fantastic. The quality of the groups is extraordinary in the costumes, floats, songs, dances, number of participants. You can’t see the time pass during the crossing of each group, which lasts more than an hour!
We did not like the conditions in the Sector 9 gallery.
The seats on the stands are narrow, dirty, uncomfortable given the length of the shows. Their access is complicated when the stands are filled. The toilets are disgusting, not cleaned, the sale of drinks and food is present but not diversified.
The start time set at 10 pm, could be brought forward, given that the night has been there for at least 3 hours....
The wait between each troupe is too long, almost 30 minutes, this lengthens the total duration of the parade.
These conditions tarnish the parade itself.
The value for money is not good.
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C'était un superbe spectacle plein de couleurs et de lumières, et tout cela jusqu'au petit matin, extraordinaire.
Devoir se deplacer à un autre hôtel pour prendre les tickets + ne pas tenir au courant d'un retard de plus de 30 minutes au point de rendez-vous -> partie mediocre
Les animateurs étaient sympas mais au moment de prendre les billets je pense qu'il aurait été bien de rappeler que dans certains secteurs il n'y que des locaux, ça m'aurait evité de me retrouver seul pendant la parade
Response from Host, May 2022
Bonsoir.
Cette procédure est effectuée pour prévenir la fraude. et fonctionne depuis 15 ans. C'était dans la description et les notes de la visite.
Comme il s'agit d'un transport régulier (non privé), il peut y avoir des retards.
Merci pour votre avis et tenez-nous au courant
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