The Complete Guide to the Rio Carnival 2027: Tickets & Practical Info
Our 2027 Carnival guide: Tickets, accommodation, Sambodrome, Blocos, safety. Everything you need to know to experience Rio Carnival on your own terms, packed with the best tips for a stress-free trip with no unpleasant surprises.
The Complete Guide to the Rio Carnival 2027: Tickets & Practical Info
Scheduled for February 5 to 13, 2027, the Rio Carnival is easily one of the biggest and most beautiful festivals in the world! If there is one event you don't want to miss in Brazil, this is it. But when you start thinking about carnival, a lot of questions come up: safety, accommodation, tickets, planning, and so on... We've got you covered! We went to carnival without using an agency and we can't wait to share all our insider tips with you.
The Rio Carnival is so much more than just a party. It is the greatest show on earth: weeks of celebrations all over the city, millions of people filling the streets, and right at the heart of it all, the Sambadrome with parades from the very best Samba schools. We were there and we can tell you it goes way beyond anything we had imagined.
But a trip to carnival takes some planning. Tickets, places to stay, choosing your seats, blocos vs. the Sambadrome... there are plenty of questions and mistakes can get expensive. We went entirely on our own, with no middleman, and learned everything as we went. This guide is the ultimate summary of everything we wish we had known before setting off.
What are the dates for the Rio Carnival?
The carnival is divided into two main parts:
The Blocos: these street parties take place from mid-January until the Sunday following the end of Carnival!
The competition of the top Samba schools: Located in the Sambodrome, it runs from February 5 to 10, followed by the parade of the finalists on February 13, 2027.
What is the difference between Blocos and the Sambadrome?
Blocos are gatherings of people who decide to parade through the streets together in a semi-organized way. A bloco can bring together people from the same neighborhood, the same school, and so on. It is truly the heart and soul of the carnival: grassroots, open to everyone, and held right out in the public streets.
Just a heads-up, blocos can be a hotspot for pickpockets. Don't wear anything flashy (it's carnival anyway, so travel light ;) !), keep your phones hidden, and if possible, avoid carrying a contactless credit card.
The Sambadrome: This is usually what comes to mind when you think of the carnival. Huge floats, thousands of dancers, lights and colors everywhere, all set to the beat of samba all night long.
To attend, you'll need to buy a ticket and choose your section. On paper, figuring out how it all works can seem a bit complicated, but (having done it on my own my very first year) you'll see it's really not that bad!
The Sambadrome: This is often what comes to mind when you think of Carnival. Huge floats, thousands of dancers, lights and colors everywhere, all set to the beat of samba playing all night long.
To experience it, you'll need to buy a ticket and choose your section. On paper, figuring out how it all works can seem a bit tricky, but (having done it on my own my very first year) you'll see it's actually quite simple!
When and where should you get your tickets?
Just like booking for a concert, you simply need to go through Ticket Master. As much as possible, book well in advance. Once tickets sell out, they are resold for seven to ten times the price (sometimes even more).
For instance, we paid 200R$ per person (around 34€, which is incredibly reasonable) for grandstand seats by buying our tickets in October for the Champions Parade; an acquaintance of ours paid 200€ by waiting until 2 weeks before...
Here is the link to the official ticket office: https://www.ticketmaster.com.br/event/riocarnaval
If you want to keep things simple and avoid any hassle, you can also go through a booker. It is slightly more expensive (though still cheaper than resale prices) but it is secure, and they can also help you out with other parts of your trip planning.
I highly recommend getting in touch with: https://www.riocarnaval.org/carnival/buy-tickets-2027
How do you choose your seat?
Just like a concert, you have several categories to choose from:
There are 13 sectors spread across both sides of the parade runway, divided into even and odd sides. The best sectors are 5 to 9. These are the central sectors where the judges sit, so this is exactly where the samba schools give it their absolute all as they pass by!
Within these sectors, you will find several seating categories:
The bleachers: This is where you will find the biggest crowds and the best atmosphere! They consist of wide concrete bleachers offering an unobstructed view. They are divided into sections (from 2 to 11) and are unnumbered, so seating is on a first-come, first-served basis (except for section 9, which is reserved for tour agencies with numbered seats but a slightly quieter atmosphere). The bleachers are the most budget-friendly option and let you sit or dance while giving you plenty of space in a secure area. Honestly, we think this is the best viewpoint to take in the full beauty of the carnival.
Our quick tip: bring a small cushion if you can. The parade lasts a (very) long time and you will definitely appreciate a little extra comfort.
The reserved seats: No wide concrete bleachers here, but numbered seats chosen in advance when you buy your ticket. This guarantees you an assigned seat so you can grab food, a drink, or head to the restroom with peace of mind. These seats are not elevated but are right by the runway. While you won't get a bird's-eye view, you will get a unique experience seeing the musicians and dancers up close!
Keep in mind, these seats are only in sector 12, located at the very end of the Sambodrome runway, so you sometimes have to wait a while before the floats and dancers arrive in front of you.
The front boxes (frisas): These front-row spots each feature six numbered seats and are located opposite sections 2 to 13. Here, you can feel the beat right along with the dancers and musicians! The view is more focused, but the experience is just as incredible, just different.
Camarotes or luxury suites: If you are looking for a more upscale experience compared to the options above, the luxury suites are for you. These are the most sought-after spots in the house, offering first-class personalized service and a wide range of amenities. From here, you can enjoy the show while savoring a buffet (appetizers, main course, and dessert), along with a variety of drinks (champagne, wine, vodka, and beer), all served by attentive staff.
If you are there to sing and dance, these suites might not be your best bet, the bleachers are definitely the place to be for that!
Where should you stay during Rio Carnival?
First off, when it comes to accommodation, just like everything else, you really need to book well in advance!
Here are our two favorite spots to stay in Rio:
Casa Verde Rio: A beautiful hillside house right on the edge of the city, offering stunning views of nature, a swimming pool, hammocks, and a modern, soothing decor. You'll be welcomed by two wonderful, attentive, and generous hosts, along with their adorable little dogs. On top of that, the breakfast features absolutely excellent vegan cakes (we promise we're not exaggerating)! The rooms are very well-equipped with great bedding and air conditioning to help you get a good night's sleep in the warm weather of Brazil.
Castelo dos Tucanos: The building alone is the stuff of dreams—a small 19th-century castle built by a coffee baron, overlooking Santa Teresa. It feels more like a cozy guesthouse than a hotel, but with all the perks: well-designed rooms and dorms, a lovely outdoor area, and social events to meet fellow travelers. The neighborhood is peaceful and safe, plus it is surrounded by nature. To top it off, the staff at Castelo dos Tucanos will make you feel right at home with their 5-star service.
What's the best time to arrive at the Carnival?
Honestly, it doesn't really matter.
Unless there's a specific samba school you're absolutely dying to see, you have plenty of time! The parades start at 21h (when they start on time, that is) and go on until 3h, 4h, or even 5h in the morning!
The year we went for the champions' parade, the show didn't wrap up until around 7h in the morning!!! To make your arrival as smooth as possible, we recommend showing up between 22h and 23h30.
How do you get there?
Two options:
Public transport: This is a simple, eco-friendly, and budget-friendly option (and a festive one, since the carnival party starts right on the train!) but it can be a bit overwhelming because of the crowds. If you don't mind that, you just need to take Metro Line 1 and get off at Praça Onze station (for even-numbered sectors) or Central do Brasil (for odd-numbered sectors).
When it comes to safety, don't worry, security is heavily boosted during carnival nights.
Ride-sharing apps: In Rio, it is safer to get around using ride-sharing apps rather than traditional taxis. This makes it a comfortable and secure choice to get to the carnival, though not the fastest, due to the massive traffic jams you are bound to encounter.
How do you get into the Carnival?
Depending on your gate, you will have a specific entrance. Keep in mind that even-numbered gates are not on the same side, so be sure to check this when you arrive, otherwise you will end up taking quite a detour!
Once you are through the gate, you just need to scan your ticket, no ID required.
Amenities at the Sambadrome
Once you're inside the Sambadrome, it's a bit like being at a festival – there are plenty of booths to explore! You'll find stands selling drinks, food, souvenirs, and information desks.
Of course, there are restrooms, and you can also find free drinking water.
Some sponsors and brands also hand out cool freebies, so keep an eye out!
Tips on the Blocos
For the Blocos, you don't need any tickets. Just head to the meeting point at the scheduled start time (no need to show up early!).
To make your life easier, I highly recommend checking out the Riotur website https://riotur.prefeitura.rio/ which publishes the official schedule of the parades, along with meeting times and locations.
What should you pack for a bloco?
Good walking shoes: you will be walking, dancing, and standing around, so trust me, sneakers are your best bet!
Water: February is summertime and it gets really hot in Rio, so keeping hydrated between Caipirinhas is a must.
Sunscreen: Same thing, it is summer and you can get sunburned very quickly in Brazil. Plus, with all the sweating and getting splashed with water, you will definitely need to reapply.
Cash: Trust me, if you get pickpocketed, you would much rather lose some cash than your bank card. Some thieves even walk around with contactless card readers to swipe money just by brushing past your pocket. If you do prefer to head out with a card, make sure you have no more than 50€ on it. You won't need any more than that, and you will be much safer if someone tries a contactless scam.
And finally, lots of energy and your best smile, of course!
Keep the carnival magic alive: Visit a samba school
The best thing you can do post-carnival to keep the magic alive is to visit one of the Samba schools competing for the championship title.
You'll learn all about how the parade is put together, as well as the history of Samba itself.
We absolutely loved this tour: we got to see the floats up close and even try on some of the costumes!
The area where the tours take place isn't the greatest (though the tour site itself is perfectly safe), so we highly recommend getting there by Uber or a ride-hailing app.
