Rio Carnival: Sequins & the Sambadrome (Hostel Experience)

Arrive at any time and settle into a dorm in a hostel, located within walking distance to street parties, the beach, and public transportation. Later, meet some of your fellow G Adventures travellers during a welcome meeting at the hostel. Afterwards, there will be an optional group dinner at a local restaurant.

On Day 1, upon arrival at your hostel, there will be note at the reception letting you know the time of the Welcome Meeting at which you will receive the welcome package providing a schedule, documentation/vouchers, and pick-up times for all included activities. It also will contain contact information, should you have any questions about your tour. We have reserved 6-bed dormitory rooms at a hostel, located within walking distance to street parties, the beach, and public transportation. Please note that the dorms are mixed gender but we will do our best to separate the rooms by gender for people not travelling together.

Included Experiences

• Connect With New Friends: Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.
• Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Explore Experiences

The day is yours to explore the city. You can go to the beach, or head out on a favela tour. G Adventures staff will keep the group updated and in the know regarding the hottest Carnival street parties — opt in at any time using your included subway pass. Take part in Rio’s famous Carnival street parties (blocos) together with your CEO. Locations vary daily and your included subway pass gives you access to different celebrations across the city.

On days 2, 4, and 5 you will be able to use your included subway pass to go to different street parties during Carnival.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Use your free time to hit the beach or try optional activities like watching a football game, or going on a city tour. Opt to join the various street parties in the area with your CEO and members of the group using your public transportation/subway pass.

Optional Experiences

• Rio Hang Gliding : Glide like a bird on this exhilarating and inspiring air adventure. Get all the guidance you need to go airborne with your instructor, and take to the skies for an unbeatable experience and amazing views of this incredibly picturesque city. Careful – you may become addicted to the freedom of flying!
• Favela Tour: Get a feel for what life in a Favela is really like. We take you to the top of the Rocinha Favela and then descend on foot. On the way down, you get a unique insight into the vibrant spirit of the people, especially the kids.
• Rio Football Game: If it's a game day, catch a football match (or some call it soccer). Watch the locals cheer for their team and join in the celebrations. Please note the pricing for this activity is approximate and could vary slightly on the ground when booked.

Enjoy a city tour that visits some of the city's best features including Sugar Loaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer. Admire the cityscape from different viewpoints and be sure to snap a few photos. After, you will have some free time to get ready for the huge private G party on Copacabana beach, be sure to put on some purple flair.

Included Experiences

• Purple Beach Party: Take Carnival to the next level with a party on Copacabana beach with all your new G Adventures friends. We have organized a private party at a beach bar with music blaring, sun shining and tons of fun to be had.
• Rio de Janeiro City Tour (Private): There’s so much to see and do in this vibrant city pulsing with passion, music and the waves of the sea. Take a city tour and visit some of Rio’s hot spots. Visit the art deco statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain, the colourful Lapa Steps and the Rio Cathedral. Ride a cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain and marvel at the magnificent views of the bay, city and beaches beyond.

Explore Experiences

Spend the day exploring on your own. In the evening, head to the Sambadrome to watch the parade, dance with friends and admire the flashy costumes passing by. Take part in Rio’s famous Carnival street parties (blocos) together with your CEO. Locations vary daily and your included subway pass gives you access to different celebrations across the city. Take it slow today because the parade lasts all night. This evening between 6-7:30, travel with your CEO via metro to the Sambodrome. You will watch the parade from reserved seating in section 10. After the show, return to your accommodation by metro accompanied by your CEO. Samba schools are associations of people from the same neighbourhood or community (favela) who get together on a regular basis for samba meetings and rehearsals. Samba schools provide valuable jobs to the community in the production of costumes and floats. Each year, schools choose a different theme and may take to the parade from 3,000 to 5,000 members, and 6 to 8 floats. They have to make it through the runway in a period from 60-80 minutes, which means each member will spend only about 25-30 minutes inside the Sambodrome.

On days 2, 4, and 5 you will be able to use your included subway pass to go to different street parties during Carnival.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: In the morning enjoy free time to explore on your own, partake in optional activities, or attend more street parties for Carnival with your CEO.
• Carnival Parade: The Samba Schools Parade is something that everybody has to experience at least once. Watch the parade from inside the Sambadrome, marvelling at the outrageous costumes, arresting beats, and soulful rhythm of this incredible competition. Cheer on a favourite samba school as their floats make their way past you down the samba runway in an unbelievable parade of colour, movement and sound that lasts all night. When Carnival magic takes over, the Sambodrome is the setting for the greatest show on earth.

Free day to relax and recover from a late night out. In the afternoon or evening, the brave and strong can opt to join your CEO for more Carnival street parties. Take part in Rio’s famous Carnival street parties (blocos) together with your CEO. Locations vary daily and your included subway pass gives you access to different celebrations across the city.

On days 2, 4, and 5 you will be able to use your included subway pass to go to different street parties during Carnival.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Enjoy a relaxing day to recover from the all-night party. If you are feeling up to if after a morning of rest, there will be an opportunity to attend one final Bloco this evening with your CEO and group to revel in the loud, chaotic, colourful atmosphere that is Carnival!

Depart at any time.