4 hours
E-voucher
Multiple
Overview
Following pickup at your Rio hotel, board your comfortable vehicle for the ride to the neighborhood of Gamboa, where Rio's samba scene was born. This warehouse complex holds the elaborate props, costumes, and floats for all of the city's top samba schools, which are broken out once a year for Carnival.
Walk through the Cidade do Samba with your local guide and learn about the history, culture and traditions of Carnival. Get an insider's perspective on the parade and samba competition in the Sambadromo while you walk through G.R.E.S. Acadêmicos do Grande Rio's backstage area to see their preparations in progress.
Check out the racks bursting with over-the-top costumes. Learn about the stories and legends underlying the pageantry as your guide explains Carnival’s pagan origins that began in ancient Greece, continued through the European Middles Ages in Europe and arrival in Brazil with Portuguese colonization.
Sip a caipirinha, Brazil's national drink, which might give you the courage and to try on one of the outrageous costumes before heading back to your hotel for drop-off.
Operated by
Gray Line Brazil
Ratings & Reviews
Average Rating
3.8
/ 5
5 traveller ratings
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The dedication each...
James_L, Jun 2023
The dedication each school put towards the carnival each year to make it spectacular. Also the warehouse had many great designs!
Experiencing part of the Carnaval atmosphere
Shelley_R, Mar 2020
We enjoyed the experience and the girls had a lot of fun dancing, and trying on the costume. We did have some problems with pick-up on time and the bus broke down delaying our return. Our guide was friendly, energetic and knowledgeable. I would have liked to look at the floats a little more though.
***NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BOOK THIS OR ANYTHING FROM THE SAME COMPANY**
Daniel H, Feb 2018
This was a shambles company, we booked and we're told that we needed to go at a different time to what we originally booked because CARNIVAL WAS ON THIS WEEK. We understood after all our whole trip was because of carnival. We booked this and also needed to change a few things with our holiday provider which caused a huge headache just so we could go on this excursion. We had 2 nights in the middle of a jungle before this and had no access to e-mail. And we had an e-mail the night before this excursion that it was cancelled because "CARNIVAL WAS ON THIS WEEK." Now usually I would understand but the company knew carnival was on even when we booked. I have a suggestion for this company. Just give up because you obviously have no idea how to treat your customers. I would probably understand a little more if they allowed us to book and then cancelled as they realised it was carnival but no it wasn't untill the night before that they sent an e-mail. Let me just add that prior to our trip to Rio we were 2 nights in the jungle with no access to e-mail. It was quite short notice too if you ask me. I was curious and will never use the company "VIATAR" EVER AGAIN. Please to avoid any disappointment on your holidays stay well away from this company.
Response from Host, Feb 2018
Dear Daniel H, Thank you for your review. The issue was that we had confirmed this with the Samba School where this tour takes place, however at the last minute the carnival organization rescheduled the departure of the parade cars and we were unable to do the tour. So although we had everything in place for your tour, due to circumstances outside of our control we were forced to cancel the tour. We hope you accept our apologies. Thanks, best regards, Pedro Malta on behalf of Diogo M.
Interesting and impressive
Carl v, Dec 2017
Today my wife and me (I am from Sweden) went for this tour with a perfect English speaking guide named Dandara. She was very sympathetic, as well as the other staff, and told many interesting things, some which even was unknown to my Carioca wife. It was also impressive to see the tremendous amounts of work that is done by each samba school for their parade - about 200 persons working for months to create all the costumes and building the big fantasy floats! The tour is definately recommended if you want to know more about the history and backstage work of the Rio Carnival. Carl
Response from Host, Dec 2017
Dear Carl V, Thank you so much for your review. We are happy you had such a great tour with us. The amount of work that happens throughout the year for just a couple of days of parade is very impressive. Each school works for several months on all the details so that they can be at their best at their parade which is just little over an hour per school. It is a whole industry that revolves around that. We are happy you had such a time experiencing a little bit of it. We hope to see you and your wife again in the near future in other tours. Thank You. best regards, Pedro Malta on behalf of Diogo M.
Itinerary
Cidade Do Samba
After hotel pickup, travel to the mandala-shaped Cidade do Samba, a warehouse complex in Gamboa, the birthplace of Rio de Janeiro's samba. More than 80 samba schools with 100,000 dancers participate in Carnival, but each year only the top 12 to 14 samba schools form the Special Group, aka the First League, which build and store their magnificent floats and costumes at Cidade do Samba. As you explore the complex with your guide, learn about the history of samba as well as the Carnival parade and competition in the Sambadrome.
Although Carnival explodes into action only once a year, backstage preparations continue on a daily basis. Want to know more? Head inside the warehouse of G.R.E.S. Acadêmicos do Grande Rio, a local-favorite samba school established in 1988.
With your guide leading the way, meander through the warehouse and marvel at the floats in progress. Eye the rows of racks bursting with eye-popping costumes. Learn about the allegories and stories underlying the pageantry, as your guide explains Carnival’s pagan origins that began in ancient Greece and continued into the Middles Ages in Europe before arriving in Brazil through Portuguese colonization.
Wondering how those costumes would look on you? Try them on and find out! Slip on some outrageous ensembles and snap memorable pics to upload on your social media accounts.
Finally, toast your visit with a caipirinha, a cocktail made with cachaça (sugar cane hard liquor), sugar and lime, before taking transport back to your hotel.
2 hoursAdmission Included
Location
Address
R. Rivadávia Corrêa, 60 - Gamboa, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20220-290, Brazil
Experience
Highlights
Inclusions
- Professional guide
- One caipirinha drink
- Guided Visit to Grande Rio’s Warehouse
- Hotel pickup and drop-off to most South South Zone hotels in Rio
Exclusions
- Gratuities
- Food
Additional Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- It is recommended that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes
- Minimum age to drink alcohol is 18 years
Guide Languages
English
Portuguese
Spanish
German
Italian
French
Cancellation Policy
A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.