Top Experiences in Samba City (Cidade do Samba)

The “‌Little Africa” tour is historically highlighted as a territory of sensitive memory, struggle and resistance of the black people in Brazil. Despite this, the city is listed as the biggest slave harbor in the history of mankind. This former harbor is an archaeological site listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage because it’s the most important physical trade of the arrival of African slaves on the America continent. It’s also a territory where the black people used to live, struggle and work. By this harbor nearly 1 million Africans disembarked bringing their values, culture and history.

Do you want to feel like a

football player? Do you want to live the emotion felt during the

Carnival parade? So do not miss this opportunity and come on this

special tour to the most famous stadium in the world,

MARACANÃ and Do you want to feel like a soccer player? Do you want to live the emotion felt during the Carnival parade? So do not miss this opportunity and come on this special tour to the most famous stadium in the world, the Maracanã. Learn everything about carnival in the "city of Samba", the place where carnival dreams are built.

SAMBA TOWN, carnival preparation stage.

Immerse yourself in a carnival experience!
We start with the hotel pickup to see the backstage of a carnival production. We visit one of the top 10 Samba Schools in Rio. We learn a little bit about carnival and the carnival parade. We see how beautiful the costumes truly are, and we can even try them on. We have a welcome caipirinha, the Brazilian national drink. We also take our chances on a quick samba class that you will never forget! Enjoy this unique experience!
Tour guide, tickets to the Carnaval experience and roundtrip transfer included.

Enjoy all the energy of carnival in a unique exciting night of live samba dancing with beautiful samba dancers in a special group school rehearsal. 

The samba schools start practicing for Carnival way in advance. This means composing songs, dance practicing, creating the costumes and building the floats. Some of the big schools open up their doors to visitors to come witness a carnival rehearsal at the samba school. Don’t miss one of the best things to do in the city of samba and the perfect opportunity to be part of the spirit and magic that is behind one of the biggest events in the world the Rio Carnival!

Everyday, we visit a different Samba School. Contact us in advance to find out which one we will visit today.

Roundtrip transfer and entrance to the Samba School Rehearsal included.

This super exciting 7- tour with our fun tour guide explores the world of every Brazilian´s true passions: football, carnival and caipirinha!

You will have the time of your life on this passionate adventure visiting the Maracanã stadium and its cool historical tour including a visit to the field and changing rooms, the Sambadrome parade venue where carnival happens, followed by the amazing tour at the Samba city, and learn about the history and making of our much-loved carnival !! And speaking of passion, why not try a typical feijoada for lunch? The final stop is at Bohemian Lapa, where you will have a cachaça tasting and learn about the process of our typical Brazilian alcoholic drink.

To end the tour, we suggest a drop-off in a cool local nightclub!

Learn more about the Rio Carnival visitation areas that the public is normally allowed to visit. Dress up in costumes, learn about Afro-Brazilian rhythms, the basics of samba from the dancers and the history of samba, play carnival percussion instruments, see floats, taste a caipirinha and much more.

After pickup at your place, your guide takes you to explore the Carnaval Factory for a behind-the-scenes look.

In this warehouse, see how the showy costumes used in the parades are made. Admire the details of the floats that parade through the sambadrome.

Then, head to the exhibition hall to learn about the history of samba and the carioca carnival, celebrated for over a century. During the visit, feel the atmosphere of union and emotion that is felt during Carnival.

Continue to the backstage dressing rooms, where you'll have the opportunity to try on some costumes. Professional dancers and musicians will give brief samba and instrument lessons before enjoying a delicious caipirinha.

Find out more about the Rio carnival visiting areas that the public is's normally allowed to visit. Dress up in costumes, learn the basics of samba from dancers and the history of samba, see floats, taste a caipirinha and other essentials of this celebration.

After pickup at your place, your guide takes you to explore the Carnaval Factory for a behind-the-scenes look.

In this warehouse, see how the showy costumes worn in the parades are made. Admire the details of the floats that parade through the sambadrome.

Then, head to the exhibition hall to learn about the history of samba and Rio's carnival, which has been celebrated for over a century. During the visit, feel the atmosphere of union and emotion that is felt during Carnival.

Continue to the backstage dressing rooms, where you will have the opportunity to try on some costumes. To end this experience, a professional dancer will give a brief samba class.

Finally, enjoy a delicious caipirinha before being dropped at your place.

Experience the creation of Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival from an insider’s perspective: visit the City of Samba, enter the Grande Rio’s Samba Factory, learn about the history of Samba and Carnival parades, understand the production of floats and costumes, and feel the samba fever with an authentic carnival costume, a samba class, and a Brazilian welcome drink!

Visit the most typical places of the first African cultural manifestations in the Americas. Take a new look at the two cultures, African and European, and its legacy in the arts, cuisine, dance and music, highlighting the Carnival.
• Visit the City of Samba, or City of Dreams, an area where the Samba Schools develop the floats that will parade in the Sambodrome
• Understand how celebrations of Catholic and African merged its cultural manifestations and producing the most famous Carnival in the world.
• Visit the current region of the Port, which for decades received thousands of Africans from different ethnic groups, nations, and cultures.
• Visit Pedra do Sal (Salt Stone), where the Community of Remnants of Quilombos is located and considered as Cultural Heritage.
• Get to know Valongo Wharf, the largest African point of entry in the Americas. It has been submitted to UNESCO to become World Heritage.

We will visit the City of Samba, a large complex of barracks that are destined for the Samba Schools of the Special Group of Rio de Janeiro and where the giant floats and colorful costumes are built.

Next, we will enter the Scholars of the Grande Rio see the secrets that are revealed only during the Carnival parade: How is made the production of floats and costumes. You will understand the concepts and work involved during the design process.

In the colorful showroom, we will learn more about the emergence of samba, its customs, and the origin of samba school parades. Let's pick one of the many legitimate carnival costumes to wear and photograph. Then we will have a dance class where we will learn some samba steps.

To end the tour we will try a caipirinha, a typical Brazilian drink made of cachaça and lemon.

Psst — over here. Get a good peek into Rio's Carnival on this half-day tour behind the scenes of the behemoth celebration. Travel to Cidade do Samba, where the best samba schools build and store their grandiose floats, sparkling costumes and feathered headdresses. Take a guided tour of the warehouse of Acadêmicos do Grande Rio, a highly ranked samba school, and then try on some of those snazzy costumes. You’ll gain in-depth insight into Carnival culture, and toast your inside-access visit with a caipirinha, Brazil’s signature cocktail.

Explore the center and seaport areas, filled with history of the city and the population of Brazil. In the 'Little Africa' region, you will hear the history of slavery from the point of view of those who suffered from the Atlantic trade and their descendants, on racial issues from Rio de Janeiro, and Brazil as well as the impact and legacy of Afro culture on national identity. In the end, let's learn all about Carnaval and have some fun in the Carnaval Experience tour.

Discover Rio de Janeiro with our Private Guided Tours, guaranteeing a tailor-made experience in the Marvelous City.

Your Tour Guide will pick you up at your hotel or meeting point to provide you with an unforgettable tour. The duration of the tour is 8 hours, and you have the freedom to choose the destinations you want to visit during this period.

What makes our experience unique is that our Guide does not receive commissions from stores, attractions or restaurants, ensuring that you only explore what interests you. The Guide will contact you to define the order of visits, ideal times and share insights about each location. Or, if you prefer, you can simply relax and leave everything in the Guide's hands, making the most of the tour.

Tickets to attractions are not included, as the tour is personalized, giving freedom of choice for visits. Locations mentioned here are just suggestions and cannot necessarily be visited in just 8 hours.

Experience an unforgettable day with your exceptional tour guide. I am knowledgeable, fun, smart, attentive, and passionate. I love interacting with tourists. I am fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese to ensure a seamless and engaging experience for all.

We will pick you up in the morning and begin our journey in two iconic landmarks: Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf. Absorb the breathtaking views and immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of these renowned attractions.

In the afternoon, the choice is yours. We can discover hidden gems, or even embark on an adventure that aligns with your preferences. Together, we will tailor the itinerary to create a truly magical day, personalized just for you.

Your satisfaction and enjoyment are our top priorities. We are here to make your experience exceptional in every way possible. Let us create memories that will last a lifetime.

We will walk through the most important places in the history of black resistance in Rio de JaneIro, an immersion into Afro-Brazilian culture, gastronomy and customs.

You will learn stories of important personalities who fought with all their might for freedom and the end of slavery in the country.

We are going to finish the tour close to Pedra do Sal, the place where Samba was born. A place that still has the tradition of celebrating street parties every Monday and Friday.