Carnival in rio de janeiro- the biggest party on earth?
Carnival was the wildest, craziest, and most exciting week I've ever had in my life. Between all the blocos and carnival parades, I finally fulfilled a real childhood dream by going to Sapucaí to watch the samba schools perform. And somewhere in between all of that, I realized how beautiful life actually is. You don't always have to take everything so seriously.
I spent one month in Rio de Janeiro, changing accommodation six times to experience as many different sides of the city as possible.
My first week was in Ipanema, where I met amazing people, discovered Rio's nightlife, and settled into the city's unique atmosphere. Afterwards, I took a short break on Ilha Grande before spending another week in Recreio, a laid-back surf town, where my days revolved around surfing, socialising, eating, and sleeping.
You can find the full report of my Brazil journey here.
During my time in Rio, I met so many amazing people, and many of them stayed for Carnival. Everyone looks forward to it, whether it's your first or third time, you know it's the event of the year.
During Carnival, Rio becomes more crowded, busier, hotter, and more expensive. But for me, it was absolutely worth it. It's truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Even if you're travelling solo, you'll never feel alone. At my hostel, we quickly formed an amazing group and spent the next few days experiencing Carnival together. Having people you can trust is incredibly important—they'll look out for you, have your back, and make the whole experience even more unforgettable.
Carnival is probably the biggest fever dream I've ever experienced.
Sweaty and mostly half-naked bodies pressed together, the blazing sun hitting your face without mercy, huge crowds pulling you through the streets, and lots of alcohol that somehow makes you feel both energised and exhausted at the same time.
It doesn't sound that attractive at first, but it's honestly so much fun. At least for me. It's simply the vibe, the freedom, the feeling of escaping into a world without worries. The only thing you really have to worry about is which bloco (the street party) you want to go to. And once you're there, you just celebrate, drink, dance, and enjoy life.
History of Carnival
Rio Carnival dates back to Portuguese immigrants in the 18th century, who brought the "Entrudo" festival to Brazil. During the 19th century, these European traditions mixed with African rhythms and dances brought by the enslaved population.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the first samba schools were founded, and they started organizing official parades. Since 1984, the main parades have taken place at the famous Sambódromo da Marquês de Sapucaí, which was built specifically for Carnival.
Today, Rio de Janeiro's Carnival is the biggest carnival celebration in the world and one of the most important symbols of Brazilian culture. As a German I compared it to the carnival we have back home. Whenever I told people that we also celebrate Carnival in Germany and accidentally made it sound like I was comparing the two, they immediately shook their heads in disbelief and told me that Brazilian Carnival is simply incomparable.
And honestly... they're right.
While we're walking through ugly streets in the rain and freezing temperatures, you're dancing under palm trees in Rio. And the energy of the people is on a completely different level.
Where to stay?
Hotels and hostels become insanely expensive during this time. The best hostels, where you get parties, social events, great locations, and daily activities, easily cost around €100–200 per night. And that's for a dorm room with up to eight people.
For people travelling on a smaller budget, there are definitely affordable hostels to stay in Rio. But I also wanted a really good one with a social atmosphere. Pura Vida promised exactly that, and it definitely didn't disappoint.
Most people who book a party hostel actually want to party every day. That was exactly my mindset as well. As a solo traveller, you're buying the full experience. Quick access to the beach, organised activities, and being surrounded by people who are just as excited about everything as you are. Looking back today, I don't regret spending a single cent.
Choosing the right hostel or accommodation is incredibly important during Carnival, as areas like Ipanema, Centro, and Copacabana host countless blocos, staying in these central and safer neighbourhoods gives you easy access to most events, so make sure to choose your location carefully beforehand.
Outfits
You can shop carnival outfits at the Saara Bazaar.
It's a huge shopping district with hundreds of stores that all basically sell the same thing: Tiny bikinis, hot pants, extravagant two-piece sets with feathers, glitter, sequins, leather—you'll find absolutely everything there, and for surprisingly cheap prices.
The street is located in Centro, and outside of it, it's definitely not the cleanest or safest neighbourhood. But the shopping streets themselves become incredibly crowded, especially on the day before Carnival, because everyone is buying their last-minute outfits.Putting together your Carnival outfit is so much fun. There is no such thing as too much or too little.
Phone Safety
I completely understand wanting to capture this whole party with photos and videos. But that's exactly what some people are waiting for.
Always check your surroundings before taking your phone out. Use an extra strap around your wrist, or even better, bring a digicam.
Get yourself a belt bag and keep your phone hidden underneath your clothes. I carried a visible bag with only small items like water, lip liner, and a brush, while my valuables stayed hidden.
Bringing two bags—one visible and one concealed—is a simple way to stay safer.
Drinks
People go absolutely crazy during Carnival.
On almost every corner you can buy beer and Caipirinhas.There's nothing wrong with that, but always check the prices beforehand and don't let people overcharge you.
Of course, you should also keep an eye on your drink and know your own limits. I definitely had my fair share of Caipirinhas and Beats.
But honestly, I'm also really glad that I experienced a lot of Carnival sober. Even without alcohol, everything feels completely unreal, and sometimes you actually enjoy the party even more.
Blocos & Safety Tips
In general, blocos are busy, crowded, and packed with people. Whether you're following one of the music trucks through the streets or standing in a huge square with live music, they're basically one giant party. Most of the time, it's insanely hot, the sun is blazing down, and everyone is in a good mood.
Go to a bloco with people you feel comfortable around, and always share your location with each other just in case.
I can tell you that it's definitely normal to lose each other or for groups to split up during the day. That's why it's especially important to know your surroundings and how to get back safely from wherever you are.
Sometimes one street in Rio is still full of people and completely fine, and one corner later everything can look very different.
Friends and people I met had their phones stolen out of open Uber windows, ripped straight out of their hands, popped out of their phone cases during parties, or pulled out of bags without them even noticing.
People will always find a way.
Enjoy the blocos
I would choose Rio Carnival over German Carnival a hundred million times. When we arrived at my first bloco, I was completely overwhelmed by all the people.You look around, and there's one beautiful human after another. Everything is hectic, everyone is covered in glitter, and everyone is showing a lot of skin.
We just followed our Pura Vida sign through the huge crowds as we walked down the streets together.
The free street parties take place all across the city. During Carnival, there are dozens of blocos every day, with the busiest days featuring around 50–60 events across Rio. Most blocos start between 7:00 and 10:00 a.m., while others begin around midday (11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.) or in the late afternoon (3:00–6:00 p.m.). Everyone kept saying, that the blocos, early in the morning, that means sometimes 7am, are the best ones.
A few even take place in the evening, usually from 6:00 p.m. onwards. Since they are spread throughout the day, it's easy to spend the whole day hopping from one bloco to another before heading to the Sambadrome at night.
But I also have to say: it is exhausting.
You constantly fight your way through the crowds, then suddenly you need to find a toilet, and after we sat down for a little while, I was honestly exhausted.
The alcohol was hitting me, and the sun was absolutely relentless.
But that's Carnival.
The Sambadrome
I had waited until the very last minute to buy my Sambadrome tickets.
If I had booked them six months in advance, I probably would've paid less and gotten much better seats. But at the time, I had no idea which sectors were actually good, and somehow I also didn't want to go alone.
A lot of people buy their tickets months beforehand and go by themselves.
To this day, I don't know how lucky I got finding tickets for only €30 at such short notice. But one day before the parade, I finally decided to buy them because literally everyone at the hostel kept talking about going. I was honestly so happy that I could go with a group.
Especially for the Sambadrome, it just felt so much nicer to share that experience with other people.
Part of our group was also a girl from brazil, that organised our taxi to the Sambadrome for a really good price because getting an Uber at that point was basically impossible. The Sambadrome is located in Centro.
Leaving the Sambadrome can be just as challenging. Since the parade runs all night, people leave at different times, making transport difficult. Most Uber drivers are either fully booked or take a long time to arrive, and fares are usually much higher. In many cases, the metro is the cheaper and more reliable option. I wouldn't recommend walking alone at night. The parade continues until around 6 a.m., so you have plenty of time to decide when to leave.
A dream come true
The costumes, the music, the enormous floats, it was all so incredibly impressive. But what made the experience even more special was our brazilian friends reaction. For her, this was something she had dreamed about for years.
As a child, she always watched the parade on TV together with her parents, but she had never actually been there herself.
"I think I'm gonna cry when I see it," she said.
And throughout the entire parade, you could really feel how emotional it was for her. She danced the whole time and was simply happy. It's always a little exhausting waiting until the parade finally reaches your section. But it's worth every single second.
Brazilian kiss culture
Carnival is also the time when Brazilian kiss culture reaches its absolute peak. In Brazil, it's pretty normal to kiss someone without having much of a conversation beforehand and then move on to the next person afterwards.
Carnival is a very social and flirtatious celebration, and it's not uncommon for people to approach you after just a brief moment of eye contact. While this can come as a surprise if you're not used to it, it's important to remember: não é não":
"no means no" is a widely understood and respected principle.
If you're not interested, a clear and confident "no" or simply stepping away is usually enough. However, if someone ignores your boundaries or makes you feel uncomfortable, don't hesitate to leave the situation, seek help from friends, nearby security, or the police. Trust your instincts—your safety should always come first.
I'd say Carnival was my favourite week in Brazil, together with my very first week in Rio.
The people I met.
I still think about all of them.
We shared so many unforgettable moments together.
Besides spending our days at the blocos, we also ended up at street parties, a favela party, and even a huge rave. And somewhere in between all of that, I realized how beautiful life actually is. You don't always have to take everything so seriously.
I still remember one night when we came back from a street party around five in the morning. Five minutes later, we were standing at Copacabana Beach just as the sun was rising. Out on the water there were what felt like hundreds of people on SUP boards, all facing the ocean, watching the sunrise. It honestly looked like a scene from a movie.
At first we joked around, trying to decide who was actually going into the water. And then we just went. The sun rising, A brand-new day beginning. The ocean all around you. Flocks of birds flying overhead.
Life doesn't feel real.
This whole experience convinced me so much that I'd love to come back again next year.
Yes, Carnival is expensive. But I can honestly say it's one of those experiences you'll never regret paying for. The most important thing is always to look after yourself—and the people around you. Go there.
Experience this incredible energy for yourself, built up in one of the most beautiful cities I've ever been to.
Love, Anni
