Carnival - or Carnaval in Portuguese - lasts for 4 days and 4 nights. It is lavish, exotic, enchanting and exuberant. The participants dedicate most of their free time throughout the year to devising the theme for the coming year and creating a new song, dance routines and of course, extravagant costumes.

The Rio Carnival is the work of the dozen or so principal samba schools in the city, with each school competing for the top spot; an accolade taken extremely seriously in Rio de Janeiro.

Locals can hire or buy costumes for very little money, or even for free, while tourists can expect to pay between $50 and $100 depending on the prestige of the samba school responsible for creating it.

Of course Rio is the place to experience the Carnival but celebrations occur simultaneously throughout the country to usher in the more restrained period of Lent.

Researchers cannot agree on the origins of Rio Carnival. Though there are reasons to believe the event transformed from the Entrudo – a mischief-making spree – into masked balls for the well-heeled Cariocas, there are those who insist that the African residents of the favelas started the tradition, pointing to the feathered headdresses as an obvious sign of its African roots.

One of the most glamorous Carnival parties in Rio is held at the Copacabana Palace.  Already renowned for its opulence and glamour, the hotel comes alive with the atmosphere of the Carnival.   The Carnival Ball at the Copacabana Palace is the place to be seen and is attended by Rio's high society.  

Copacabana Palace Hotel Carnival Package »