A Guide to the Carnival in Rio De Janeiro
Staying in Rio de Janeiro during the famous carnival season is a wonderful experience for travelers and the city is a hugely popular celebration so backpackers should ensure booking their Rio de Janeiro hostels in advance.
A cacophony of sights, sounds and serious partying in the streets make this an event that anyone traveling on a budget can enjoy.
To make sure none of the fun is missed, here is a guide to explain and inform the uninitiated.
Rio de Janeiro Carnival (or Carnaval as it is spelt in Portuguese) takes place over four days, with Carnival Sunday always falling seven weeks before Easter Sunday.
The extravaganza begins on a Saturday and ends on Fat Tuesday and is on a different date every year.
This year the Carnival will take place from 20th February 2009 through to 24th February 2009.
It is believed that Carnival started out as a Roman or Greek pagan festival and was imported to Brazil's capital city from Italy in the 19th century.
By the early 20th century the decadence of carnival spirit had really taken hold.
From the 1930s to the 1950s Carnival evolved into an international event drawing crowds from around the world to witness the balls in Copacabana Palace and Municipal Theater.
These days, televised images of Rio de Janeiro Carnival are projected onto TV screens around the world for millions of people worldwide to enjoy.
Backpackers visiting Rio at this time of year can immerse themselves within one of the cities famous street carnivals, which are not only highly enjoyable but are an amazing free experience.
Neighborhoods throughout Rio will see the most popular Bandas or Blocos, which is an orchestra, leading enthusiastic and flamboyantly-dressed samba dancers through the local streets from late afternoon.
Banda de Ipanema is the traditional warm-up that is performed by drag artists and children with Rio's South Side banda.
The phenomenal sight is sure to be the highlight in any backpacker's trip to the city.
Carnival balls and the spectacular Samba parade, described as the greatest show on earth, present the opportunity for music-fuelled hours of dancing.
Tickets come at a price though and travelers on a budget may wish to content themselves with watching the events unfold from their Rio de Janeiro hostel.
Travelers to the Rio de Janeiro Carnival can ensure their four days of fun is trouble-free by taking care with their valuables, carrying some water and snacks and avoiding the temptation to over-indulge!
A cacophony of sights, sounds and serious partying in the streets make this an event that anyone traveling on a budget can enjoy.
To make sure none of the fun is missed, here is a guide to explain and inform the uninitiated.
Rio de Janeiro Carnival (or Carnaval as it is spelt in Portuguese) takes place over four days, with Carnival Sunday always falling seven weeks before Easter Sunday.
The extravaganza begins on a Saturday and ends on Fat Tuesday and is on a different date every year.
This year the Carnival will take place from 20th February 2009 through to 24th February 2009.
It is believed that Carnival started out as a Roman or Greek pagan festival and was imported to Brazil's capital city from Italy in the 19th century.
By the early 20th century the decadence of carnival spirit had really taken hold.
From the 1930s to the 1950s Carnival evolved into an international event drawing crowds from around the world to witness the balls in Copacabana Palace and Municipal Theater.
These days, televised images of Rio de Janeiro Carnival are projected onto TV screens around the world for millions of people worldwide to enjoy.
Backpackers visiting Rio at this time of year can immerse themselves within one of the cities famous street carnivals, which are not only highly enjoyable but are an amazing free experience.
Neighborhoods throughout Rio will see the most popular Bandas or Blocos, which is an orchestra, leading enthusiastic and flamboyantly-dressed samba dancers through the local streets from late afternoon.
Banda de Ipanema is the traditional warm-up that is performed by drag artists and children with Rio's South Side banda.
The phenomenal sight is sure to be the highlight in any backpacker's trip to the city.
Carnival balls and the spectacular Samba parade, described as the greatest show on earth, present the opportunity for music-fuelled hours of dancing.
Tickets come at a price though and travelers on a budget may wish to content themselves with watching the events unfold from their Rio de Janeiro hostel.
Travelers to the Rio de Janeiro Carnival can ensure their four days of fun is trouble-free by taking care with their valuables, carrying some water and snacks and avoiding the temptation to over-indulge!
