This was my first Carnaval staying basically in Lapa and city center. As a Gringo, certain elements were disapointing, mostly so the Bola Preta parade on the first saturday of the Carneval. Bola Preta parade is the most popular one, with estimate of up to 2 and a half million, and considered a must see. I do not know, however, if it primarily became a must see after it had become the largest parade. For me, again as a Gringo, the music was very dull. Lacking toilets you can not drink, and with so many people one really can´t move around at all.
The most positive experience - of which there were many, including daily free concerts next to the archs - was concerts with the Samba School bands. For R$50 one got access to live show at Circo Voador right next to the Archs. If you think of Carneval as dancing mulattas and catchy rhytmic music, THIS was the place to be with the most famous bands in the city, including Beija-Flor, which was an amazing experience. Unlike when listening to the street bands, you also have easy access to toilet. Easy access to toilet means you can drink plenty and enjoy.
For more information about this city visit our Rio de Janeiro guide.
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