Has anyone traveled to Brazil during Carnival?

Question

Brazil is one of the destinations I want to make it to before I get all old and crummy! Has anyone ever been there during their Carnival? Any suggestions on airlines and hotels?

Answer 1

Not during Carnival but yes during New Year's eve or Reveillon.  Been twice to Rio and I've stayed in either Ipanema or Leblon as both are safer than Copacabana just as the other answerer said. Just bear in mind that either New Year (fabulous fireworks in the beach!) or Carnival, prices go as high as they want them to go as they know is a very high touristy time of the year.

Personally I'm not sure if I would like to go to Rio during Carnival time, it seems to be a very hectic time in Brazil!

Answer 2

Brit, stay in Ipanema.  It is safer than Copacabana.  You pay for what you get in a hotel.  The Copacabana Palace is sweet, but pricy.  Whatever you do, stay away from the Sheraton.  It's nice, but away from the tourist areas, and surrounded by favelas, so it's not safe to walk to Ipanema from there.  Take a direct flight from Atlanta on Delta.  Flight number 60 and 61 round trip.  Otherwise you have to stop on the tarmac in Sao Paolo and it adds 3 hours to your flight time.

Buy the book Rio for Partiers.  It's a great guide to Carnival, the city, and staying safe.

Answer 3

I spent Carnaval in Salvador de Bahia last year and it was incredible. I also went to Rio once. The difference in Rio is that you watch carnaval, in Salvador, you are Carnaval. In Rio you watch the padarde from grandstands. You have this option in Salvador too, though it is more impromptu. But in Salvador you can also buy an abadá, whcih is a shirt that allows you into the float to dance. This is an incredible way to experience the joy that is Carnaval.

Hotels are very expensive during this time, and expect to pay at least $200 a night, though it is easy to find as many people as you want to split a room with you. I rented a family´s apartment with some friends this was a nice option that we arranged through someone we encountered on the Lonely Planet message board. As far as flights within Brasil, Gol is usually the cheapest, though expect to pay much more to fly to Rio and Salvador during Carnaval. On international flights, Air Europa connects Spain to Brasil and can be reasonable. Sometimes cheap flights can be found from the US if you take a super long route on TACA, connecting in El Salvador and Lima. But otherwise expect to play high prices for flights and accomodation to Salvador and Rio during Carnaval.