Usually Rio de Janeiro probably pops into your head when thinking of Carnival, actually every city in Brazil celebrates this traditional Catholic event in their own way. Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is throughout, yet can be extremely expensive with seats in the famous Samba Velodromo going for hundreds of dollars and the cost of standing on the street increasing every year.

The annual festival is held forty days prior to Easter as a farewell celebration to indulgences. For those fortunate enough to be enjoying a Brazil vacation during the Carnival period, experiencing this celebration is a must. The country has intense festivities that last for days. Wherever you go for this fabulous celebration, you are bound to a have a riot. Join the Brazilians during this jovial time for their largest festival of the year.

Recife & Olinda

Brazilians and visitors alike are heading north to neighboring cities. Recife is known as the largest Carnival in the country with roughly 2 million celebrators. Both are free and have an infectious old school outdoor atmosphere. Olinda’s Carnival is slightly less commercial than Recife but both are magnificent. Recife’s main event is the Galo de Madrugada (Rooster of the Dawn) which is a massive procession through the streets of seaside Recife. In Olinda the main draw is the music, where small bands of musicians wander the city streets and play harmonious sounds for everyone.

Paraty

Paraty I located between Rio and Sao Paulo. The carnival in Paraty is slightly off the radar. It is an old colonial town with stone streets and stunning architecture. But during Carnival, the town goes wild. This may be attributed to the fine cachaca they brew. One interesting tradition is Bloco da Lama, when everyone rushes to the river, covers themselves in mud, and then runs around the streets. When the festival is over, check out the nearby fishing village of Trindade as they have top-notch beaches.

Salvador

Carnival in Salvador is free for all to attend unlike Rio’s. The party lasts for 6 days and 6 nights, most days from 6pm until 5 am. The highlight of Carnival in Salvador is the trio electrico, when bands sing and dance for hours on end atop floats. Energetic fans follow along, singing and dancing until morning.

Ouro Preto

This old mining village in the mountains of Minas Gerais may not seem like a crazy place to experience Carnival, but the local students make sure that it is fun. The students sell packages that include unlimited beer, a mattress on the floor, 24-hour security, and an endless string of parties that last the entire week. Ouro Preto’s Carnival attracts a lot of young people. During carnival, the Republicas(college rented houses) are packed.

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