Planning on going to Rio for Carnaval 2003. Never been to Brazil before. Where would you suggest staying (I'm thinking Copa)? Also, are there lots of street festivals/parades all over the city and is it possible to even get to the normal tourists destinations (Corcovado, Sugar Loaf, etc) during this time. Thanks for any and all info!

I was in Rio for the pre-carnaval and then went to Maceio for the Carnaval celebrations. If you are looking for the big parade type celebrations I think Rio is the place. If you prefer the street music trios with a safer more local feel, I'd suggest the NE like Maceio or Natal.<BR><BR>If available, I like the Ipanema Inn just behind Ceaser Park in Ipanema.<BR><BR>Have fun.

Check out the Debret Hotel on Copacabana. WWW.DEBRET.COM. Nice older hotel right on the beach in the middle of all the action and great rates.

The city will be calmer during carnival, with less traffic, emptier beaches, as many locals go away, to the beach or mountains, vacationing.<BR><BR>There is the so called " banda", the "banda de Ipanema", "banda da Miguel Lemos" ( a street in Copacabana), "banda do Leblon", " "banda do Leme", etc, etc, which are what you call street parades: ordinary people wear costumes ( or just shorts and tops, or even bathing suits), and follow a small band by the streets of a given neighborhood, dancing and singing, and anyone can participate for free.<BR><BR>The biggest party, however, happens at the Sambodromo, the "Samba Schools Parade". It's a great spectacle, worth of being seen. You'll have to buy a ticket to watch it.<BR><BR>Many tourists prefer Copacabana, some others like Ipanema, or even Leblon. These smaller, informal street parades called "banda" happen in all these neighborhoods. I'd say Leblon and Ipanema are more upscale than Copacabana, although some think there's more fun in the latter.<BR><BR>I'd say the Corcovado and Sugar Loaf cable car are working as usual, but I'm not sure. You'd have to check on this.<BR>

Thanks for the replies, really appreciate them! If anyone has more to add, please do.

Hello jdl..<BR><BR>You have just gotten some answers from other users of this board, but maybe you can still need any advice about Brazil-inespecial Rio de Janeiro?<BR><BR>I am a german, frequently Brazil traveller(have been in Brazil 14 times, know a lot of places there and experienced Carnival in Rio two times!!!) and as my favourite city is Rio de Janeiro I would be glad to help you with insider-advice..<BR>please write to the E Mail adress above and ask what you want, I will try to answer, okay??<BR><BR>Oh, Surlok was not sure about the cable cars from Sugar Loaf, ..<BR>they were closed this April-Jule 2002..<BR>but they reopened it in July 2002 , so no problem!<BR><BR>Greetings<BR>and hope to hear from you..<BR><BR>Evelyn

Thanks for the replies. If anyone has<BR>any more to add, please do!

Just wanna bring this topic back.<BR>Is anyone else planning on going?

hey joe, im thinking of going over for the rio carnival too, coming from London UK.<BR><BR>things are still a bit hazy right now, but just checking out the flights and hotels, etc<BR>