Rio de Janeiro

15 Best Rio Samba & Nightlife

Samba nights reward local knowledge, so this list sticks to Lapa dance halls and guided nights out where someone local runs the show. The scene has fixtures you can plan around; Pedra do Sal hosts open-air samba on Mondays, and the schools open their rehearsals in the months before Carnival. Go late, nothing here warms up before eleven.

1.Santa Teresa, Lapa, and Cinelândia With Tram Ride and Selarón Steps

Journey through the enchanting streets of Santa Teresa, Lapa, and Cinelândia to uncover hidden treasures and cultural wonders that will leave you spellbound.

Most Popular★ 4.5

“Great tour for an introduction to Santa Teresa. The tour guides are super knowledgeable and informative. Moreover, tour guides who have an alacrity for capturing these moments on camera and working angles will always get a 10/10 from me! Well worth the money”

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2.Carnaval Experience: Backstage Tour at Samba City With Cocktail

Kaleidoscopic and captivating, the 'Carnaval Experience: Backstage Tour at Samba City With Cocktail' is a hidden world of samba and celebration that will leave you wanting to join the vibrant parade of festivities.

★ 4.5

“This was top tier!! I was disappointed that I couldn't take pictures in the beginning but no big deal. I understand the reason. While the ladies were putting decorations on a piece I asked to help and they let me. That was cool. Learning all…”

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3.Rio De Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa District)

Immerse yourself in the electrifying nightlife of Rio De Janeiro's Lapa district, where each pub crawl holds the key to unforgettable adventures.

★ 4.5

“You’ll throughly enjoy this tour if you come with an open mind, good energy, and think of this as a networking event. Our tour guide Marx Castro was the absolute best! He engaged with everyone, kept us safe, and gave us a history lesson about…”

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5.Samba Class in Ipanema

Hesitant to join the samba class in Ipanema, a traveler soon discovers the hidden secrets and unexpected thrills that await.

★ 5.0

“Samba class was very fun. The teacher was very kind in repeating steps as necessary for all of us to get the moves. I highly recommend. So much fun.”

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7.Helicopter Tour – Samba – (Private Flight – 4 People)

Prepare for an unforgettable adventure as you explore the vibrant city of Samba from a breathtaking perspective on a private helicopter tour for four people.

★ 5.0

“Incredible flight over the coastline of Rio de Janeiro! My personal highlight was flying around the Pão de azucar! Amazing and friendly staff all around! Will definitely do this again at some point! 😍”

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8.Christ the Redeemer, Selaron, Cathedral, Maracana, Sambadrome Half-Day Tour

One incredible journey awaits with the 'Christ the Redeemer, Selaron, Cathedral, Maracana, Sambadrome Half-Day Tour'...and it's filled with unexpected surprises.

★ 4.5

“We picked a short 1/2 day tour due to our limited time in Rio. Unfortunately, everyone else on this tour booked the full day tour. The tour was to start at 8am and we expected to be back prior to noon. The tour started late,…”

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9.Half Day in Rio Christ by Train, Maracanã, Sambadrome, Cathedral & Selarón Steps

Embark on a captivating adventure through Rio de Janeiro, from the awe-inspiring Christ the Redeemer statue to the vibrant energy of the Maracanã Stadium and Sambadrome—discover the 'A' in an unforgettable half-day journey.

★ 4.5

“This was a great tour, even in the rain, and the guide was excellent. However, our hotel was in Ipanema and we were the first pick up. It took an hour to get to the final pick up point, Hilton Copacabana. I would check this…”

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12.Samba Night at Pedra Do Sal

Mystical rhythms of samba under the moonlight at Pedra Do Sal beckon travelers to immerse themselves in an unforgettable cultural experience.

★ 5.0

“Excellent, had a great time!!! It was the perfect girls night out. The guides were great. We learned the history of the area and danced the night away. Would highly recommend.”

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13.Historical Downtown and Lapa – Walking Tour

Peel back the layers of Brazil's political history on the 'Historical Downtown and Lapa - Walking Tour' to uncover hidden secrets and untold stories...

★ 5.0

“Disappointed that our tours booked in English were cancelled due to a minimum of 3 people needed in order to conduct the tours. The fine print does state that a minimum of 3 are needed but we would have been happy to tip more to…”

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14.Centro Historico and Lapa – Santa Teresa Walking, Historical and Bohemian Tour

Uncover the unexpected twist that awaits in Centro Historico and Lapa - Santa Teresa Walking Tour, a journey filled with historical charm and bohemian allure.

★ 5.0

“Superbe découverte du centre ville. Yvan nous a fait découvrir l’histoire de Rio pendant une journée. Merci encore à lui pour toutes ces explications. Je recommande vivement”

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5.0Rio Carnival Parade From a Prime Box – With Shuttle, Tour Guide, Food & Drink12 hours (approx.)$1,450.00 4.514 – Guided Tour to Quadra Do Salgueiro With Samba Show5 hours (approx.)$95.00 4.0Rio De Janeiro Carnival Parade Ticket With Optional Transport6 to 9 hours (approx.) 3.5Cultural Extravaganza: Samba, BBQ Dinner, and More4 hours (approx.)$130.00 5.0Tour 1 ( 8 Hours ) : Sugar Loaf , Corcovado , Old Downtown Lapa and Santa Teresa8 hours (approx.)$320.00 4.0Samba Show (Samba School Rehearsal)5 hours (approx.)$70.00 4.5Samba Lessons for Beginners1 hour (approx.)$23.66 5.0Unveil the Vibrant Rio Carnival Experience Now3 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)$128.00 3.5Samba Show Experience – Salgueiro Samba School Rehearsal5 hours (approx.)$103.39 4.5Rio’s Lively Lapa Night Tour5 hours (approx.)$100.00 4.501 – 1-Hour Samba Class in Rio De Janeiro1 hour (approx.)$85.00 5.0Tour 8(4 Hours )Tour Old Rio:Lapa ,Imperial Palace , Columbus Cafe , Opera House4 hours (approx.)$180.00 5.0Lapa and Santa Teresa Private Walking Tour3 to 4 hours (approx.)$68.67 5.0Private Carnaval Experience With Pickup: Carnival Backstage, Drink, Samba & More1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)$412.01 5.0Rio Santa Teresa and Lapa Food Samba Tour4 hours (approx.)$225.00 5.0Private Lapa Tour: Samba Circle & Botequim Food4 hours (approx.)$83.38 4.5Pedra Do Sal: Samba Party & Caipirinhas With Transfer4 hours (approx.)$65.00 5.0Samba Show Ginga Tropical With Optional Dinner3 hours (approx.)$97.00 5.0Little Africa And The City Of Samba: Where Dreams Come True$96.86 5.0Ciata Paths the History of Samba in Little Africa$34 4.0Pub Crawl in Rio With Transfer4 hours (approx.)$65.00 5.0Vibrant Rio Show: Samba & Dinner Experience4 hours (approx.)$266.99 4.5Carnival Backstage Tour – Visit a Traditional Samba School2 hours (approx.)$31.00 5.0Cultural Adventure: Football, Carnival, and Beyond7 to 8 hours (approx.)$206.06