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

“Daniel our tour guide really took care of us. He was very kind and accommodating. He knew the good places to go and got us some great pictures! We almost took our twin toddlers and I'm glad we didn't because it was not suitable for…”

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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

“The only improvement would be to do separate tours for English and Portuguese. Telling each story in both languages, one stba time, means half the group is standing around doing nothing..other than that it was perfect.”

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4.Ginga Tropical – Brazilian Samba and Folklore Show

Journey into the heart of Brazil's rich cultural tapestry with the enchanting Ginga Tropical show, where samba and folklore intertwine in a mesmerizing display.

★ 4.5

“Wonderful experience of vivid colours, rhythms, energetic dance and excellent dancers skills! The essence of Brasil and it's people! Combination of brasilian culture, history and spirit. It's a must to see and fell all the vibes! It's easy to get there by taxi or uber,…”

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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

“Gabby was a great instructor. She made the steps easy to learn and gave a little extra help to those that needed more attention. I like how we got to try on a Carnival costume at the end and take pictures. An added bonus is…”

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6.Samba Class and Samba Night Tour in Rio

Discover the secrets of samba and the vibrant nightlife of Rio de Janeiro on the Samba Class and Samba Night Tour - an experience you won't want to miss.

★ 5.0

“Super fun night! Lesson was lots of fun and club was great! Excellent experience if you are looking for a fun night and something a little different to do!”

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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

“An incredibly thrilling experience! I never imagined I would feel this excited. Riding a helicopter over Rio de Janeiro is an exceptional journey, offering breathtaking views of all the important sights. The sweeping vistas of the city's iconic landmarks, from Sugarloaf Mountain to Christ the…”

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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

“This tour was a great way to see the city and make it up to the Christ Reedemer statue. The views are amazing from the top and it is a must! Well worth the money. The trip lasted about 5 hours and our guide was…”

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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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10.Walking Tour of the Bohemian Neighborhoods of Santa Teresa and Lapa

Yearning for an adventure into the heart of Rio de Janeiro's artistic soul?

★ 5.0

“Lorena our guide made this walking tour very enjoyable and informative. From the meet and greet from our hotel, the subway and tram plus the walking tour, we felt in good hands safe and relaxed. I’m n was a super fun half day and we…”

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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

“Great people, Great music and drinks. We learned a lot about Rio's history, met wonderful people and had lots of fun. Also have the options for some food and stay longer.”

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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

“Really enjoyed the free walking tour in Rio. Our guide was really friendly and welcoming and very informative of the area. The tour took 3 hours but felt very quick in a good way as I really enjoyed it. There was time for a quick…”

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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