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Culture


CARNAVAL
Rio Carnival is a wild 4 day celebration, 40 days before Easter. It officially starts on Saturday and finishes on Fat Tuesday with the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday after which one is supposed to abstain from all bodily pleasures. It usually happens in February, the hottest month in the Southern Hemisphere, when the Rio summer is at its peak.

One of the greatest elements of the Rio Carnaval is that it not only provides entertainment for many people around the world but it also gives a chance to learn about the true culture of Brazil.

It is a euphoric event where people dance, sing, party and have tons of fun. There are many parties that take place before, during and after Carnival all night and all day. It allows someone's true heart to come out and have as much fun as possible.

Then it is Carnival all over the place, in the streets and squares, bars, clubs and all other venues, taking over the whole city of Rio and culminating in the Rio Carnival Parade also known as the Samba Parade.

NEW YEAR
It's well known that Brazilians know how to party and New Year's Eve in Rio, or Reveillon, is one of the biggest events of the year. The main party along Copacabana Beach hosts several music stages, fireworks and dancing.

The parties on Copacabana Beach are enormous. During the day hundreds come to pay homage to the Afro-Brazilian orixá, or goddess, Iemanjá, placing offerings in the sea. Music is played throughout the day, but it really kicks off around 7pm when live acts and DJs start up the sound systems on the official stages.

Three stages are set up over a 4km stretch: there is a Brazilian popular music stage playing sambas, pagodes and choros, a rock stage and another playing boleros, samba-canção and old carnival songs. At midnight a spectacular fireworks display blasts out the old year and toasts the new one. This is only the beginning, however, as people dance into the night.
One word of advice, though: you should go dressed in white, a religious tradition that is well entrenched. If you don't, you will stand out like a sore thumb.

Around two million people are expected on Copacabana beach and therefore organization of transport in and out of the area is vital. Roads are blocked to traffic from 6pm on 31 December until 4am on 1 January. There are taxis, tourist buses drop people off and urban buses have free access. To use the metro you must buy a special ticket in advance from certain stations. Check which stations will be open when you buy your ticket.

 

CULTURE TIPS

    • Dress casually
    • Avoid shirts and sarongs with the design of the Brazilian flag
    • To wear a swimmer is not considered gay
    • When going to the beach carry last things as possible
    • Rio is a very open minded city
    • No jewelry required
    • It is a must to go to neighborhood of Lapa for bars, restaurants and dancing
    • Taxis are safe
    • If you can use the metro
    • The natives are called cariocas
    • Caipirinha is the most famous drink
    • Carnaval 2012 from February 18 to 21
    • At new years eve dress white