carnival in rio is a special time and an oppertunity to experience the charisma, energy and intensity of rio in full force. every year the festivities are witnessed by huge crowds along the streets of zona sul and zona central, as well as the spectacle of the big samba school championship in the  sambódromo.

more experienced travelers and those in the know, who want to get deeper into the spirit of carnival, and who are curious to see the parades of the schools trying to qualify to parade in the sambódromo, could go and watch the parades that take place along estrada intendente magalhães.