finally, along the lines of taking a deeper look into the carnaval parades, visitors should plan one evening in the concentração - the area next to the sambódromo, where samba schools do their final touch ups and preparations before the parade.

there are many kiosks in these areas, with tables and chairs, and sitting for a couple of hours will reward visitors with a unique show of thousands of people arriving in costumes, orchestra players carrying their instruments, floats being lined up and assembled, and generally a great energy and last minute peek into the back-stage of carnival in rio.

more experienced travelers who want to get even deeper in the spirit of carnival in rio, and 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.