Samba and nightlife in Rio
A night out with a local: live samba in Lapa, a samba school rehearsal and the bars only Cariocas know.
Rio comes alive at night. In Lapa, live samba bands play in old townhouses and the streets fill up from Thursday to Saturday. From August to February the samba schools rehearse for Carnival, and anyone can join the crowd while the drummers practise.
Enzo takes you to the places that fit your night, from a quiet roda de samba to a full party, gets you in and brings you safely back to your hotel.
What's included
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel
- Local guide for the night
- Entrance to a samba venue or rehearsal
- Tips on the best bars
Questions and answers
When can you see a samba school rehearsal in Rio?
Most samba schools rehearse from about August until Carnival in February or March, usually on weekday evenings or weekends. Enzo checks which school is rehearsing during your stay.
