Rio's Carnival (spelled Carnaval in Potuguese) is perhaps the world's most famous celebration. Carnival is a spectacular time to come to Rio de Janeiro, especially for gay travelers! There are several gay festivals including one in front of our hotel, and people joke that everyone seems a little gay during carnival!
Experience the unmatched beauty and charm of this famous city, as well as its friendly, captivating people, known as Cariocas. Located between the mountains and sea, Rio de Janeiro is a tropical urban resort that offers delicious cuisine, terrific shopping, and stunning scenery. The beaches are loaded with eye candy as far as the eye can see, and the night scene explodes with some of the best venues and music in the world.
During Carnival, in addition to gay pool parties and large dance events, you can also join street festivals and parades all over the city; and there is an attitude of good will and harmony that pervades everything.
This trip combines the perfect hotel, exclusive Zoom events, Zoom Concierge services, plus plenty of free time to give you a vacation that is fabulous, fun, safe, and customized to your specific interests. Let Zoom Vacations treat you to the vacation of your dreams in stunning Rio de Janeiro!
This trip is escorted by Zoom Vacations owners, Joel Cabrera and Bryan Herb.
• A welcome cocktail reception and sumptuous Brazilian dinner
• A sunset cocktail reception and heli tour of Sugarloaf and Corcovado
• A stunning beach party with lunch and drinks and optional hang gliding
• 5 nights twin share accommodations at the Ipanema Plaza Hotel, the newest luxury hotel in Rio, just a half block from Rio's gay beach (located in Ipanema).
• A hearty Brazilian Buffet Breakfast daily
• All transfers to Zoom Vacations events
• Complimentary daily use of a Nokia cell phone (airtime is additional)
• Services of a Zoom Vacations Concierge throughout the trip
• Rio de Janeiro gay survival guide, complete with information on nightlife, restaurants, beaches, shopping, and much more
• Optional Sambadrome (Sambodromo) tickets. We can even arrange for you to dance in costume in the parade--an amazing experience you will never forget!
• Optional excursions such as hang-gliding, Favela tour, Tijuca Forest, Corcovado, Sugar Loaf, and Samba party tickets
• Advance ticket purchase options for the best dance events of the week, exclusively for Zoom Vacations travelers
• All this and more . . . Exclusively for Zoom Vacations travelers
Carnaval in Rio Itinerary
Day 1 - Friday, March 4, 2011 Late Evening: Welcome Dinner, Cocktails, Carnaval Brazilian Jewels on the Beach
Fashion Show, on the roof of the Ipanema Plaza Hotel. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner buffet as well as an open bar of caipirinhas, wine, Brazilian beer, water, soft drinks, and juices throughout the entire event! Dinner is at the beginning, so come at 7PM and mix and mingle with fellow Zoom travelers in a truly beautiful setting. Don't forget to bring your cameras.
Day 2 - Saturday, March 5, 2011 7 AM to 11 AM: Included Buffet Breakfast is served in the Ipanema Plaza Hotel Opium Restaurant
Afternoon: High Flying Sunset Cocktail Helicopter Party. Sip cocktails and nibble on light Brazilian canapés on Sugarloaf Mountain as the majesty of one of Rio's sunsets unveils before you to the seductive rhythm of Samba. We have even arranged for helicopters to show you Rio from the sky during the event!
Today's optional excursions include a tour of colonial Rio, tickets to the sensational Copa Ball, and tickets to Rio's best gay dance parties.
Day 3 - Sunday, March 6, 2011 7 AM to 11 AM: Included Buffet Breakfast is served in the Ipanema Plaza Hotel Opium Restaurant
6 AM - 6 PM: Handcrafts & Art Fair of Ipanema The official name is Feira de Artezanato de Ipanema (Handcrafts & Art Fair of Ipanema), but everybody still uses the original name, Hippy Market, reminiscence of the 70's. Typical foods, handmade art, Brazilian leather goods, paintings, jewelry, and many more attractions are found at this weekly event. It is the perfect place to find a souvenir with local colors. Or just walk around leisurely, and enjoy the moment. This is a short walk from the hotel, and once there, you may choose to wander on your own within the market plaza, and return to the hotel (or beach) whenever you choose. This market only takes place on Sundays.
Today's optional excursions include a favella tour and tickets to Rio's Sambadromo parade.
Day 4 - Monday, March 7, 2011 7 AM to 10 AM: Included Buffet Breakfast is served in the Ipanema Plaza Hotel Opium Restaurant
Afternoon: Zoom Oasis Beach Party It has been called an oasis in the sand. The Zoom Oasis Beach Party is an exclusive event created just by Zoom Vacations for you! Beautiful Brazilian boys, breathtaking blue water views, open bar, yummy food, hot weather, hot men, complimentary transportation, and sexy music all on the beach next to a hang gliding/para-gliding landing area on one of Rio's most beautiful beaches. And if you can't stand the "heat", take a dip in the ocean just steps away. So, bring your bathing suit!
Today's optional excursions include hang gliding, dinner at one of Rio's best-kept secrets, and tickets to an incredible dance party.
Day 5 - Tuesday, March 8, 2011 7 AM to 10 AM: Included Buffet Breakfast is served in the Ipanema Plaza Hotel Opium Restaurant
4 PM (approximately): Banda de Ipanema There's much more to Carnaval than the Samba Parade. Street Carnivals are loads of fun, free, and happen all over the city. You are more than welcome to watch and participate. Today the Banda de Ipanema takes Ipanema by storm, starting at around 4 PM at the Hippy Market (Praça General Osório). The Banda of Ipanema is Rio's most popular "neighborhood" parade, and the paraders are mostly drag-queens and others in flamboyant costumes. They come from all parts of the country and from abroad, to make it big in Ipanema. It was founded in 1964, and today it is listed as part of the city cultural heritage, attracting as many as fifteen thousand people! The end result is a whacky, wild, moving street celebration. There are many police too, ensuring that the chaos is safe and well, orderly. The easiest thing to do is to walk to the corner of Rua Farme Amoedo and Avenida Vieira Souto (the street in front of the beach). You can't miss it.
Today's optional excursions include tickets to our favorite dance party of the week.
Day 6 - Wednesday, March 9, 2011 7 AM to 10 AM: Included Buffet Breakfast is served in the Ipanema Plaza Hotel Opium Restaurant
9:30 AM - 10 AM: Paraty Travelers Only Check out of the Ipanema Plaza Hotel early, meet at the Ipanema Plaza Hotel Lobby, and load luggage onto bus for departure to Paraty. 10 AM (sharp): Paraty Departure for the group attending the Paraty add-on.
12 Noon: Hotel Check Out If you are leaving Rio today and not joining Zoom on the Paraty extension, the Ipanema Plaza Hotel will gladly store your luggage while you explore the day in Rio prior to your flight. Please be sure to put your Zoom Luggage tags on your bags to help them identify your bags easily. As the hotel will be sold out on this night a late check out is unlikely unless you prepay the night of March 9. However, you are welcome to use the showers in the gym area if you wish to freshen up before your flight home.
Carnaval is Rio's main event. It happens at the peak of summer, when Cariocas are at their best. Festivities attract thousands of people from all corners of the world. Carnaval, as spelled in Portuguese, is a 4-day celebration. It starts on Saturday, and ends on FatTuesday, or Mardi-Gras. Dates change every year, and Carnaval Sunday is seven weeks before Easter Sunday. The origins of Carnaval are unclear, but most agree that it started as a pagan celebration in ancient Rome, or Greece. Carnaval balls were imported from Italy in the late nineteenth century, and had their golden era in the thirties, with legendary balls at the Copacabana Palace, and the Municipal Theater. The Samba Parade began in the 30's - first timidly at Praça XI, and later on Av. Presidente Vargas. It found a permanent home in 1984 at the Sambodrome, in the downtown area. Today the event is broadcast to dozens of countries, and all Brazilian states. Many people think of it as the greatest show on earth.
Luxury Accommodations
Ipanema Plaza Hotel
This 4 star property is the closest hotel to the gay beach, and is truly the hot spot for the week!
Hotel Amenities:
• Bar/Lounge
• Business Center
• Concierge
• 24 Hour Front Desk
• Hairdryers Available
• Pool
• Parking
• Restaurant
• Room Service
• Safe Deposit Box
• Fitness Center
• Laundry/Valet Services
• AM/FM Alarm Clock Modem Lines in Room
• Free Newspaper
• Television with Cable
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions, specific to our trip to Rio for Carnival
Is the TAM flight upgradeable?
Currently, you will accrue miles on United and Air France. However, we recommend you check directly with TAM for their current frequent flyer partners as partnerships tend to change frequently.
Will I receive miles on a partner airline if I take the TAM flight?
Currently, you will accrue miles on United and Air France.
Is safety a concern in Rio?
Our experience is that Rio is a safe destination, and that using common sense will go a long way in providing a fun, carefree holiday.
Is Carnaval too "crazy"?
For Most people, Carnaval is less "crazy" and more organized than they expect it will be. It is a celebration of life, love, humanity, and of course Samba! It is a beautiful cultural celebration and so much more than just a party.
Do I need a visa to travel to Brazil?
If you are a United States citizen and/or are traveling from the United States, you will need a visa to travel to Brazil. You must wait until 90 days prior to arrival into Brazil before you apply for your visa, and visa forms are available on our website. We will provide you with answers to several of the visa questions before you go obtain your visa. It’s a relatively easy procedure, and Zoom is always here to help in any way possible.
Into which airport do I need to fly?
You need to fly into the Rio de Janeiro International Airport (GIG).
What day should I depart my home country?
You must depart your home country for arrival into Rio de Janeiro on March 4th. Our first event is our welcome rooftop party, which starts at about 8:00 PM. For those coming from the States, most flights depart the States the evening of March 3rd.
Can Zoom book extra days for me at the beginning or end of this trip?
Absolutely! Simply let us know the amount of days you need at the beginning and/or end of the trip, and we will book the nights you need (additional room night charges will apply).
If I am traveling as a single, does Zoom offer a roommate pairing program?
Absolutely! Before the trip, we will get to know all of our travelers, and we will use what we know about you to make the best pairing possible.
May I travel as a single without a roommate?
Absolutely, you may travel as a single and pay a single supplement, which varies depending on your time of booking.
What is the fitness level required for this trip?
This trip is easily accessible to a variety of fitness levels. None of our included activities require a high degree of athletic skill. However, your optional activities will give you the opportunity to make your vacation as active and/or adventuresome as you choose.
Is it possible to join the famous parade?
Absolutely! Zoom Vacations can arrange for you to march in the parade in costume with one of the Samba schools. The amazing costume is yours to keep after the parade!
*Land only Introductory Rate, based on double occupancy. Prices are subject to change. Need a roommate? Zoom Vacations is happy to match you with someone, at no additional charge. Or, you may pay a single supplement and go as a single.
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