Dress Codes and Customes

The Brazilian Carnival is indeed a huge party with many different types of people attending, including Rio locals, Brazilians from other parts of the country and also visitors from all over the world. What everyone has in common is they come to have a great time together; enjoying the heat of Rio de Janeiro, the beauty of the parades and the rhythm of Samba. But maybe you are wondering what you should wear to this party? Does Rio Carnival have a dress code? Should you bring a costume to Rio Carnival?

First of all, it is important to remember that Rio de Janeiro is a hot, sunny city, and it is highly recommended to take sunblock, sunglasses and summer clothing with you: board shorts, tank tops, shorts, skirts and T-shirts are perfect for this weather. Also, it is preferable to take light colors rather than dark ones, as the sun tends to shine bright the whole day. No need to bring your best clothes, or expensive items as everything is casual unless going to a high-end ball.

What should you wear to the Blocos?

A bloco is the name for the Carnival street parties that pop up all over the city. The dress code is pretty simple - you will want to wear light and comfortable clothing in the streets, as you will be dancing and probably sweating in the sun with not a lot of personal space. Colorful clothes are a must, as Carnival in Rio is always happy and cheerful, plus bright clothes make for great Carnival Photos! Accessories like funny hats, wigs, big necklaces, tiaras are very typical. You can also dress as a themed character and your options for outfits are endless! Some costumes we saw last year during our Rio Carnival Package were jesters, Smurfs, famous people, Disney characters, nuns, superheroes, firemen, playboy bunnies and historical figures. Dressing in costumes is fun, but the most important thing is to dress to feel good and if you can, to make other people feel good too!

What should you wear to the Sambadrome Parade?

Again dress to be comfortable and ready for a hot night! Our advise is covered sturdy shoes and not flip-flops because you will need to climb the stairs of the grandstands, and the floors of toilets can get a bit messy if rain hits and the water runs into them. Since it is always hot during the day, it isn't unusual for it to rain in Rio at night. The seats are not covered, so we recommend you take a raincoat with you, but not a big heavy one as the humidity will kill you, just a light poncho. Remember that umbrellas are not too kind for the people behind you!

It is not uncommon to wear costumes to the Sambadrome as well because samba parades are thematic and thousands of people get dressed in every possible way. Carnival masks are also popular at the parades and together with costumes, it gives the party a magical atmosphere. If you have Sectors 12 or 13 Carnival parade tickets you have the perfect position to score free costumes. These sectors are located at the end of the Sambadrome where the parades end and some of the performers give their costumes to the people in the crowd as they finish their run, and they are simply amazing!

Can you get a costume in Rio when you arrive?

Travelling with a costume can be troublesome, so not to worry, it is possible to buy several items at the Saara Markets on Uruguaiana street in downtown Rio, which is located close to the Uruguaiana Metro Station. There you can buy complete costumes of themed characters; but the real fun is to walk around the market and create your own, because it is possible to try on all kinds of wigs, masks, glasses, hats and even mustaches!

On the first day of Carnival the team at our Carnival help desk usually gather a few people at our Hotel location together and head on over to the Saara Markets to have a bit of fun trying on funny clothes and grabbing a few things for the blocos and Sambadrome night. So let them know if you are interested in going with them, its fun in numbers!

So is there a dress code for Rio Carnival?

What you wear to the Rio Carnival actually isn't very important, the whole idea of Carnival is to feel free and enjoy dancing and making the most of the biggest party in the world. Wear what you want, how you want, take a costume or go in your normal clothes! The important thing is to experience the unique carnival atmosphere which we can assure you that you are going to remember forever! Carnival in Rio with the Green Toad is a once in a lifetime experience, so join us for the next one!