How to get to de parade
The streets around the Sambadrome are closed during Carnival, which makes access difficult for private cars and street taxis. Therefore, it’s essential to reserve your transportation method in advance to avoid inconvenience.
Pick up from some specific hotels located in the neighborhoods of Leme, Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon – with the last pick up point in São Conrado (Pullman São Conrado and Gran Melia Nacional). Depending where guests will be staying, they might have to do a short walk to pick up the shuttle at a nearby hotel. This will be done together with a Blumar staff.
Pick up starts at 6:00 p.m. (exact pick up time at each hotel will be confirmed when the tickets are distributed).
English speaking guides will be available to assist guests.
Transfer from Sambadrome to Hotels After midnight, once each of the samba schools has finished its presentation (each lasts approximately 1 hour), a bus will leave from the Sambadrome to take guests back to their hotels. Drop-offs are only made at hotels located beach front of Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and São Conrado (Pullman São Conrado and Gran Melia Nacional) – therefore guests staying at other hotels should get off the bus at one of the beachfront hotels and walk/take a taxi from there.
Guests will not be accompanied by bilingual staff on the return bus ride to the hotels; Our staff will be located inside behind sectors 07 and 09, next to the entrance/exit. All of our staff will be wearing a dark blue t-shirts with “BLUMAR” written on the back and a sign written “BLUMAR MEETING POINT” so very easy to find. Also the customers will receive a carnival tshirt, which will help our team in identifying them and give all assistance to take the transfer out. (in case they wear the tshirt) Guests should speak to the Blumar staff at the Sambadrome for information and directions to the pick-up point for the return bus.
Private round trip transfer with a guide – includes pick up from hotel, drop off at the Sambadrome / pick up from the Sambadrome and drop off at hotel. Clients will be accompanied by an English speaking tour guide during the transfer. The car will be at client’s disposal during parade so they can return to the hotel at any time they choose. Clients must inform our carnival staff at the Sambadrome approximately 30 minutes before wanting to leave. This service is by sprinter with space for 1-9 passengers. Smaller cars do not have the proper license to transfers to the Sambadrome and can not get close to the entrance.
There are two taxi companies which exclusively serve the Sambadrome on samba parade days:
Coopatur-h: (21)2573-1009/3885-1000 – serves the sectors with even numbers.
Coopertramo-Ph: (21)2560-2022/1474 – serves the sectors with odd numbers.
The taxi ride will cost approximately R$150 each way.
We strongly suggest that you agree on a price with the taxi driver/company BEFORE setting off.
We do not take responsibility for any problems with the taxi companies, different rates being charged or taxi pick up arrangements not working.
The above is for guidance only as the companies may change. Updated information will only be available one month before carnival so please confirm details with your operator closer to the time.
Subway
Rio's Metro system will be working without interruption from Saturday to Tuesday.
For clients staying in the Ipanema or Copacabana areas the best option is to go from one of the subway stations in Copacabana (Line 1):
Estação Cantagalo - Praça Eugenio Jardim – Copacabana
Estação Siqueira Campos – Rua Siqueira Campos - Copacabana
Estação Cardeal Arcoverde - Rua Barata Ribeiro – Copacabana
To get to the Sambadrome clients must get off at Station Praça Onze. The ride will take approximately 30 minutes and a one way ticket costs R$4,10. From Praça Onze station it is about a 20 minute walk to the Sambadrome.