no alt text

Bucket list experience:

Man and woman embrace in dance

Last updated: 09 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Alex Robinson

Rio is the city of Samba you‘ll hear the music everywhere, in all its diverse forms. Like jazz, samba takes many forms – from the visceral, multi-drum beat which powers Carnival to the gentle sway you’ll hear in intimate clubs and restaurants throughout Rio.

The best place to sample it is Lapa, on a weekend night. The neighbourhood is crammed with arty little boho clubs – set in converted costume warehouses, historic Belle Epoque mansions and tiny hole-in-the-wall bars. Cariocas and foreigners gather here – to swing together on the dance floor and congregate outside on the cobbled streets, fuelling the fun with icy caipirinha cocktails and draught chope beer.

Price: Free
Minimum age: 18
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around
Duration: -

Getting there & doing it

Take a taxi – there are no metro stations within easy walking distance and the surrounding area can be unsafe at night. A taxi should take 10 minutes from Santa Teresa, 20 minutes from Copacabana and 30 minutes from Ipanema.

Lapa has plentiful pickpockets and thieves; don’t walk down empty streets. Locals in Rio never dress up – wear pretty much what you like but avoid flip-flops.

When to do it

Most clubs are open every night of the week, except Sunday and Monday, but the party really happens in earnest from Thursday to Saturday. Aim to arrive after 9pm, when the crowds start to gather. Things wind up some time after 3am.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Samba Crash Course in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

Samba Crash Course in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Samba Crash Course -  Show your new moves when you back home to your friends. Studio in: Ipanema or Copacabana  We speak english, spanish and Portuguese. *You don`t need a partner to attend this class. *All levels are welcome *Good activity to do on rainy day and to meet new people

Price: $29

Rating 4.66 / 5 [24 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Samba Class and Samba Night Tour in Rio

Rio de Janeiro

Samba Class and Samba Night Tour in Rio
This Samba Tour may be done by yourself, with a partner, or with a group of friends. All levels of dance are welcome. Meet your instructor at 7 pm for a Samba Class in our Studio in Ipanema. Afterward, you will go by private transfer with your Tour Guide to a local Samba club where you can enjoy a live band. A great option to explore the nightlife in Rio, show your dance moves or just watch the locals. Easy, safe, and fun.

Price: $58

Rating 4.78 / 5 [99 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Rio de Janeiro

Southeastern Region, Brazil

Christ redeemer

Heaven for healthy hedonists – hang glide, surf or hike by day, relax on the beach and party all night. Then, of course, there’s that carnival…