Samba dancing in Lapa

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.