Travel bucket list idea:

Samba dancing in Lapa

Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil

Last updated: 05 April, 2024

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.

Logistics

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.

Who to go with: organised tours

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