Types of Carnival Tickets

At the epicenter of the 2023 Rio Carnival is the flamboyant and exuberating Samba Parade. The parades take place in the Sambodromo, a great concrete structure with viewing stands on two sides of a long alley. The performers enter from one side of this building, parade down the avenue and exit from the other side. There are a variety of Sambodromo ticket types available for this event. So whatever your budget, you are sure to find a type that best suits you.

Grandstands or Arquibancadas

Most of the sectors of the Rio Sambodromo have grandstands or Arquibancadas which are large concrete steps without any numbered seating, except for the Sector 9.

You can choose to sit anywhere, on a first come first serve basis, high up if you want to get a full view of the entire parade or close to the front if you prefer to see all the performers, their costumes and floats up close. Arriving early and choosing your seat is a good strategy but bear in mind that once the fun starts, no one will be sitting. You too will be on your feet dancing to the irresistible beats of the drummers along with all the cariocas.

Sector 9, also known as the tourist sector, is the only one with numbered seating. But no chair is available. If you want the comfort of a chair and access to the multi-language speaking guides, book the front boxes on Sector 9 instead.

Allocated Chairs or Cadeiras Numeradas

If you prefer the comfort of having a numbered seat which no one can take from you, the Cadeiras Avulsas are the most appropriate sambodromo ticket for you. Located on the sector 12 of the Sambodromo, these are plastic seats which don’t have the best view of the parade but are an affordable alternative to the free seating options. Definetely the best deal for a sambodromo ticket if seating is your thing. These Sambodromo Tickets are priced higher on Carnival Sunday and Monday and cheaper on Champions Saturday.

Open Boxes or Frisas

The open boxes or frisas are in everybody's opinion one of the best sambodromo tickets in the house. Open boxes are similar to the luxury suites except they aren’t covered and of course they don’t have the first class service. Instead, they offer excellent views of the Samba Parade at a much more affordable price. Each sector has four rows with four to six chairs per row. The rows are arranged from top to bottom by the letters A, B, C and D. Row A being at the bottom, closest to the avenue.

Sambodrome tickets in the open boxes vary in price depending on the sector, being Sector 9 the most expensive, as it offers multi-language speaking guides to help tourists around. Tickets are also more expensive on Carnival Sunday or Monday and Champions Parade on Saturday is significantly cheaper. Take note of this! If you are worried about getting wet from the summer rain showers, get a ticket on the Covered Box on Sector 7!

Covered Boxes

Covered Box is the new ticket at the Sambodromo. It is a box with a roof on top, that holds up to 12 people with comfortable cushioned seats, in a decorated space. Located at the Row D level, the new Covered boxes offer a higher view over rows A, B and C of the Open Boxes, also known as frisas. The covered tent is a must as it makes sure no one gets wet in case of rain, which was a privilege only camarote ticket holders used to have. If getting wet is something you want to avoid, book the covered box tickets since rain showers are very common during summer in Rio de Janeiro.

The covered boxes are available only at the coveted sector 7 for now, right in the middle of the sambadromo and in front of the jury. In a nutshell, it's a little camarote with the comfort and wide views of the frisas, except foods and drinks are not included and must be bought at the fast food restaurants.

Luxury Suites or Camarotes

Luxury Suites or Camarotes are the most expensive sambodromo tickets you can get. These covered boxes located at almost all sectors at the sambodromo have excellent views of the parade with the added bonus of first class comfort. The preferred choice of the rich and famous, the camarotes have an open bar, excellent dining, and private security all in air conditioned luxury. Tickets for the luxury suites are pricey but will offer you an unforgettable five star experience of the parade.

Luxury Suites may not be your best sambodromo ticket bet: because it accommodate around one thousand people watching the show at the same time, we only suggest it for those who wants to enjoy a party besides watching the parades. Open Boxes might be a perfect choice if you don't want to take turns at the big window and at the open space.

Now that you know more about the types of tickets, guarantee your tickets now!    <

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