RIO DE JANEIRO
The best of the marvellous city.
The 15 most popular samba shows & dance classes in Rio de Janeiro, with prices, run times and who you book through. The ones worth building a day around, and what each actually gets you.
Learn beginner samba in Ipanema with Rio’s Carnival queen. Small group, clear steps, plus costume photos and lesson videos.
Most Popular“Ranaa was a great teacher, she was nice, patient and encouraging! Thank you Ranaa! 😊 Promise, I'll practice at home!”
A 4-hour Lapa night of cachaça tasting, Arcos da Lapa bites, live samba, and a DJ finish in a lively Rio nightlife crawl.
“Rio as you have not seen yet. Pure Brasilian entertainment and fun. Andressa and Marcos Felippe top!! And be prepared to come back after sunrise”
Go backstage at Rio’s City of Samba with Grande Rio. See float building, try costumes, learn samba steps, and finish with a caipirinha.
“This was an amazing tour. Everything you want to know about the Carnival and you even get to try on the costumes and learn to Salsa. I def got my money’s worth”
Hop-on hop-off Rio Samba Bus blends samba and MPB with classic sights like Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf. One day, Wi-Fi onboard.
“They should announce what stop the bus is.”
Learn samba basics in Copacabana with a friendly one-hour crash course, bilingual instruction, and nightlife tips for $25.
“It was fun. very beginners friendly. The only thing I did not like was that there were too any people in the studio so it was difficult to fully engage with the activity.”
Ginga Tropical at Rio’s Fashion Mall brings Carnival energy with samba lessons, folklore rhythms across Brazil, and an included photo moment.
“Wow. Amazing. Still thinking about what a great time we had!”
A 1.5-hour Brazilian samba and folklore show in Rio with a samba class, colorful costumes, drinks, and a Carnival-style audience finale.
“Beautifully trained dance crew. It was a fantastic show that showcased the Brazilian dances and folklore.”
Live samba at Pedra do Sal in Rio’s Little Africa, guided history, local drinks, and an easy way to join the night.
“I had an amazing time at Pedra do Sal with Gustavo & Matheus! Honestly we had so much fun, the vibes and music were amazing, caipirinhas were perfect and the people were the best! Muito obrigada for a great night!”
Learn samba basics in a 1-hour class, then head to Rio’s samba scene with live music, included transfers, and a friendly guide.
“I just had to share this incredible experience we stumbled upon recently! So, my wife and I were on the hunt for something fun to do, and we came across this Samba class that promised not only dance lessons but also a taste of that electric nightclub atmosphere. Let me tell you, it did not…”
Learn caipirinhas and samba in Copacabana at Pura Vida Hostel, with two cocktails, a Gabriela cachaça shot, and easy nightlife plans.
“Loved meeting new people from all over the world as well as dancing Samba and drinking caipirinhas. Thank you so much for an incredible experience!”
Hop on Rio Samba Bus for a guided, music-filled loop through Copacabana, Sugarloaf, Lapa, and Christ the Redeemer.
“Der Bus eignet sich gut, wenn man sitzen bleibt. Wenn man ihn zum Hop on and off verwendet, ist er mäßig geeignet, denn abgesehen vom ersten Start, kommt er nicht zu den angegebenen Zeiten, was zu großen Wartezeiten führt. Einmal habe ich nach 40 Minuten Warten einen Uber zu meinem nächsten Ziel genommen, was mich…”
Ginga Tropical Show in Rio mixes samba, bossa nova, forró, lambada, capoeira and live drumming, with optional dinner and hotel pickup.
“I loved everything. I felt proud of my people and my culture and wanted to share it with my boys. I guess a little playtime with a soccer ball would be nice. I did not know which statue was that.”
Learn Samba in Copacabana with a one-hour beginner-friendly class in a real Rio dance studio, plus culture notes and friendly guides.
“È stato divertente consigliato per chi vuole imparare le basi del ballo più popolare di Rio e farsi due risate.”
Live samba at Pedra do Sal in Rio’s Little Africa, with a history lesson, samba step coaching, and a welcome drink.
“Vibe of the place was great. Host was friendly,shared information re history of salsa , she was passionate about the samba music. Welcome drink was included. Musicians were playing great music”
Rio samba show with round-trip hotel transfers and optional churrascaria dinner. A 4–5 hour night of Brazilian rhythms and dance.
“the show was good even though it was advertised as a Samba show it was a cultural show. driver arrived 30 minutes earlier than the assigned time. dinner was average and was a but rushed”
From Christ the Redeemer and the Sugarloaf cable car to the beaches, the rainforest and the Lapa nights, every way to spend a day in the Cidade Maravilhosa.
