Activity Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Samba Soul Tour

5.0 (10 reviews) 4–5 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

10 reviews

5.0

Stone of Salt — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Rio ́s Art Museum (MAR) is our meeting point — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Let's walk through the history of Samba, following the steps of this rhythm symbol of Rio cultural identity, icon of local african heritage and afro-brazilian resistance.

Visiting the main cultural spots in Cinelandia and the Mauá Square, we talk about how the Portuguese culture developed carnival as a political party and samba as a afro-brazilian identity.

Walk with us through the Portuary Zone to see the biggest open-air street art gallery and learn about cultural resistance at Pedra do Sal, icon of africanity in Rio.

Let yourself vibrate with Carnival magic doing some steps and taking pictures with the colorful costumes at City of Samba, headquarters of the Samba Schools.

The main idea is that you enjoy the stories that made Samba the soul of our lovely city. We want you to feel safe, confident and relaxed while we are going through the downtown area of the marvelous city.

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At a glance

Duration: 4–5 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 15 people
People per booking: 1–10
Guide: Portuguese, English, French, Spanish
Operated by: Alma Carioca Turismo

Ages: Adults (12–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: TRAM tickets
Included: City of Samba tickets

Not included

Not included: Lunch
Not included: Private transportation

Itinerary

Museu de Arte do Rio - MAR

30 min Admission not included

Meeting point for the group. We went up to the museum terrace to have a panoramic view of Praça Mauá and Guanabara Bay. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Maua Square

30 min

Plaza Mauá marks the beginning of Avenida Rio Branco avenue and also of the Port Region. From 1910 on, with the inauguration of Porto do Rio ("Rio's Port"), it began an important place to welcome ships and brought tourists to the city. Around the square there are important buildings, such as the Rio Art Museum (MAR) and the Museum of Tomorrow, as well as the Night building, the first skyscraper of the city, built in 1930.
Boulevard Olimpico

30 min

On the VLT (Tram) trip from Plaza Mauá to Samba City, we can see the old docks and the street art gallery on Olympic Boulevard.
Cidade Do Samba

one hour Admission included

Following the same exploratory tour, the Carnival Experience, promoted by Grande Rio Samba School, opens the workshop for visitors who want to know a little more about the creation and production of the parade, long before it takes place at Marquês de Sapucaí Sambadrome. This unique experience shows how the allegories and customs of the school are produced, the carnivalesque designs, how the customs and the assembly of the big cars are done by hand, and shows up close the hard work of the professionals involved in the production of a parade
Pedra do Sal

20 min

Pedra do Sal, at Conceição hill, makes part of the region historically known as small Africa, that stretched from around Plaza Mauá to Cidade Nova. On the backyard, it has happened the rural samba, played with the hands, with tambourine, plate and knifes; and dancing with tap dancing, sieved and "umbigadas". It was there that was born the urban carioca samba, that came from "popular samba" and old ranches of the carnival.
Stop 6

30 min

We finish our tour celebrating black women and their role in samba music and afro Brazilian dance. At Largo da Prainha, you can grab a snack and some refreshments and get in the mood to join Pedra do Sal "roda de samba", living an authentic experience of Rio.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

End point

There are many bars, taxis and ubers in this area.

VLT Station: Museum Stop

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.