Updated on August 11, 2008
Tickets for Rio de Janeiro Carnival are available for sale online. As of August 8, 2008, if you look for ingressos (tickets) on the Liesa (Independent Samba School League) website you will still see 2008 prices.
However, a company called CarnivalService.com, which is certified by Embratur, the governmental Brazilian tourism bureau, is already selling tickets for all the 2009 Carnival parades in Rio de Janeiro.
CarnivalService.com provides information about the Sambodrome, which will help you plan for the parades not only in regard to seating, but also to taxis and subway transportation.
CarnivalService.com doesn't offer transportation to the Sambodrome. If you would like to count on transfers to and from your hotel, you would need to contact a travel agency or make your own arrangements.
Parade with a Rio Samba School
CarnivalService.com can also help you be in the Rio Carnival parade. A lot of Brazilian and international tourists every year comment that the experience of participating in the parade with a samba school is the ultimate Carnival experience.
Just keep in mind that when you join in the dancing with a samba school, you won't be able to watch the rest of the parade live once your participation is over.
Compare Prices!
On August 11, 2008, I interviewed Heron Schneider, the coordinator of ticket sales for Liesa. He recommended that you challenge any company selling tickets to Rio Carnival parades before Liesa to point out exactly where your seats are, as companies advertising Carnival tickets in advance may charge extorsive prices.
Compare offers to Liesa prices for the 2008 Carnival season. That will give you an idea of how much you're being expected to pay for this year's tickets.
Liesa usually posts prices on their website starting in October. Don't buy any tickets without investigating what profit margin is involved. Liesa recommends that travelers talk to their travel agent, who can connect with a certified ABAV agency to get your tickets in Brazil. You'll only receive the actual tickets upon arrival in Rio. /p]
ABAV
ABAV - the Rio branch of the Brazilian Association of Travel Agencies is a reliable source for Rio de Janeiro Carnival Parade tickets. If you haven't closed a deal with an international travel agency for your Carnival tickets, get in touch with one of the certified agencies for information about the 2009 parade.
