Australians planning to visit Brazil during Carnival 2017 take note: the party is happening everywhere!

Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is a mega-event, considered to be the greatest spectacle on Earth, but don’t forget to check out other places!

Brazil’s most famous annual festival, Carnival 2017, takes place from February 24th to March 1st. For 5 days the streets, in almost all cities in Brazil will come alive, with millions of locals and around 500,000 tourists revelling in non-stop music, dance and parades. Carnival’s vibrant party atmosphere draws thousands of fun-loving Aussies each year.

Whether you’ve already booked your tickets or are currently planning your 2017 holiday, getting the inside track on your destination before you arrive can really help you get the most out of your experience.

If you’re planning to visit Brazil during Carnival, you’re sure to have an amazing sensory experience unlike anything most party-loving Australians have ever seen. The Brazilian Carnival’s reputation as the best in the world is well-deserved, so start planning, remember to pack your sense of adventure and most of all, enjoy the celebrations!

Here are our top 6 tips for visiting Brazil and Carnival:

1.  Join the celebrations

Rio de Janeiro is regarded as the epicentre of Brazilian Carnival, but all kinds of celebrations occur nationwide throughout the five day festival. Allow time during your stay to visit other towns and villages such as Recife, Salvador, São Paulo and Ouro Preto, and you’ll be rewarded with a delightful insight into amazing regional culture, food and music.

2. Plan early

Book your accommodation as soon as you know your travel dates to avoid missing out on your preferred location. There is a wide range of options available, ranging from hotel rooms to apartments to backpacker hostels. Prices will fluctuate during busy periods like Carnival but often the earlier you book, the better the rate. One of the best known features of Carnival is the beautiful, elaborate costumes. If you are keen to get your sparkle on by purchasing or hiring an outfit for the festival, again it pays to plan ahead. There are plenty of online options, just make sure you give the supplier accurate measurements.

3. Brazilian Carnival continues 24/7

Sleep becomes a rare commodity during Carnival, for locals and visitors alike. Particularly in the cities but also some rural areas, you can expect street celebrations to run all day every day, with several thousands of people yelling, whistling, singing and dancing their way to no specific destination. The cacophony of samba beats, laughter and singing may make sleep difficult, but instead of trying to avoid it, do what the locals do and embrace it – you’ll soon find their energy and enthusiasm is contagious. There are also lots of great food and drink options available to give you a boost, both in restaurants and at street vendors, including deliciously smoky barbecued meats and refreshing “caipirinha” cocktails.
A great way to enjoy a change of pace and escape the commotion of “blocos” (street parties) is to head to the beach. Whilst the high profile sands of Ipanema and Copacabana may be crowded, there are plenty of low key options too.

4. Check your driver’s licence

If you’d like to experience Brazil and Carnival by car and hold a current Australian driver’s licence, you’ll be allowed to drive in Brazil provided your stay is less than 180 days. If you plan to stay longer, you’ll need to obtain an equivalent Brazilian licence. Check the validity of your licence and identity documents like passports before you travel, to ensure they will be current during your stay. Note: it is an Australian requirement that your passport be valid for at least six months after your return.

5. Money

Whilst there are plenty of places to exchange currency and travellers cheques in Brazil, it’s helpful to purchase some Brazilian money (known as the Real R$) before you depart Australia, so you’re free to make purchases as soon as you arrive. Once you’ve settled in, you can arrange additional local currency through most banks, travel agencies and authorised hotels. Most of the restaurants and shopping malls accept credit cards and you can withdraw money at most ATMs with your Australian Bank cards. It is important to look at the back of your bank card to see which networks are listed to ensure you use the right ATM with a matching symbol.

6. Visas

Australians visiting Brazil for Carnival are required to have a tourist visa – this is not a complex process. You can lodge your application in person or by mail with the Embassy of Brazil in Canberra or the Consulate-General of Brazil in Sydney. Applications in person require an appointment; tourist visas, when requested in person, are usually processed for the next working day. For more information please contact visto.camberra@itamaraty.gov.br or visa.sydney@itamaraty.gov.br