Brazil · SAMBA SHOWS

The 15 Best Samba Shows & Classes in Rio de Janeiro

28 tours  ·  from $12

Lapa fills late and Cidade do Samba runs all year. These 15 sort the live houses from the beginner classes and the carnival workshop visits, with prices, start times and whether a drink is included.

Rio de Janeiro: Beginner Samba Lesson in Ipanema - Inside Samba Fit at Visconde de Pirajá 207
Copacabana & Ipanema Beaches, Rio de Janeiro Tours, Samba Shows, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Rio de Janeiro: Beginner Samba Lesson in Ipanema

1.Beginner Samba Lesson in Ipanema

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,071 reviews · 1 hour · from $25Our pick

Spend one lively hour learning beginner samba at Samba Fit in Ipanema with Carla, Ranaa, or Gaby, instructors who have performed with major samba schools. Expect clear step-by-step teaching, music, a small group of up to 10, Carnival costumes for photos, and class images and videos afterward.

“Gaby was such an incredible teacher who was patient, entertaining and lovely to meet. It was such a fun experience right before Carnival with amazing music and fun dance routines. I highly recommend to book this experience and have Gaby showcase a snippet of Brazilian culture.”

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Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba - Cachaça tasting at the opening bar
Cachaça & Caipirinha Tastings, Drinking Tours, Food & Drink, Nightlife, Pub Crawls, Rio de Janeiro Tours, Samba Shows, Tour Reviews

Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba

2.Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 881 reviews · 4 hours · from $33

Spend four hours in Lapa with Caipi Tours, tasting at least four cachaças, sipping a caipirinha beneath the Arcos da Lapa, visiting the Selarón Steps, and dancing to live samba, Brazilian funk, pop, and reggaeton. Guides such as Andressa, Raffa, Marcos, and Nayara keep the group together.

“Excellent tour by lovely people. Would highly recommend, made it fun, interesting and safe!”

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Rio: Carnival Backstage Tour at Samba City with Cocktail - Inside Grande Rio’s Carnival factory
City Tours, Rio de Janeiro Tours, Samba Shows, Tour Reviews, Tours

Rio: Carnival Backstage Tour at Samba City with Cocktail

3.Carnival Backstage Tour at Samba City with Cocktail

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 520 reviews · 90 - 150 minutes · from $27

At Cidade do Samba, a bilingual guide leads you through Grande Rio’s Carnival workshop, where floats and thousands of costumes take shape. You’ll learn samba and Carnival history, try parade outfits for photos, watch a samba performance, and finish with a caipirinha. Small-group tours and optional pickup are available.

“It was great getting a look backstage the organisation of one of the Carnaval groups: what is needed, how is it handled/planned. Also was really fun to get to see the costumes of precious years and to actually try some of them on.”

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Hop-ON Hop-OFF Sightseeing Bus in Rio de Janeiro - Rio Samba Bus - Starting at Copacabana and the South Zone
Rio de Janeiro Tours, Samba Shows, Tour Reviews

Hop-ON Hop-OFF Sightseeing Bus in Rio de Janeiro – Rio Samba Bus

4.Hop-ON Hop-OFF Sightseeing Bus in Rio de Janeiro – Rio Samba Bus

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 457 reviews · 1 day · from $30

Spend one day touring Rio by panoramic bus, with 24 stops and access to more than 30 sights, including Copacabana, Lapa, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the Corcovado train entrance. Portuguese, English, and Spanish commentary, samba, MPB, Wi-Fi, and a bus bar are included.

“pratique si vous voulez avoir un aperçu de rio ..”

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Santa Teresa, Lapa, and Cinelândia with Tram Ride and Selarón Steps - Lapa and the Arcos da Lapa
Rio de Janeiro Tours, Samba Shows, Santa Teresa Tours, Selarón Steps Tours, Tour Reviews

Santa Teresa, Lapa, and Cinelândia with Tram Ride and Selarón Steps

5.Santa Teresa, Lapa, and Cinelândia with Tram Ride and Selarón Steps

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 274 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $60

Ride Rio’s historic Santa Teresa tram, walk through the city’s bohemian hilltop district, descend the Selarón Steps, and explore Lapa and Cinelândia with an English, Spanish, and Portuguese-speaking guide. Hotel pickup from Rio’s South Zone is included, along with a stop at Confeitaria Colombo.

“Interesting tour of tour of Rio's neighbourhoods. Tram ride was great and plenty of photos opportunities. Our guide Emma was very helpful and friendly.”

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Rio de Janeiro: Samba Class in Copacabana - Entering the class in Copacabana
Copacabana & Ipanema Beaches, Rio de Janeiro Tours, Samba Shows, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Rio de Janeiro: Samba Class in Copacabana

6.Samba Class in Copacabana

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 262 reviews · 1 hour · from $25

Spend one hour learning basic samba in Copacabana with an English, Portuguese, or Spanish-speaking instructor. Teachers such as Marco, Mauricio, Bruno, and Thiago bring patient guidance, music, and plenty of energy. Expect a beginner-friendly class, international company, and possible carnival-style photos.

“The teacher was great, but there was too many of us in a small space. Didn't learn as much as I hoped.”

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Rio: Ginga Tropical Samba and Folklore Show Ticket - The samba class and audience participation
Rio de Janeiro Tours, Samba Shows, Show, Tickets, Tour Reviews

Rio: Ginga Tropical Samba and Folklore Show Ticket

7.Ginga Tropical Samba and Folklore Show Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 231 reviews · from $61

Head to Teatro Fashion Mall for an 80-minute celebration of Brazil’s regional music and dance. You’ll see samba, forró, axé, funk, country, Carnival traditions, and capoeira, then join a samba class and pose with costumed performers. The show is in Portuguese and English.

“The show was so beautiful and exhilerating!!!!! I keep going over it in my mind. So well orchestrated representing our history. Loved the performance and including the audience in your choreography. Just outstanding!! I have told my friends and family! Please come to the United States. All the performers are so gorgeous. I plan to visit Rio again in the future. Thank you for touching my heart ❤️”

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Ginga Tropical - Brazilian Samba and Folklore Show - Arriving at Centro Cultural Veneza in Botafogo
Rio de Janeiro Tours, Samba Shows, Show, Tour Reviews

Ginga Tropical – Brazilian Samba and Folklore Show

8.Ginga Tropical – Brazilian Samba and Folklore Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 216 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $65

Spend an evening with Ginga Tropical at Centro Cultural Veneza in Botafogo. Live music and a bar begin at 7 pm, followed by an 8:30 pm samba class and a 90-minute show of Brazilian dance, folklore, costumes, capoeira, and audience participation. A Carnival-style finale brings the cast and crowd together.

“The show exceeded my expectations. I had more fun than expected and the music and performances during the show were amazing!”

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Pedra do Sal: Live Samba Night with Local Guide & Drink - Meeting at the yellow booth near Angu do Gomes
Evening Experiences, Guided, Rio de Janeiro Tours, Samba Shows, Tour Reviews

Pedra do Sal: Live Samba Night with Local Guide & Drink

9.Pedra do Sal: Live Samba Night with Local Guide & Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 183 reviews · 2h 30m · from $41

Meet Helena, Gustavo, Yan, Lena, or another Rio As a Local guide near Angu do Gomes, then walk into Pedra do Sal for live samba, local drinks, and stories about Little Africa. This is a real Carioca night, not a staged show, so expect crowds, dancing, and an open-ended street-party feel.

“It was such a great experience, especially when traveling alone. The group was really fun and I felt safe the whole time. Even the guide shared a lot about the history of the place, which was really interesting, and the drinks were great too 😃 Overall, a super experience”

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Rio de Janeiro: Samba Class and Samba Night Tour - Choosing Monday in Ipanema and Pedra do Sal
Evening Experiences, Rio de Janeiro Tours, Samba Shows, Tour Reviews, Tours, Workshops

Rio de Janeiro: Samba Class and Samba Night Tour

10.Samba Class and Samba Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 115 reviews · 4 hours · from $63

Spend four hours learning samba with an English, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking instructor, then head to a local samba venue. Marco, Bruno, and other instructors lead the class and stay with you for three hours of live music and dancing. Monday includes an Ipanema class and street party; Wednesday to Saturday uses Copacabana and a samba club.

“We had a really nice evening with Bruno! First we had a samba class for a about 1 hour, where he showed us major moves and poses of samba, then we went to a samba club with live band playing. We had a table right next to the band. We danced samba there. Everything and the whole evening were perfect!”

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Rio: Caipirinha Workshop and Samba Class - Samba with Camilo, Nati, Bruno, or another local teacher
Cachaça & Caipirinha Tastings, Rio de Janeiro Tours, Samba Shows, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Rio: Caipirinha Workshop and Samba Class

11.Caipirinha Workshop and Samba Class

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 113 reviews · 2 hours · from $12Best value

At Pura Vida Hostel in Copacabana, learn the basics of Brazil’s famous caipirinha, drink two of your own creations, then join a one-hour samba class with teachers such as Camilo, Nati, or Bruno. Finish with a Gabriela cachaça shot and optional nightlife plans.

“We loved this night! Thanks to Pietro, we discovered really cool places in Lapa and how to make a great caipirinha. I totally recommend the tour in case you are looking for a way to meet people and go out at night in Rio feeling safe!”

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Rio Samba Bus: hop-on hop-off city tour in Rio de Janeiro - Starting along Copacabana’s famous waterfront
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Rio Samba Bus: hop-on hop-off city tour in Rio de Janeiro

12.Rio Samba Bus: hop-on hop-off city tour in Rio de Janeiro

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 94 reviews · 2 hours · from $31

Ride the Rio Samba Bus through Copacabana, Urca, downtown, Lapa, and Ipanema, with live commentary in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. You can hop off at 26 listed stops, add the Sugarloaf cable car or Corcovado train on your own, and enjoy panoramic or air-conditioned buses.

“Pouvoir prendre le bus à n’importe quel arrêt à l’heure que l’on veut ou peu .😔perdu notre activité parce que on pouvait pas ce rendre à l’arrêt de départ”

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Walking tour of the bohemian neighborhoods of Santa Teresa and Lapa - Cinelândia and the grand center of Rio
Rio de Janeiro Tours, Samba Shows, Santa Teresa Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Walking tour of the bohemian neighborhoods of Santa Teresa and Lapa

13.Walking tour of the bohemian neighborhoods of Santa Teresa and Lapa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $72Top rated

Set out from Copacabana with a guide such as Edmundo, Lorena, or Ivan for a 3.5-hour walk through Santa Teresa and Lapa. Ride the famous yellow tram, visit Parque das Ruínas, Selarón Steps, the Lapa Arches, and Cinelândia, with time for local art, views, and a caipirinha.

“What a great way to visit a special area of Rio. We were picked up at our hotel, took the Metro to the vintage tram upwards. The neighborhood is enchanting and having a personal guide, who seemed to know everyone, everywhere we went , helped me feel like I was welcome. Edmundo was our guide, being an artist himself, I felt my friend and I had a wonderfully personalized visit to a very special place”

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Samba Class in Copacabana - The Brazilian culture behind the steps
Copacabana & Ipanema Beaches, Rio de Janeiro Tours, Samba Shows, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Samba Class in Copacabana

14.Samba Class in Copacabana

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 52 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $35

Meet your guide at Rio Samba Dancer’s studio on Copacabana’s main avenue for a one-hour samba lesson. No partner or dance experience is needed. Instructors such as Marcos, Carla, Bem Vind, and Carmen teach basic steps, explain samba culture, and may add costume photos during daytime classes.

“Very fun! A very Welcoming lesson, and great way to start my trip in Brazil! No prior dance experience needed and tailored to all levels.”

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Salvador: Cultural Treasure - Samba de Roda. - What happens during the one-hour class
Salvador Tours, Samba Shows, Tour Reviews

Salvador: Cultural Treasure – Samba de Roda.

15.Cultural Treasure – Samba de Roda.

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 51 reviews · 1 hour · from $43

Spend one lively hour learning samba basics with an English-speaking instructor such as Yasmin at Associação de Capoeira Mestre Bimba. You need no partner or dance experience. Along with the steps, you’ll hear how samba, capoeira, and Afro-Brazilian culture shaped Salvador.

“A wonderful lesson with a brilliant teacher. The history of the location also felt very special. I would highly recommend the lessons here!”

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New in Samba Shows

★ 3.3Skyline Night Tour Rio de Janeiro – Panoramic City Tour Rio Samba BusFrom $3014 reviews
★ 5.0Samba Night in Pedra do Sal with 1 free caipirinhaFrom $4212 reviews
★ 3.1Samba School Rehearsal Viewing With TransferFrom $557 reviews
★ 4.6Lapa and Santa TeresaFrom $524 reviews
★ 4.1Carnaval Backstage Tour and Samba ClassFrom $5814 reviews
★ 3.2Salgueiro Samba School Rehearsal Tour9 reviews
★ 4.2Lapa and Santa Teresa with Tram RideFrom $2005 reviews

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Drinking Tours16Cachaça & Caipirinha Tastings10Food & Drink27Dining Experiences11Evening Experiences35Workshops19Nightlife7
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