When is Rio Carnival and What Do I Need to Travel?

Some have named it ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’, one of the best times of the year for Brazilian culture, and of course to visit. So you're probably asking yourself when is Rio carnival and what do I need to travel? You will need to obtain a mandatory Travelers Health Declaration to enter Brazil for the Rio Carnival.

Keep in mind that due to the COVID pandemic in an effort to avoid the advance of the virus, this year the Rio Carnival main events have been pushed to April 20th to 30th, 2022, including the Parades in the Sambodromo and various traditional events, carnival balls, samba parades and samba schools.

iVisa is here to offer you all the important information you need to visit Rio in 2022: When is Rio Carnival and What Do I Need to Travel? We will explain what travel documents you need, including the Travelers Health Declaration and the eMed self-testing COVID-19 kit for your return trip.

Note: Since May 2022, the Brazil Traveler's Health Declaration is no longer necessary to enter the country.

What you need to know about Rio Carnival

The history behind Rio Carnival?

Rio Carnival is considered to be the biggest carnival in the world, with two million people per day on the streets. The word Carnival originates from the Portuguese word ‘Carne Vale’, meaning ‘Farewell to meat’. This phrase refers to the Carnival as being the last celebration before a period of abstinence from alcohol, meat and pleasure begins (lent). The carnival celebrations are influenced by European and African traditions, Samba music in particular, was introduced by African immigrant slaves brought to brazil by the Portuguese, which is now considered traditional Brazilian music. The masquerade balls and costumes are heavily influenced by Italian traditions, a glimpse into the past as well as the future.

When is the Rio Carnival and what do I need to travel?

The Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is held every year just before Lent, a Catholic holiday. It actually takes place all over Brazil but the most popular place to experience carnival is in Rio. Festivities usually begin on 25th February until 1st March.

To enter Brazil most nationalities are exempt from a tourist visa and will be granted entry on arrival, but ALL travelers will need to obtain the Traveler’s Health Declaration before their trip. We can help you obtain that in a few easy steps, and save you some time and hassle of filling it out yourself.

• For all U.S. citizens, even if you don't need to take a PCR test to enter Brazil, you will need a negative COVID-19 test result to enter the US again. You can simplify testing and save time by ordering the eMed self-testing COVID-19 kit online before travel. It's small, light and packs easily in your suitcase. You can self-test within the 24hour period prior to your flight back to the US and have a result within 15 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the current COVID restrictions for travel to Brazil?

Due to the constantly changing effects of the pandemic it is best to visit our Travelers Health Declaration product page for all the latest info on vaccine, PCR test and quarantine requirements for travel to Brazil.

What is the Travelers Health Declaration?

The Brazil Traveler’s Health Declaration was designed to screen international arrivals. This is in order to minimize the risks associated with travel during the coronavirus pandemic. All travelers who wish to enter Brazil need to complete this form.

• The document is valid for a single entry and 15 days of travel in Brazil.

How do I apply for a HD with iVisa?

It's easy with us, you should have this information at hand:

• Valid Passport
• Digital copy of your passport information page
• Email address
• Credit or debit card to pay

Keep reading below for more about when is Rio Carnival and what do I need to travel?

What is the cost and processing time of the Health Declaration?

Depending on your budget and time frame to obtain the document, we offer the following 3 options:

• Standard Processing - -
• Rush Processing - -
• Super Rush Processing - -

Can I trust iVisa?

Absolutely, we have a great reputation with our customers for providing them with hassle free, on time travel documents and we pride ourselves on keeping all your personal information safe and secure. You can verify our claims in the customer reviews section.

I have more questions, who can I talk to?

We have a dedicated and expert team of customer support agents available 24/7 to answer all your queries about when is Rio Carnival and what do I need to travel?

iVisa Recommends

Once you have your travel documents in order to visit Brazil and experience the Rio carnival you might want to stick around and explore a little more. Here are some of our top recommendations.

Views from the Corcovado in Rio,You can ascend the Corcovado mountain either via hiking and climbing or a more relaxed way, taking the cable car. You'll see the famous image of Christ the Redeemer statue and experience the breathtaking views, taking in the whole of Rio and Guanabara Bay.

If you like sports or dancing, why not combine the two and take a Capoeira class, or just simply watch the professionals perform their magical dance of martial arts and acrobatics to the sound of traditional musical instruments, such as the berimbau, pandeiro, atabaque and the agogô.

Or if you're a food lover, according to the locals the ‘food capital’ is Minas Gerais. São Paulo has a bigger international variety and Salvador a strong African influence, but Minas Gerais is said to be a place where food is deeply ingrained in everyday culture, growing it, cooking it, eating it and celebrating with it.

So, go ahead and start planning your trip with us, and don't forget if you have any more questions about when is the Rio carnival and What do I need to travel, don't hesitate to get in touch!