Sambadrome

Professor Darcy Ribeiro parade grounds (Sambadrome) are situated in Rua Marquês de Sapucaí, Cidade Nova, Rio de Janeiro. That is, the parade begins at Avenida Presidente Vargas, near Praça Onze, and ends in Rua Frei Caneca.

In order to get to the Sambadrome and watch the Rio Carnival Parade, it is recommendable to find out the exact location of the relevant sector.

WHAT YOU CAN TAKE

EVEN NUMBERED SECTORS

If the relevant sector is 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 there are the following options:

Taxi - pre-determined taxi companies serve the even sectors and there is plenty of information about them during Rio Carnival. There is a tariff to leave the Sambadrome and the taximeter or an agreement with the passenger settles the journey to the place.

Subway - it goes uninterruptedly every-day to 11 pm of Tuesday, the last day of Rio Carnival, with intervals of 10 minutes. The getting off stop is always at Praça Onze station, no matter where from. Once outside the station, turn twice to your right and then walk straight ahead to Sector 2. To arrive at Sectors 4 and 6, turn on Rua Carmo Neto and keep walking until Av. Salvador de Sá. The Sambadrome can soon be seen and several signs show the entrance to the sectors.

ODD NUMBERED SECTORS

As for sectors 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13, the options are:

Taxi - special companies serve the odd numbered sectors as well, with fixed tariff. In any case, ordinary taxicabs take passengers to the Sambadrome charging what the taximeter shows or what has been agreed upon. For those who come from zona sul, the best route is through Santa Bárbara tunnel, and for those from zona norte via Rua Itapiru. In both cases the taxicab must go over Viaduto São Sebastião, which runs parallel to the Sambadrome. Right away the signs to the entrances of different sectors can be seen.

Subway - either from zona norte or zona sul, the getting off stop is Central. From there, walk to the Sambadrome, a long stretch of approximately 700 meters, going past the schools' allegorical cars and the Terreirão do Samba.

Bus - coming from zona sul or zona norte, it is important to make sure that the bus is going over Viaduto São Sebastião, as many lines change the itinerary during Rio Carnival.

Frequent questions:

1. What is the minimum age allowed for children?
   Limit of age doesn't exist for children's access to the Sambadrome, since they are with their parents.
2. Does the child pay? If yes, does she/he has some difference in the value?
   Starting from the age of 05 (five) the child should carry the same type of the parents' tickets.
3. What is allowed to be carried in thermal bag ? How much does can he/she?
   The person can take up to 02 (two) plastic vessels of 500 ml with drink (water, juice, soft drink or beer) and up to 02 (two) food items (fruits, sandwiches and so on). It continues forbidden to entry with coolbox, bottles, bags, weapons and cutting objects.
4. Is there specific area for handicaped people in Sambadrome?
   There are in Sambadrome, 02 specific areas for physical handicaped people:
   First: next to Apoteose Square, after the individual chairs of the sector 13, 270 places are made available for physical handicaped people with right to 240 companions (these tickets are free and distributed by the physical handicaped people association / riotur / city hall - directly with these organs).
   Second: next to sector 04 of Sambadrome, with capacity for 25 handicaped people and their respective companions, but this ticket must be paid and costs about (in 2009, just orders) $450,00, price that corresponds to a open box place in the sector 04.
5. At what time are the gates opened?
   At 5:00 in the afternoon;