Below is a breakdown of common Sambadrome ticket types for Carnival, along with perks, drawbacks, and approximate pricing where available. Use this as a reference when selecting your tickets.
| Ticket Type | Description & Perks | Downside / Things to Note | Approx Price (2026) / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grandstands / Arquibancadas (Bleachers) | Traditional concrete steps; large capacity, enthusiastic crowd. Open seating (first-come basis). Rio Carnival 2026+3Rio+3Sambadrome.com+3 | No assigned seats (except in Sector 9 where seats are numbered). You’ll want to arrive early to claim good spots. | Starts from US$ 24 / approx via official site Rio Carnival 2026+2Rio+2 |
| Allocated Chairs / Cadeiras Numeradas | Numbered plastic chairs assigned to you (so no fighting for a seat). Sambadrome.com+3Rio Carnival 2026+3Rio+3 | Often farther from the main parade route; views less ideal. | As per Rio.com listing, these are mid-to-lower priced alternatives. Rio |
| Front Boxes / Frisas (Open Boxes) | Very popular choice. Chairs in boxes, close to the runway. Rowed A → D; each box has limited seats. Sambadrome.com+4Rio Carnival 2026+4Carnival Bookers+4 | Boxes are open (no roof, unless “covered box”) so rain can hit you. Also more expensive than general grandstand. | Via Bookers, Front Box tickets from ~ US$ 108+ Carnival Bookers |
| Covered Boxes | Similar to open boxes but with roofing to protect from rain. Often placed in prime locations (e.g., Sector 7). Sambadrome.com+4Rio Carnival 2026+4Rio+4 | Food & drinks often not included—may need to purchase at concession stands. Rio+1 | No definitive published “base” price, but expect significant premium |
| Camarotes / Luxury Suites / VIP Boxes | The top tier: climate control, private service, open bar, buffet, exclusive amenities. Next Stop: Brazil+3Rio Carnival 2026+3Rio+3 | Highest cost. Sometimes window size or viewing angle limitations in certain suites. Rio Love Story+1 | VIP / “Folia Tropical” packages reach US$ 424+ and beyond. Rio Carnival 2026+3Rio Carnival 2026+3Rio+3 |
| Premium Seating with Food, Drinks & Transfers | Some curated experiences include hotel pickup, VIP box access + buffet, open bar, exclusive DJ/show entertainment. GetYourGuide | Very expensive; sometimes limited availability; check reviews and terms (e.g., travel time, included amenities). | In one listing, ~$1,600 per person for a full VIP experience. GetYourGuide |