Boat Trip During Carnival in Rio de Janeiro

Carnival 2027 falls on Tuesday, February 9th, with the holiday period running from Saturday the 6th through Ash Wednesday. It is one of the busiest stretches of the year in Rio, and February already sits at the peak of summer, with warmer water and longer days.

An alternative to street parties

Anyone wanting to skip the crowds of the street parties without giving up the festive mood finds a direct alternative on the water: your own group, music you choose, no pushing through a crowd. The standard Urca and Guanabara Bay route works well during this period, with a swim stop at Praia Vermelha, away from the packed coastline.

Price and availability

There is no special Carnival rate. The price follows the standard table, per vessel, detailed in how much a boat rental in Rio costs. What changes during this period is availability, not the price: as a long holiday weekend, the calendar fills faster than a regular weekend.

Hours

Operations follow the normal schedule, 09:00 to 19:00, every day of the holiday. There is no Carnival-specific night trip. Anyone wanting to enjoy the water during this period books within the standard window, same as any other date.

Who it works for

• Groups of friends who prefer the water to a packed street
• Tourists in town for Carnival who want a day away from the parades
• Families with children or older relatives, who fare better on a boat than in a crowded avenue

How to book

Confirm the date over WhatsApp ahead of time. As a long holiday weekend, it is worth booking at least a month out, and earlier still for a large group or a specific vessel.