Originally Posted by VidaNaPraia

IMO the parades in the Sambodromo are the high point of Carnaval in Rio. The films of these parades are exactly what attracts everyone to Rio for Carnaval. The costumes and floats are spectacular, and make for amazing photos. There are metro stops near both sides of the Sambodromo and getting there and back is part of the fun. You can even see locals commuting in their costumes. All of it gives you insight into the life of locals who plan the whole year for this, and also those who live for and root for their samba school, a POV which you don't get hanging around with rich people and foreign tourists at a ball. The words to the songs (enredos) of each samba school parading are posted online and can be translated to give further insight into the theme, carried through by the costumes and floats.