Brazil

Rio: Surf & Pre Carnival Season

When

Jan 11-19, 2027

Duration

9 Days

Group Size

8 people

Difficulty

Beginners & Intermediates

7 spots available

About this Trip

Swap winter for warm water and friendly, forgiving waves. We base in Rio’s West Zone, where sandbanks like Macumba and Recreio draw long, manageable rides, perfect for learning the wave line, building flow, and just plain having fun.

Here’s the magic: Carnival in Rio starts long before the official dates. For weeks, the city hums with samba-school rehearsals, neighborhood blocos, and street parties, but without the full tourist crush. Our trip ends 2 weeks before the official Carnival, so you catch the spirit: music, color, and community, while the city still feels local.

Across 9 days, mornings are for surfing or street parties; afternoons and nights are for exploring the city, hikes, sunset viewpoints, live samba, and the kind of street energy that makes Rio… Rio. You’ll improve your surf with long rides, taste the food, meet the people, and feel the rhythm that lives between the ocean and the hills.

Come for the waves, stay for the vibe, arrive solo, leave with a crew.

Why you’ll actually improve your surfing

Friendly sandbanks = time on the wave to practice, not panic.
Video of the sessions + fast feedback with video analysis = two fixes a day you can apply immediately.
Mobility & surfskate = body learns the pattern before the next paddle-out.
Small crew = more waves, more individual attention.

Why you’ll actually feel Rio

Pre-Carnival weeks: rehearsals, blocos, and street energy before peak crowds.
Iconic views, local food, live samba, and a neighborhood base by the ocean.

Itinerary

9 days of exploring pre-Carnival Rio, friendly waves and real surf coaching.

Day 1 — Mon, Jan 11 • Arrival & first sunset

Touch down at Galeão (GIG). Our driver meets you at the airport and takes you to Recreio dos Bandeirantes, neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro in the West Side, which means: wild beaches, spectacular hikes, jungle hills and consistent surf. Check in, have a beach stroll, breathe in warm Atlantic air, and set intentions for your days ahead as the sky goes gold.

Day 2 — Tue, Jan 12 • First surf & Prainha

Surf Intermediates 06:00–08:00 • Surf Beginners 08:00–10:00

We start with surfing long, forgiving sand banks to find your rhytm. After, we head to Prainha Beach, one of the wild beaches of Rio, dip in turquoise water, and fresh fish lunch with a view.

A short sunset hike to Pedra do Recreio: a short wander + wide-angle views of the coastline. Dinner nearby with the famous churrasco and picanha.

Day 3 — Wed, Jan 13 • Surf Videos, flow & Hike

Surf Intermediates 06:00–08:00 • Surf Beginners 08:00–10:00

Drone/water clips rolling. Post-breakfast: mobility + surf-flow/technique practice with an ex-Brazilian surf champion and body mechanics you’ll feel on the very next wave. Video analysis in the afternoon. Hike to Pedra do Telégrafo for the postcard cliff view.

Day 4 —Thu, Jan 14 • Surf & Ipanema/Copacabana

Surf Intermediates 06:00–08:00 • Surf Beginners 08:00–10:00

Surfskate session after breakfast to groove timing and rail-to-rail on land. Afternoon drift through Copacabana & Ipanema: bike rides, coconut water, people-watching. Sunset at Arpoador (don’t forget to claps when the sun sets; it’s a custom here), then dinner in Zona Sul.

Day 5 — Fri, Jan 15 • Surf training & Favela Tour

Surf Intermediates 06:00–08:00 • Surf Beginners 08:00–10:00

More drone/water footage; more reps. Afternoon video review so tomorrow’s session hits different. Favela tour in Rocinha with a specialist guide for respectful, real context.

Day 6 — Sat, Jan 16 • Surf & Sunrise Hike

Afternoon Surf

Sunrise hike up to Favela Vidigal to see the sun rising over the city. Afternoon surf with final drone/water shots to lock in progress.

Day 7 — Sun, Jan 17 • Street Parties , Move to Copacabana & Sambódromo Carnival rehearsal

Afternoon Surf

It’s Sunday, Carnival spills into daylight. We catch an early bloco (music, smiles, confetti), then afternoon surf for a glowing sunset session. Night at the Sambódromo for an official samba-school rehearsal for the Carnival, drum sounds, goosebumps, glitter in the air. Dinner nearby with live music, pandeiro, guitar, and that easy Rio warmth.

Day 8 — Mon, Jan 18 • Zona Sul classics & Iconic Rio

After breakfast, visit Christ the Redeemer. Evening video analysis to cap your arc: day-one clip vs. today’s flow. Evening in Santa Teresa and the Selarón Steps,

Night at Pedra do Sal, historic samba under the stars; percussion you feel in your chest, then a churrasco dinner & laughter

Day 9 — Tue, Jan 19 • Farewell

Last day. Walk around Copacabana, check-out, hugs, and that quiet “I did it” feeling on the ride to the airport.

Accommodation Details

The beach suites sit right across from Macumba and Pontal beaches, in Rio’s Recreio neighborhood. Bright rooms for 2–3 guests come with AC, fast Wi-Fi, and, in some, ocean views. On the ground floor there’s a small coworking nook and a terrace that turns into a sunset hangout on weekends. This is also our daily meeting point for surf lessons, so you’re on the sand in two minutes.

The shared kitchen is fully equipped, and for breakfast you’ve got a café in the courtyard plus two more options just steps away (note: many spots are closed on Mondays). Supermarkets are 10-15 minutes walking and malls are 5–15 minutes by Uber. Need extra towels/linen? Tell us and we’ll sort it.

For the final two nights, you’ll move to a comfortable hotel in the heart of Copacabana, just a short walk from the beach, giving you the chance to experience one of the world’s most iconic neighborhoods before heading home.

Need an upgrade or a solo room? Contact us.

What’s Included

6 surf lessons
6 nights in Recreio dos Bandeirantes + breakfast
2 nights in Copacabana + breakfast
Guide for all activities

Surf and Training

6 surf lessons
2 drone filming surf sessions
2 video analysis sessions
1 surfskate session
1 mobility session
Personalized training tailored to each surfer’s level

Experiences and Activities

Copacabana Tour
Rio city center exploration
Christ the Redeemer tour and entrance
Favela tour
Hike to Pedra Bonita
Hike to Pedra do Telégrafo
Sunrise Hike to Dois Irmaos
Visit to the Sambódromo for an official Carnival rehearsal

Logistics

Transportation throughout Rio
Airport transfer

Optional Extra Activities:

helicopter ride to view Rio from above
paragliding/hand gliding at Pedra Bonita
boat tours
Sugarloaf Mountain sunset experience

How to Book

Trip cost: €1,650 (≈ R$ 9,972). Early Bird price available until 19th of September. Secure your spot with a 30% deposit; the balance is due 30 days before departure. Full details (cancellation policy, deposit transfers, etc.) are in the Terms & Conditions.

Booking Terms

Book at least 8 weeks before departure
Minimum group: 3 people
Maximum group: 8 people
See the Terms & Conditions for more information.

How to Arrive

Route: Bucharest–Otopeni (OTP) → Rio de Janeiro–Galeão (GIG).
Ideal:

departure on 11 January with arrival on the same date. 5,246 lei
departure on 10 February with arrival on the 11th. 5886 lei
Please Note: Guests arriving on February 2nd will be charged for one additional night’s stay.

Search for deals:

Skyscanner
Google Flights

Typical airlines & routings:

KLM via Amsterdam (AMS) — from ~€930 round trip (klm.ro)
Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (IST) — from ~€900 round trip
Air France / KLM via Paris or Amsterdam, Lufthansa via Frankfurt/Munich — €950–1,100 in economy if booked early

Tip: Fares rise as the date approaches—book 2–3 months in advance.

Total travel time: 15–18 h with one stop; two stops can stretch it to 20 h+.

Important Notes

Summer in Rio (December–March) is hot and humid, with strong sun and occasional showers. Bring light clothing, a hat, and a thin rain jacket. Sunscreen and mosquito repellent are easy to find at pharmacies.

Water temperature is usually above 23°C, so surf schools typically don’t rent wetsuits. (There are rental options if you really want one.) At times, currents can bring cooler water (~18°C). We recommend a 1.5–2 mm spring suit. Need help? Contact us!

Arriving early / extra night: You’re welcome to arrive a day earlier. Extra night billed separately and subject to availability.

Daily plan & flexibility: Every day in Rio is a surprise! The itinerary is flexible and may adapt to Carnival bloco schedules and surf conditions so you get the best possible experience. Rio always has something to offer, if the waves don’t cooperate, we’ll switch to scenic hikes or cultural tours.

Visa (EU travelers): European passport holders with a passport valid at least 6 months from entry to Brazil can enter visa-free for 90 days. This can be extended by another 90 days by applying to Brazil’s Federal Police.

Minors: Must travel with at least one accompanying adult and carry notarized consent from both parents (or from the non-traveling parent).

Staying longer: Can’t say goodbye to Rio? We’re happy to help you extend your stay, subject to room availability and extra costs. Note: any nights outside the program dates (including arriving a day early or leaving a day later) are at your own expense.

Surf lesson times: Sessions are organized by experience level so you learn at your own pace and enjoy every moment on the wave. Typically, intermediate/advanced surfers meet at 6:00 a.m. to catch the early window, and beginners have dedicated sessions at 8:00 a.m. Times can change according to the itinerary.

Health: No vaccines are currently mandatory to travel to Brazil. Still, please check the latest guidance before you fly (Brazil’s Ministry of Health or your embassy). Commonly recommended by CDC/WHO: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Yellow Fever, Typhoid.

Safety: We know safety is important. Upon arrival, we organize an introduction session about Rio de Janeiro, including its history and social context. We will go over potential risks and how to avoid them, along with simple precautions to help you feel comfortable and relaxed during your stay. Common things to be mindful of include phone theft, walking in poorly lit areas at night, and wearing visible valuables.

Money: Local currency is the Brazilian Real (BRL/R$). ATMs charge fixed fees and usually offer fair rates. Revolut/Wise cards work well. A typical ATM withdrawal costs about R$20 (~15 RON). The maximum per withdrawal is around R$1,000.

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Need custom help?

Our team is standing by to help you plan your perfect surf adventure. Don’t hesitate to reach out!

More Info

R$11,150Aproximadamente $2,167 (USD)

Dates:

Jan 11-19, 2027

Duration:

9 Days

Spots:

7 left

In stock

🏄‍♂️ Can’t pay the full amount today? No problem!

Reserve your spot with just 30% deposit.
Early-bird rate available up to 4 months prior to departure.
Contact us to arrange flexible payment options:

Photos From Past Surf Trips

Sunrise lineups, long waves, city sunsets, big smiles—this is what a Swell trip feels like.