Samba and cooking classes in Rio de Janeiro

At a glance

What you can choose

We do not teach the classes ourselves. We find a school or teacher for your level and dates, agree the format and the language, book it and stay in touch before and after the class.

Samba classes in Rio

People take a samba class for the dance itself or to prepare for Carnival. First-timers get an introductory lesson with the basic step. If you have danced before, we look for a teacher at your level. Travelling as a couple, you can book a private lesson for two.

Samba in Rio also has official status. IPHAN, Brazil’s federal heritage institute, lists the Matrizes do Samba no Rio de Janeiro as intangible heritage: three forms called partido alto, samba de terreiro and samba-enredo. According to IPHAN they took shape in the early 20th century, with influences from jongo, the samba de roda of Bahia, maxixe and the carnival march, and the samba-enredo rhythm came out of the circles of the Estácio neighbourhood.

Planning to parade yourself? Lessons work best in the days before your night at the Sambadrome. How a visitor joins a samba school wing, with the costume and rehearsals, is on parading at Rio Carnival. For an evening watching a school practise, see samba school rehearsals, and for where to hear samba, samba in Rio.

Capoeira

In 2014 UNESCO added the capoeira circle to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It describes capoeira as an Afro-Brazilian practice that is a fight and a dance at the same time. Players form a circle, two of them play in the centre, and the others sing, clap and play percussion. Knowledge passes on through watching and imitating inside the circle. In Brazil, IPHAN also lists the capoeira circle and the craft of capoeira masters as intangible heritage.

We look for a school that takes beginners and visitors for single sessions, and ask in advance what the lesson covers (movements, music, joining the circle). If children are coming or someone has health limits, say so and we check that the format suits them.

Portuguese for travelers

The lesson is built around what you need on the road: greetings, ordering food, talking to a taxi driver, asking the way, asking for help. One lesson in the first days of the trip is often enough. If you want more confidence, take a short course over several days.

Brazilian cooking class: market and kitchen

You can start at a market or a street fair, shopping with the teacher, then cook and sit down to eat what you made. Or skip the market and go straight to the kitchen. We agree the menu in advance. If you want specific dishes such as feijoada, moqueca, pão de queijo or brigadeiro, tell us and we ask whether the school cooks them. Mention allergies, vegetarian diets and children right away so we can confirm the menu works for you.

Formats

In a group class you join the school’s regular students. In a private lesson the teacher works only with you and at your pace. Start time and length go into the proposal. Honeymooners often add a class to a honeymoon in Rio.

What we check with the school

Before the first booking with a school or teacher we look at where the class takes place and how you get there, the language the teacher really uses in class, who the format suits (beginners or not, from what age), what is included (ingredients and drinks at a cooking class, group size), and the length and cancellation terms in writing. We send new teachers clients only after a trial session. The school’s name and address come after the booking is confirmed.

What to tell us in your request

• which class you want: samba, capoeira, Portuguese, cooking (or several);
• dates and times that suit you;
• how many people, and children’s ages;
• your level: never tried or some experience;
• format: one lesson or a course, private or group;
• your preferred language;
• for cooking: allergies, dietary needs, market visit or not;
• for samba before Carnival: your parade night, if you have it;
• where you are staying in Rio.

Cancellation and changes

• Cancel at no charge up to 48 hours before the class.
• You can move the date once with 48 hours’ notice if the school has another date.
• If the school cannot hold the class, we find a replacement or refund the deposit in full.
• If samba lessons are booked together with a Carnival parade, the Carnival part follows the Carnival rule: the deposit is not refundable after confirmation.

What we handle. We pick the school or teacher for your level, language and dates, check them before booking, agree the programme or menu, add a transfer on request and fit the class around the rest of your trip.