When you hear the word “carnival,” if you’re like many people the first thing you think of is the over-the-top celebrations in Brazil. You may not have realized that Carnival in Brazil (which is spelled Carnaval in Portuguese) is celebrating the same holiday as Mardi Gras in New Orleans – but it’s true. So if you’ve already been to New Orleans for Mardi Gras or you’re in the mood for something a little further from home, then we’re here to help you experience Carnival in Brazil – and without breaking the bank.
Carnival is celebrated differently in different parts of Brazil, so you’ll need to decide first which festivities you want to see. The most famous party – and the most popular in terms of outside visitors – is the one in Rio de Janeiro. But in this article we’ll take a look at a few of the places you might consider going for Carnival in Brazil, as well as the best ways for finding cheap airfare to Brazil, and some Carnival travel tips.
>> In 2012, Brazil’s Carnival runs from February 18 – 21.