Carnivals and Festivals

For people planning to travel to Latin America, Brazil is a great place to consider. Already a place known to impress tourists from the world, Brazil ranked the second among all Latin American nations in a list of the most attractive tourist destinations, released on Wednesday by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The WEF’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2009 evaluated the world’s nations’ competitiveness and charm as a tourist destination. Brazil was the 45th among the 133 countries appeared in the report, four positions up from last year. In the report, WEF praised the rich diversity of Brazil’s animal varieties and the country’s commitment to sustainable development.

Costa Rica topped its Latin American neighbors by appearing in the 42nd position in the list. (Source) Xinhua

One of my best friends told me some great stories about Peru and the food there. Here’s some great information on the festivals held in Peru.

There are about 3,000 festivals celebrated each year in Peru. Most of them celebrate the day of saint patron. The festivities mix both the Christians and Andean religions, creating a very colorful and mysterious event. Especially in the traditional villages in the mountains there are several traditional celebrations related to ancient myths.

via perutravelguide

source: wowow.07x.net

Feb. 12 – Friday

• Carnival 2010 King Momo is crowned by mayor at 1 p.m 
• Shows start at Terreirão do Samba and Rio Folia, from 8 p.m.
• Parade of Children’s Samba Schools at the Sambodrome, from 5 p.m.
• Cinelandia Ball Downtown, from 9 p.m.
• Azeitona sem Caroço at Rua Dias Ferreira, Leblon – 8 p.m.
• Bip Bip at Rua Almirante Gonçalves, Copacabana – Midnight
• Carmelitas at Rua Dias de Barros, Santa Teresa – 5 p.m.
• Rola Preguiçosa at Av. Epitácio Pessoa, Ipanema – 5 p.m.
• Vem ni mim que eu sou facinha at Rua Prudente de Morais, Ipanema – 5 p.m.

Feb. 13 – Saturday

This is the first official Carnival day. Banda de Ipanema concentrates at Praça General Osório at 4-5 p.m. At 7:00 p.m. the luxury costume competition starts at Hotel Glória. At night do not miss the legendary ball at the Copacabana Palace Hotel. Luxury costumes or black tie are mandatory. You will rub shoulders with a number of international and local VIP’s, top models, the works. The Week is probably the best bet for clubbers, gays and lesbians (dance music sets the pace, not samba). Access group samba schools parade at the Sambodrome starting at 7 p.m. onwards, trying to climb their way up (or back) to the special group. There is a street band competition downtown, on Av. Rio Branco, starting at 8 p.m (free).

• Cordão do Bola Preta
  Street Band (Downtown), from 9:30 a.m.
• Banda de Ipanema
  from 4-5 p.m. (Praça General Osório)
• Competition of deluxe Costumes
  at Hotel Glória from 7 p.m. (to be confirmed)
• Parade of Access Group Samba School
  from 7 p.m. (Sambodrome)
• Street Band Competition
  at Av. Rio Branco,  from 8 p.m.
• Shows start at Terreirão do Samba and Rio Folia, from 8 p.m.
• Banda de Ipanema
  at Praça General Osório, Ipanema – 4 p.m.
• Barbas
  at Rua Arnaldo Quintela, Botafogo – 3 p.m.
• Banda da Bolivar, Banda da Santa Clara,
  Banda da Sá Ferreira, Banda da Duvivier
  corner of Av. Atlântica, Copacabana from to 2-5 p.m.
• Vermelho & Preto
  at Scala, Leblon – 10 p.m. ($)
• Luxury Costume Balls
  at Copacabana Palace Hotel – 10 p.m ($$)
• Carnaval Ideal
  at Cine Ideal, Centro – 11 p.m.

Feb. 14 – Sunday

Today Banda Simpatia é Quase Amor marches in Ipanema (free) attracting as many as 15,000. And today is your first chance to watch Special Group Samba Schools march at Rio de Janeiro’s Sambodrome. The show starts at 9 p.m., and ends around 6 a.m. There will be 6 samba schools, and each has from 70 to 85 minutes to march. Invest on a seat in a good sector. Bleachers at Sector 9 are the only ones with numbered seats. You may also consider runway boxes (frisas), mezzanine boxes (camarotes), even standard bleachers (arquibancadas). Expect to pay from US$150 and up if you want to actually see anything (more details at Meet the Sambodrome). If you are traveling on a budget, watch the schools concentrate outside the Sambodrome, enjoy the shows at Terreirão do Samba on Av. Presidente Vargas, and stretch at Rio Folia in Lapa, with live music shows and performances all night long (free).

• Samba Parade
  on Sunday at 9 p.m.
• Shows start at Terreirão do Samba and Rio Folia – 8 p.m.
• Cordão do Boi Tatá
  at Praça 15, Centro – 8 a.m.
• Simpatia é Quase Amor
  at Praça General Osório, Ipanema – 4 p.m.
• Bangafumenga
  at Rua Pacheco Leão, Horto – 4 p.m.
• Empolga às 9
  at Posto 9, Ipanema – 9 p.m.
• Que Merda é Essa?
  at Rua Garcia D’Ávila, Ipanema – 2 p.m..

Feb. 15 – Monday

Monday is the second day of the competition, with a new assortment of 6 schools taking over the Sambodrome’s runway known as the Passarela do Samba. Catch up with your sleep first, as the show lasts over 10 hours each night! If you are game for new experiences, consider marching with a Samba School. Some Cariocas march with as many as 3 or 4 on a single night! You do not have to go that far, but taking part in the show is such a unique experience, that you could at least give it a though t. If you are on a budget, stay at the concentration outside the Sambodromo and take photos of costumes and floats with your disposable camera, go to the popular balls, or watch the shows at Terreirão do Samba and Rio Folia.

• Samba Parade
  on Monday at 9 p.m.Carnival Balls (from 11 p.m.)
• Shows start at Terreirão do Samba and Rio Folia – 8 p.m.
• Banda do Lido
  at Av. Atlântica, Copacabana – 1 p.m.
• Volta Alice
  Rua Alice at Praça Maria Portugual, Laranjeiras – 9 a.m.
• Cacique de Ramos
  at Av. Presidente Vargas, Centro – 8 p.m.
• Filhos de Gandi
  at Posto 6, Copacabana – 3 p.m.

Feb. 16 – Tuesday

Mardi-Gras or Fat Tuesday is another day full of activities. In the afternoon Banda de Ipanema parades for the last time of the year. Bring your camera to capture the images of the hilarious drag queens that march in front of the band. At night you have a number of balls to choose from. One of the most popular events is the straight-friendly Scala Gay Costume Ball, in Leblon. Party with the most exotic collection of characters you will ever see! Wear something colorful and fun, and you may be picked out for an interview – the ball is broadcast on TV to all Brazilian states!

The winner of the Samba Parade is elected on Wednesday. It is worthwhile staying in town for a few more days. The Winners Parade is on Saturday, February 28. It includes the six special group schools that made the best score, the winner of the access group, and other special attractions. And on Sunday March 1 do not miss Monobloco, attracting as many as 20 thousand party animals to the beach lanes of Copacabana. Print the box below, and bring it along. It will help you make the best of your Carnival days and nights. See you in Rio!

• Banda de Ipanema
  from 4 p.m. (Praça General Osório)
• Shows start at Terreirão do Samba and Rio Folia – 8 p.m.
• Parade of Access Group B
  Samba Schools from 9 p.m. (Sambodrome)
• Bafo da Onça
  at Av. Rio Branco, Centro – 8 p.m.
• Banda da Bolivar, Banda da Santa Clara,
  Banda da Sá Ferreira, Banda da Duvivier
  corner of Av. Atlântica, Copacabana from to 2-5 p.m.
• Banda de Ipanema
  at Praça General Osório, Ipanema – 4 p.m.
• Meu Bem Volto Já
  at Av. Atlântica, Leme – 3 p.m.
• Lira do Delírio
  at Rua Farme de Amoedo, Ipanema – 10 p.m.
• Baile Scala Gay
  at Scala, Leblon – 11 p.m. ($)

Feb. 20 – Saturday

• Carnival 2010 Winners Parade
  at the Sambodrome

Feb. 21 – Sunday

• Monobloco
  with Concentration at Av. Rio Branco in the Downtown area