Rio de Janeiro · WORKSHOPS
The 12 best workshops and classes you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Spend one lively hour at Samba Fit in Ipanema learning samba basics from Carla, Ranaa, or Gaby, instructors who have performed with major samba schools. The small group class includes photos, videos, and a chance to wear Carnival costumes at the end.
“Gaby is a great instructor! Really makes samba 101 fun and we even got to try on some costumes and got a little gift at the end. 10/10 would recommend :)”
Join a one-hour beginner-friendly samba class in Copacabana with instructors such as Marco, Thiago, or Mauricio. You will learn basic samba no pé steps, dance with an international group, and may finish with a festive circle and carnival-style photos. Water and bilingual instruction are included.
“This class was very fun. The teacher was energetic and entertaining. He taught us some basic moves and we ended with a little celebration of our new skills by dancing in a big circle together.”
Start with a beginner-friendly, one-hour samba class led in English, Spanish, or Portuguese by guides such as Marco or Bruno. Then travel with your instructor to Pedra do Sal on Monday or a samba club in Copacabana from Wednesday to Saturday, with entry and three hours of guidance included.
“Marco was very patient, fun class, easy to talk to and we had a great time at the dancing at the club afterwards. Enjoyed it so much we are going back for more!”
Start at Pura Vida Hostel in Copacabana with a caipirinha workshop, then learn samba from a professional teacher such as Camilo, Nati, or Bruno. The two-hour evening includes two drinks and a shot of Gabriela, with optional nightlife afterward.
“We enjoyed the Samba class with Bruno. It was very relaxed and way more fun than we imagined. Sadly, we did not stay for the Caipirpirinha workshop. This was because in the information given, the start time of the event was stated as 7.15pm. However, the Samba didn't start until 8pm. We had to leave just as the Caipirpirinha workshop was starting. This was very disappointing especially as we had enjoyed the Samba class and the venue so much.”
Meet your instructor at a Copacabana studio for a one-hour samba lesson suited to beginners, solo visitors, couples, and mixed groups. Learn basic steps, turns, and rhythm, hear about samba culture, and try a carnival costume during daytime sessions. Carla, Marcos, Carmen, and Bem Vind have taught past classes.
“I was the only student! Bem Vind was the instructor. He explained very clear about each step. Very professional with counts and accent of each step. He went right to the dance and I just followed him, he stopped and explained when he saw I did not get it, then we kept repeating until I felt comfortable. We did across the floor and turns, forward & backwards. This is a crash course, being a dance director of ballet and modern dance, Samba is quite challenging for me. I wish I stay for a week to take the class daily. He taught the class that we used the whole space.”
Meet Surf Matrix at the yellow tent on Arpoador Beach for a one-hour lesson with up to six people. Rafael may lead your class, covering ocean safety, board position, paddling, and standing up before you practice in the waves. English, Portuguese, and Spanish instruction is available.
“We had Rafael as a surfing instructor with this company. I could not recommend enough! They were flexible with the timings as it is weather dependant. Rafael was fabulous, full of energy, spoke English very well and was a wonderful teacher. Worth every penny!”
Meet a local surf instructor in Copacabana or Ipanema for a one-hour lesson covering stretching, board technique, ocean safety, and your first waves. Group and private classes are available, with boards, leashes, surf clothing, storage, and optional photos and videos.
“En fait je n’ai pas trouvé le guide!parce qu’il n’y en avait pas!sur votre site ce sont des photos de toutes les écoles de surf d’ipanema!et personne ne représente ce site!il n’y avait pas de numéro de téléphone pour avec des explications!j’ai dû repayer pour avoir un cours! Je ne comprends pas car j’ai réservé plusieurs activités avec vous! mais pour le surf c’est à revoir! Pourriez-vous procéder à mon remboursement?”
Start at Pura Vida Hostel in Copacabana with a caipirinha workshop led in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Prepare and drink two caipirinhas, then join a professional teacher for an hour of Rio funk. Roberta is praised for welcoming people into the party mood. Lapa afterward is optional.
“Amazing! We loved making the caipi's, and the funk class was LEGIT!!! Note the hostel is at the base of a favela (we weren't aware), but it added to the excitement & thrill.”
Visit one of Rio’s top samba schools in Samba City, see how carnival costumes are made, pose in dazzling outfits, and take a short samba class. A guide such as Lucas can add useful history and context, while hotel pickup, drop-off, and a caipirinha keep the three-hour outing easy.
“Great tour of one of the samba schools in Samba City, the pace of the tour was excellent and you got a very nice mix of history, background and personal immersion into the world of samba. Our tour guide Lucas was outstanding!”
Spend about three and a half hours at Pura Vida Hostel in Rio with two included drinks, DJs, live guitar, and a one-hour Latin dance class led by Camilo. The multilingual class is followed by more music, with optional access to a Guanabara Bay boat party or Substation Club.
“Superbe ambiance, le prof de danse était génial”
Spend four hours in a Copacabana kitchen with a local chef such as Carina or Simone. Choose feijoada or seafood moqueca, prepare Brazilian sides and drinks, then eat what you make. Hotel pickup and return cover most central Rio neighborhoods and the cruise port.
“Chef Simone was phenomenal! She explained the cultural significance behind the dishes before we began the cooking process. She was thoughtful, engaging and patient during the class. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone traveling in the area.”
Join Chef Simone in Copacabana for a small Brazilian cooking class in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. Prepare seven recipes, including moqueca on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays or feijoada on Saturdays, then share the meal with two drinks.
“Chef Simone is one of the most incredible people we met in Rio! Her knowledge of the city and country as a whole is enviable, and her passion for all things Brazilian, particularly cooking, is infectious. She created such a safe environment for us to get to know each other during our class, and even afterwards she was available to be contacted. Highly recommend the fejioada (pork and beans) but everything was amazing! 12/10 experience, book now!!!”
Pick a summit, a hillside, a beach or a bar.
