I gained so much from this experience! Especially the capacity to adapt, to be agile and practical with my bags, with my life and my decisions. I learned to connect with children through their strengths and also through their fears, extending my hand and offering both help and support. If you speak Portuguese and English, or only English, I highly advice for you to go there and make an impact! I loved the experience, and quite frankly, I should have stayed at least 2 months!
Carnival Volunteering at a Samba School in Brazil - Rio de Janeiro
Purpose
Bring communities together through creative arts
Start dates
Programs start every first and third Monday of the month
Duration
Choose from 2-24 weeks
Volunteer hours
Up to 5 hours a day
Age
Volunteers aged 18+
Accommodation
Dormitory-style hostel
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Creative volunteers with a flair for decoration and craft, as you will be helping some of the leading Samba schools in the creation of costumes.
Project details
Ready to kick up your heels and be a Carnival volunteer in Brazil - Rio de Janeiro? International Volunteer HQ’s Carnival project enables volunteers to get behind the scenes of organise one of the world’s biggest parties. Carnival (known in Brazil as Carnaval) takes place on the streets of Rio once a year and Samba schools competing in it have a full year of intense work to prepare the many costumes, floats, music and dances for the celebration. Volunteers are invaluable in helping with their many hours of preparation.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Carnival is an event that breaks all economic and social boundaries. A love and passion for Samba makes everyone equal and draws millions of Brazilians and thousands of tourists to Rio de Janeiro every year. Samba schools come from low-income areas of Rio called favelas, and most of the schools are named after the community they represent. Each school unifies and proudly represents people from that community.
As a Carnival volunteer you’ll be assisting Samba schools with a range of preparations for the competitions, parades and celebrations. They start getting ready a full year before Carnival starts.
Carnival volunteer work may vary but is most likely to be cutting and pasting, helping to create costumes.
Please note that the dates for Carnival change every year - it is held 46 days before Easter. Participation in the actual parade is not included in the project, however volunteers may enjoy this opportunity at an additional cost by arranging this independently once they’re in the country. This project is available between October and February each year.
Why do Carnival volunteering in Rio De Janeiro with IVHQ?
When you do Carnival volunteering in Rio de Janeiro you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Assisting with preparations for Carnival
- Helping low-income communities participate in an important tradition
- Practicing your Portuguese
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining experience in arts, crafts, music and dance
- Immersing yourself fully in the Brazilian culture
- Getting involved in one of the world’s biggest parties
Volunteer requirements
Volunteers must be 18 years or older to participate in this program. If you are under 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad to explore these options
Volunteers aged over 18 on their start date are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.
All volunteers must speak English and have adequate volunteer travel insurance.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
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Exploring Ipanema Beach during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Rio during an IVHQ weekend
Academic course credit
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course creditLocation
Location
IVHQ’s volunteer projects are based in the glittering city of Rio de Janeiro. It’s the second largest city in Brazil and home to glorious beaches, breathtaking scenery and a huge selection of cultural activities including the world’s biggest street parade, Carnival.
The volunteer accommodation is based in Glória, a bayside neighborhood in central Rio which is close to Copacabana Beach and many restaurants, bars, art galleries, museums and tourist attractions.
Arrival and orientation
The program orientation begins on the first and third Monday of each month and volunteers need to arrive into Rio de Janeiro on the Sunday before orientation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Galeão-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) or Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) in Rio de Janeiro. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation in Rio. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation. If you are travelling in Brazil prior to your volunteer program, you will need to arrange your own transport to the hostel accommodation.
Orientation is hosted by our Brazil team at their office in Rio de Janeiro. Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Brazil - an introduction to Brazil, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.
Volunteer schedule example
First Day
On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local team member and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.
Weekdays
Work and hours at the placement are dependent on the project and placement that each volunteer is working at. A typical volunteer day is as follows:
| 7:30 AM | Breakfast at the hostel. |
| 8:00 AM | Volunteeers travel to their placements. |
| 8:30 - 2:00PM | Volunteers join the placement staff and begin work. There is usually a morning tea break and lunch break. |
| 2:00 - 5:00PM | Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel back to their accommodation, go sightseeing, hit the beach, or do some shopping. |
Please note that the schedule may occasionally change due to weather, public or school holidays, or other unforeseen events that could affect your placement. We recommend checking in advance whether your intended travel dates coincide with any public or school holidays.
Weekends
During the weekends, volunteers have free time to relax or take the opportunity to explore Rio de Janeiro and other areas of Brazil. Popular tourist activities include relaxing on the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, climbing Corcovado Mountain, visiting the statue of Christ the Redeemer, catching the cable car to get a 360-degree view of the city from Sugar Loaf Mountain, horse trekking and wildlife spotting in the Pantanal wetlands, exploring Iguazu Falls and trekking through the Amazon.
Accommodation and WiFi
Volunteers are accommodated in a dormitory-style public hostel set within a charming and character-filled house in the peaceful, historic neighbourhood of Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro.
Surrounded by lush greenery and local wildlife, the hostel offers stunning panoramic views over the city. It’s a safe, vibrant area with plenty of nearby restaurants serving both traditional Brazilian dishes and international cuisine.
The hostel has a warm, social atmosphere and plenty of inviting communal spaces where you can relax, unwind, and connect with fellow travellers. Volunteers and independent travellers typically share mixed-gender dorm rooms with 5 to 14 people - a fantastic way to meet new friends from all over the world.
Please note that the hostel welcomes both volunteers and other guests. This blend of people creates a fun, diverse environment and adds to the overall cultural experience.
In your free time, you can enjoy the outdoor pool, spend time on the garden terrace, or join the weekly yoga classes offered, perfect for relaxing and socialising.
Facilities include a fully equipped kitchen, a barbeque griller, coworking area, cozy lounge with TV, free Wi-Fi, shared bathrooms, 24-hour reception, laundry facilities, and individual lockers.
Private room upgrades and extra nights aren’t included in the program, but you’re welcome to contact the hostel directly if you’d like to arrange any add-ons. Full instructions will be provided in your Program Guide once you complete your registration.
Meals
A continental-style breakfast is served each morning. You can expect a simple but satisfying selection that typically includes bread, toast, ham, cheese, butter, cake, juice, coffee, and milk.
For lunch and dinner, volunteers are welcome to prepare their own meals in the fully equipped kitchen, which features a gas stove, oven, a fridge, and pantry space. Most volunteers, however, choose to enjoy the fantastic local food options with restaurants nearby offering meals ranging from AU$7 to AU$39.
The hostel is able to accommodate gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian diets for breakfast. If you follow a more specialised diet, please be aware that you may need to purchase some additional items locally. Just let us know your dietary needs when you apply so we can help ensure everything is arranged for you.
Volunteer hostel
Volunteer hostel
Hostel communal space
Hostel garden terrace
Hostel pool
Hostel views
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bathroom
Typical volunteer breakfast
Pricing
Secure your place for just US$329 (approximately AU$523), pay your Program Fee later.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$329 (approximately AU$523) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
|
Duration
|
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $770 Equivalent to $55/day |
| 3 weeks | $945 Equivalent to $45/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,120 Equivalent to $40/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,295 Equivalent to $37/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,380 Equivalent to $33/day |
| 8 weeks | $1,730 Equivalent to $31/day |
| 10 weeks | $2,080 Equivalent to $30/day |
| 12 weeks | $2,430 Equivalent to $29/day |
| 16 weeks | $3,130 Equivalent to $28/day |
| 20 weeks | $3,830 Equivalent to $27/day |
| 24 weeks | $4,530 Equivalent to $27/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately AU$523) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Brazil generally find US$250 to be sufficient for weekly expenses, including lunch, dinner and miscellaneous spending.
- Breakfast
- Airport pick-up
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country emergency support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Comprehensive in-country day to day support and guidance
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Lunch and dinner
- Transport to and from your placement each day
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Check what's required to visit Brazil
Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important you monitor this right up until you depart for your trip.
Safety and support
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
Essential country information
| Capital | Brasilia |
| Population | 198.7 million |
| Languages | Portuguese |
| Currency | Real (BRL) |
| Time zone | UTC-03:00 |
Weather and climate
The climate of Brazil has a wide range of weather conditions across a large area and varied topography, but most of the country is tropical. The different climatic conditions produce environments ranging from equatorial rainforests in the north and semiarid deserts in the northeast, to temperate forests in the south and tropical savannas in central Brazil. Many regions have starkly different microclimates.
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
LV
Luis Villa
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NK
Noritaka Kobayakawa
The Carnaval experience program is an exciting program allowing one to see what happens behind the scenes for the preparation for this major event. You also experience how celebratory this event is over many weeks before the parade. It is an amazing experience to see firsthand how the people of Rio de Janeiro celebrate the biggest celebration in the world.
...
MF
Myah Ford
I have gained a lot of confidence within myself, and a sense of accomplishment, it is an incredible experience to volunteer. My advice to anyone hesitant about joining this program, is to go for it! I had doubts at the start but when I got there, I had the time of my life, it’s tricky at first, but you will make so many friends and share so many story’s, it’s been an amazing experience, I would highly recommend to anyone.
...
UG
Uche Ginigeme
My favorite moment from the volunteer experience was getting to meet, hang out with, and learn from great people from all over the world. I was reminded of things I'm passionate about and give me the opportunity to embrace those things, while getting to learn and immerse myself in a beautiful culture. Embrace the opportunity, be open, give yourself the chance to grow & learn while being immersed in other cultures, and you'll definitely have a great experience.
...
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Apply to check if you're eligible!
