It's well known that Brazilians know how to party and New Year's Eve in Rio, or Reveillon, is one of the biggest events of the year. The main party takes place along Copacabana beach, with an eclectic mix of fireworks, samba schools and bands that celebrates African, Christian and indigenous traditions.

The parties on Copacabana beach are enormous. During the day hundreds of people come to the seafront to pay homage to the Afro-Brazilian Orixá, or goddess, Iemanjá, placing offerings in the sea. Music is played throughout the day, but it really kicks off around 7 pm when live acts and DJs start up the sound systems on the official stages. There are also balls and parties at all the major hotels along Copacabana beach, including the Copacabana Palace.

But the highlight of New Year's Eve in Rio is the spectacular firework display on the Copacabana beach. Fireworks are set off both on the beach and from many of the luxury hotels along the beachfront. The sky and sea are painted in exquisite colors, as the fireworks go off. In addition to the traditional display in all shapes and shades, the new designer fireworks they use draw hearts, palms, and other graphic images in the sky. It is thirty minutes of pure delight.

It is hard to decide which direction to look at, with fireworks popping all around you. It is much more fun to watch the festival from the great outdoors than from indoors. Seeing 2 million people all dressed in white along the beach, which is filled with candles, is unforgettable. In addition to the feeling of togetherness, you will be able to keep turning around in wonder as much as you want, instead of having to fight for window space.

There are also firework displays on other beaches (but nothing touches the main one) and, of course, wherever you go in the city on this night there is a party! Whether you just want to dance in the street, check out the new local bands or see some traditional Brazilian music, Rio rocks at New Year!

A Tradition Dressed in White - Only people who have spent New Year's Eve in Rio can understand why this is the second most important event on the city's calendar. Nowhere else in the world could white-clad crowds of 2 million people gather in a setting as breathtaking as Copacabana beach, honoring the departing year and greeting the twelve months that lie ahead in total harmony, peace and safety.

The velvety summer sky is the backdrop to one of the world's most spectacular fireworks displays. On the sand, white-robed believers light thousands of candles and toss flowers as offerings to Iemanjá, goddess of the sea, all to an irresistible Brazilian beat. December 31st at midnight on Copacabana beach is a magical moment every year. Thrilling, unforgettable and incomparable, it truly reflects all the facets of Rio.

1- Dec 28, 2008 Sunday - Arrival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Welcome to South America's largest and most populous country. Immigration and Customs. Meet and greet at the airport in Rio de Janeiro and arrival transfer to your hotel. Your room will be ready by noontime, if you prefer we can also arrange you an early check-in (at a surcharge) and you will have your room ready upon arrival, so you can freshen up and rest before exploring Rio de Janeiro.

2- Dec 29, 2008 Monday - Rio de Janeiro
Half Day City Tour to Sugar Loaf with guide. Today you will take the two-stage cable car up to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain - Pão de Açúcar - in the middle of the Guanabara Bay at 396 m (1.300 feet) above sea-level and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views. From here you can see Rio's beaches to the south, and beyond, like Sugar Loaf itself, half a dozen granite monolithic morros rising straight from the water’s edge in Guanabara Bay. You may change the date of this tour at your convenience.

The afternoon may be time for shopping. Visit the Amsterdam Sauer Jewelry Museum. They provide free transportation to and from the hotel. We can arrange this visit for FREE. In the evening, as an optional tour we suggest a wonderful dinner followed by a spectacular samba show with elaborately costumed mulatas, singers and dancers, presenting Brazil's folklore and capturing the carnival rhythms.

3- Dec 30, 2008 Tuesday - Rio de Janeiro
At leisure in Rio. Enjoy the surroundings of your hotel or, as an optional, take a tour to Corcovado, where the statue of Christ, the Redeemer, overlooks Rio and its famous beaches. You can also experience the rain forest right inside of Rio de Janeiro with the Jeep Tour. If you are a beach lover, a full-day cruise around Rio's Tropical Islands is the tour for you.

4- Dec 31, 2008 Wednesday - Rio de Janeiro
Enjoy the New Years' festivities! New Years in Rio has always been considered one of the most spectacular festivals in the world. The action will be city wide, with the greatest concentration of activity along Ipanema and Copacabana beaches. Copacabana in particular will be "ground zero", but the fireworks, open air concerts, street festivals will be everywhere. On December 31st you will surely want to join the thousands of Rio natives and visitors who, dressed in white in accord with the traditions of the Candomblé beliefs (a mixture or Catholicism and the African Yoruba faiths) – throng the beach to throw flowers into the sea, honor Iemanjá (goddess of the sea) and welcome in the New Year with fireworks lighting the sky and music filling the air!

5- Jan 01, 2009 Thursday - Rio de Janeiro
At leisure in Rio. Rest after the previous nights celebrations!

6- Jan 02, 2009 Friday - Depart Rio de Janeiro - Next City
Check-out at noon. Transfer to the airport in Rio de Janeiro. Homebound flight or proceed to your next destination.

Land-Only prices in US-Dollars per person in double occupancy (single supplement available), including:

• Private roundtrip transfer Airport GIG or SDU in Rio de Janeiro/Hotel/Airport GIG or SDU in Rio de Janeiro featuring air-conditioned vehicle with English speaking guide.

• Half Day City Tour to Sugar Loaf (SIB, approximately 4 hours) with English speaking guide.

• Accommodation in the hotel of your choice.

• Daily Brazilian buffet breakfast, unless indicated above.

• Meals as per description (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner).

• Hotel taxes.

Mandatory stay depending on the hotel of your choice.

Due to the high demand of New Year’s in Rio, please be aware of the following special conditions:

• Prices are subject to change until request is confirmed by our suppliers.

• Full payment is due upon written confirmation of the package.

• New Year’s packages are NON-REFUNDABLE once paid in full.

-> Additional for Russian speaking guide (private services) = US$ 157 per person.

-> To reduce or extend number of nights in this package, simply click on the hotel of your choice and check the desired period.

To receive more information, please email us at office@opcotours.com.