How To Samba Like A Local In Brazil

Samba music and dance lie at the very heart of Brazilian culture. It’s a dance that connects Brazilians natives and a rhythm they can all relate to. Although some may be better than others, it’s a dance free for all and begins with a few simple steps – one, two, three, one, two, three. Get this right and you’re half way there. Practice alone and you’ll get the hang of it in no time. Don’t worry if you haven’t quite cracked it, the’ll be an eager, chiselled Brazilian man at any Samba party who will be more than happy to show you the moves. For a start, read our guide to getting into the groove in Brazil.

What many travelers don’t realize is that samba music is an wide-ranging genre, much like jazz in the United States. There are many types of samba music and dance to experience, from slow and swingy to upbeat and electric (think Carnival music). Around the 1920s the now-famous samba schools began to form and practise the music and dance, to perform at the Carnival parades. Over the years the popularity of the Carnival-style samba music grew, along with the extravagance of the costumes and parades.

To learn and understand samba, you don’t need an extravagant costume or over-the-top parade float. You simply need a willingness to learn the rhythm and loosen up a little. One way to learn to samba like a local, is to take classes at a dance studio. These are easy to find throughout Brazil, and samba beginners should try a few classes at different studios to find the right fit. Dance teachers are usually warm and welcoming to newcomers trying to learn one of Brazil’s important cultural dances.

The other option is to dive in headfirst by heading to the actual samba schools and joining in on one of their rehearsals for the Carnival. These are often held late at night and can be overwhelming for those unprepared for the exertion, intense energy and music. To find the samba schools and their practise times it’s best to ask a local. Get a head start on understanding samba sounds of the Carnival, by heading to the rehearsals and asking around for the best samba beats.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.