Rio samba evenings compared

Pedra do Sal with a guide

A group limited to 10, led by a live guide who speaks English, joins the public roda at Pedra do Sal, with one welcome drink and the history of the neighbourhood and of samba. It runs for about three hours, and food and transport are not included. It suits visitors who want the music and its story together, outdoors, with a guide at hand.

A Lapa bar night with live samba

This evening is a bar crawl in Lapa, the neighbourhood Wikipedia calls the cradle of bohemian Rio and describes as known for its historical monuments and nightlife. It lasts about four hours and includes at least four cachaça tastings and one caipirinha, a stop by the Arcos da Lapa and the Selarón steps, a bar with live samba and a nightclub finish. The guide speaks Spanish, English and Portuguese, and the ticket is not for anyone under 18. It suits people who want a longer, louder night out with a drink in hand, and who are happy to walk between stops.

The arches of Lapa

The Arcos da Lapa, the Carioca Aqueduct, were built to carry water from the springs of the Carioca River to a fountain in the city centre, and they now serve as a viaduct for the Santa Teresa tram. Wikipedia says Lapa is known for its lively cultural scene, with venues that celebrate samba, forró and MPB.

A beginner samba lesson in Ipanema

A one-hour lesson in a studio in Ipanema, in a group limited to 10, teaches the basic steps and ends with photos in carnival costumes. Instruction is in English and Portuguese. It suits people who want to learn to move to the music before they go out to a roda or a club, and it asks only for comfortable clothes. The instructors are described as having performed in several major samba schools, and the group has at most 10 people in it.

Where each one meets

The three evenings start in three different places. The Pedra do Sal group meets on Rua Sacadura Cabral in Saúde. The Lapa guide sends a message on the day of the tour with the details of where to find them, so keep your phone charged. The Ipanema lesson takes place in a studio in Ipanema. Read each confirmation carefully.

What caipirinha and cachaça are

Two of these evenings mention cachaça. Wikipedia describes the caipirinha as Brazil's national cocktail, made with cachaça, sugar, lime and ice, and says cachaça is made from sugar cane. The Pedra do Sal ticket includes one welcome drink, and your guide can tell you what is on offer on the night.

Side by side

A quick way to choose between the three:

• Want the history and an open-air roda: Pedra do Sal with a guide
• Want a long night with live music, drinks and a club: the Lapa bar night
• Want to learn the steps first: the Ipanema lesson, then a roda another evening
• Want the shortest commitment: the one-hour lesson, which takes the least of an evening
• Want the longest night: the Lapa evening, which runs about four hours

Who these aren't for

The Pedra do Sal evening is not for pregnant women or people with claustrophobia. The Lapa bar night is not for under-18s, and it involves walking between stops, which can be hard if you have mobility difficulties. None of the three is a seated show. If you want a table, a menu and a stage, none of the three is the right choice.