If you're planning to spend New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro, it's time to think about celebrating in high style! We're here to tell you everything you should know about New Year's on Copacabana Beach –-  it’s more than your average party! We decided to focus on the public party, which is the most famous one, but there are private parties held all around the city (some of them with view to Copacabana fireworks). If you would like to book any of them or make a reservation at a restaurant for that night, ask at your hotel which one they recommend.

How to get to New Year's on Copacabana

If you are a tourist in Rio, you are probably staying in the South Zone of the city, which makes everything convenient. If you are in Copacabana, that's even better, because you can just walk to the beach. People staying in Ipanema may do the same, having to walk only a little bit more. From other neighbourhoods, you can get to Copacabana by bus or taxi – the only problem is that taxis may charge extra fees on that date, so always ask before grabbing one.
[caption id="attachment_7844" align="aligncenter" width="540"]New Year's on Copacabana New Year's on Copacabana / source[/caption]
To get to the beach from further away hotels, take the subway. On December 31 Metrô Rio works on a special schedule and you need to have a special card. It costs the same as the regular one, but only works during specified times. You have to choose to go from 19h to 23h and may ride in a one hour period; to come back, it is valid from midnight to 5h. They are sold in the stations listed here.

Where to go on Copacabana Beach

The party is all over the Copacabana Beach, but some places are more crowded than others. You really don’t have to worry because it is not impossible to move, as one may assume from seeing a picture of the event. The estimated attendance for this year is 2 million people, but you have to remember that the Copacabana Beach is big. There is a lot of space on the sand and on the road nearby! Even so, some people prefer to avoid crowds the most they can. If this is your preference, stay away from the four concert stages. At all four stages there will be concerts from 6 p.m. to around 4 a.m., with a break at 11:59 p.m. when a countdown is broadcasted. At midnight, the fireworks start! Usually the spectacle takes around 15 minutes, and this year there will be a lights show as well. [caption id="attachment_7845" align="aligncenter" width="540"]Enjoying New Year's in Copacabana Enjoying New Year's in Copacabana / source[/caption]
It is hard to explain how amazing this moment is. Everybody is anxiously waiting for it, and there’s a general commotion when it starts. Once you are there, it is easy to understand why it is one of the most famous New Year’s Eve events in the world. Nothing substitutes being there to see and feel it personally. Spend New Year's on Copacabana Beach!
Happy Travels!
By: Albano Maura
For: Rdj4u
For more information about tours and activities in Rio de Janeiro, check out our website at rdj4u.com!