Rio's Carnival (spelled Carnaval in Potuguese) is perhaps the world's most famous celebration. Carnival is a spectacular time to come to Rio de Janeiro, especially for gay travelers! There are several gay festivals including one in front of our hotel, and people joke that everyone seems a little gay during carnival!

Experience the unmatched beauty and charm of this famous city, as well as its friendly, captivating people, known as Cariocas. Located between the mountains and sea, Rio de Janeiro is a tropical urban resort that offers delicious cuisine, terrific shopping, and stunning scenery. The beaches are loaded with eye candy as far as the eye can see, and the night scene explodes with some of the best venues and music in the world.

During Carnival, in addition to gay pool parties and large dance events, you can also join street festivals and parades all over the city; and there is an attitude of good will and harmony that pervades everything.

This trip combines the perfect hotel, exclusive Zoom events, Zoom Concierge services, plus plenty of free time to give you a vacation that is fabulous, fun, safe, and customized to your specific interests. Let Zoom Vacations treat you to the vacation of your dreams in stunning Rio de Janeiro!

PACKAGE HIGHLIGHTS:

• A welcome cocktail reception and sumptuous Brazilian dinner

• A sunset cocktail reception and heli tour of Sugarloaf and Corcovado

• A stunning beach party with lunch and drinks and optional hang gliding

• 5 nights twin share accommodations at the Ipanema Plaza Hotel, the newest luxury hotel in Rio, just a half block from Rio's gay beach (located in Ipanema).

• A hearty Brazilian Buffet Breakfast daily

• All transfers to Zoom Vacations events

• Complimentary daily use of a Nokia cell phone (airtime is additional)

• Services of a Zoom Vacations Concierge throughout the trip

• Rio de Janeiro gay survival guide, complete with information on nightlife, restaurants, beaches, shopping, and much more

• Optional excursions such as hang-gliding, Favela tour, Tijuca Forest, Corcovado, Sugar Loaf, and Samba party tickets

• Advance ticket purchase options for the best dance events of the week, exclusively for Zoom Vacations travelers

• All this and more . . . Exclusively for Zoom Vacations travelers

Luxury Accommodations:

• Ipanema Plaza Hotel. This 4 star property is the closest hotel to the gay beach, and is truly the hot spot for the week!

Hotel Amenities:

Bar/Lounge
Business Center
Concierge
24 Hour Front Desk
Hairdryers Available
Pool
Parking
Restaurant
Room Service
Safe Deposit Box
Fitness Center
Laundry/Valet Services
AM/FM Alarm Clock Modem Lines in Room
Free Newspaper
Television with Cable

Zoom Vacations has a terrific air deal with TAM Airlines for just $999!

Additional Brazil Trip information

Click here to download our complimentary cell phone use application.

Click here to view/print a Brazilian Visa Application.

*Land only Introductory rate, based on double occupancy. Prices are subject to change. Need a roommate? Zoom Vacations is happy to match you with someone, at no additional charge. Or, you may pay a single supplement and go as a single.

Please read Terms and Conditions prior to booking.

Add-on Trip to Paraty
The Colonial Jewel of Brazil

February 21-23 , 2007
2 nights from $599*

Includes round trip transport from Rio de Janeiro (approximately 3 1/2 hours by coach)

Paraty is a small gay-friendly colonial town on the west coast between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. With beautiful beaches and undisturbed nature it also boasts over 400 years of history. It was one of most important ports of Brazil and it's name was synonymous with cachaça. Today, it is known as one of the most gay-friendly places in Brazil, largely because of its openly gay mayor!

Paraty was one of the most important towns in Brazil during the Gold Cycle. Today Paraty is a small historic town with elegant stores and many quaint hotels and inns that receive visitors from all over the world. From Paraty, one can easily get to over 65 islands, many with private beaches, swimming coves, and charming, rustic restaurants.

Paraty (para-chee) is a popular destination for European tourists but is unknown by most Americans. The old colonial homes are white-washed, embellished with intricate colored moldings. The roads are paved with river stone and cars are not allowed on the streets in the historic center. In the evenings, jazz music spills out from yellow-lit doorways, and impeccable cuisine abounds in authentic restaurants.

PACKAGE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Round trip transfer by luxury motorcoach (about 3.5 hours through stunning scenery)

• Fabulous Boutique Accommodations in the historic city center.

• Island hopping by boat among 65 scenic islands.

• Unique dining experience with a famous Brazilian chief using local ingredients from the Brazilian Amazon. You are invited into the private home of Yara Castro Roberts, where using local ingredients, Yara demonstrates the preparation of a typical Brazilian meal.  The experience is enhanced as guests participate and share in the preparation of this incredible culinary experience. The stories, the fun and the drink flow to make this a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

• Optional horseback riding through the tropical rainforest, past beautiful waterfalls

Testimonials From Past Zoom Rio Vacations

All I can say about my experience with Zoom and Rio is that my friends and family are sick and tired of my stories of how wonderful everything was.  You can hear it, read it or even see pictures/video, but it will never even come close to living it...thank you for an incredible memory!

Mark Armstrong, LA: Zoom Rio New Years Vacation 2005/2006

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Man, did I have a blast! Thanks for hanging with me and making this trip so great. I want to go again next year. I have been telling all my friends about how great Zoom Vacations treated us and how they should take part.

Juan Rocha, Phoenix: Zoom Rio New Years Vacation 2005/2006

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We had a blast.  It was the best vacation I have ever taken.   I thought being in a group might be stifling or a drag-- but having 70 instant friends was awesome.  (I am very shy and find it hard to meet folks…  LOL). You do GREAT work. 

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Craig Crawford, Sacramento: Zoom Rio New Years Vacation 2005/2006

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I sincerely want to thank you for what could possibly be the best trip of my life. I knew that I was going to like it but I never expected to be as GREAT as it was. You guys gave us the best New Years (and I'm talking also from many, many great comments that I heard from some of the other guys of our group). I'm very happy that I made the decision of going to Rio with ZOOM, and I also know that this is just the first of many vacations that I'm going to put in your hands.

Eddy Roblero, San Jose, Costa Rica: Zoom Rio New Years Vacation 2005/2006

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I had a wonderful time! Truly the best vacation I ever had!

Mark Allen, Maryville, TN: Zoom Rio New Years Vacation 2005/2006

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I had the good fortune of meeting Joel Cabrera here in New York during PRIDE 2004 and I said that if I ever went to Brazil, which I have been dying (my hair) to do for years, that I would give him a call.  Fate stepped in and I had the best vacation ever.

Carson Kressley, New York City: Zoom Rio New Years Vacation 2004/2005

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Dear Joel and Bryan,

I want to thank you for a marvelous trip. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have recommended Zoom Vacations to numerous people. I appreciate all the hard work you put into the adventure to make it one of the most pleasurable and memorable vacations I’ve ever had. I especially enjoyed all the new friends I met.

Michael, New York City: Zoom Rio New Years Vacation 2004/2005

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Dear Bryan and Joel,

Please receive our thanks for arranging such a wonderful trip. In addition to making new friendships and enjoying Rio de Janeiro, you helped us make our seventh anniversary a happy occasion. We hope to see you in our travels in 2005.

Alex and Matt, New York City: Zoom Rio New Years Vacation 2004/2005

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Dear Zoom Vacations,

We want to thank you for a much needed and wonderful vacation in Rio. We had an amazing time! You sure do know how to put together an incredible adventure we will remember for the rest of our lives. The itinerary of events, the friendships and the amazing men made for an experience we would recommend to everyone. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Meade, Miami: Zoom Rio New Years Vacation 2003/2004

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Just wanted to say thanks for putting together such a fantastic itinerary and trip to Rio. It was truly one of the best vacations I have had in several years....the weather, the activities, and the people too...a really nice group of people came together for the trip. You guys really out did (is that a word?) yourselves on the activities. I'll definitely be giving you a glowing review to anyone who asks about my experience with your travel company.

Greg, New York City: Zoom Rio New Years Vacation 2003/2004

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