Better safe than sorry: if you plan on being in Trancoso for New Year's Eve, I recommend that you buy tickets for some of the parties now, before they run out...
Here's what's on the schedule:
28/12 Pré-réveillon at the Uxua Praia Bar. 30/12 Pré-reveillón at CACAU restaurant 31/12 Taípe rave, a Trancoso tradition, and also dinner-dance New Year's Party at the Estrela d'água hotel
02/01 party at Pousada Aldeia do Sol on the Praia do Rio Verde.
You can buy a package which includes entry at all parties EXCEPT the ones on New Year's Eve, which all have an open bar, R$ 350 (girls) and R$ 500 (guys).
The réveillon (New Year's party) on Copacabana Beach is the biggest party on Earth, and here's why:
Every year on the 31st of December millions of cariocas, the natives of Rio, flock to Copacabana beach, all dressed in white, from all corners of the town and the country, to bid farewell to the year that is ending and toast the arrival of the new year. And yes, I said millions. Two million people, on average, gather on the sands, all in a peaceful party vibe.
Rich, poor, young, old, white, black.
Many bring elaborate offerings (miniature boats containing lit candles, food, drink, etc) to ship out to sea to Iemanjá, African Goddess of the Waters. Candles light the sand as the crowd waits for the big event: the fireworks display, the biggest of its kind in the world.
Riotur says "the World Records Academy gave the Fireworks Company the award the "Biggest Pyrotechnic Show on Barges in the World" during the New Year´s Eve in Rio de Janeiro which lighted the 4Km of the Copacabana Beach during 22 minutes."
The city puts on several outdoor concerts, all free of charge and very well organized. Cops are everywhere, to guarantee that tourists and revellers stay safe.
After midnight, Brazilians all walk down to the crashing surf and hop seven waves on their right foot, an ancient custom that is thought to bring good vibes and start off the new year on a high note.
Luca Martucci is an Italian who lives in Brazil and owns a bespoke travel company: Cultour. He's offering a six-day trip to beautiful Boipeba, in Bahia's Dendê Coast, for New Year's (Réveillon). Here's what it includes:
Wed 30.12 – Salvador/Boipeba
Private transfer in a van to Graciosa, where a speedboat will take the group to unspoiled Boipeba Island, part of the Arquipélago de Tinharé, South of Salvador.
Sunset at Boca da Barra beach, at the mouth of the Rio do Inferno.
Schooner ride to the Praia de Bainema, to swim in the natural pools created by the coral reefs. At night, party at the “Coqueiro” bar, on Boca da Barra. Fireworks and champagne on the beach at midnight. ________________________________________ Friday 01.01 – Boipeba
Speedboat tour to Ponta dos Castelhano (deserted beach) and Coroa Alta. Lunch at fishermen's village. ________________________________________ Sunday 03.01 – Boipeba
Trekking along the Banheirinho, Tassimirim and Cueira beaches. More swimming in natural pools created by the coral reefs.
________________________________________ 04.01 – back to Salvador
COST PER PERSON:
Pousadas Alma Viva e Casinha Amarela 3.500 Reais (double occ.)
Here's a disclaimer for those who might be reading this without knowing where I stand:
1) I love Rio more than the city where I was born, the city where I live and more than anywhere I've ever visitted. 2) I find the New Year's celebration in Copacabana (Réveillon de Copacabana) the most beautiful thing ever 3) I support the Rio 2016 Olympics in a nearly unconditional way
BUT: who knows what Rio mayor Eduardo Paes was thinking when he announced he'd hired Madonna to sing at the 2011 Réveillon.
Hello, mr. Mayor: without Madonna, millions of people already show up at the beach for the year end celebrations. With a free Madonna show, the whole country might set up camp there.
It's irresponsible - I repeat: ir-res-pon-si-ble - to create a monster demand for an event that, as it is, can not accomodate any more spectators than the ones it usually draws.
The actual purpose of the beach shows during the Réveillon should not be to attract more poeple, but rather, to entertain those that are there anyways. It's more of a fun samba night, no need to call up mrs. Jesus Luz.
Réveillon with Madonna, besides spoiling the experience for those who like to spend New Year's in Rio, will increase tenfold the safety problems - and, in the worst case scenario, lead to mob pushing and pounding like those that happen in Meca.
Want to hire Madonna to sing, despite the opposition of the locals, who are sick and tired of megashows at the beach? Fine, but do it on a night when the beach would otherwise be empty, and not on a night when every single Brazilian is off work and looking for a fun place to be in at the countdown to the new year.
Want to tell the world how amazing Rio's Réveillon is? Then invite Madonna - or any A-list pop star - to attend the party as a guest. He or she could even take part in some of the traditional rituals, such as dressing in white, hopping seven waves on one foot for good luck or sending presents out to see to Iemanjá, the sea goddess. Então traz a Madonna, ou qualquer outro pop star de primeiríssimo time, para assistir ao Réveillon. Heck, get her a biodegradable Kabala to throw out to sea, if that's what it takes. There.
That'll be enough to get Rio's Réveillon in the headlines all over the world, without actually ruining the fun.
