⚕️ Coronavirus News Update:  On July 25, the city of Rio de Janeiro officially cancelled celebrations to celebrate the start of 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the beachfront celebrations brought together 3 million revelers. ⚕️

Rio de Janeiro is one of the best places in the world to ring in the New Year (or, as Brazilians call it Réveillon.)  While the northern hemisphere is freezing, the beaches of Rio are warm … and the men are hot!  This guide for 2020 is split into three sections:  getting there, enjoying New Years Eve on Copacabana beach, and finding the best gay parties.

Getting There / Places to Stay

We recommend that you fly down in late December and spend a week discovering Rio de Janeiro.  (Rates for the high season start on flights departing after December 27.)  To book an international flight to Rio, the best websites are:

• Expedia.com
• LAN / TAM Airlines (direct from airline)
• Iberia (direct from the airline, Europe to Brazil)

Once in Rio, you will need a place to stay.  Ipanema Beach is where the boys are.  Copacabana is amazing as well.  Check out our list of the best LGBT friendly hotels and apartments in gay Rio.

For the plane ride down, pick up a copy of Lonely Planet Rio de Janeiro, the best English language guide to the city.  (United States citizens will also need to apply for a Visa to enter Brazil.  Americans won’t be able to board their flights without it.)

Copacabana Beach

Fabulous and free!  The sands of Copacabana (and neighboring Ipanema) are the place to be this time of year.  The New Year’s Eve tradition is to wear white and pay tribute to Iemanjá, the water goddess at the center of Brazil’s Candomblé religion.  Every year, there is a massive party with live music that fills the sands of Copacabana Beach, however if you stay in Ipanema you will only be 20 to 30 minutes away by foot.  The music starts between 8 and 9PM, and the fireworks begin at the stroke of midnight.

Parties, Parties, and More Parties!

Get every last drop out of 2019 before the year ends.  Rio’s gay bars will be open and ready to party after Christmas Day.

Rio BeatsHouse 2020

You only live once, so open your wallet, book a room at the JW Marriott and reserve a ticket for Rio BeatsHouse 2020.  For the 2nd year, this all-inclusive event will be hosted at the five-star JW Marriott and will be best way to ring in the New Year.  Check the availability at the JW Marriott now and let the countdown begin.

The Week Réveillon 2020

Party boys from across the globe come together every year for Réveillon at The Week RJ.  This year, the mega party will take place at Espaco Costa Hall with a stunning view of Guanabara Bay.  Click here to get more info and to buy tickets online..

Wallpaper Prime Copacabana @ Pestana

Gay-friendly, over-the-top, party to ring in the new year.  The parties organized by the Wallpaper Brasil promoters never fail to impress and this New Year’s réveillon party should be amazing.  Click here to buy tickets online, and to check rates and availability for rooms at the Pestana Rio Atlantica, click here.

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