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\nWeather & Air Quality
\nWhat to wear
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\nDay at a Glance
\n10 headlines
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Quick Scan — What’s Happening Today
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Tuesday is the last full workday before Carnaval transforms Rio. The pré-carnaval weekends are over — last Saturday saw 48 official blocos across the city, from Cordão do Boitatá’s megabloco debut to Monobloco’s ensaio at Praça da República. Today the pace drops, but a handful of midweek blocos warm up the streets in Copacabana, Centro, Ipanema, and Zona Norte.
This is part of The Rio Times’ daily coverage of Rio de Janeiro business and economic developments.
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This is also your final window for museums. MAM Rio — home to Daniel Buren’s first Brazilian project and the Carmen Portinho retrospective — closes for Carnaval after Thursday. CCBB is closed today (Tuesday) but reopens tomorrow with Viva Mauricio and a new exhibition. If you want art without the crowds, today and tomorrow are the days.
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In the Cariocão, the Taça Guanabara group stage concluded Sunday. All four grandes — Fluminense, Vasco, Botafogo, Flamengo — qualified for the quartas de final, which begin tomorrow with single-leg matches. And for those preparing for the folia: withdraw cash, buy sunscreen, and get your fantasia sorted today. By Friday, the entire city pivots.
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\nCulture & Events
\nFull listings
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Museums & Exhibitions
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MAM Rio — Daniel Buren: First Brazilian Edition
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The first Brazilian edition of French conceptual artist Daniel Buren’s signature site-specific installations. Buren’s striped visual tool — always exactly 8.7 cm wide — transforms MAM’s modernist pavilion into a dialogue between architecture and colour. Also on view: a major retrospective of Carmen Portinho, the engineer who made modern Rio possible, and a century-spanning survey of Brazilian art. MAM closes for Carnaval from February 13 to 18.
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CCBB Rio — Viva Mauricio: A Experiência Imersiva
\nClosed Today
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An immersive celebration of Mauricio de Sousa and the Turma da Mônica universe — from the Bairro do Limoeiro to Chico Bento’s rural world. Over 80 years of Brazil’s most beloved comic strip creator, brought to life with projections, interactive spaces, and original artwork. On view through April 13. CCBB is closed Tuesdays — plan for tomorrow or later this week.
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CCBB Rio — New Exhibition Opening Feb 11
\nOpens Tomorrow
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A new exhibition opens tomorrow at CCBB Rio, running through March 30. In addition to Viva Mauricio, the Museu BB permanent collection on the 4th floor remains on view year-round, and the Wednesday music series continues throughout February.
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Blocos de Rua
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Blocão de Copacabana
\nBloco
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One of Rio’s beloved pet-friendly blocos — costumes for dogs and their owners along the Copacabana beachfront. A lighthearted morning affair. Because it is midweek, expect a smaller and more relaxed crowd than the weekend editions.
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Ginga Tropical
\nBloco
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A Centro-based bloco celebrating Brazilian tropical rhythms. The parade winds through the historic streets around Saara. Expect some road closures near Rua da Alfândega from mid-morning.
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Banda do Arrxo
\nBloco
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Another Copacabana beachfront bloco with a playful spirit. The morning start means you can enjoy the parade before the clouds move in. Between Blocão and Banda do Arrxo, the Copacabana strip has back-to-back morning energy.
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Se Não Quiser Me Dar, Me Empresta
\nBloco
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One of the Ipanema beachfront blocos, known for its irreverent name and festive atmosphere. The parade runs along the iconic strip — arrive early, as Ipanema blocos draw a crowd even midweek.
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Also Today
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Additional Midweek Blocos
\nBlocos
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Bloquinho do Sem Ribalta (8h, Tijuca), Pode Provar Que Não Tem Veneno (9h, Recreio), Unidos da Ribeira (11h, Ribeira), Carijó (11h, Ilha do Governador), and Bohêmios da Pracinha e Vital (11h, Curicica). Confirm schedules on social media before heading out — midweek blocos are more prone to last-minute changes.
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\nTransport & Mobility
\nGetting around
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\nFood & Drink
\nWhere to eat
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Bloco Street Food
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- → Espetinhos, acarajé, queijo coalho at Copacabana bloco stands. R$10–25 per item.
- → Bring R$50–80 in small bills — most bloco vendors are cash-only.
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Hydration & Coconut Water
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- → Coconut water from barraqueiros on the beach: R$3–5. Same at bloco stands: R$10–15.
- → Buy on the sand, not at the bloco — the markup is 200%. Hydrate early and often.
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Sit-Down Dining
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- → Bar do Mineiro, Santa Teresa — feijoada, carne seca, cold draft. The bohemian hillside is calm this week.
- → Book Zona Sul restaurants now for Wed/Thu evenings — they fill up as the holiday approaches.
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Carnaval Prep Tip
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Stock your fridge by Thursday. During Carnaval (Fri–Tue), many neighbourhood restaurants close or reduce hours. Zona Sul and Pão de Açúcar supermarkets stay open but with long queues. Bloco food is limited to espetinhos, caipirinhas, and cerveja. For sit-down meals during Carnaval, book Leblon or Ipanema restaurants now.
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\nPractical & Civic
\nExpat essentials
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Currency & Costs
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USD/BRL: 5.22 | EUR/BRL: 6.10
\nSelic rate: 15.00% (easing expected Mar)
\nDaily coconut water index: R$8–12 (avg. beach vendor, Zona Sul)
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Health & Safety
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- → Dengue season active — use repellent, especially at dusk near Aterro and Lagoa
- → Use a waterproof phone pouch at blocos. Pickpocketing rises sharply during Carnaval.
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Carnaval Countdown
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- → 3 days until Carnaval officially begins (Fri Feb 13)
- → Sambódromo Grupo Especial desfiles: Sun 15 & Mon 16 (21h30). Tickets at sapucai.com.br
- → Desfile das Campeãs (Feb 21) is the smart alternative if main nights are sold out
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Utilities & Services
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- → Banks open today (Tuesday) — last normal banking week before Carnaval holiday (Fri–Tue)
- → Withdraw cash by Thursday — bloco vendors are cash-only. R$100–200 in small bills.
- → Postal services and government offices close after Wednesday for Carnaval recess
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\nCommunity & Social
\nExpat connections
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Meetups & Groups
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- → Expat Carnaval planning groups active on Facebook and WhatsApp — search “Gringos no Carnaval RJ”
- → InterNations Rio Carnaval meetup scheduled for Thursday evening in Lapa
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Sports & Fitness
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- → Morning runs along Aterro do Flamengo — access reduced but paths open south of MAM
- → Gyms on normal schedule through Thursday; many close Fri–Tue for Carnaval
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Family & Kids
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- → Blocão de Copacabana (8h) is pet- and family-friendly — great for kids
- → CCBB Viva Mauricio reopens tomorrow — immersive Turma da Mônica, ideal for children
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Classifieds & Tips
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- → Last-minute Carnaval costumes — Saara market in Centro open today for affordable fantasias
- → Carnaval survival kit: sunscreen SPF 50+, repellent, waterproof phone pouch, pochete, electrolyte sachets, small bills
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\nSports
\nMatches & results
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| Team / Position | Group | Points | Notes |
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| Fluminense (1st) | Group A | 12 | Best overall campaign. Qualified. |
| Vasco (2nd) | Group A | 11 | Qualified for quartas. |
| Volta Redonda (3rd) | Group A | 10 | Qualified for quartas. |
| Bangu (4th) | Group A | 10 | Qualified for quartas. |
| Botafogo (1st) | Group B | 9 | Group winners. Qualified. |
| Flamengo | Group B | — | Qualified for quartas. |
| Madureira | Group B | — | Qualified for quartas. |
| Nova Iguaçu | Group B | — | Qualified for quartas. |
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\nBusiness & Economy
\nMarket pulse
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Markets Snapshot
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Ibovespa: Markets open today — check br.investing.com
\nSelic rate: 15.00%
\nUSD/BRL: 5.22
\nReal trend: Strengthening — from R$5.59 in late December to R$5.22 today. Copom signalled easing; IPCA data this week is the gatekeeper for a March cut.
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Coworking & Business
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- → Tuesday — coworking spaces open. WeWork Centro, Spaces Botafogo, Selina Lapa all operational.
- → Last normal work week before Carnaval — plan deliverables accordingly. Most offices close from Friday. B3 closes Friday, reopens Wednesday Feb 18.
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\nWeek Ahead
\nPlan ahead
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Wednesday–Thursday, Feb 11–12
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- → CCBB Rio reopens (Wed) — Viva Mauricio + new exhibition opening. Free.
- → Cariocão quartas de final begin (Wed). Single-leg matches, all four grandes in action.
- → MAM Rio last day before Carnaval closure (Thu). Daniel Buren, Carmen Portinho.
- → Thu is the last quiet day — stock up on supplies, withdraw cash, sort costumes.
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Carnaval Week (Fri–Tue)
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- → Fri Feb 13 — Carnaval begins. Fervo da Lud opens Centro at 7h. Carmelitas in Santa Teresa at 8h. 32°C and clear.
- → Sun Feb 15 & Mon Feb 16 — Sambódromo Grupo Especial desfiles at 21h30. 12 schools across two nights.
- → Sat Feb 14 — Cordão da Bola Preta megabloco (Centro, 1M+ expected). Valentine’s Day.
- → Feb 21 — Desfile das Campeãs at Sapucaí closes the season. Post-Carnaval blocos Feb 21–22.
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Rio de Janeiro Culture-First City Brief
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Compiled by Adele Cardin · All items verified against published organizer, venue, or institution listings
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Related: São Paulo Brief | Brazil Morning Call