Pedra do Sal
Pedra do Sal
4.5
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Zona Oeste (West Zone)
How to get there
- Presidente Vargas • 7 min walk
- Uruguaiana • 9 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,907 within 3 miles
Attractions
644 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Bárbara SSao Paulo, SP120 contributionsA samba that washes the soulIt's impossible to be sad in this samba with real soul. Everyone sings from the heart, with respect and you can even pick up a cup of caipirinha for 15 reais during the chorus. There are several stalls with food options around. Worth the visitVisited February 2024Traveled with friendsWritten February 29, 2024
- NelsonM970Natal, RN888 contributionsPedra do Sal, historical and cultural site of Rio de JaneiroThe Pedra do Sal is a historic place (where the salt was discharged) and now also cultural, because the Municipal Secretariat of Culture, and all that region Tourism and Sports prestiged the place that in the past gathered great sambistas like Pixinguinha, Donga, etc. There is the community of quilombos of the Pedra do Sal and is a region of black culture appreciation and is part of the so-called Little Africa. Cais do Valongo (UNESCO Historical Heritage Site) was the largest landing and slave trade site in Latin America. It is worth knowing and enjoying.Visited January 2024Traveled with friendsWritten October 11, 2024
- FranciscoCoutinhoJrCampinas, SP3,559 contributionsThe various bars in the area make the night even more lively. In addition to Mondays, it is also full on Fridays.Pedra do Sal is a historical and religious monument located in the health district, near Largo da Prainha, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is where the Quilombos Remains Community of the Salt Stone is located. It was founded on 20 November 1984 by the State Institute of Cultural Heritage. The samba wheel is in a difficult place to move because there is a lot of people, and it is tumultured, a lot of people barking, pushing, but the area of bars and tents is large, so it can be circulated well. There are several kinds of music besides the samba wheel. The various bars in the area make the night even more lively. In addition to Mondays, it is also full on Fridays. The drinks from the tents are very well served and at an affordable price. I recommend! It's a great place to go to party, and enjoy the night. Not very recommended for families with children.For those who do not know the central area of the city, it is well worth going! It's a very lively night with many options.Visited October 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 11, 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
528 reviews
Excellent
287
Very good
178
Average
53
Poor
4
Terrible
6
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Karina
Ourinhos, SP34 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
We went on the classic Monday, when the best samba circle in Rio takes place. It's a very popular and cultural tour. There are many drink stalls, we stayed at the Pedra bar, where we had more peace of mind, it is actually a bar that I recommend.

Written January 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michele Q
New York City, NY299 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
Pedra do Sal was recommended to us by a friend who lived in Rio for some time and it was definitely worth the experience. We were hesitant at first upon hearing that it took place in a not so great area - nearby a favela. But extremely glad we did not end up bailing on our plans. During the cab ride over, we noticed that we were heading into a more desolate part of town. However, a block away, you start hearing the music and the liveliness of the crowd! The square was packed with people - on the stairs, on the sidewalks, on the streets - including street and roaming vendors.
This was the weekly Monday night party and was a great opportunity for us to experience the local Brazilian way of life. Live samba filled the air, along with the chatter and laughter of those in attendance. We made some friends who introduced us to sacole - easiest way to explain it is an alcoholic popsicle. And boy, can everyone party!
This was the weekly Monday night party and was a great opportunity for us to experience the local Brazilian way of life. Live samba filled the air, along with the chatter and laughter of those in attendance. We made some friends who introduced us to sacole - easiest way to explain it is an alcoholic popsicle. And boy, can everyone party!
Written March 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ILuv2Scuba
Adelaide, Australia134 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
When we walked up to the taxi stand on Copacabana and said we wanted to go to Pedra do Sal, the taxi drivers looked at each other and said "really? Pedra do Sal is downtown - no turista"...
Driving in, you have no idea where you'll end up, but when you get to the square it's awesome. We arrived at 9pm, when everything just got started. It's easy to find a seat to have a couple of beers and caipirinhas before the dancing starts.
There weren't many tourists (maybe 10 others?), so be prepared for a very local samba street party. We stayed until 1:30am (on a Monday) and it was still full on at that time. Lots of dancing, lots of drinking - it's a wicked experience not to be missed!!
Driving in, you have no idea where you'll end up, but when you get to the square it's awesome. We arrived at 9pm, when everything just got started. It's easy to find a seat to have a couple of beers and caipirinhas before the dancing starts.
There weren't many tourists (maybe 10 others?), so be prepared for a very local samba street party. We stayed until 1:30am (on a Monday) and it was still full on at that time. Lots of dancing, lots of drinking - it's a wicked experience not to be missed!!
Written July 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Josy G
13 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
I was thinking of dancing samba with professionals. Guided tour of the history of slaves and walk through the streets to samba music. Nothing extraordinary. If you want to see samba professionals like me, it wasn't. Guide very nice!
Automatically translated
Written August 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelbliss
Redwood City, California62 contributions
Jun 2022
I went there because it was described as a place where on Monday nights regular Rio people go to dance Samba outside or in the surrounding bars. In fact, the place was shoulder to shoulder crowded like in a very full night club, hardly anybody was dancing and there was no samba music anyway (just popular Brazilian club music). Scheduled four hours with a tour agent but returned after one hour. Very disappointing!
Written June 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cassandra R
San Diego, CA159 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
Do your research before you go, since it seems like the schedule might have changed. I was told that Pedra do Sal is a great place to enjoy a real samba on Mondays and Fridays, so I decided to check it out. I was also told by locals not to get there before 10pm because it starts late. So, we got there at 9:45pm on a Monday night, not much was happening. We assumed that people were just getting settled, but after 45 minutes, we noticed that some food/drink vendors were packing up. We asked and were told that it was over... ! Unfortunately, they had some noise complaints, so they started doing it earlier as of the week before. The location itself is cool (and not easy to find), but I can see why some people would think it is slightly fishy or sketchy (but it is not; people are awesome!). Take a cab/Uber to be dropped off; I would not suggest public transportation.
Written January 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda R
Santa Clarita, CA46 contributions
Jun 2018
Pretty cool thing to experience, a lot of locals, good food, good drinks, and great music. I thought there would be more dancing, but that is ok because the vibe was so chill and friendly! Check their FB page for info on start time!
Written June 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin A
2 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
We went to Pedra do sal on a monday night, and it was crazy. Live music, lots of people in the street and small shops were you can buy drinks everywhere.Most of the people were locals, with a few tourists. If you want to go out on a monday night in Rio, I recommend going here.
Written August 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CattleDriver
Rio de Janeiro, RJ31 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
Pedra do Sal is notorious for its authentic samba on Monday nights and Friday nights from 7:00 pm onwards. Excellent musicians gather in a small square and play for hours while the public sings and dances. Many people will watch from the stairway carved in the great rock which leads to one of Rio's oldest quarters. Check out the photos on Google Maps imagery for Pedra do Sal: It's pure fun! On Google Maps, search for Rua Argemiro Bulcao, Rio de Janeiro.
Written July 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gabriel de Jong
Porto Alegre, RS5 contributions
Nov 2021
Place full of pick pockets. Got robbed there yesterday! It happened twice already. I do not recommend it.
Written November 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I will be in Rio in October 2023. Are Monday nights still the best night to go ?
Written September 4, 2023
Nesses tempos de pandemia, como está a programação, em relação a horário etc..?
Written July 24, 2020
hoelaat begint de salsa op maandag?
Written January 15, 2018
queria saber si se puede ir cualquier dia a Pedra do Sal o es solo los lunes y aque hora se puede ir gracias
Written January 4, 2018
Puedes los viernes también, pero lo más sobresaliente es ir el lúnes. Es recomendable no ir más allá de las 20:30 ó 21 hs. Todo termina a la medianoche. Y se pueden conseguir taxis allí mismo para regresar a tú hotel o apartamento.
Written January 28, 2019
Toca samba de raiz, afro-brasileira, danças afro, capoeira ao som de berimbau, não escutei outros ritmos.
Written September 30, 2017
Sempre fui após o trabalho. Chegamos lá por volta de 19.45h mas o pessoal da roda de samba varia muito. Vale a pena conferir. Cuidado apenas par a não deixar carteiras muito expostas na aglomeração...e aproveite!
Written August 8, 2017
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