”If you wait for people to travel, you’ll wait forever.” I’ve lived(and traveled) by this motto for the past nine years and it’s led me to over 30 countries solo. Most recently, it led me to Brazil for Carnival with Luxe Tribes and I’m so glad that I didn’t have to wait around for others to make it happen. I’ve been wanting to experience this legendary celebration for YEARS, but none of my friends could ever make it work. I was blessed to be invited on a Luxe Tribes Group Trip, a Black-owned travel agency specializing in luxury group trips for Black women,  and I’m here to report back on the trip of a life-time. 

Though I will always advocate for solo travel, Carnival called for community – both for safety in a party/festival environment and in order to effectively navigate Brazil’s language barriers. While I could have done Carnival solo, Luxe Tribes effortlessly executed a trip that met all of my desires and beyond. The true magic? Being surrounded by Black women who just *got* eachother, creating an instant connection that isn’t always easy to come by. 

In this Luxe Tribes Group Trip review, I’m breaking down my entire experience traveling to Rio for Carnival with this Black women travel group. I’ll spill all the tea – the good, the real, and everything you need to know if you’re considering traveling with Luxe Tribes on one of their luxury group trips for Black women.

Where I Traveled with Luxe Tribes

I traveled to Brazil with Luxe Tribes February 26 to March 6 2025 for the biggest Carnival celebration in the world. The trip included a 6-day, 5-night stay at a luxury hotel on Copacabana Beach. 

Who I Traveled With – Luxe Tribes

Luxe Tribes is a Black-owned travel agency that organizes some of the best trips for Black female professionals looking for upscale travel experiences worldwide. They plan trips that focus on cultural immersion and authentic experiences without sacrificing comfort and quality. After spending my early twenties hostel-hopping and riding on the struggle bus, my thirties are all about treating myself when the occasion calls for it – and Luxe Tribes definitely delivers in that department.

You can join a Luxe Tribes small group trip with up to 16 like-minded travelers or they can execute a personalized itinerary that will give you the best overview of the destination of your choice. I had the opportunity to experience both their private and group tour options, which were both planned out perfectly. 

I’ve traveled with many group companies before, but meeting the other Luxe Tribe travelers in Rio showed me that the quality of Black women LT attracts is what sets them apart. Being surrounded by brilliant, accomplished Black women who not only shared my passion for travel but also understood my lived experiences? Priceless.

How many of us have friends who can’t get PTO, can’t afford to travel, or simply don’t prioritize seeing the world? That same dilemma is what made me start traveling solo in the first place and ain’t nobody got time for that. With a Luxe Tribes group trip, you’re instantly placed with women who value these experiences just as much as you do.

Who is a Luxe Tribes group trip for? 

• Black women travelers who want luxury AND authentic travel experiences
• Solo travelers who want safety and community while exploring
• First time solo travelers who want to go solo without going completely alone
• Professional women who work hard and want their vacation to truly FEEL like a vacation. No planning necessary! 
• Travelers who need the perfect balance of structured activities and free time.
• Women looking to build genuine connections with other like-minded Black female professionals

Why travel to Brazil for Carnival with Luxe Tribes?

Why NOT do Carnival solo or with a small group of friends? As yall know, I never back down from a solo challenge but one thing is for sure – I would NOT recommend doing Carnival solo. Here’s why: 

• With Carnival bringing in tens of millions of travelers to Brazil, advance planning is a must. Day tours sell out quickly, traffic is chaotic, etc. Without local connections on the ground like Luxe Tribes provides, planning may be difficult to manage.  
• The language barrier in Brazil is significant. I met less than 5 people who spoke English across 3 weeks in Brazil. If language barriers overwhelm you, then you’ll feel pretty out of place while trying to navigate the biggest event in the country for 1 week straight. This means booking transportation, reservations, etc. will be a constant struggle. With Luxe Tribes, you’ll have local guides on the ground who speak Portuguese. They’ll take care of the logistics for you. 
• You must be very vigilant about safety in Brazil in general but things get much crazier during Carnival. A luxury group for Black women offers safety in numbers when enjoying block parties and nighttime festivities. I would never recommend partying alone in Brazil, but that’s the entire point of Carnival, so you’d miss out on the main events if you chose to go solo.

How Booking A Trip With Luxe Tribes Works

Booking a Luxe Tribes group trip is straightforward:

1. Visit Luxetribes.com to browse available trips

2. Select a trip based on your interests, dates, and budget

3. Make a down payment to secure your spot

4. Pay the remainder in monthly installments or all at once

5. Receive pre-trip information, including a PowerPoint presentation about the destination and what to expect

6. Join a group chat with other travelers to connect before the trip

7. Show up and enjoy your trip with everything planned for you!

What’s Included in the Luxe Tribes Trip Price?

This will vary depending on which destination you choose, but my 6-day, 5-night Carnival trip in Rio De Janeiro included:

• 5 nights at a luxury hotel on Copacabana Beach
• Daily breakfast and five included meals
• Welcome dinner at Fogo de Chão, a premier steakhouse
• Airport transfers and transportation to all included activities
• Christ the Redeemer tour with a professional photographer
• Helicopter tour over Rio
• Sugarloaf Mountain and Selarón Steps excursion
• Cooking class or forest tour option
• Samba dance class
• Professional makeup for Carnival
• Tickets to the Sambadrome for the Carnival parade
• Local guides and full-time assistance
• Luxe Tribes group trip goodie bag

Is Luxe Tribes Worth The Cost?

Let’s be honest – traveling with Luxe Tribes(and group travel in general) isn’t the cheapest way to experience Brazil. However, you’ll receive an amazing value for your trip investment:

• Convenience: Everything is planned and booked for you, saving countless hours of research and coordination.

• Access: Carnival tickets, restaurant reservations, and activities during peak season are secured on your behalf the moment you book your trip. No thoughts, just vibes! 
  
• Quality: Luxury accommodations and experiences that have been vetted

• Safety: Traveling with a group and having local guides in a city known for safety concerns

• Expertise: Local knowledge that helps you avoid tourist traps and experience the destination authentically

• Peace of mind: No stress about logistics, transportation, or language barriers

So while you might pay more upfront compared to planning everything yourself, the time saved, stress avoided, and quality of experiences gained makes it worthwhile for those who value these aspects of travel.

How Much Free Time Do You Get with Luxe Tribes?

One of my favorite aspects of traveling with Luxe Tribes was the balance between structured activities and free time. The trip was roughly 50/50:

Mornings and early afternoons were typically dedicated to guided activities and tours while later afternoons and some evenings were free to explore on your own. You’ll have a free day, and ultimately all activities are your choice to attend. 

They’ve set it up so that you’ll have enough day tours to ensure you don’t miss the highlights, but plenty of down-time to do your own thing or simply relax at the beach or hotel.

Should You Sign Up to Travel with Luxe Tribes Alone?

Absolutely! As someone who advocates for solo travel, I found traveling with Luxe Tribes to be ideal for solo travelers because you’ll instantly have a group of like-minded travelers to share experiences with. You can join group activities when you want and explore independently when you need time to recharge your batteries.

What’s It Like Traveling with Strangers?

I know what you’re thinking – “Girl, isn’t it awkward being stuck with people you don’t know?” It can be a bit uncomfortable in the beginning, but you quickly build bonds over shared experiences. With a max group size of 16, Luxe Tribes’ group trips are big enough to find your people but small enough not to feel like a tourist herd. There’s ALWAYS someone down to join whatever random activity you want to do during free time and there’s zero pressure to stick with the group 24/7 – unless you want to, of course. That pre-trip group chat helps break the ice before you even land and the welcome dinner on day 1 will help the group break the ice upon arrival. 

What really blew me away was meeting multiple women who were on their 2nd, 3rd, even 5th Luxe Tribes group trip! When people keep coming back, you know the company must be doing something right. These repeat travelers shared stories from their previous trips and how Luxe Tribes had handled any issues that came up with care and professionalism. They mentioned seeing consistent improvements based on customer feedback, which is exactly what you want from a travel company.

What Are the Accommodations Like?

Luxe Tribes booked us a stay at the Grand Mercure Rio de Janeiro Copacabana. I loved it so much I paid extra to stay longer after the trip!

They nailed it with the accommodation because the hotel was perfectly situated for an event like Carnival. It was just steps away from Copacabana Beach. I’m talking walk across the street and your toes are in the sand. Not to mention, so many Carnival street parties (blocos) happened right outside of the hotel. When there’s that much traffic and chaos in the city, being able to just walk downstairs to join the fun instead of finding transportation is a game-changer.

The hotel offered room service(which I definitely utilized a time or two), buffet breakfast to feast on before long day tours, and a rooftop pool to watch the sunset from.

Choosing the wrong accommodation location in Brazil could cost you in more ways than one. Back in 2019, I booked what I thought was a cute Airbnb in Rio, and ended up witnessing a literal shootout on my street! This hotel was in a secure area with doormen and proper security. This is why it’s crucial to travel with a tour company that doesn’t cut corners on any aspect of trip planning or logistics. 

What’s Transportation Like?

Transportation was seamless throughout the trip:

• Airport transfers were included and on time
• Dedicated drivers for all excursions
• No need to navigate public transportation or deal with language barriers
• No worries about finding reliable and safe taxis or Ubers (which can be challenging in Rio)
• Consistency in drivers built trust and eliminated safety concerns

The value of reliable transportation cannot be overstated during Carnival when the city is extremely congested and ride services are in high demand.

Do You Need to Speak the Language in Brazil?

The language barrier in Brazil is no joke. This is where traveling with Luxe Tribes was a lifesaver:

• Local guides handled all the communication with drivers, restaurants, and attractions
• I didn’t have to stress about negotiating prices or getting directions. Guides informed us how much we should be paying for street snacks, souvenirs, etc. 
• The pre-trip materials included helpful Portuguese phrases (but honestly, even my attempts at pronunciation got blank stares)
• All bookings and reservations were handled in advance

If you’re planning to go, start practicing on Duolingo NOW. Even just basic phrases will help, though be prepared for rapid-fire responses you won’t understand. Having guides who speak the language fluently was one of the most valuable parts of this trip.

How’s the Food?

My Luxe Tribes package included: 

• Welcome dinner at Fogo de Chão, Rio’s premier steakhouse. Everything was on point! 
• Lunches at restaurants with stunning views of the city, which would have been difficult to book independently during Carnival.

Finding good restaurants on my own after the trip was actually quite challenging, which proves the value of having local experts select the best dining venues. 

How’s Customer Service?

The customer service from Luxe Tribes was excellent from start to finish:

• Pre-trip communication was on point with detailed information, timely responsiveness, and a helpful PowerPoint presentation about the destination
• Local guides and staff available 24/7 on the ground
• Local guides were accommodating and quick to resolve any issues that arose. When one activity had to be rescheduled due to traffic, they quickly arranged an alternative day and time so the group wouldn’t miss out
• The local guides were professional yet warm. They remembered preferences and made everyone feel valued, which isn’t always easy with a big group.

My Personal Experience on my Carnival Trip in Rio With Luxe Tribes 

My top 5 experiences included: 

1. The Helicopter Tour – Rio has one of the top five cityscapes in the world, so seeing Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, and those beaches from above? Life changing.

2. Professional Photos at Christ the Redeemer

As someone who’s usually the one behind the camera on solo trips, having a professional photographer at one of the Seven Wonders of the World was a serious highlight. I’ve visited six wonders and have awkward selfies or random tourist-taken photos from all of them except this one! Now I’ve got professional shots that didn’t involve me asking strangers to take 15 versions.

3. Exploring the Santa Teresa Neighborhood 

This charming, quiet neighborhood was the perfect contrast to the high-energy beach areas. I visited Rio back in 2019 and never even heard about this spot – it wasn’t on any of my Pinterest boards or TikTok recommendations. This is exactly why traveling with a luxury group trip for Black women that has real local knowledge makes such a difference.

4. Carnival Done RIGHT

Getting tickets to the Sambadrome without the stress, having a professional makeup artist, and experiencing everything with a group of other Black female travelers? This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I’m so glad I didn’t have to DIY it.

5. Learning to Samba (Kind Of)

Dancing is the heartbeat of Brazil and Carnival itself, so having the opportunity to learn from actual Brazilian dancers gave me a deeper appreciation for what I was seeing at the parades. The fact that they offered this cultural experience (alongside a cooking class option) showed that Luxe Tribes really crafted a well-rounded culturally immersive trip.

Would I Recommend Traveling with Luxe Tribes?

Without hesitation, ABSOLUTELY YES! Especially for:

• Black women who want to travel solo safely without sacrificing authentic experiences or nightlife. 
• First-timers to Brazil who don’t want to deal with that learning curve during the chaos of Carnival
• Anyone who wants to kick back and relax on vacation without stressing about logistics
• Black female professionals looking for elevated travel experiences

After hitting 70+ countries through all kinds of travel styles, Luxe Tribes stands out as the absolute best tour company for Black female professionals. They understand our specific needs and preferences in a way that generic travel companies just won’t get.

My General Tips for Traveling to Brazil for Carnival

• Start practicing your Portuguese NOW!
• Research activities & restaurants for your free timeI saved some TikToks of restaurants and spots I wanted to check out during downtime.
• Get an eSIM. I used Holafly which gave me unlimited data throughout my trip with no issues. Having data is non-negotiable for maps, translation apps, and staying connected abroad – especially in Rio, since you won’t be able to use a physical sim card as a tourist 
• Bring a backup phone device for safety – I packed an old iPhone as theft can be common in Rio, especially with the crowds during Carnival
• Purchase travel insurance so you can be reimbursed incase of lost luggage, theft,  medical emergencies, or transportation issues 
• Extend your trip like I did to explore other parts of Carnival such as Salvador – the Blackest city outside of Africa
• Limit cash carried. I used Apple Pay for almost everything in Rio, which was super convenient. If your cards get stolen, you can still use your phone to pay. I only took about $50 cash out of the hotel per day and I used my card for bigger purchases
• Leave any expensive clothing or jewelry at home. I met a girl whose necklace was literally snatched right off her neck at a ‘bloco’ party. Better safe than sorry
• NEVER walk alone in Rio, especially at night. Take Ubers everywhere if you’re not with the group. I know multiple people who got robbed trying to walk short distances, even in “good” areas
• Print copies of your passport and store it digitally (I email it to myself)

What to Pack for Carnival

• Liquid IV for hydration in the heat, while drinking alcohol, etc.
• Portable fan for the strong Rio sun
• Fanny pack
• Money belt to avoid pickpocketing
• Colorful clothing
• Comfortable walking shoes
• High SPF sunscreen
• Packable shopping bag. Stop by Farm Rio for some vacay dresses and customize your own flip-flops at Havaianas

My Final Thoughts On Traveling with Luxe Tribes 

If it weren’t for Luxe Tribes, then another year would have flown by without me crossing Carnival off of my bucket-list. What could have been a stressful, potentially overwhelming experience turned into one of the most memorable trips of my life. Having traveled to so many places solo, I was honestly shocked at how much I enjoyed having everything handled for me while still having the freedom to do my own thing. 

For my fellow Black women travelers out there, especially those who work demanding jobs and don’t have time(or the desire) to research every little detail – this Black-owned travel agency will curate the ultimate adventure that will suit your travel needs. Luxe Tribes has a true understanding of our unique needs in various destinations around the world such as Brazil, Bali, Thailand, and many more. On top of that, their built-in community is something that you just can’t put a price on. 

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how difficult it can be to find people who share both my love for travel and my lived experiences as a Black woman. The women I met through Luxe Tribes were accomplished, intelligent, and inspiring. If you refuse to wait for the trip to make it out of the group chat in 2025 and beyond, then there’s no better tour company for you to travel with than Luxe Tribes.