The city of Rio has seven million inhabitants, and many events throughout the year, but the only one that really counts to outsiders is Carnaval. For five days leading up to Lent, the locals put on the biggest party in the world, and fill the streets with music, dancing, and intricate floats celebrating the many faces of life and culture, which have to be seen to be believed.
The Carnaval attracts millions of people from around the world, and if you want to go and experience it, it is vital that you book well in advance, as there are always too few hotel rooms and seats on aeroplanes to go around. If you do manage to get there, the Carnaval of Rio will leave you with more hectic memories than any other experience, and leave you desperate to return for the next one, and probably the one after that too…
