Cariocas, as Rio de Janeiro residents are known, and tourists used to spend a lot on Carnival parade tickets and costumes. Most of the visitors are unlikely to attend parades with the traditional samba schools that have prepared all year for the event. For the first time, more than 3,000 private security agents will be at work during the party, most protecting street parties. Much of the appeal of Rio’s street parties is the variety of themes. “The street parties are where the pretty women will be,” he said.

Source: National Post February 09, 2018 05:03 UTC