It's that time of the year when a person's mind turns to electric pink wigs, plumes, sequined tops and other Carnival essentials.
This is when Saara, in Rio de Janeiro, is at its most feverish. The historic neighborhood in the central area has the best places for Carnival shopping in town. This week the Official 2012 Rio de Janeiro Carnival Guide team visited Saara and spotted great deals such as Zorro masks for R$ 2,90 and wigs for R$ 9,99.
Saara is indeed a DIY fashion paradise for Carnival revelers. But you can find ready-to-wear costumes such as a pirate for less than $30.
When choosing a costume, think cheap and light. I'd be wary of that gorilla costume in the photo, too; besides costing R$ 289, it would be hard to bear in the Rio summer (temperatures are already in the 80s F this morning).
- Shopping in Saara
- Brazil Carnival costume ideas: Photos of Olinda Revelers
Photo: Saara, last Monday. Fernando Maia/Courtesy of Riotur.