Mayara Lima is famous for her hypnotising samba style. Here, she shares the best samba experiences in Rio, from traditional school events to samba circles.

Just a few days until the official start of Carnival, and the streets of Rio de Janeiro are already already heaving with people warming up for next weekend. The sounds of drums is already echoing through the streets,

Video. The Cordão do Boitatá parade kicked off on Sunday 23 February, as thousands of participants danced in the streets.

Rio de Janeiro has recorded its hottest day in at least a decade when temperatures reached 44 degrees Celsius (111 F) as residents try to cool off in the ocean or under public showers.

Temperatures in Rio de Janeiro reached 111 degrees Fahrenheit — about 145 degrees hotter than Bismarck, North Dakota.

Rest and recuperation: two words that don’t necessarily come to mind when you think of Rio De Janeiro. The beachy Brazilian city is, after all, the world's party capital – particularly when Carnival arrives at the end of February.

I won’t say who got into an argument with this other guy, and didn’t realise who he was, or what he was in," frontman Matthew Murphy recalled.

Events DC returns to Rio de Janeiro's Carnival to strengthen cultural ties and boost international tourism. Local artists and musicians to perform.