the schools welcome outsiders into their processions with open arms, partly because the buying of costumes helps finance much of their processions, and also because cariocas are world renowned for their friendly nature.

outside participants are required to learn the samba theme of their samba school, and buy their costume.

costumes can run anywhere from us$ 250 for a ground wing outfit, to $10,000 for the amazing float costumes.

costumes that are sold to outside participants are not kept secret, and can be seen on drawings posted on the websites of individual samba schools .

these fantasias, are standardized all the way to the shoes, and no detail is left to chance.