busting with colors, alive with sounds and rich with aromas, the food markets, or ferias livres, of rio de janeiro are a pleasant attack on the senses.

as traditional and cheap as they are fun, these exotic markets are the best way to pick up rio's freshest produce, whilst experiencing a genuine slice of carioca life.

there are about 15 to 30 of these open air food markets set up everyday in rio, spreading across all of the city's neighborhoods, with a variety of stalls lining the pavements, and fabric canopies to shelter visitors and goods from the heat.

we went food shopping at a market in flamengo, and we posted to catre the community spirit of these authentic neighborhood events.