In Photos: The Best of Rio Carnival

More from the Vila Isabel samba school
Photograph: Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images

A fan greets performers from the Mangueira samba school
Photograph: Silvia Izquierdo/AP

Performers from Mangueira samba school
Photograph: Leo Correa/AP

A performer from the Independente samba school
Photograph: Paulo Whitaker/Reuters

Dancers from the Independente samba school
Photograph: Andre Penner/AP

The Unidos do Peruche samba school
Photograph: AFP/Getty Images