First nudist beach legalised in Rio de Janeiro, residents’ reaction

Rio de Janeiro, known for its raunchy Carnival celebrations and near-naked Samba dancers, has finally legalised its first nudist beach.
Following a 20-year legal battle, the popular Brazilian city officially designated Abrico beach as nudist last month.
The law makes Abrico one of just a handful of beaches in Brazil open to nudists, according to advocates.
Despite Brazil’s reputation for anything-goes hedonism, nudism is frowned upon in the conservative, overwhelmingly Catholic nation.
However, Abrico beach has been attracting nudists since the late 1950s.
The law passed in November allows beachgoers to be nude without the threat of legal action, and provides increased protection, including patrols, against prying eyes.
Abrico beach is split in two, with giant boulders separating the nudist quarter from the regular beach.
Beachgoer Maria Ida said converting Abrico into a nudist beach shows Brazilians’ attitudes are changing.
The isolated beach is located about 40 kilometres (25 miles) west of Rio’s central area.