Carlos Eduardo sunbathes on Abrico beach, recently designated as nudist after a 20-year-battle, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014. The beach has been attracting nudists since the late 1950's in defiance of legal charges including offending public morals. With the new law, nudists are freed from any threat of legal action and provides increased protection. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – The city renown worldwide for its wild Carnival celebrations featuring near-naked samba dancers has finally gotten its first official nudist beach.
Following a 20-year legal battle, Rio de Janeiro enacted a law officially designating Abrico beach as nudist.
The enactment makes Abrico one of a handful in all of Brazil, advocates say. Despite Brazil's reputation for anything-goes hedonism, complete nudism is frowned on.
Abrico beach has been attracting nudists since the late 1950s in defiance of legal charges including "offending public morals."
The law passed last month frees nudists from any threat of legal action and provides increased protection, including patrols to keep peeping Toms away.
The isolated beach is located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Rio's central area.
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