Rio de Janeiro Destination Guide

A unique view enchants tourists and even Cariocas upon arriving in Rio de Janeiro. Still on the plane, or even from the ground, it is possible to admire the marvelous statue on top of the Corcovado Hill, in the middle of Tijuca National Park. More than a postal card, the Christ the Redeemer statue was deservedly elected one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and is the main symbol of the City of Rio de Janeiro. The statue is 38 meters tall and weighs 1,145 tons rises from the 710  meter peak of  Corcovado Hill. It was inaugurated in 1931 and is an image of sympathy and faith, characteristic of Rio's people. Book now a Christ the Redeemer Tour !

Going up by the centenary Corcovado Train takes around 20 minutes along the Corcovado Railway, inaugurated in 1884 by the Brazilian Emperor D. Pedro II.  Every year the train takes  more than 600 thousand people to the top of Corcovado Mountain, crossing the biggest urban forest in the world, Tijuca National Park, a stretch of  preserved Atlantic Rainforest  replanted with native species in the 19th century. Panoramic elevators and escalators take visitors to the base of the statue. From this vantage point the scenery is quite stunning and the view over Ipanema, Leblon and Lagoa on sunny days is unbelievable. This visit itself makes the trip to Brazil worthwhile. Book now a Corcovado Tour !

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Rising 396 meters above sea-level, the most famous hill in the world earned its name from its resemblance to the seventeenth century Brazilian ‘Sweet Bread', made from sugar cane. Its natural beauty provides an indescribable view, as it rises out of Guanabara Bay. Equally appetizing is the trip by the famous overhead cable car to the summit. Inaugurated in 1912, the Sugar Loaf Mountain cable car is almost a centenary attraction that was even visited by James Bond. Reaching the top of Sugar Loaf is actually done in two stages. The first stop is on the top of Urca Hill, which is 700 feet above sea level. From there you have beautiful  breathtaking views of Corcovado Mountain, over Guanabara Bay and the Niteroi Bridge. As you go onto the second cable car, it takes you over 1300 feet to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain where spectacular views of Copacabana and other beaches can be delightfully admired. The Sugar Loaf cable car system was the first one installed in Brazil and the third on Earth. It is considered one of the most important icons of tourism in Rio, and has become one of the city's trademarks. Since its inauguration, the cable car has already transported over 31 million tourists. Book now a Sugar Loaf Mountain tour! 

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Considered by many soccer fans as the "Temple of the Gods", it is one of the largest and most legendary soccer stadiums in the world. The temple of football, as it is known, has witnessed the glorious trajectory of Brazilian football over the last 50 years. It was built in 1950 to host the World Cup, and designed to welcome 166,369 people. Today, after some restorations, it can receive a crowd of almost 100,000 soccer fans. Passion, emotion and lots of adrenalin from the organized supporters shake the stadium and make the public delirious. The museum, which is open to visitors, commemorates historic moments like the presence of such stars as Cruijff, Maradona, Beckenbauer and Di Stefano, and the goals of Zico and Romário, not to mention the astounding dribbles of Garrincha and Pelé. But Maracanã is not only about soccer games. Great musical productions have taken place there with celebrated international idols such as Madonna, the Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra, Prince, Tina Turner, and Paul McCartney, who entered the book of records in 1991 as having the largest audience in history, up to that time, for a solo singer presentation. Book now a Maracanã tour!

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Ipanema 

Even more irresistible than the muse who inspired Tom Jobim's famous song ‘Girl from Ipanema', Ipanema is undoubtedly one of the most famous meeting places in Rio de Janeiro. This sophisticated district offers a lively night-life scene with a seducing blend of beach, bars and boutiques. Thanks to its multi-faceted lifestyle, Ipanema truly reflects the Carioca spirit of the people of Rio, welcoming visitors eager to join in the fun.

Ipanema Beach a section of a long beach flanked on the upper end by Arpoador Beach and on the lower end by Leblon beach. The water has strong currents appropriate for surf practice. A major attraction throughout the day, its sands also welcome countless afternoon and night visitors, including joggers and other athletes who cluster at its kiosks, pedal along the bicycle path and make good use of special spotlights to exercise and relax. As on Copacabana Beach, on Sundays the boulevard on the beach side is closed to traffic, as hundreds of people of all ages walk, bike, skate, and run the length of the beach. The long beach is segmented every few hundred yards by lifeguard stations called Postos. They are the most common landmarks on the beach, and serve as a meeting place for locals and tourists. Posto 9 is the place where the young and beautiful hang out. Different groups of Cariocas congregate, gossip, and mostly flirt as they stay here pretty late to party and watch the sunset. Further down at Posto 10, you will find the chic crowds of more affluent Brazilians and tourists who stay in the handful of expensive hotels on the beach or a block or two back. Book now an Ipanema beach tour!

Arpoador

Arpoador  Beach is located between Copacabana Fort and Francisco Otaviano Street with Vieira Souto Avenue, and is famous for the big rock that juts out into the sea separating Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, with one of the greatest views in Rio de Janeiro: on one side, Diabo (Devil´s) and Copacabana beaches; on the other, Ipanema and Leblon beaches with the Dois Irmãos Hill in the background. Besides the amazing view and the great beach, Arpoador also has a park with lots of trees and plants where Brazilian and international stars present popular shows. The park was baptized ‘Garota de Ipanema' (Girl from Ipanema), in homage to the famous ‘bossa-nova' song by the ‘cariocas' Tom Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes. Book now an Arpoador beach tour!

Watch Ipanema and Arpoador videos!

Copacabana Beach

It's practically impossible to resist the charm of the city's beaches. Decorated wiht the wavy black and white mosaics of Atlântica Avenue, Copacabana is one of the main reasons for this fascination. In fact, there are two separate beaches here: Leme (one kilometer) and Copacabana, (just over three kilometers). A center of activity both night and day, the beach is lined with kiosks that provide a pleasant stopping  point, where you can enjoy cold coconut water, draft beer (choppe), not to mention the 'caipirinhas', and a choice of snacks that include seafood. There are also a bicycle path, lifeguard posts, public showers and bathrooms, hotels, bars and open-air restaurants. On Sundays the outer lanes of Atlantic Avenue, next to the beach, are closed to traffic all day long. Even when it's cloudy, families crowd the asphalt which is used as an extension to the sidewalk for walks, runs or bicycle rides. Right in front of Constante Ramos is the famous Posto 4 where the sport that combines beach soccer and beach volleyball was born: Footvolley. Book now a Copacabana Tour !

Copacabana Fort

Built in 1914 to defend Guanabara Bay, the Copacabana Fort combines history and beauty at the same place offering visitors many interesting attractions and an outstanding view.

Important events are recorded for posterity at the Army Historical Museum through displays, video exhibitions and even the favorite hi-tech multi-media terminal. All set against a panoramic view of one of the loveliest points on the Brazilian coastline.

Copacabana Palace

The most famous and traditional hotel in Rio de Janeiro, the Copacabana Palace was inaugurated in 1923 as one of the first hotels to be built on the seashore. It still reflects the Cultural influences of Europe offering sophisticated service and luxury accommodations. It became a symbol of Rio, welcoming famous artists and performers, politicians, executives and international celebrities. Part of Brazil´s Historical Heritage, its colorful history includes many fascinating episodes as being the setting for the movie "Flying Down to Rio", where Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers danced together for the first time. Book a Copacabana Palace room now!

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As the largest urban natural preservation area in the country, the Park is 20 km away from downtown. It is divided into three nucleii: the Tijuca Forest, the Carioca Hill and the Gávea Stone/Bonita Stone. Its flora had been devastated by the end of the 19th century to give way to coffee plantations. Reforestation brought back native Atlantic Rainforest species such as "ipês", "jequitibás", "jacarandas" and "sapucaias". Besides the famous Corcovado Hill, there are trails, waterfalls, a chapel and a museum. The Tijuca Forest covers around 3,200 hectares and is home to hundreds of species of plants and wildlife, found only in the Atlantic Rainforest. You can easily spot small animals roaming around freely. Its historical attractions and enchanting nooks are well worth a leisurely visit. Its attractions include the Cascatinha Waterfall, the Excelsior Lookout Point, the Paul and Virginia Grotto, the Mayrink Chapel and the Fairy Lake. It is one of the favorite destinations for weekend family outings as the forest has rivers, waterfalls, lakes and picnic lots equipped with tables and benches. Book now a Tijuca National Park tour! 

This neighborhood, between Downtown  and Corcovado Mountain, is best compared to Le Quartier Latin in Paris. Some people also say it is the 'Carioca' Montmartre. Artists and those looking for a bohemian lifestyle chose this beautiful place, filled with traditional houses, restaurants and bars.

One way to reach Santa Teresa is by the bondinho, or tramway, which goes over the magnificent aqueduct of Lapa. The ride is a great way to get an overview of the neighborhood before starting walking around the cobblestone paved streets of the area.

Lapa, has a diverse nightlife and is a very popular district for younger people who frequent its numerous bars, many with live music. The district's buildings preserve the Portuguese Colonial Style architecture. Places like Rio Scenarium, Circo Voador, Fundição Progresso, Carioca da Gema, among others, are considered the main spots for events and parties. Book now a Lapa tour! 

A true ecological sanctuary. This would be a fair definition of the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Gardens, one of the ten most important in the world. Besides housing the rarest species of flora native to Brazil and other countries, it is also an excellent leisure option for children and adults and a delight for those who wish to contemplate nature. The Gardens were inaugurated on 13 June 1808 by D. João VI, the noble prince at that time. The Botanical Gardens were designed in order to acclimatize the spices of plants brought from the East Indies. Among the almost 8200 incredible specimens of the garden's live collection, the major attractions are the imperial palm trees, the orchid house and threatened plants such as "pau-brasil", "acará amarelo" and "pau mulato". The Gardens also feature six lakes with their gorgeous species of "vitória régia", lotus, papyrus and " água-pé". They are all worth seeing. They have also been recognized internationally as a Living Museum in the area of Botany and defined by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. Book now a Botanical Garden tour!

Rio de Janeiro has a wide variety of extreme sport options for those who love the adrenaline rush. Most of the extreme activities in Rio de Janeiro are located in the South and West zones.

Paragliding and Hang Gliding can be done in the São Conrado neighbourhood, on Pepino Beach in the South zone of Rio de Janeiro. The ramp is located within the Tijuca National Park, close to Pedra Bonita (Beautiful Rock). Tandem flights run everyday depending on the weather conditions. The flight itself may last from 15 to 40 minutes. All the pilots have a maximum of 6 flights a day (according to Flight Association regulations) in order to provide visitors the best flight possible. Even if the pilot has a big group of clients he has to pass them on to other pilots, so that nobody is rushed down during the flight. Check our Hang Gliding and Paragliding in Rio de Janeiro Tours for further information.

Climbing in Rio de Janeiro is another popular activity. Surrounded by great mountain formations, Rio de Janeiro offers excellent climbing routes for different levels of experience. Sugar Loaf Mountain, for instance, has over fifty climbing routes and the best of it is the easy access to the begining of each of them. There are dozens of rock peaks featuring gneiss, granite and basalt around Rio. Climbers from all over the world get amazed about the wide range of routes they have found climbing in Rio de Janeiro. If you are looking for climbing packages in Rio de Janeiro, there are a lot of possibilities depending on your climbing level. Ranging from boulders, sport-climbing, multi-pitches or big walls, climbing in Rio can also be combined with trekking and camping. Here below we have selected some of the most famous climbing routes in Rio:

- Sugar Loaf Mountain - This is the most famous climbing spot in Rio de Janeiro. Its easy access attracts dozens of climbers every day. The grades go from 5.4 to 5.13a and from 2 to 12 pitches long. The most popular route is the Classic Line on the West face made up of three different sections: Italianos, Cavalo Louco and Secundo.

- Corcovado Mountain - This is definitely the most world-renowned mountain in Rio de Janeiro. It features climbing routes up to level A4. The most famous climbing route on Corcovado mountain is the one named K2. You can reach the top after 4 pitches up to level 5.7. Once you reach the top, you will have a stunning 360-degree view of Rio de Janeiro.

River Rafting in Rio de Janeiro can be done in two different rivers in the State of Rio de Janeiro - Macaé River and Ribeirão das Lages River. The first one is located 2 hours away from  Rio de Janeiro, offering a thrilling experience with falls from levels 2 to 4, with no need of previous experience. The second one is just one hour away from Rio de Janeiro and ranges from level 3 to 4 on rainy days. Recommendation: Wear light clothes, sun block, insect repellent, and bring a swimming suit, towel, a change of  clothes, extra money for meals and drinks. People with heart disease should be aware of the adrenaline rush involved in this river rafting activity.

The City Centre is a good area to visit some of Rio de Janeiro's many museums, churches and historical buildings. A good place to start exploring the Centro is at Praça 15 de Novembro, the main square, which features the 18th-century Paço Imperial (Imperial Palace) and a number of other grand and impressive buildings. The Museu Histórico Nacional (National History Museum) is also well worth visiting, both for the interesting building, which dates from 1762, and the excellent collection of weapons, art, papers and various artifacts that detail the history of Brazil.

One of the most impressive of the many churches scattered throughout the Centro is the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Candelária (Church of Our Lady of the Candles), which features various Portuguese wood carvings, stunning stained-glass windows and a marble interior. The Mosteiro de São Bento (Monastery of St Benedict), meanwhile, is a monastery built in the 17th-century, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

One of the best art galleries is the Museu Nacional de Belas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts), which houses many important works by Brazilian artists, as well as various examples of folk and African art.

Golf in Rio de Janeiro is not very easy to find. There are two nice private Golf Clubs in Rio de Janeiro: the Itanhangá Golf Club, in Barra da Tijuca neighbourhood and the Gávea Golf Club, in São Conrado Beach, which is even more famous for the Hang Glinding and Paraglinding activities. Both clubs are open only to members and their guests. Some Five Stars Hotels in Rio de Janeiro also provide access to the Golf Clubs. Fortunately, since 2007, we now have one public golf course in Rio de Janeiro: Japeri Golfe Clube.

Founded in 1933, Itanhanga Golf Club is a par-72, 6,600 yard course that hosted a stage of the European PGA Tour four years ago. The course was played by President Getúlio Vargas, a populist strongman who committed suicide in 1954. Gene Littler and Gary Player have also played there. The greens are small and require accuracy.

Gávea Golf Course has beautiful scenery in the background: it runs between a seaside peak called Gávea Rock (Pedra da Gávea in Portuguese) and Tijuca National Park. The Gávea Golf Club is a short par 68, 6,000-yard, course. The Club was founded in 1921 and designed by the Scot Arthur Morgan Davidson. The front nine are played at the bottom of the mountain, holes 10-14 at seaside, and 15-18 back astride the hills. The par-three hole five was rated as one of the world's most beautiful by Golf Illustrated magazine. Grand Slam winner, South African Gary Player, holds the record for the lowest round at Gávea and PGA pros Tom Watson and Billy Casper have also played the course. The clubhouse is a colonial farmhouse. Don't get distracted by the hang gliders flying above your head, because the course demands you to keep really focussed.

Japeri Golfe Clube is Rio de Janeiro's newest golfing jewel. Located in the northwest zone of Rio, it has supported young kids and teenagers from the local community, allowing them to learn and play the game to which only the weathy in Rio de Janeiro had access. The Club has a 9 hole golf course which was designed to perfectly preserve the native grasses and other typical vegetation of the region. Japeri features a driving range, a putting green for 8 people at the same time, two lockerrooms with showers, lockers, and clubs and balls for rent. Play golf in Rio the Janeiro now!

There are some nice spots for diving in Rio de Janeiro : Arraial do Cabo, Buzios, Ilha Grande, Cabo Frio and Cagarras Islands are the top highlights.

Arraial do Cabo

Located in the Lakes Region, two and a half hours drive away from Rio de Janeiro City, Arraial do Cabo is considered the best place for scuba diving in Rio de Janeiro State.

It is well known among Brazilian scuba divers. There are dozens of beaches featuring white sand and crystal clear waters. Arraial do Cabo is strategically located near Cabo Frio and Buzios, that is also famous for its sophisticated nightlife.

Depths for diving in Arraial do Cabo range from 40ft to 160ft and the visibility can reach 40ft. The stunning numbers of marine life spotted during every single dive is the result of the cold deep waters full of nutrients. Arraial do Cabo diving points feature a slightly cold water temperature, averaging around 60F. So choose your proper wetsuit for your diving experience. You will likely see huge schools of different fish, sea turtles, sea horses, moray eels, octopus, rays and much more.

If you are an experienced licensed diver, there are underwater caves to be explored, great shipwrecks and a few submersed canyons around Arraial do Cabo diving spots . The bottom of the sea is covered by rigid and soft corals, sponges of many odd colors and shapes. Should you rather go snorkeling in Arraial do Cabo, your best choice is Prainha Beach, which offers good protection from the southwest wind. You can also try Forno Beach, which you reach after a 15 minute walk on a trail. There is an amazing view from the hilltop.

Buzios

Also located in the Lakes Region, Buzios' scuba diving spots can be found all over the peninsula.

Ilha Grande

Located in within Angra dos Reis Bay, on the Green Coast of South Rio de Janeiro State, Ilha Grande (Big Island) has about a hundred beaches of incredibly beautiful, transparent, green and blue waters. 

Rio de Janeiro Carnival is the biggest event in Brazil. Visitors will find different kinds of festivities in many areas of Rio. Social Clubs, Street Bands, Sambadrome Parade, Classical Balls and private parties are among the options during this colorful and non-stopping celebration.

Carnival 2010 is from Saturday, February 13^th to Tuesday February 16^th. It is wise to arrive earlier as the city has a lot to offer and Carnival is a pretty busy time. The Samba Parade and the Street Bands are absolute must-dos. You can get some more information about these two schedules in our Rio de Janeiro Local Events section.

The Carnival Parade at the Sambadrome happens on Sunday the 14th and Monday the 15th for the top Samba Schools in Rio de Janeiro. Next year the first division will present the following schools: on Sunday, União da Ilha do Governador, Imperatriz Leopoldinense, Unidos da Tijuca, Viradouro, Acadêmicos do Salgueiro and Beija-Flor de Nilópolis. On Monday, Mocidade, Porto da Pedra, Portela, Grande Rio, Vila Isabel and Mangueira. Buy your carnival package in advance to avoid lines and high prices. Carnival tickets for the Sambadrome Parade are available for the 14th, 15th and the Champions Night on the 20th. The show starts at 9 p.m. and continues until after sunrise the following day.

The Street Bands start their performances one weekend before Carnival and the last party is two weekends later. The most famous ones are: Banda de Ipanema, Cordão do Bola Preta, Carmelitas, Simpatia é quase amor, Suvaco de Cristo, Boi Tatá and Monobloco. Check the events section regularly to see the latest news about them. They are all free and you just need to know where they are and how to get there.There are three major areas where the Rio de Janeiro Street Bands do their magic which are Copacabana and Ipanema, Downtown and Santa Teresa neighborhood.

Wear light clothes, use sunscreen and drink a lot of water as Carnival happens in the middle of the summer in Rio.