Rio de Janeiro
With its shimmering white beaches, remote islands, emerald urban rainforests, and dramatic hilltop villages; rhythmic Rio has certainly earned its reputation as being the “Cidade Maravilhosa”(Marvellous City).
Rio Highlights
Famed for its vibrant culture, shimmering white beaches, cobalt blue seas and verdant rainforests; Rio has certainly earned its place as being the southern hemisphere’s most sought-after city in South America. February is the ever popular flamboyant Rio carnival, a time of year when the city pulsates with activity. Although this is the most popular month to visit riveting Rio, the city is actually a fantastic year-round destination with warm annual temperatures.
Rio is surrounded by the world's largest rainforest, the Tijuca Forest National Park, which offers a network of biking paths and hiking tracks. Tijuca is also home to the famous Christ the Redeemer art deco statue that watches over the city below. The exquisite shorelines outlining the city are home to the world-renown Copacabana and Ipanema beaches; where you’ll find postcard-famous beach scenes of Rio with the Sugarloaf Mountain the background. A sun seeker’s paradise and adventure lover’s dream is the emerald island of Ilha Grande, covered by Atlantic forest and signature tropical island palm-lined stretches of beaches.
We encourage you to explore the bohemian area of Santa Teresa, a charming hilltop village characterised by narrow, winding cobbled streets and Alpine style houses. The region boasts some of the best views of emerald landscapes and Guanabara Bay.
Rio de Janeiro is fondly referred to as “Cidade Maravilhosa” (Marvelous City), and for good reason.
- A visit to the famous art deco Christ the Redeemer should not be missed. It can get crowded up there, so we suggest an early start. It is located at the peak of the 700-metre Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park, the largest urban rainforest in the world.
- Hike and rock climb your way up Sugarloaf mountain on the original Costao trail. If you’re not the adventurous sort, we recommend you take the cable car and tram up the mountain. Either way, the views from the top of Guanabara Bay are noteworthy.
- Rio is the city of rhythm, and it’s the perfect place to listen to local Bossa Nova music and watch a few Samba dance sessions.
- If you’re a foodie, no visit to Rio would be complete without enjoying a Churrascaria (traditional barbecue restaurant) experience.
- he Rio carnival is the perfect time of year to visit if you want vibrance and a party!
- Romantic couples wanting something different should head to Santa Teresa, a village offering a quintessential Brazilian experience.
- You simply must visit the Ipanema and Copacabana beaches for coastal bliss.
- We recommend a day or two exploring the Ilha Grande island off the coast - it’s the home of see through turquoise waters, snorkelling, diving, beach jungles and epitomises island paradise.
Rio has an extensive array of lodgings and hotels; some of which have a hefty price tag. Rio is divided into many regions, with the most popular areas being the coastal destinations. Ipanema and Copacabana beaches are awash with lodgings. Santa Teresa is a lush area just outside of the coastal area, and offers unique accommodation with sweeping views of rainforests and beaches.
Rio has an extensive array of lodgings and hotels; some of which have a hefty price tag. Rio is divided into many regions, with the most popular areas being the coastal destinations. Ipanema and Copacabana beaches are awash with lodgings. Santa Teresa is a lush area just outside of the coastal area, and offers unique accommodation with sweeping views of rainforests and beaches.
The five star Belmond Copacabana is the grand old lady of the beach and was opened way back in 1922. The hotel is in a prime location overlooking the Copacabana Beach, and a string of A-list celebrities like Marlene Dietrich and Princess Di used to frequent this classic hotel.
While Copacabana Beach is known for its views, Ipanema Beach is known for its delightful neighbourhood. The Casa Cool Beans Flats is an affordable option in Ipanema, and is a quite funky 1940s building that has been restored and revamped. Well-worth it if you are looking for affordable luxury.
The Hotel Santa Teresa is a charming hotel located on a historic coffee farm in the quaint village of Santa Teresa, a destination known for its cobbled streets and romantic atmosphere.
How to Get There
Rio is an easy fly-in destination and a popular metropolis in Brazil. Nearly 3 dozen airports serve Rio, with flights arriving and departing daily. The majority of flights from America fly via Sao Paulo, so it might be worth stopping over in the fashionable city before heading to Rio.
The primary airport is the international Rio de Janeiro–Galeao Airport (GIG), which is located in Guanabara Bay. It’s a 40 minute drive to the major attractions and an hour north of the main beach regions.
The Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) is the secondary airport and only has domestic flights to a dozen cities within Brazil.
We recommend taxis and busses for getting around Rio. Taxi or air conditioned busses take you into the centre, but busses do take longer. Urban busses are reasonably priced and farily safe - stick to the ones in beach areas and close to tourist attractions. There is a metro line in the city centre but it’s not comprehensive.
Hiring a car is easy to do, but not recommended because of the parking restrictions in beachfront areas and unnavigable traffic congestion.
Rio Activities
Rio is a dream destination for those seeking a tropical holiday with a wealth of things to do, from adventures to cultural excursions.
Rio is a dream destination for those seeking a tropical holiday with a wealth of things to do, from adventures to cultural excursions.
A great way of seeing the Tijuca urban rainforest is to sign-up for a jeep ride which is a day excursion. A trip up to the top of Sugarloaf mountain is a must - fitness fanatics can select one of the many hiking paths up there, and the rest of us can take the cable-way. Another fantastic place to see the flora of Rio is in the Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden), where you can meander your way through 5 000 species of plants and trees.
Christ the Redeemer is an iconic landmark, recently voted as one of the 7 new wonders of the world and remains a popular destination for tourists from around the world.
Head to a local bar to listen to Bossa Nova, a style of music that dominates Rio’s airwaves. Sign up for a Samba lesson and learn how to dance to Bossa Nova, a fusion of Afro-Brazilian music. If signing up for local classes is your thing, then consider a crash course on Brazilian cuisine where you learn how to prep local drinks such as Caipirinhas and Batida de Coco.
Brazilians are passionate about soccer, and Rio is home the MaracanãStadium which hosted two World Cup Finals. Soccer fanatics are urged to visit this remarkable stadium.
Water babies are encouraged to surf the peeling waves off the surfing hotspot of Prainha, and explore the palm-fringed tropical island of Ilha Grande.
Laze on the shores of Ipanema or Copacabana Beach, and head to Adega Perola in Copacabana for the best seafood tacos in town.
