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Jan
10
Rio de Janeiro Travel & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under Brazil
A trip to Rio de Janeiro
If you’re planning a trip to Brazil, it goes without saying that you’ll be spending a good deal of your vacation in Rio de Janeiro. In such spectacular surroundings—outstanding sand beaches cradled by rugged mountains—it’s easy to forget about Rio’s fervent night scene with more dance clubs and bars than even the most dedicated partyer could play out in a weekend. With so many things to do in Rio de Janeiro, it’s wise to allow a little extra time just to soak it all in.
Flights to Rio de Janeiro
Galeão Airport (or Antônio Carlos Jobim Airport) is Brazil’s primary hub and sees off numerous flights to all parts of the world. With the recent addition of a second terminal, this facility is quite modern and has facilities adequate to handle as many as 15 million annual passengers. Contrary to normal procedures, the duty-free outlets in Galeão are open even to passengers that are disembarking in Rio. Public buses and private hotel shuttles are available to take you to the city centre, about 12 miles away. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Rio de Janeiro try Ebookers.
Rio’s efficient metro system is handy for getting around town. Between the two main lines, most of the city’s tourist destinations are accessible. The pink metro cars are for women only, intended to provide privacy for those females who’d like to take advantage. Service stops after midnight.
Rio de Janeiro
Sightseeing in Rio de Janeiro
The Christ the Redeemer statue perches atop the Corcovado Mountain, keeping constant vigil over Rio de Janeiro. This icon is visible from almost every part of the city, and is certainly Rio’s most photographed feature. Several outstanding museums and religious shrines are open to the public, including the Catedral Metropolitana and the Museu Nacional de Belas Artes, the latter of which has a wonderful collection of fine art.
Of course, at any given moment, the beaches are a great place to kick back and enjoy your vacation. Ipanema is less touristy than the others—well-kept with a clean coastline and plenty of trendy cafés and boutiques within easy walking distance. Copacabana is, of course, Brazil’s most well-known beach and is always packed with sunbathers.
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
With so much international traffic, Rio has cultivated an impressive spread of restaurants and culinary styles. Some of the best cuisine focuses on Brazilian and Portuguese standards, though it’s not hard to find Japanese and Italian restaurants among the more than 1,000 eateries in town. Local grilled meats and fresh seafood generate some of the best reviews in Rio de Janeiro.
Rio’s high-octane nightlife starts early and prefers not to stop. Open-air bars near on the waterfront are popular around Copacabana, and as you head to the downtown sector you’ll find more upscale clubs and dance spots. Dancing the samba in Rio can be truly addictive, and a single evening is never enough.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
Outdoor activities are the main pastime during daylight hours. Hiking in the mountains, hang-gliding over the coastline or jumping in to any number of water sports all offer great thrills. In town, the streets spill over with designer boutiques, gift shops, and a million different ways to get the most out of your vacation.
Daytrips
Visiting Corcovado Mountain is one of the most popular daytrip excursions from Rio de Janeiro. Available as a half day outing when paired with a visit to Sugar Loaf Mountain, it can easily be a full day tour in itself. An early morning ride upon a cog-train winds through the Tijuca rainforest to the world famous statue of Christ the Redeemer at the mountain’s summit. After breathtaking views of the city and a seafood lunch, you can head back to the city.
Whether part of a full day tour or an adventure on its own, a trip to Sugar Loaf Mountain can begin with a drive through downtown Rio to Red Beach and the cable car at the base of the mountain. Soaring to the top, the cable car makes its way to the peak. Coincide your arrival with the sun setting upon Copacabana Beach.
The birthplace of samba, Rio is world-renowned for its music, Carnival and exotic and elaborate performances. The Platforma Samba Show, while more of an evening-trip than a daytrip, presents an exciting and extravagant night out. Bright colours, energetic music, and musicians and dancers in amazing costumes are certain to thrill. Pick-up and drop-off can be arranged from, and to, any hotel and includes dinner along with the show.
Must-see attractions
Heralded as one of the world’s most famous beaches, Copacabana Beach is a beautiful stretch of soft sand and rolling surf. Regardless of age, this is the place to be in Rio and a multitude of activities are always on offer, both day and night. Strolling along the sand or the boardwalk, body boarding, surfing, beach volleyball and football, sunbathing, swimming and spectacular views are all part of the daily Copacabana experience.
There is seldom talk of Rio when Carnival is not mentioned. Dating back to as early as 1723, Carnival falls yearly on the Friday before Ash Wednesday and lasts 40 days. A holiday arranged to overlap the infamous Brazilian city-wide party would be one to remember. With parades, floats, costumes, dancing and nearly unimaginable crowds of party-goers filling the streets day and night, Carnival in Rio is a definite must-see.
Best time to go
The humid subtropical Brazilian climate allows for a wide span of temperatures between seasons, occasionally as low as 15°C and as high as 31°C , with a great deal of rain. Although tourist season peaks during the months of July and August, when the mercury hovers around 25°C and the weather is at its driest, Rio welcomes a vast number of visitors year round.
Rainy day suggestions
While it is likely that it will rain at some point during any vacation to Rio, there exist quite a number of entertainment options if the weather is truly bad enough to warrant staying indoors. The city boasts numerous museums and cultural centres so travellers have only to open an umbrella and choose a direction.
The National History Museum in the Centro District offers must-see exhibits of weapons and colonial sculptures, paintings, maps and an enormous variety of significant historical artefacts. It is among the most popular indoor attractions for both tourists and locals with an interest in history.
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