Brazil Travel Blog

What can we say about Rio de Janeiro? The Brazilian destination par excellence, few visitors will leave Brazil without a stay in Rio. Rio is a city of extremes built on a absolutely unique location that has no rival on Earth. A city that makes a profound impression on its visitors.

WE LIKE THE MOST: the impossible and unbelieavable geography of the city, trapped between the mountains and the sea. Rio is absolutely unique.

WE LIKE THE LEAST: the permanent sensation of lack of safety wherever you go; the agressions against the environment commited on a daily basis as the city expands; the seediest part of Copacabana.

HOW TO GET THERE: by land, air or sea, Rio is, together with São Paulo, the main entry point to Brazil.

CAREFUL WITH: crime, it can happen anytime, almost anywhere

FAVOURITE PLACES: the Corcovado, the Sugar Loaf, Ipanema, the Botanic Garden, São Conrado, the Confeitaria Colombo

PIECE OF ADVICE:

• if you are planning to visit the main tourist attractions, you might want to have a look at the Rio Pass, with interesting discounts
• to go to the Sugar Loaf mountain (Pão de Açúcar) using public transportation take the subway (metrô) to the Botafogo station and from there a bus to Urca.
• to go to the Corcovado mountain using public transportation, take the subway to the Largo do Machado station and there a bus to Cosme Velho.
• unless you want the sun in front of your camera, go to the Sugar Loaf in the morning and to the Corcovado in the afternoon. Both places are really wonderful after the sun has gone down, with the city lights at your feet.
• from the rooftop bar of some hotels in Copacabana there is an excellent view of the beach
• if you have the chance to drive along the Avenida Niemeyer, that links the neighbourhoods of Leblon and São Conrado, and continues to the Barra da Tijuca, do it. It’s an unbelievable road between the mountain and the sea
• Rio seen from above is a breathtaking experience; flights coming from São Paulo land at Santos Dumont airport, touching the mountains on their approach to Rio; there are helicopter flights all day long

LINKS: RioTur (Rio’s City Council), TurisRio (estate government), Trem do Corcovado, Sugar Loaf

WEATHER FORECAST: The weather in Rio for the next 10 days

GOOGLE MAPS: Rio de Janeiro

PHOTOS: Rio de Janeiro

ACCOMMODATION IN RIO:

If you want to book your accommodation in Rio de Janeiro, you can do it through whl.travel by clicking on the banner below. whl.travel is a global hotel and tour booking network, focusing mainly on developing and off-the-beaten track destinations, with an emphasis on sustainable and responsible tourism.

ALSO ON THIS BLOG: Rio bus station: Terminal Novo Rio

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