Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro(Rio) is the second-most populous metropolitan area in Brazil with 6.5 million residents.
Rio was the capital of Brazil from 1763 (as the capital of the State of Brazil, a state of the Portuguese Empire) until 1960 when the capital was transferred to Brasília.
Rio has the second largest municipal GDP in the country and 30th largest in the world in 2008.
Rio de Janeiro was the host of the 2016 Summer Olympics and the 2016 Summer Paralympics, making the city the first South American and Portuguese-speaking city to host the events.
Rio de Janeiro is Brazil's primary tourist attraction and resort. It is one of the most visited cities in the Southern Hemisphere that receives the most visitors per year of any city in South America with 2.82 million international tourists a year. It is known for its natural settings, Carnival, samba, bossa nova, and beaches. Rio is the most awarded destination by World Travel Awards in the South American category of "best destination".
We recommend you stay in Rio for at list 4 nights. Main sights recommended are:
- Visit the massive statue of Christ the Redeemer, a landmark and an iconic figure that represents Rio de Janeiro and Brazil and named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. At the base of the statue there is an observation deck with breathtaking panoramic view of Rio, the neighboring Sugarloaf Mountain, the city's famous Copacabana beach and a number of favelas.
- Take the cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, for a breathtaking 360 degree view of Rio de Janeiro.
- Enjoy the world renowned Copacabana beach with tourists visiting from around the world.
- Ipanema beach, another famous beach characterized by the two mountains - the Dois Irmaos, (Two Brothers) - which rise at its western end.
- Visit the Botanical Garden, a magnificent UNESCO biosphere reserve located in Jardim Botânico, a residential neighborhood built around the botanical gardens.
- The Selaron Steps, world-famous for their vivid colors. The steps are connecting the neighborhood of Lapa with the artistic hill-top neighborhood of Santa Teresa.
- Visit the bohemian neighborhood of Lapa. See the beautiful Carioca Aqueduct used today as a tramway to Santa Teresa neighborhood. Visit the Metropolitan Cathedral built as a Mayan architectural style of pyramids.
- See the Praça Cantão Favela’s Painting in Santa Marta favela.
- Visit the Maracana Stadium, one of the world’s largest football stadiums.
- On February, see Rio Carnival, a world famous and the favorite holiday celebration in Rio.
- Visit the Sambadrome, the official venue of Rio Carnival with the seating capacity of 90,000 seats.
- Visit the leisure neighborhood of Lagoa, a scenic neighborhood developed around a lagoon (Lagoa Rodrigo de Freita) that empties into the ocean.
- Visit the Parque Nacional da Tijuca, a beautiful National Park located in the city of Rio.
- Visit the Cinelandea Square, a major public square located in the center of Rio.
See more tourist information on Rio including sights, hotels, etc.