Rio de Janeiro :: Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

Rio – what can be said about Rio, the dream of many people all over the world.

Rio de Janeiro is Samba and carneval, the sugar loaf, the christ statue, the beaches as Copacabana and Ipanema with a blue ocean, the mountains, the bars and and and…

The place was discovered on January, 1st, 1502 and called Rio de Janeiro (River of January) because Gaspar de Lemos thought that the bay was a river. From 1763 to 1960 it was capital of Brazil (since then it is Brasilia), after São Paulo (about 500 kms away) it is the largest city and place of commerce. It has more than 6 million inhabitants, bigger Rio more than 11 million.

Different do São Paulo there is a bigger mixture of the cultures. For example, if you go to the bars in Lapa you meet rich and poor enjoying the nights together.
Of course it is necessary to visit the famous places as the sugar loaf (height: 394 m) and the christ statue on Corcovado (704m), from where you have a wonderful view over the city.
Also you should visit the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, make a walk along the beaches and also have a drink at the beach. Don´t worry, there is a lot of security during the day. Finally, no fan of soccer should miss a visit to the famous Maracanã Stadium.

Tours are offered at every hotel.

But there are more highlights in Rio, which you shouldn´t miss:
In the center you still find many historical buildings, just as the “Teatro Municipal” (the main theatre) and many museums. For example the “Museu Chácara do Céu“ shows art of Pablo Picasso.

In the “Jardim Botânico” (botanic garden) is preserved atlantic rainforest, with monkees in the trees and many birds and flowers as well.

In Lapa there are nice bars and restaurants to enjoy the evenings, but also the “bonde” (tram) starts from there. It is a old tram, still used by public crossing the aquaduct „Arcos da Lapa“ from the 18th century going to Santa Teresa, a beautful quarter of artists, meanwhile slowly becoming a further well known attraction for tourists.