On this page you will find 12 photos and touristic information about Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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This is the Sugar Loaf mountain and the Guanabara Bay, the most famous view from Rio. Even those who have been in many different places in the world use to agree about one thing. It is not easy to find another place where nature was so generous. The nature blend you find here, a one of a kind mixture of imposing mountains surrounded by the rich green foliage of tropical trees, blue skies reflected in warm waters surrounded by white sand beaches, all this framed in a climate that is the best thing next to paradise. No wonder that a popular joke in Rio says that the winter here use to be very strong indeed, and reminds visitors that last year it started on a Tuesday and ended on the following Wednesday…. |
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If there are famous beaches in the world, this is surely one of them: Copacabana. It is 4 miles long, and some of the best hotels is Rio are located here. This is the number one destination in town. Basically it is a residential and commercial quarter, so here you will find hundreds of restaurants and souvenirs shops. At night take a seat in one the many coffee shops or restaurants in from of the beach, ask for a Chope (pronounce shóupee, a kind of beer), the most popular drink in town, or, if you prefer, a wine or soft drink, relax and enjoy the view. Click on this photo to see a larger image of Copacabana |
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In early 2008, a big ferris wheel was placed at one end of Copacabana Beach. Watch a video we made when we went there, posted on Youtube. Click on Rio Ferris Wheel.
Also, watch a video we made from a car running along Copacabana beach main avenue, at Avenida Atlantica.
You may also choose among many sea food dishes, one of the specialties in town. During your meal, don’t be surprised if you see some samba players and dancers performing a small show next to you, or maybe some Capoeira dancers (a kind of choreographed fight, which came to Brazil centuries ago, brought by the African slaves).
In the morning you’ll probably feel like going to the beach, but why not take the chance to meet a unique location? I you don’t mind some climbing, go to the starting point of Copacabana beach, in the place called Leme (pronounce Láymee). There you will find a place that even many Cariocas (those who were born or live in Rio) don’t know: The Caminho do Pescador (fisherman’s walk). A narrow pedestrian trail between the mountain and the sea, that will take you hundreds of meters way from the shore line. Or, if you prefer a more traditional walk, just take some time to go up and down all Copacabana beach large sidewalk. The is the best option to meet all the unique blend of people living in this quarter.
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A number one touristic destination in Rio is the Sugar Loaf Mountain. (Pao de Acucar). The cable car station is located in Urca quarter, almost at Praia Vermelha (Red Beach). The journey up to Sugar Loaf is a two steps trip. The first cable car will take you to Morro da Urca (Urca Mountain), a wonderful destination itself, with restaurants, parks and playgrounds. But you didn’t came down to Rio to stop halfway, did you? So take the second cable car and go straight to the top, the Sugar Loaf Mountain. Some people say this is the best view in town, even better than the one from the Christ statue. It is up to you to decide. Try to be there at sunset, for a unforgettable view of Rio. |
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The photo at the right was taken at Morro da Urca, the first stop to Sugar Loaf mountain, which is the big rock just behind us. When returning from Sugar Loaf, take a time to walk around. Go to Red Beach, just some steps way, and do not miss the chance to meet an unique ecological trail, between the sea and the mountain: The Claudio Coutinho trail. Starting at the left edge of Praia Vermelha, this smooth trail follows about a half mile along the Sugar Loaf. The small birds and animals you’ll find here, the sound of the waves kissing the rocks will make you feel so relaxed as if you were hundreds of miles way from any civilization. When returning, take the chance to visit Bella Praia Restaurant. Ten more feet and it would be on the ocean! Located at the other edge of Praia Vermelha, with the mighty Sugar Loaf by you side, this is the right place for a relaxing drink at sunset. |
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The statue of Christ is one of the most popular monuments in Rio. Built in 1933 at the top of Corcovado Mountain, this is absolutely one of those places not to be missed on your trip to Rio. It stands more than 2100 feet high above the sea level, and is the number one observation deck in town. Not only the view is breathtaking, but also just by getting there you will get a glimpse of the Mata Atlantic (Atlantic Forest) that used be everywhere in this area some centuries ago. You can get to the Christ Statue by car, following an exciting route through some remaining areas of the forest, or, which is better, take the Trenzinho do Corcovado (Corcovado Climb). Its main station is located in Cosme Velho quarter, just in front of St. Judas Catholic Church. The Corcovado Climb is fast and comfortable, and in 15 minutes or so, you will be the king (or queen) of the mountain, with all Rio below your feet! |
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One more photo taken by the Christ Statue. As you probably know, in Brazil you will find more fruits than anywhere else in the world. Traditional, exotic and some that you might have never heard of. That’s way you can find Casas de Sucos (Fruits Juices bars) in almost every corner, with hundreds of fruits pending at the walls. Just choose the one you want, or maybe a mix of two or three different ones, and they will squeeze it in front of your eyes. Fresh, pure, healthy and delicious. Now let’s say you want a more complete meal. There’s a familiar restaurant we always use to go and suggest to your friends. Very appreciated by tourists, it is one of the best buffets in town, a kind of all-you-can-eat at a fixed rate. With a wide selection of sea food, pasta, barbecues, salads, vegetables, soups and many traditional Brazilian dishes. Located at Flamengo Park, Porcao Restaurant (the Big Pig) is a sure bet for any taste. You will need a taxi to get there, since there are no bus stops at the park. |
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Another place we enjoy having lunch or diner at Ipanema quarter is Carretao Restaurant, just in front of General Osorio Square. Carretao has a large assortment of meats, salads and much more and is located next to many hotels in Ipanema and Copacabana beaches.
One more suggestion is Kilograma Restaurant, also at Copacabana Ave. There you have two options: All you can eat at a fixed rate, or Eat by Kilo, which means that you help yourself, get what you want to eat, then take you plate to a scale and pay according to the weight of what you got. Barbecues, shrimps, beef, pork, salads, no matter what, the price is the same.
Actually, eating by Kilo became very popular in Rio, as well as in the rest of the country, and during your staying in Rio you'll probably find dozens of restaurants with this same price system.
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This is a picture of Ipanema and Leblon beaches, one of the most refined neighborhoods in Rio. We would suggest you to stay here, since this is a much quieter area than the famous and crowded Copacabana. On Sundays do not miss the Feira Hippie de Ipanema. In spite of the name, it is not a hippie fair any more, but surely is the best place in town to find leather goods, T-shirts, gold and silver rings and bracelets, as well as a huge amount of nice souvenirs. Click on this photo to see a larger image of Ipanema Beach. |
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Also, if you have a free day, and decide to take a tour out of Rio, we would suggest a visit to the city of Petropolis, in the mountains, just one hour driving from Rio. It was home of the emperor of Brazil, and there you can visit his old palace, as well as many other interesting points related to the history of the country. The best option to visit the town is on board one of the old fashioned and lovely horse carriages. The photo at right was shot in front of Quitandinha Manor, near Petropolis. |
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Wanna do some shopping? Go to famous Rio Sul,
centrally located, right at the north side of the tunnel linking
Copacabana and Botafogo quarters. If you don’t mind mind driving a little
longer, you can also visit Barra Shopping, the largest mall in
town. Take a Van, or ask a friend to drive you there. It is located at
Barra da Tijuca quarter (about 15 miles south from Copacabana). By the way, if you happen to visit Barra, which is the newest
part of town, take some time to visit all its attractions, including a
large selection of malls, restaurants and entertaining movie complexes
like Fashion Mall, Barra Shopping, Via Parque, New York City Center and
Downtown, just to name a few. And, of course, don’t forget to visit the
Barra beach, 10 miles long, the longest in Rio.
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View from dontown from Pão de Acucar mountain. If you decide to take a walk downtown please do not forget to visit Confeitaria Colombo at Goncalves Dias Street. This elegant and refined tea room has a touch of 19th century Rio, and is the right place for a delicious afternoon tea or maybe a hot chocolate with a wide assortment of sandwiches, pastries, fruits, juices and much more. Monday to Fridays, 4:30 pm to 7 pm.
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Thinking about Rio is thinking about Carnaval. During the four days of Carnaval, Rio turns itself into rhythm, samba parades, crazy costumes and funny nonsense. There are many events in town during Carnaval, like costume contests, Carnaval balls, groups of samba players and rythmists parading in the streets at any time of day, gay balls, but the most important event is surely the Desfile das Escolas de Samba (Samba schools parade). During eight or nine hours, starting always on a Sunday, at 7PM, the 7 best samba schools in Rio make their show. Each one of them use to bring more than 3 thousand people. The following night, the same thing, but now with the 7 best remaining samba schools. At right, a shot of a samba school float, at Sambodromo Stadium. |
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According to the rules, each Samba School have about 80 minutes to tell an original story (the Enredo) which may be anything, but must be told in the rhythm of samba. Costumes, songs, musicians, lyrics, choreography, everything must be related to the chosen Enredo. When Carnaval is over, a jury of samba experts elects the winners of each category, the best costumes, best samba song, best Enredo, etc, including the great winner of them all: the best Samba School of the year. The following Saturday, the best five samba schools can be seen parading again at the same place. If you would like to take part in the great samba parade it’s easy. All you need to do is contact any of the major samba schools and buy a costume. Ask your hotel concierge for details, or check Rio-Carnival web site. |
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New year’s eve is also one of the greatest events of the year in Rio and the right place to be is Copacabana, where many streets are even closed to traffic, so crowded it gets. Do like the Brazilians, and dress in white to bring good luck to the next year. Go to the shoreline and throw some flowers in the ocean as an offer to Iemanja, the ancient goddess of the oceans. Dance and enjoy yourself all night long at one of the many samba and Brazilian music shows at the beach stages, and at midnight watch the skies for a 20 minutes firework show that you’ll probably never forget. But don’t think its over! Stay there and wait for dawn. Watching the sun rising at the sea on the first day of the year is an unforgettable experience, and if, after all that, you feel hungry, just cross the street back to any of the many hotels in front of the sea and try their delicious first-day-of- the-year brunches. We bet new years eve at Rio will be the experience of a lifetime. We will also be there, and, who knows, we may even meet at the sands of Copacabana… :-) Watch a video we uploaded to youtube showing Copacabana Beach New year celebration fireworks. |
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Check some other images of Rio at night at Aterro Park Viuva Mountain and Copacabana. And why not check all our photostream at Viagens & Imagens? Other pictures from Rio at our Portuguese Text Page.
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This page song is Garota de Ipanema (Ipanema Girl), bossa nova styled, composed by Vinicius de Moraes.
