Rio de Janerio in Brazil is also called Cidade Maravilhosa – A Wondeful City. Yes, it is so true.
One of my favorite places in the World.
I spent in Rio Brazil little over a month and I am still hungry for it.
My top ten sights in Rio de Janeiro:
• Copacabana
One of the most famous beaches in the world with gold sand and it’s in the middle of the 6 million people city and a wealthy district as well. Very popular with tourist usually is the first pick for everyone to visit. Lots of fancy hotels , but also some budget hostels for backpackers are located here. First time I stayed in Copa the whole week.
On the Copa beach use a lot of sunblock because the sun in Brazil is so strong. Lots of events are set on or near the beach.
Top of Pao de Acuar towers above if there are no clouds. An unforgetable sight.
• Ipanema
I think it’s my favorite district in Rio Brazil and high in Top ten sights in Rio de Janerio. Very rich neighborhood with lots of expensive and fancy Louis Vuitton-like shops, cafes, clubs and most of all, the Ipanema beach. Staying here has this more relaxing vibe, people walk around with their dogs, talk to each other, jog, or just hang out laughing, drinking fruit juices. Not like in Copacabana where life seems to run faster.
For me Ipanema was better vibe, but if you have enough time stay a few days in both places to have your own opinion.
Ipanema beach is smaller than Copa and I prefer it. One Carioca was telling me about sections of the beach where different kinds of people hang out and tourists like me mingled quite easily. Everybody was friendly, I liked the tranguil atmosphere, beautiful beach with Vidigal favela visible on the nearby Dois Irmaos hill.
I liked Cariocas a lot… mostly I got the impression of, joyful and easy going people with lots of smile on their faces.
I recommend a few-day stay to relish the flavour of the place.
• Lapa
Most famous disctrict for PARTY between Santa Teresa and Downtown. The whole neigberhood is filled with bars, cafes and clubs. Samba and forro rule here, so if you are looking for fun this is the place. Most people gather around ARCOS DA LAPA – an aqueduct from old times. During Carnaval streets are full of people.
I stayed in Lapa Hostel on Rua do Rezende just 2 or 3 blocks from main party streets. Safe and close to most party places. Lapa Hostel is relaxed and social place where lots of fun people stay. The staff helps a lot with hints for places and events. A big Like from my side for this hostel
• Santa Teresa
The bohemian lifestyle and old colonial architecture atract most people to Santa Teresa. This old district set on the hill looks down on Lapa and Center lower in a distance. Beautifully located Santa Teresa is not easy to acces, be ready for some up, and downhill walking here.
I stayed in Books hostel – most hospitable hostel I stayed in my entire life.
If you plan to go to Rio de Janerio, book your accomodation in Books in advance, because they are usually full. Staying in this artistic district located close to Lapa party places is very convinient. Atmosphere is very relaxing, lots of young people energy and ideas, old buildings, narrow streets around. All this make bohemian and artistic vibe. If you like this kind of atmosphere you have stay a few days to feel the specific energy of this place.
• Pão de Açúcar
The Sugarloaf Mountain 396 m (1,299 ft) reigns like a giant guardian above Capacabana and Guanabara Bay. It’s an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012. A cable car leaves every 20minutes, costs about 80 reals (40 students) , but it’s worth every penny beacause the views are magnificent. You can also choose one of many climbing routes up the mountain if you like.
• Corcovado – Cristo Redentor statue
Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) became a symbol of Rio de Janerio. Nearly 40m tall Christ statue spreads it’s arms to embrace the city and welcome it’s visitors. Corcovado mountain is set in the middle of Rio, and what can I say: This is THE VIEWin Rio Brazil. Ipanema, Copa, Botafogo, Santa Teresa, Downtown and Tijuca. Like you were in the air…
There is one general rule, try go in the morning, because Corcovado can be covered with clouds in the afternoon.
• Maracana
Football is like a religion in Rio Brasil. Maracana stadium has been Brazil’s pride since 1950’s with nearly 200 thousands people capacity. Football matches are the main attraction, but occasionally music concerts or other sport events are oragnised in Maracana.
• Rocinha – biggest Favela in Brazil.
Marvelous city of Rio Brazil with its fancy neighborhoods, beautiful beaches and skyscraper office buildings has a different much darker side. Lots of poor people come to Rio looking for better life, but cannot afford to live in expensive areas. Slums, in Brazil are called favelas, where generally poor people live. Drastic economic disparities create lot for crime and drugs related shady buisenesses. There are many favelas set mostly on the hills or outskirts of Rio. Gringos (tourists) are usually not welcome there and it might be dangerous to walk alone in a favela with a camera and bags with laptop. But if you go for a party, or a bar with a local Carioca, than I think it’s OK, just don’t focus too much attention.
Rocinha is the biggest Favela where around 70 thousands people live (not officially even 3 times that). Favela tours are organized, they pick you up from hotel or hostel and take you for a Rociha tour. You are driven by motorcycle up the hill, and then walk down the hill with a group and a guide. Some money are given to the community. Better not give any money to children in the favela. You can buy water or sweets in a local shop, or handicrafts to support locals.
• Centro/Downtown Rio
A place where you actually can see Cariocas in a hurry… Most companies have headquarters here, so lots of people dressed in suits rush into countless office buildings for work. All that mixed with many history monuments on the narrow streets and cafes and reastaurants everywhere.
– SARRA Market – use metro station “Uruguaiana”. Cool place to find all the fantasias (carnival costumes) or you can find pretty much anything you can imagine for a cheap price, like beach clothing, electronics and souvenirs.
– Sambadrome (Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí) a structre built for Rio Carnaval Samba Schools Prade is held.
– Municipal Theatre – beautiful building in Cinelandia.
• Rio Carnival
If you hear Brazil Rio Carnival you picture beautiful women with feather costume dancing samba. Yes that’s true but Carnival for Cariocas is so much more. Carnival takes place usually during February or March- depends of the year.
Cariocas dance in their samba schools (QUADRAS) in each district. They train like every week, or often preparing their costumes, dance arrangements and style to perform and compete in Sambadrome.
Those who don’t compete go where the real carnival is – the streets– BLOCOS – so called Block Parties.
Events are organized all around the City where people party, dance, drink, kiss and enjoy Carnival.
I visited Rio de Janerio twice. For more than a month I was living in different parts of Rio Brazil to feel and see more of this Marvelous City – Cidade Maravilhosa 🙂
Writing about Rio I can list 20 or even 25 top sights in Rio- really, all are exceptional, so maybe next post will list more cool places to see. Stay tunned…
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For more see Cidade Maravilhosa gallery