Which country does Rio de Janeiro belong to? The city of Rio de Janeiro has become known to some tourists thanks to its architectural structures.
Rio de Janeiro- the second largest city in Brazil, with a population of 6.4 million people. Located on the coast Atlantic Ocean surrounded by mountains and sea on both sides. The main attraction of Rio is the statue of Christ the Redeemer.
The city of Ostap Bender's "crystal dream", where, as the great strategist believed, "everyone without exception walks in white pants", in fact, turned out to be a city of contrasts. Rio de Janeiro is famous for the annual Brazilian carnival, but at the same time, the city has a consistently high crime rate, and miserable dwellings - favelas - huddle on the slopes of the surrounding mountains - the poorest areas cities.
The Portuguese founded Rio de Janeiro in the middle of the 16th century. Himself Guanabara bay, on the west bank which the metropolis is located, was discovered on January 1, 1502 by Gaspard de Lemos. True, the Portuguese navigator mistook the bay for the mouth of a large river, and this misunderstanding gave the name to the city: "January River."
Rio de Janeiro was the capital for many years: first a colony, then the united kingdom of Portugal and Brazil, then the Brazilian Empire, and finally, until 1960, the Republic of Brazil.
Attractions Rio de Janeiro
Mount Corcovado and statue of Christ the Redeemer
The main attraction and real symbol of Rio de Janeiro is the statue of Christ the Redeemer. It took about 9 years to build and was opened in October 1931. In 2007, about 90 million Internet users voted to include the monument among the seven "new wonders of the world."
The statue of Christ the Redeemer is located in the Tijuca National Park at the top of Mount Corcovado. The height of the sculpture with a pedestal is 38 meters, weight - 635 tons, arm span - 28 meters.
The most high point in Rio de Janeiro, the sculpture is regularly targeted by electrical discharges. Most often, for some reason, the right hand suffers; in 2013 and 2014, lightning chipped off fragments of fingers on it. For the express repair of the statue, a reserve of the stone from which it is made has been created. At the foot of the statue at an altitude of more than 700 meters above sea level is located viewpoint with panoramic views of the city and the bay.
Every year, about 2 million tourists climb to the statue of Christ the Redeemer. Providing such a flow helps Railway. It was built at the end of the 19th century. Its length is 3.8 km, the way to the top takes 20 minutes.
The idea of erecting a statue of Christ the Redeemer arose in 1921 on the eve of the 100th anniversary of Brazil's national independence. All the details of the monument were made in France, they were delivered to the top of Mount Corcovado by rail.
Botafogo is a prestigious area (and the beach of the same name) in the southeast of Rio de Janeiro. Mostly wealthy representatives of the upper class, businessmen live here.
"Bay in the bay", Marina da Gloria
"Bay in the bay." The artificial bay Marina da Gloria was built in 2006 for the Pan American Games in Rio for sailing competitions. Yachtsmen also competed here during the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Business center of Rio de Janeiro. Visible in the background big bridge across Guanabara Bay.
Cinelandia Square and Opera House
Among the skyscrapers in the center of Rio nestled the Municipal Opera and Ballet Theater on Cinelandia Square. Opened in 1909. A Brazilian and a Frenchman made it to the final of the competition for architects. The Brazilian turned out to be the son of the local prefect. In order to stop accusations of favoritism, the final project of the municipal theater in the Neo-Renaissance style was accepted as a compilation of the ideas of domestic and overseas authors.
Throughout the 20th century, due to the growing population of the city, the theater was reconstructed and expanded several times. Today it can accommodate over 2300 spectators.
Aqueduct Carioca
The Carioca Aqueduct in downtown Rio de Janeiro is a prime example of architecture and engineering from the colonial period. The maximum height is 17.6 meters. From the middle of the 18th century, he delivered water from the Carioca River to the population of the city. Prior to that, water was carried into Rio, surrounded by marshes, by hand.
Since the end of the 19th century, the aqueduct, which has ceased to work for its intended purpose, has been serving as a railway bridge. The only St. Teresa tram left in the city runs along it. Popular route connects the city center with the Santa Teresa area. It was closed in 2011 after a disaster and the death of 6 people. After tightening security measures, traffic resumed in 2015.
The famous Selarón staircase gained notoriety at the end of the 20th century, when the Chilean artist Jorge Selarón decided to mosaic the stairs outside his home in downtown Rio. Artists from all over the world helped a poor Brazilian colleague, mosaic tiles in red, as well as yellow-blue-green colors (the colors of the Brazilian flag) were sent from 60 countries, including Russia.
The length of the staircase passing through two blocks exceeds 120 meters, it has more than 200 steps. On one of them in 2013, the body of Jorge Selaron was found with burns from an ignited solvent. The artist died next to the work that glorified him. The causes of death remained not fully elucidated. The police did not rule out the possibility of murder or suicide.
Cultural Center of the Naval Forces. The historic building of the headquarters of the Brazilian Navy was built at the beginning of the 19th century. Today in the museum you can see sea vessels and a submarine, as well as a ship from the First World War. The center also organizes sightseeing tours along the Gulf of Guanabara.
Vargas Avenue and Snake Island
Avenue of President Vargas. In the background is Snake Island with the center of the Brazilian Navy.
A monument of colonial architecture and one of the main places of worship in Brazil is the Catholic Church of Candelaria on President Vargas Avenue. According to legend, having fulfilled their oath, at the beginning of the 17th century it was built by two Spaniards: their ship Candelaria was almost destroyed by a storm, and the passengers promised heaven to build a church if they were saved.
Carioca Square and Saint Anthony Monastery
The heart of the historical part of Rio de Janeiro is Carioca Square. The Santos Dumont airport is in the background.
On a hill near Carioca Square is one of the oldest buildings in Rio - the Monastery of St. Anthony. Its history begins in 1592, when the first Franciscans arrived in Rio de Janeiro, a few years later they began to build the first buildings on Mount St. Anthony.
Skyscraper Petrobras
The headquarters of Petrobras, the largest state-controlled oil and gas company in Brazil and the world's seventh largest oil and gas company. locals dislike and call a "monster" a non-standard 29-storey gray building made of reinforced concrete. On the right in the photo is the building of the State National Development Bank of more familiar forms.
Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro
Monumental Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro. The building was built in the modernist style in 1964-1979. The cathedral is dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Saint Sebastian.
The shape of the cathedral is a truncated cone 75 meters high. Up to 20,000 people can be inside.
The Museum of Tomorrow is a major exhibition and conference center dedicated to environmental and social issues in Brazil and the entire planet. Built on a pier in Guanabara Bay for the 2016 Olympics.
The futuristic form of the Museum of Tomorrow complex was designed and implemented by the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The total area of the center exceeds 15,000 sq. m.
The Museum of Tomorrow uses its own electricity: it is generated by solar panels located on the cantilevered roof of the building, which automatically rotate after the sun during the day.
Avenue Rio Branco
Rio Branco Avenue in downtown Rio de Janeiro.
The unique street Sambodrom - built in 1984 specifically for organized legendary Brazilian carnivals and other massive public events.
The Sambadrome is a 700-meter street with stands for 80,000 people. During the 2016 Olympics, archers competed at the Sambadrome.
Contrasts. Not uncommon for Rio: shacks in the shadow of mirrored skyscrapers.
Maracana Stadium
Perhaps the main pride of the inhabitants of Rio, who are crazy about football, is the Maracanã stadium. Until the end of the 20th century, the arena was the largest in the world, it could accommodate up to 200,000 spectators. However, after a series of reconstructions dictated by security requirements, the stadium abandoned virtually free standing places. Today "Maracana" accommodates a little less than 80 thousand spectators and has lost the palm. In 2016, the stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the Summer Olympic Games.
Brazil Central Station
Central Train Station Brazil. The station has existed since 1858, the modern Art Deco building was built in 1943 and today is one of the architectural dominants of Rio de Janeiro. Up to 700,000 passengers pass through the central station every day.
The tower of the Central Station is topped with a clock on all sides. An interesting detail: the four dials often show different times. It's not about different time zones. It’s just that the mechanisms break down regularly, and the clock gets up on one side or the other.
Next to the Central Station is the so-called Palazzo Duca de Caxias, the skyscraper of the Central Command of the Brazilian Army.
Launched in 1979, the Rio de Janeiro metro has 4 lines and about 40 stations. Today, the Rio metro in Brazil is the second largest after Sao Paulo.
Museum of the History of Brazilian Firefighters
The building of the Museum of the History of Brazilian Firefighters. Regular fire departments in Brazil were created in 1856 by order of Emperor Pedro II.
Tiradentes Square
Tiradentes Square. Named in honor of the national hero and revolutionary Joaquin Jose da Silva Xavier (a dragoon officer studied dentistry in his youth, which is why he received the nickname "Tiradentis" - "dentist"). He participated in a conspiracy against the Portuguese colonial rule and was executed on this square on April 21, 1792. In the center of the square is the oldest public statue of Rio, erected in 1862. This is an equestrian figure of the first emperor of Brazil, Pedro I, who proclaimed the independence of the country.
snake island
Serpent Island. It houses a complex of buildings and structures serving the Brazilian naval forces: shipyards, an arsenal, the headquarters and central hospital of the Navy, the main command of the marines, etc.
Aircraft carrier "Sao Paulo" at the pier on Snake Island. Built in France, since 2000 it has been in service with the Brazilian Navy.
Brazilian Navy frigate Bosisio (F 48) in dry dock on Snake Island.
The longest (13,290 meters) and highest (72 meters) bridge in Brazil across Guanabara Bay. Connects the municipalities of Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi. Built in 1974 and named after the then head of state, President Costa y Silva, who initiated the crossing.
One of the two main airports in Rio de Janeiro is Santos Dumont. Named after Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont.
Copacabana beach
The legendary Copacabana is a 4 km sandy beach located south of the center of Rio de Janeiro. It got its name from the name of the once located here fishing village. The Avenida Atlantica promenade runs along the beach. In the 50s of the 20th century, representatives of artistic bohemia settled here, today wealthy Brazilians bought up the houses on the embankment. Concerts are regularly held at Copacabana with a colossal crowd of people. In 1994, Rod Stewart's performance with 3.5 million viewers entered the Guinness Book of Records.
Copacabana Palace is the most prestigious hotel in Rio facing the beach. The complex consists of an 8-storey main building and a 14-storey additional building.
Copacabana. Almost all of Rio de Janeiro is located between hills and mountains.
Ipanema beach
Ipanema is another famous place on the map of Rio (also thanks to the popular musical composition "The Girl from Ipanema"). Prestigious area in the southern part of Rio and the beach of the same name.
In the language of the Indians, "Ipanema" means "stinking water." However, this epithet has an indirect relation to today's Rio region: this piece of land in the 19th century belonged to a certain businessman and was named after his family estate in a completely different region of Brazil.
Cape Arpoador
Arpoador. A rocky cape that actually separates the beaches of Ipanema on the one hand, and Praia do Diabo and Copacabana on the other. The tiny peninsula is known for its big waves and attracts surfers.
Leblon beach. Received a name in honor of the Frenchman Leblon, the owner of one of the farms that were located in the area in the 19th century.
Favelas of Rio de Janeiro
Favelas. Another symbol of Rio de Janeiro, this time infamous. There are areas of impoverished illegal slums in almost all underdeveloped countries, but only the favelas of Rio de Janeiro have become famous throughout the world.
There are several thousand favelas in the city. In fact, these are mini-states within a state. The federal authorities practically do not interfere in the affairs of the favelas. The standard of living here is very low, often there are no basic amenities - schools, hospitals, etc.
The largest favela in Rio de Janeiro and throughout Brazil is Rocinha. Its population is estimated at 200 thousand people.
Rocinha is a true city within a city. Unlike other favelas, there are several medical and social institutions and even its own TV station. Despite warnings, the area is frequented by tourists at their own risk.
On the eve of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, massive police-army “cleansing” operations were carried out in the favelas. However, it was not possible to establish full government control in an area of blatant poverty and a flourishing drug trade.
Rock of Pedra de Gavea
Rock-monolith of Pedra da Gavea. Together with Mount Corcovado and the statue of Christ the Redeemer, it has the status national park.
View of Botafogo and Guanabara Bay. In the background is the famous peninsula and the Sugarloaf rock.
Private residences of wealthy "cariocas" - this is how the residents of Rio de Janeiro call themselves.
Here it is, Rio de Janeiro, a city listed in
Useful information for tourists about Rio de Janeiro in Brazil - geographical position, tourism infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.
Rio de Janeiro - former capital and the most visited city in Brazil. When Rio lost its status as the Brazilian capital in 1960, it by no means lost the sympathy of Brazilians and millions of tourists from all over the world. The name Rio de Janeiro in translation means "January River". Founded in 1502 by the Portuguese, Rio de Janeiro has been a capital of beauty and a center of tourism for 4 centuries. South America. "God created the world in six days, and on the seventh day he created Rio de Janeiro" - this is how the Brazilians lovingly say about their fabulously beautiful city.
The visiting card of Rio de Janeiro and its symbol is a giant statue of Christ, which was erected on the very high peak Rio - Corcovado at an altitude of about 704 meters. Christ stands with his arms spread wide, as if hovering over the city, blessing and protecting it. The statue was made in Paris, and then delivered to Rio, and on October 12, 1931, its grand opening and consecration took place.
Rio de Janeiro can be roughly divided into Old city, New and suburbs. In the Old Town there are customs with docks, an arsenal, a stock exchange, the National Academy of Arts, the city hall, museums and almost all theaters. In the New Town there is a mint, a prison, a main station and a House for the Invalids.
Another important symbol of Rio is the famous crystal peak - Pan do Assucar (in translation - Sugar Loaf), which is located at the entrance to Guanabara Bay. Its height is 395 meters. It is believed that it got its name due to its shape, reminiscent of the conical outlines of the old packaging of "sugar loaves". According to one version, the origin of the name Pan de Asugar comes from the Indian words "paunh-acuqua", which means "high hill".
Outstanding architectural monuments the towns are colonial churches, monasteries of San Bento, San Antonio and the Capuchin order, the former imperial residence. The Church of Our Lady of Lampedos is named after the island of Lampedos in the Mediterranean, where the Virgin Mary appeared. It was built in 1929 on the site of the original 18th century neoclassical building influenced by the Mexican school of architecture. The main attraction of the Church of St. Lucy (1732) is a natural fountain, the water of which is considered healing.
The streets and embankments of Rio de Janeiro are literally immersed in lush equatorial vegetation - evergreen giant trees, slender palm trees with graceful crowns and great amount exotic flowers. However, the city has a botanical garden and many parks. In the botanical garden, which was founded in 1808 and which is one of the best in the world, more than 7,000 plant species from all over the world have been collected. Here is the famous alley of palm trees, and a collection of exotic animals and birds. The Tijuca National Park, which includes the Corcovado Peak, is the world's largest urban forest. Here you will definitely see monkeys. In one of the suburbs there is a zoological garden.
Rio de Janeiro is cultural capital countries. Only in the National Library there are two million of the rarest books and manuscripts. National Museum Fine Arts presents an excellent collection of over 800 paintings.
Hello dear friends!
Today we are going to a beautiful city with you Rio de Janeiro. Rio is the capital of the carnival, one of the most famous beaches in the world is located here, the movie “City of God” was filmed here, this metropolis is also famous for the huge statue of Christ the Redeemer. And here is the famous Maracanã stadium.
List of definitions by which you can determine that this is Rio is the same as the list of attractions that await you here .
Location of the city
Rio de Janeiro located above the Atlantic, on the southeast coast of Brazil. The city is located on the Gulf of Guanabara, among the hills.
Rio is the capital of the smallest state in the country with the same name. The name of the city is translated as january river that runs through the city.
According to official figures, more than 6 million people live in the city itself, although it is difficult to count the inhabitants of the favelas (poor areas), which can be home to twice as many people. It is the second largest city in Brazil, after Sao Paulo.
A bit of history
In January 1502 the Portuguese Gaspar de Lemos opened the bay Guanabara, and believing that this is the mouth of the river, he called it Rio de Janeiro(January River).
The city by the bay was founded a few decades later in 1565 and named San Sebastian de Rio de Janeiro in honor of St. Sebastian, patron of Sebastian I, King of Portugal. Until the 18th century, the city was often robbed by pirates and corsairs. By the end of the century, Rio became the most important port from Salvador de Bahia, also because the colonial administration moved from Salvador to Rio de Janeiro.
In 1808, the city officially received the status of the capital, when the Portuguese royal family, fleeing from Napoleon, settled in the "city of God". Rio has become the very only European capital outside the continent.
In 1822, Emperor Peter I declared the independence of Brazil, and Rio de Janeiro became its capital. The city began to grow even more and more and more surround the bay, especially at the beginning of the 20th century.
Juscelino Kubicek, the Brazilian presidential candidate, promised to build a new capital, and when he was elected in 1955, he decided to keep his promise, despite the fact that everyone perceived this promise as an electoral ploy.
The new president kept his word and in 1960 Rio transferred the status of the capital to the city of Brasilia, built specifically for this.
For the next 15 years, the metropolis was the city-state of Guanabara, as the bay marked the boundaries of the state. In 1975, the president organized a "fusion" and founded the state of Rio de Janeiro, which also included the surrounding territories.
What to see in Rio.
Rio- a huge city and this should be taken into account when you plan your visit.
There are really a lot of places that are worth visiting here, so it will take several days to get to know the city well. How much depends on the intensity and pace of the visit.
When you are in Rio de Janeiro, be sure to look at the city from above. To do this, you will need to climb a mountain with a sweet name. "Sugarloaf" or get to the bottom statues of "Christ the Redeemer".
Worth a stroll in the center where among modern buildings you can find buildings of the colonial era.
Also not to be missed, located on a hill santa teresa area, which looks like a small beautiful city ok, despite its location in the center of the metropolis.
Descending from Santa Teresa, you can approach Sambadrome and see the place, which in February is literally filled with Sambo dancers.
Most tourists are not able to refuse a visit to the most famous beach in the world - Copacabana, despite the fact that it is an ordinary beach.
If you are a football fan, you will be interested in visiting the stadium Maracana, one of the most famous stadiums in the world.
Nature lovers can be advised to go to the botanical garden and visit national park Tijuca.
If you have time, get out to the other side of the bay, in Niteroi where the Museum of Modern Art is located.
Those wishing to see how most of the inhabitants of Rio de Janeiro live can go to one of favela, on your own or with a tour from a travel agency.
The evening can be spent in Lapa area, which is full of different kinds of cafes, bars and people who like to have fun until the morning.
Sugarloaf and Corcovado
It's no secret that Rio de Janeiro due to its location on the hills and over the bay, it is best seen from above.
sugarloaf mountain
So, there are two ways to look at the city from this perspective. You can climb up cable car on the sugar loaf, which grows out of the bay, either by cable car or by ordinary road to Mount Corcovado on which stands with outstretched arms Christ the Redeemer.
The views from both are amazing and both have views of other parts of the city. Unfortunately, visiting these two attractions is quite expensive (about 50 Brazilian reais for each place, which equals about 800 rubles), so if you do not want to spend extra money, then you should decide on one of these places.
Someone says that prettier view from Mount Corcovado, someone claims that from the Sugar Loaf. But in any case, each of these places is worth a visit, because the view of Rio is breathtaking.
City center
Old part of Rio is a combination of modern towers with old, colonial buildings. It is worth walking along the streets of the center and looking among the skyscrapers for buildings of a bygone era. In addition to these representative and renovated buildings, such as the Candelaria Church or the Cultural Center of the Bank of Brazil, where you can see interesting exhibitions, it is worth getting off the main city artery and heading towards small streets, such as the street Travessa do Comercio. It is here that you will find colonial, beautiful buildings.
Unfortunately, most of them are now ruins.
And in the center is worth a look at: town hall, theater building, library building, Church of Candelaria, Tiradentes palace and Itamaraty(the former presidential palace, which is currently a diplomatic and historical museum).
Apart from a few exceptions in the form of interesting buildings, the center is not very pretty. Skyscrapers built in recent decades don't go well with beautiful but not always restored monuments.
In addition, this is a typical "city" business, in which city noise and crowds of people drown out any aesthetic perception.
Santa Teresa
Most of the hills in Rio de Janeiro are inhabited by poor people. Things are quite different with Santa Teresa. The area of St. Teresa perched on a hill directly above Lapa area, Sambadrome and close to the center, is exceptional, as it does not resemble Big city in which it is located.
When you climb the steep, narrow streets to the top, you will feel like you are in a small beautiful town, where life flows much calmer and more measured than in Rio.
This area appeared at the end of the 18th century, and its name comes from Monastery of the Sisters of the Carmelites who was nearby.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, many rich enterprises built huge villas here for themselves, which stand here to this day. Santa Teresa is a favorite place for artists and tourists.
Between the properties, there is a lot of greenery that gives life and color to the entire area.
Climb up the hill by stairs leading from the memorial aqueduct Paw. Not so long ago, the only tram in Rio ran along it. Characteristic yellow tram took residents and tourists to Santa Teresa. However, in August 2011, tragedy struck. The tram derailed, and 5 people died, and several dozen were injured. For safety reasons, tram traffic was suspended.
They say that the yellow tram gotta get back on track when the upgrade is done. Some sources say it will happen in 2014, this year Brazil will host Soccer World Cup. However, there is no official information on the restoration of tram traffic.
Today, only yellow stickers with a wagon and a tear remind of the tram. Which is a pity, because the tram ride was one of the most interesting sights of Rio de Janeiro.
The visit to the hill is best done before sunset. In this case, you can capture a beautiful view of Rio.
Sambadrome
Coming down from Santa Teresa you can go straight to Sambadrome, of course, if you are there during non-carnival times, because during the carnival, it will not be possible to squeeze through.
The arena, 700 meters long, specially prepared for the carnival, makes an impression even without the samba schools that present their performances in February every year. The stands can accommodate up to 90,000 spectators.
All the rest of the year Sambadrome closed, but since part of it is divided by a street (which is closed during the carnival), you can look at it from the place of those who dance the samba. If you're lucky, you can get on the platforms of the samba schools, where the participants of one of the carnivals danced.
The arena will be active during summer Olympic Games in 2016.
P.S. Continuation of the story about Attractions of Rio de Janeiro
What does each of us imagine when it comes to Rio de Janeiro? Of course, huge sandy beaches, statue of Christ the Redeemer against the backdrop of a cloudless sky and a noisy large-scale carnival that unites people of all races.
Rio is a real holiday city, by the will of the Portuguese sailors, grew up among the evergreen jungle.
Finding yourself in this large Brazilian city, you understand that creating a mesmerizing metropolis with its beauty sometimes requires very minimal human intervention. 
After all, Rio de Janeiro is one of the few densely populated points on the world map that is beautiful not due to its stunning architecture, but thanks to the natural scenery.
Story
The city where almost all women dance samba and men play football, was founded back in 1565. Rio got its memorable name, which translates as "January River", thanks to a navigator's mistake. Gaspard de Lemouch.
At the very beginning of 1502, this Portuguese discovered Guanabara bay, on the banks of which a colonial city was formed a few years later. However, by mistake the bay was mistaken for the mouth of the river.
Of course, like many other significant cities on the planet, Rio de Janeiro experienced both bright and black pages of its history.
However, for some reason it seems that there were still much more favorable events here than catastrophes. Guarded by the statue of Christ towering on Mount Corcovado, Rio does not remember the large-scale wars that were in the history of most significant cities.
Do you want bright emotions and unforgettable impressions?
Then you have a direct road to Brazil, to its famous carnivals and fabulous beaches.
The history of the Brazilian dream city, where all travelers for some reason want to wear only white clothes, inextricably linked with Portugal.
Having received the status of the capital in the 18th century, Rio, during the emigration to the city of representatives of the Portuguese royal court, managed to visit the capital of Portugal.
Even having lost its capital status in the 20th century, this Brazilian city continues to be one of the largest and most developed metropolitan areas in South America.
How to get to Rio?
Naturally, the most convenient and fastest way to get to the "January River" is air transport.
A flight from Russia and the CIS countries to Rio can take more than one day. At the same time, Russians do not have to dream of direct flights to the holiday city.
During the flight to Rio de Janeiro, travelers from Russia need to make, at least one transplant.
Often you have to fly to Brazil through the USA. At the same time, Rio is sometimes more convenient to get to. via Sao Paulo, from where there are several flights every day to the Brazilian city of carnivals.
For Russians, Rio de Janeiro is absolutely open city , for visiting which is usual Russian tourists no visas needed.
To have a great time in a dream city where summer lasts all year round, Russians when crossing the border enough to have a passport, tickets to reverse side and funds to pay for temporary housing in Rio.
What to move?
Upon arrival at international Airport Rio de Janeiro every traveler wonders how to get to the object he needs in the city. As in all major cities, in Rio it is not difficult to catch a taxi, the drivers of which, by the way, are perfectly oriented among the city streets.
Along Rio itself, as well as from the airport, convenient to travel by bus, which in the city is considered a very common transport.
Guests of the beautiful Brazilian metropolis on the Atlantic coast do not have to wait long for the next bus to arrive, because the four-wheeled public transport travels around the city at high speed.
In addition to modern and air-conditioned buses, you can get around Rio by metro. True, the subway in this Brazilian city is relatively small: there are only two subway lines.
What to watch?
In Rio de Janeiro, the most accessible attraction, where tourists can go for free, are huge city beaches, among which the most famous are Copacabana and Ipamena. For citizens picturesque beaches serve as venues where all the fun happens.
Against the backdrop of ocean waters and green hills filmed bright brazilian series shows and concerts are arranged. On the beaches in Rio de Janeiro, they not only swim and sunbathe, but also play beach football and hang gliders.
It is simply impossible to visit Rio and not see the statue of Christ. You don't have to be a wealthy tourist to get close to this sculpture, considered one of the modern wonders of the world.
Someone gets to tall statue on foot or on a special train. Often Helicopters can be seen circling near Christ the Redeemer- These are rich tourists from the air inspecting one of the wonders of the world.
In addition to Christ, one of the main symbols of the city is the mountain. sugar loaf. The shape of this peak, rising above the bay, resembles a lump of sugar.
Tourists on a cable car climb this mountain in order to enjoy breathtaking panorama of Rio and its surroundings.
At the top of the sugar loaf you can linger for a while in order to enjoy a cup of Brazilian coffee or a snack.
As in any developed city, Rio has its own cultural institutions. In search of theaters and museums, you need to go to Old city.
As for architectural sights, many buildings in the colonial style have been preserved here. Architecture lovers should see it with their own eyes. Monasteries of San Bento and San Antonio. Walking around Rio, even in extreme heat, is a real pleasure.
All tourists note that this Brazilian city is literally immersed in greenery. Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro considered one of the best in the world.
There are many beautiful parks in the city. It is in Rio that the largest urban forest area in the world.
In this case, we are talking about the forest. Tijuca National Park where you can see monkeys and rare exotic birds.
Travel guides, colorful travel magazines, along with Brazilian TV series form in our minds very vivid image Rio de Janeiro.
It seems that in this Brazilian city, people dance endlessly, have fun on the beaches and participate in carnivals.
Of course, not all the citizens of Rio is a holiday city. However, it is quite possible for tourists to turn their stay in one of the most beautiful cities on the planet into a carnival extravaganza.
Video tour of Rio de Janeiro
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Rio de Janeiro is probably the most famous and most beautiful city in South America. It is located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean near Guanabara Bay. Rio is famous for its wonderful beaches, hills, mountains, beautiful gardens right in the city and its colonial buildings in the city center. The Brazilians themselves call it "The Amazing City".
The time difference with Moscow is 7 hours.
The currency is the Brazilian Real (R$). 1 USD = 3.4 R$.
How to get to Rio de Janeiro
The most convenient way to get from Russia to Rio by plane, however, even in this case there are no direct flights, you will have to make a connection in Europe or America. In the case of docking in America, you will have to obtain an American visa.
Airlines such as: Emirates, Lufthansa, AlItalia, Air France offer flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg. Ticket prices start from 1000 USD, however, if you follow the promotions, you can save a lot. After a long flight (from 16 to 30 hours), the plane arrives at Galea International Airport (GIG).
From the airport you can take a taxi to the center 25-30 R $ (8-10 USD) it is better to take a taxi closer to the airport exit, they are not so ripped off or take bus number 2018 or transcarioca bus.
If you are already somewhere in Brazil or a nearby country, then there is an option to get to Rio de Janeiro by bus. Of all major cities Brazil go to Rio intercity buses. They all arrive at the Rodoviaria Bus Terminal in Rio de Janeiro at Av. Francisco Bicalho, 1. For the price they are quite expensive, so if you have an option to fly, then always choose a plane. The domestic airlines TAM, GOL, Azul, Trip, Avianca and Passaredo sometimes offer very tasty prices for flights.
Weather in Rio
As the locals say, there are 2 seasons in Rio - it's heat and hell. Summer (November to March) is quite cool +22 ... +25 ° C during the day and it rains regularly. November - January (early summer) it rains almost every day. There are very few clear days. For those who come for a week, two is a complete disappointment. In February - March, the weather is a little better, but there is still a lot of rain. In winter (May - September), the air becomes warmer (sometimes up to +40 ... + 45 ° С), but dry. Best of all is the end of summer - the beginning of winter, i.e. April June.
Why does everyone think that Rio is a beach paradise? This is far from the case, the ocean is almost always cold and with big waves. You can swim with difficulty, often not at all, you can only surf.
Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro
All housing in Rio is inadequately expensive. In the high season (December to March), the price tags are almost doubled. And if you arrive at New Year or a carnival, many hotels and hostels offer so-called "packages" - i.e. five to seven nights minimum, at a special inflated price. 1-room apartments in the high season (but not in the carnival) from 80 USD. These are the simplest options and when booking for 3-4 months. Very often, apartment owners deceive guests, so it’s better to use proven services, for example.
Hotel prices in good areas close to the beach - from 150 USD, despite the fact that the price does not correlate with the quality at all, so look carefully at the photos and read the reviews when you book.
It is better to look for the cheapest hotels and hostels in the areas: Lapa, Leme, Botafogo, Gloria. These areas are not very dangerous, and the cost of a night here can be 30-40 USD for a double with a shared bathroom, which is quite tolerable. You can immediately book on booking sites: or or go to pre-marked addresses and see everything with your own eyes.
Where to eat in Rio de Janeiro
There are a lot of places to eat in Rio, but there is one BUT. Food in Rio is as expensive as accommodation, so the cost of main dishes in restaurants in tourist places- from 50 R$ (15 USD), for steaks 60-80 R$ (20-25 USD), cocktails - 25-30 R$ (8-10 USD). Of course, there are cheaper cafes - but these are eateries or cafes for a quick bite. Near tourist attractions and beaches, prices can be even higher.
Products in stores are also expensive, sometimes more expensive than in Moscow. There is one Extra supermarket on Copacabana beach, an analogue of our Auchan, there are more adequate prices.
For budget travel option one, look for eatery cafes in the favelas, fast food in shopping malls or establishments away from the beaten tourist trails. There are also such types of self-service canteens, they are also quite democratic.
It's better to buy something local. Classic products for Brazilian cuisine are beans, rice, seafood, fish, all kinds of meat, coconut milk, fruits. Yes, try the coffee.
Transport in Rio
There is an extensive system of city buses, consisting of two branches and a taxi. I recommend using the metro + taxi link. The only negative is that the subway essentially travels only in the center, and the city is large, especially distant beaches and some interesting places, so you have to travel by bus. There are also ferries and railway transport, but the first is not transport, but entertainment, and the second is for those who live in the suburbs, i.e. for the locals. .
There is a lot to see in Rio. First of all, many people come here to see the famous carnival in Rio. This grand event takes place annually in February (40 days before Easter) and lasts 4 days and 4 nights. At the time of the carnival, life in the city stops, the holiday is celebrated day and night. A lot of tourists come to Rio at this particular time, so collapses with housing, transport, and everything else are provided.
The Rio Carnival is not just a procession with dances and songs, but a well-rehearsed theatrical procession of samba schools, in which up to 4,000 people from each school participate. There are several dozen samba schools in the city, many of whose representatives then participate in the carnival. A special jury of 40 members evaluates each school on several points. The first school in the carnival is the winner of last year.
Carnival dates in Rio de Janeiro for the coming years:
In 2019 - March 2-5
In 2020 - February 22-25
Tourists also visit the very famous, located on the hill of Corcovado. The statue is made in the form of Christ with outstretched arms, who atones for all the sins of this restless city.
You can ride the funicular to the famous and from there you can see a beautiful view of the whole of Rio and beaches. Incidentally, no less interesting place. In the southern zone of the city there are such famous beaches as Ipanema, Copacabana, Leblon. On the beaches and throughout Rio, the population is very concerned about their health and fitness. The beaches are full of cyclists, joggers, workout areas, etc.
In the southern part of the city you can also visit Botanical Garden Rio de Janeiro, a little to the north you can walk along by visiting Cathedral , Aqueduct, and .
For all its beauty and uniqueness, in Rio, as in all of Brazil, there are a lot of poor people. The contrasts are striking, next to luxury elite high-rise buildings can be dirty - slum areas where the poor live. In Rio, more than 25% of the population lives in favelas. It is better not to visit these areas on your own, it is better to use the services of a guide. Previously, these were very dangerous areas, where there were many crimes and murders, now the situation is much better, but still the criminal situation in the city is quite tense.
Shopping in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro has many shopping options for every taste and budget.
On the square Pra?a General Os?rio (Ipanema district) every Sunday from 07:00 to 19:00 passes Hippie Fair, where you can buy unusual original handmade souvenirs, paintings by local artists, handmade musical instruments, flip flops, towels, swimwear and much more.
Rio Uruguaiana metro station passes visit Fair "Saara", which occupies 11 streets. Here you can find everything from carnival costumes to casual wear. The prices are very democratic. The fair is open every day from 9.00 to 18.00, except Sunday.
In the Ipanema area, shopping can be done at − Rua Visconde de Piraja and all the lanes around it.
You can bargain in markets, in stalls, at fairs.
What to bring from Rio
Coffee, cachaca (a local alcoholic product), handmade souvenirs, magnets with the symbols of the city (Christ the Redeemer), towels with the flag of Brazil are usually brought from Rio de Janeiro.
Security in Rio
Due to the dangerous criminal situation in Rio. I would like to say a few words about security in this wonderful city. Most likely you will not be robbed, but there is Great chance this. If you follow the general safety rules, then this can practically be avoided, and if this happens, then the losses will be minimal.
Here are some basic safety rules in Rio:
- In the dark, it is better not to go out at all, and if you really need to, then we move by taxi. All transfers are scheduled during daylight hours.
- Do not shine on the streets and in crowded places with money, photo and video equipment. All photographic equipment is carried in a bag or backpack. We take out the camera, quickly take pictures of what we need and put the camera in the backpack.
- Do not wear jewelry and earrings
- Carry with you only the necessary amount of money and various items, leave the surplus at the hotel
- It is better to wear discreet clothes, and although you are already visible tourists
- Stay out of potentially dangerous areas (usually downtown, markets, bus terminals)
- Try not to go out on Sunday to business centers and the city center (all centers “die out” on Sundays)
- Drink only bottled water, wash fruits with water
- Do not stay alone on the beach, usually the beaches are empty after dark (18.00)
Despite all the shortcomings, Rio has a lot of advantages and it will forever remain the city that has become a dream for many. And dreams must come true, come to Rio!
