Rio Zoo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro
In this article, I will finish talking about my impressions of visiting Rio De Janeiro. Today you will read about a poor zoo, a deserted and cold beach, see some photos from the modern center and feel the taste of seafood in the best sea restaurant South America- and this is no joke!
On this day, I wanted to finally storm the Sugar Loaf, which I talked about in. But the weather was not kind to me. It was raining, and the top of the mountain was hidden behind the clouds. Looks like I'll have to go back to Rio again...
Instead of the funicular, I went to the local zoo. The guide, as usual, assured that Rio has the best zoo in the world with a bunch of exotic animals that we have never seen in our lives. This time he tricked me cruelly. The zoo turned out to be very mediocre and small.
The entrance is guarded by a formidable guard:
Animals are hidden behind thick wire and kept in not the best conditions:
From the "exotic" there were a lion, a tiger, a leopard and a bear:
Parrots and other birds are widely represented:
Of the more or less interesting shots, only a monkey and a raccoon turned out:
I liked the stylized telephone booth:
We moved from the zoo to the city center. It is not of particular interest - large boring buildings:
Find a church on this frame:
The police are on duty at almost every corner:
If we have gypsies and beggars pestering drivers at traffic lights, then jugglers and artists perform here:
From the city center, we moved to the beach next to Copacobana - Ipanema - the local Rublyovka. Here is the highest cost per square meter of housing in Brazil - $ 3,000 per square meter! We need to urgently move to Ipanema...
From many places in the city, Mount Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer are visible:
There are a lot of football grounds in the city. I have never seen any of them empty. Football is truly a national sport. They say that 9 million football players live in Rio, despite the fact that the population of Rio is 9 million people:
Due to bad weather, the beach was deserted that day:
And only rare walruses fought the waves:
Strange sculptures were transported along the coastal road:
On the embankment there is the most popular disco for foreigners:
Sand castles are built on the beach and you can take pictures of them for 30 rubles:
I photographed this one for free - I saved it, so Santa Claus's face is not visible either:
Before boarding the ship, we went to one of the best fish restaurants I have ever been to. I ate here on my previous visit, 6 years ago, and gladly came back again. The restaurant is located at the very end of Copacobana, from the side of the Sugar Loaf and is called "Mario" s.
The system is as follows: You pay a fixed price of ~2000 rubles and get unlimited access to the salad bar. In addition, waiters constantly come into the hall and take out dishes with freshly prepared sea delicacies, from oysters baked with onions to juicy lobsters and crabs. You can eat as much as you like...
Table with oysters. Access to it is not limited by anything:
To prevent you from taking with you what you could not eat, all bags are tied to chairs until the bill is paid:
Good restaurants are always distinguished by interesting interiors. Especially they try to outdo each other in the design of the toilets. Here, the designers perverted famously:
The first visitors to the zoo in Rio de Janeiro appeared here in 1945. It was then that a menagerie was opened in the former Brazilian residence of the royal family, which today has become a popular city tourist attraction. The zoo covers an area of 14 hectares, and its guests represent the fauna of almost all continents.
RioZOO
Impressive massive gates adorn the entrance to the park and are architectural monument the last century. They were presented for the wedding of the Empress of Brazil Maria Leopoldina and Prince Don Pedro de Alcantara I. Immediately behind them, the guest opens wonderful world flora and fauna of the South American continent, widely represented in the numerous expositions of the park.
The name of the Rio de Janeiro Zoo is synonymous with a zoological guide that tells the most about tropical birds and animals. Here are collected several hundred species of representatives of the fauna of the Brazilian forests, including parrots and primates, toucans and anacondas, hummingbirds and crocodiles, alpacas and sloths.
Pride and Achievement
One of the park's most popular pavilions is the aquarium, which recreates the underwater atmosphere of the Amazon River. Predatory piranhas, dangerous alligators and multi-meter boas evoke the most conflicting feelings in visitors - admiration and danger.
How to get there?
The zoo in Rio is located near the Maracanã stadium in the palace and park complex of Quinta da Boa Vista. The park was laid out near the estate, built at the beginning of the 19th century by the rich Portuguese Lopes. After independence, the park was nationalized and organized in it National Museum and a zoo. Since then, the complex on a hill above the Gulf of Guanabara - favorite place recreation for both citizens and guests of Rio.
The address of the zoo is Parque da Quinta Boa Vista, s/n - São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20940-040, Brazil.
The nearest metro station in Rio de Janeiro, from where the zoo is only a few minutes walk, is São Cristóvão.
Helpful information
The zoo in Rio de Janeiro is open six days a week except Mondays. Opening hours - from 09.00 to 16.30. During the school holidays, the park sometimes closes later and it is best to find out about changes in the schedule by calling the administration.
The price of a full adult ticket is 10 reais, a reduced one is half that. The right to a discount, subject to the presentation of a document with a photo, have:
- Full-time students of universities and colleges.
- Senior visitors over 60 years of age.
Children under one meter tall and persons with disabilities are entitled to free admission.
Services and contacts
The zoo in Rio does not have its own official website, but a special section of the city government portal is dedicated to it - www.rio.rj.gov.br/web/riozoo.
By phone +55 21 3878 4200 you can get all the information you need in Portuguese.
Zoo in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, also known as Rio- one of largest cities Brazil, as well major port, the capital of the state of the same name and former capital countries (1764-1960). The population is about 6 million 400 thousand inhabitants (2012).
The city stretches along the coast Atlantic Ocean on an area of 1260 sq. km, at the Guanabara Bay, the entrance to which is preceded by " business card» Brazil - a mountain called Sugar Loaf.
One of the features of Rio is that the city is partially located on small rocky mountains and hills, giving it a special picturesque and uniqueness.
It is currently the second most populated Brazilian city, as well as the 2nd largest industrial and Finance center countries, after Sao Paulo.
Rio de Janeiro is known to tourists all over the world, first of all, for its breathtaking landscapes - the golden beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema coexist here with the Sugar Loaf, the statue of Christ the Savior and the giant bowl of the Maracana stadium, which, by the way, is often called local residents temple of the second Brazilian religion - football.
Perhaps one of the main cultural attractions of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil in general is the world-famous Brazilian Carnival. There are several dozen samba schools in the city, numerous representatives of which annually arrange colorful performances at the local sambadrome during the carnival, as well as processions through the streets of Rio.
But, like any big city Rio de Janeiro also has its dark sides. First of all, it is a high level of crime, including those directed against foreign tourists.
And no wonder, because in this Brazilian "city of contrasts" respectable urban areas coexist with huge slums (favelas), huddled mainly on the slopes of the mountains, in which almost 20% of the population of Rio live, and often there are not even basic amenities, and also thrives drug trafficking and crime.
And although over the past 5 years the standard of living in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro has grown significantly, it’s still better not to meddle in them on your own so as not to spoil your vacation in Brazil by chance, because the criminogenic situation in this hotbed of crime leaves much to be desired.
But if the desire to see life in the favelas is still great, then it is better to order organized tour at one of the local travel agencies. They, as a rule, already have agreements with criminal families, therefore such excursions are safe and pass without problems.
Districts of Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is officially subdivided into 160 municipalities and 34 administrative regions. Traditionally, the city is divided into four main districts:
Centro or Historical Center- the financial and business center of the city, with many historical buildings such as the City Theatre, the National Library, the National Museum of Fine Arts, Tiradentes Palace, Cathedral and Palace of Pedro Ernesto. The bohemian areas of Lapa and Santa Teresa also belong to this area. Here is the famous Sambadrome.
Zona Sul or Southern zone- includes the main tourist areas such as Copacabana, Leblon, Ipanema and Flamengo. It is home to part of Rio's upscale neighborhoods and many of the main tourist sites such as Laguna Rodrigo de Freitas, Sugar Loaf, and Mount Corcovado with the statue of Christ.
Zona Norte or Northern zone- this area is rarely visited by tourists, almost all the stadiums of the city are concentrated here, led by the famous Maracana.
Zona Oeste (West Zone) or Western zone- the farthest area from the city center, here are both the richest and poorest neighborhoods of Rio. Also here is the area of Barra da Tijuca (Barra da Tijuca), with 18 kilometers of beach, the longest in the city.
Story
Guanabara Bay was discovered by the Portuguese navigator Gaspar de Lemos on January 1, 1502. The Portuguese took the bay for the mouth of the river - hence the name of the city, translated from the Portuguese Rio de Janeiro means "January River".
The city of Rio de Janeiro was founded by the Portuguese on March 1, 1565, as a fortification to fight hostile Indian tribes and French pirates operating in local waters, and was originally called San Sebastian de Rio de Janeiro, in honor of the Portuguese king Sebastian I.
In 1763, the colonial administration was transferred from Salvador to Rio de Janeiro, and for almost two centuries it became the capital of Brazil.
In 1960, the capital of Brazil was moved to the center of the country, to the city of Brasilia. Rio became a city-state (the state of Guanabara). In 1975, the state of Guanabara was merged with the state of Rio de Janeiro, and the city became the capital of the united state.
In 2014, Rio de Janeiro will host the FIFA World Cup, and in 2016, the Summer Olympic Games.
Last modified: 04/23/2012Rio de Janeiro has a tropical humid climate., from November to April it is hot, the maximum temperature during this period can reach 28-35 ° C, and from May to September it is relatively cool.
The difference between the average temperatures of the coldest and warmest months in Rio is no more than 3-5 degrees.
Average monthly water temperature: January-February +25 °C, March-April +22 °C, May-October +20 °C, November-December +23 °C.
Last changes: 05/01/2013Transportation in Rio de Janeiro
Taxi
Taxi- is one of better ways to move around Rio. There are yellow taxis with blue stripes on the sides and radio taxis (multi-colored). The yellow ones are a little cheaper (their drivers rarely speak English) and they are everywhere in the city, so stopping them is not difficult (so it makes little sense to order a taxi to the hotel). After getting into the car, do not forget to make sure that the meter is turned on.
There is a day rate and a night rate (from 21:00 to 06:00, 10% more expensive). The cost of the minimum trip on a yellow taxi is 4.40 BRL (March 2011), the cost for 1 km is 1.60 BRL. On average, a trip from Ipanema to Copacabana will cost 5 BRL, from Copacabana to the historic center - 20 BRL, to the airport - 50 BRL. It is customary to tip the driver - about 10% of the amount on the counter.
Radio-taxi - their advantage is that all cars are air-conditioned and the passenger pays a flat rate, regardless of the time of day or traffic jams. You can order a car by phone or through the website. Unfortunately, not all radio taxis have full-fledged sites where you can see the cost of the trip online.
Radio Taxi Sites – Rio Airport Transfer (rioairporttransfer.com) , Cootramo (cootramo.com.br) , Radio Taxi Coopertramo (radio-taxi.com.br)
Buses
Buses- the most common type of urban public transport. Stops and landings in them are carried out, as a rule, at the request of passengers, usually landing at the front door, and exit at the back (the word entrada means entrance, saida - exit). The fare is paid at the entrance to the driver or conductor, the trip will cost from 2.75 BRL (air-conditioned buses charge higher fares).
At almost all stops in the touristic Southern Zone of the city there are numbers and descriptions of routes.
During rush hour, buses are always crowded and there is a risk of being robbed (it is better not to take valuables and money with you on such trips).
Underground
In addition, some places in Rio de Janeiro can be reached by underground- it is small and has only 48 km of tracks and 35 stations. To date, only two lines are open (out of the planned four) - Line One and Line Two.
The second metro line is of the greatest interest among tourists, as it connects the touristic Southern Zone (Ipanema, Copacabana) with the historical center of the city.
The trains have a Portuguese-English public address system, all are air conditioned and have illuminated displays showing the direction of the train and the next station.
Stations have posters in English and Portuguese describing nearby attractions.
Metro hours: on weekdays from 05:00 to 24:00, on weekends from 07:00 to 23:00
By 2016, it is planned to put into operation the fourth line, which will connect the South Zone with the West (the areas of Barra da Tijuca and Recreio).
The third metro line (its construction is still in the plans) will connect Rio de Janeiro and the neighboring cities of Niteroi, San Goncalo and Itaborai (part of the line will pass under Guanabara Bay).
Car rental
If you need more freedom in moving around Rio de Janeiro and its environs - rent a car. The largest car rental companies are Localiza , Hertz , Avis .
Daily rental price - from 100 BRL. Cars come with and without air conditioning, from economy class to business. There is an additional option to install GPS.
A Russian driver's license can be used when driving a car in Brazil for 6 months (after this period, foreigners need to obtain a Brazilian license).
When driving, you must have your passport with you.
In addition, when drawing up a rental contract, it is necessary credit card. Be prepared for the fact that if you violate the rules of the road, then the cost of the fine will be written off from it (this can happen even within 3-4 months after you returned the car). Last changes: 19.03.2017
The beaches of Rio de Janeiro
Beaches for the people of Rio de Janeiro are more than just a strip of sand for sunbathing and swimming. People come here to chat with friends, get acquainted, go in for sports (beach sports, "training machines" under open sky and surfing), as well as just sitting and enjoying the ocean and beach party.
Last changes: 12/15/2012Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro
Most of the most popular tourist hotels in Rio de Janeiro are located in the tourist South Zone, along the beaches of Ipanema (here prices are usually higher by 30%) and Copacabana (the main decent hotels in the middle price category are concentrated here), but there are many small, cheap and clean hotels throughout the Flamengo and Catete area.
Living in Rio is probably the most expensive in Brazil. There is a relative shortage of inexpensive hotel rooms Therefore, it is recommended to book hotels in advance.
In addition, prices skyrocket (sometimes more than three times) during the New Year and Carnival. At this time, most hotels in tourist areas only sell 4-day packages, and even if you only want to stay for a couple of days, you will have to pay for the package in full. During this period, it is also recommended to make reservations in advance.
Besides New Year and Carnival, the busiest month is January - summer vacation in Brazil.
Last modified: 11/26/2014
Sugarloaf is a mountain 396 meters high. The shape resembles a lump of sugar, hence the name. Its sides are sheer, so you can climb the mountain only by cable car. It's always cool on the top of the mountain. Here is located only viewpoint. The cost of visiting the mountain along with a funicular ride is 53 reais (17 euros) for adults, for children 6-12 years old - 26 reais (8 euros), up to 6 - free of charge. The attraction is open from 8 am to 8 pm every day. The ascent to the summit includes three stops: Vermelha Beach, Mount Urca and the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain. All stops have shops and cafes. Information about them, the rules of conduct on the funicular on English language can be read here - www.bondinho.com.br.
The cathedral was built in 1954 in Art Nouveau style. The style is so modern that without knowing what kind of building it is, it is very difficult to guess that this is a cathedral. It has the shape of a cone with many small windows for ventilation. Outside, the cathedral is not decorated, it is gray in color and rather resembles a huge blast furnace. Inside, as in any Catholic church, there are shops, an altar, a crucifix. There are four huge stained-glass windows with images of saints on the walls. The cathedral is open to visitors every day from 7 am to 6 pm. Here you can see the schedule of masses - www.catedral.com.br/horariosFuncionamento.php. Entrance to the cathedral is free.
Selarona Staircase - one of the "informal" attractions of Rio - the creation of a Chilean sculptor. He decorated the staircase of 250 steps with colored tiles and various images. In the evenings it gets especially crowded. The stairs lead to the Santa Teresa Monastery in the center of Rio. Jorge Selaron himself died in 2013 on the steps of his stairs.
Zoo
Good opportunity to meet animals and flora Brazil for those who are not going to the Amazon jungle. The area of the zoo is 14 hectares; it was built over a hundred years ago in the park area of the Quinta da Boa Vista palace complex. The zoo has about 350 species of animals, birds and reptiles. It is also interesting for its architecture. Monumental gates at the entrance - a gift from the English Duke, an amphitheater, boulevards, an abundance of greenery make the park unlike the others. The zoo is open from 9 am to 4:30 pm. During school holidays until 14:00, after this time there are excursions for schoolchildren. The ticket price for an adult is 6 reais (2 euros), for children and students - 3 reais (1 euro). The zoo has "lots and lots of wild monkeys" and is home to the largest collection of monkeys in the country.
The construction of the complex was started in the 19th century by a wealthy Portuguese. It was originally a mansion overlooking the bay. Subsequently, it was received as a gift by the Portuguese king João VI, by whose decree a palace was built and a park laid out. After Brazil gained independence, the Quinta da Boa Vista complex passed into the possession of the Brazilian emperors. Currently, the complex houses the National Museum (open from 10 am to 4 pm), a park and a zoo. You can get acquainted with the exhibitions of the museum here www.museunacional.ufrj.br/exposicoes/visao-geral/.
Rio de Janeiro is a city of contrasts; next to rich houses and skyscrapers, poor quarters - slums or favelas - calmly coexist. Many tourists are interested in life in this part of Rio. You should not go to the favelas without accompanying persons. Moreover, in Rio there are many agencies offering such excursions. Depending on the length of time, such an excursion costs from 70 reais (22 euros) for three hours. The most popular favela is Rocinha, at the foot of the statue of Christ the Redeemer. This is one of the oldest and safest favelas in Rio. The guide leads tourists through the streets, schools, nurseries. On one of the roofs of the houses there is an observation deck from where you can look at a completely different Rio. You can also look at the favelas from above using the cable car over the Complexo de Alemao area. The length of the road is 3456 meters, 152 cabs drive along it. It is the longest urban cable car in the world. In addition, it is also the cheapest. The cost of the trip is 1 real (30 euro cents). Work schedule cable car- working days: 06:00 - 21:00, Saturday, Sunday and holidays: 08:00 - 20:00. The journey from the first to the last station takes 16 minutes.
Carnival
