Rio de Janeiro

Rio is an exciting hodgepodge of glittering nightlife, wildlife and nature, tanned women in skimpy bikinis, Carnaval costumes, and the persistent rhythm of the samba. With compelling architecture, bookshops, cafes, and museums set against a backdrop of mountains tumbling down to sandy beaches accompanied by distinct jumpy beat of Brazilian music, Rio de Janeiro is definitely the cidade maravilhosa!

Getting Around

Rio’s subway system covers almost every major area of interest in Centro and the Zona Sul. The subway has two lines — line one takes the route going to Maracaba and the Quinta da Boa Vista while line two begins at the Central Station then swings through Gloria, Catete, Flamengo, Botafogo and, and finally, the Copacobana. By far, this is the most practical mode of public transportation.

If you plan to tour by bus, you better hold on to your seat as Rio drivers like to drive like racing car drivers. But, while it may seem like a rollercoaster ride, these buses will definitely get you to your intended destinations because they follow direct, logical, pathways.

Things to Do

Proving its image of diversity, Rio poses as the perfect venue for adventure-sports. Perfect for the city’s extraordinary geography, activities for tourists range from rock climbing, rafting, ocean kayaking, cycling, scuba diving, surfing, and rappelling.

Planning to immerse yourself in Rio’s nightlife? Better make sure you’ve stored up a lot of energy, or better yet, have a power nap in the afternoon. The city’s nightlife begins to buzz in the early afternoon and runs into the early hours of the morning and you’d be missing a huge chunk if you go home early. Some of the best hangouts are the Jobi Bar in Leblon, the Rio Scenarium and Centro Cultural Carioca (both of which are hip new samba spots), and the Asa Branca dance halls.

Where to Stay

Most hotels in the city offer the best views which are part of the great Rio experience. The most popular among them are found in the Copacobana area. It provides every element that travellers look for — easy access to the city core and back, good selection of inexpensive hotels, and close proximity to the beach. Now who says heaven isn’t found on Earth?