The most interesting places in Rio de Janeiro. Attractions of Rio De Janeiro: list, names and descriptions

Rio de Janeiro is a city in Brazil, which is a major port, financial and scientific center. It attracts tourists with beautiful nature, developed beach holiday, as well as numerous carnivals, which are bright and impressive performances. Everyone who visits the city, sees the sights of Rio de Janeiro, brings home with him unforgettable emotions that will remind you of the past for a long time. an amusing trip. The task is only one thing - to organize an excursion program in such a way as to explore and explore the city as best as possible.

The main attractions of Rio de Janeiro

If you prefer to get acquainted with the city on your own, do not want to attend excursions specially designed for tourists, study the list of attractions that should be included in your excursion program:

  • statue of Christ the Savior - its height is 38 meters. The monument is considered the hallmark of the city, located at the top of Mount Corcovado. Every year, about 2 million tourists rise to it, who want to get to know the features of the main attraction of Rio de Janeiro;
  • botanical garden - despite its enough small size it attracts thousands of visitors and residents of the city. Here you can see the rich world of flora, plants that grow in Brazil and beyond. In total, the collection includes more than 6,500 varieties of plants;
  • Tijuca forest - has the title of the world's largest "urban forest". The total area is 32 sq. km. The forest was created by human hands, and despite this, today a huge number of animal species live here, among which there are quite rare ones. There are also about 30 natural waterfalls here, striking in their beauty and grandeur;
  • The Selarón staircase, a landmark in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, has gained worldwide fame through the efforts of the artist Jorge Selarón. He used bright, multi-colored mosaics for its decoration, dedicating the work done to the Brazilian people. It should be noted that in total on the stairs you can count more than 2,000 tiles brought from 60 countries of the world;
  • museum of modern art - there are numerous permanent and temporary exhibitions, schools and art studios, there are halls for various events. Previously, the museum had the work of such famous artists as Picasso, Dali, Miro, but after the fire in 1978, few exhibits survived. Despite this, today a rather interesting, albeit small, exposition is presented here.

This is an incomplete list of attractions on the map of Rio de Janeiro. It can be supplemented with the following names:

  • Portuguese Royal Library;
  • Santa Teresa area;
  • Cathedral of Saint Sebastian;
  • Art Museum;
  • Church of Candelaria.

You can see the sights on your own, but historical places it is better to visit with a guide who can provide detailed information about them, to tell interesting legends.

Incendiary samba, carnival, the strongest footballers of the planet, endless tropics are the most recognizable features of Brazil. The pearl of this magnificent country, of course, is Rio de Janeiro.

And if you are in the very picturesque city in the world, you simply must enjoy all the delights of an exciting Brazilian trip.

Carnival in Rio

More than 500 thousand tourists from all over the world come to Rio every year specifically to see with their own eyes the most important event of the year in Brazil - the carnival.

Crazy energy, colorful costumes, sequins, feathers, music and, of course, non-stop dancing. Having visited the carnival just once, you will remember this event for a lifetime!

The most important thing is that you do not remember the carnival with huge expenses. The fact is that during the holiday, prices for hotels, food, services soar up.

Besides, The entrance ticket to the carnival is also expensive - from $200. For about the same price, you can participate in the final day of the carnival on your own.

To do this, simply buy a costume from one of the samba schools, which took the winning place at the carnival. Participation in the carnival does not require special skills and abilities from you.

The main thing is to hold out for several hours in a tight heavy suit, not forgetting to constantly move in the rhythm of sambo along with the entire column.

One of the seven new wonders of the world, the symbol and amulet of Rio de Janeiro - the statue of Christ the Redeemer is recognized in every corner of the world.

And if you happen to be in Rio, you should definitely visit Corcovado mountain, where the famous statue is located.

The ideal time for an excursion is early in the morning, when the queues of tourists have not yet reached their maximum, and the hot Brazilian sun has not had time to warm up the air especially strongly.

Entrance ticket to the foot of the statue will cost about $6.

Additionally, you will have to pay for transport that will take you to the mountain itself. If you do not feel constrained in funds, you can book an excursion to the statue of Christ the Redeemer by helicopter.

From a bird's eye view, without the fuss of numerous tourists, without long lines, you can enjoy a stunning view and take gorgeous pictures. The cost of a helicopter flight will be about $300.

Copacabana beach

You will recognize the snow-white outlines and curves of Copacabana Beach on any postcard or advertising booklet about Rio de Janeiro.

This is more than a place for have a great holiday on the shore Atlantic Ocean. This is a lifestyle in the rhythm of Rio.

Here they play football and dance, practice capoeira, kiss, sunbathe and just enjoy life the most beautiful people of Rio.

Although Copacabana is considered the longest beach in the world.(its length is about 4 kilometers), it is never empty!

In the evening, Copacabana transforms into a place for romantic walks, fun or a relaxing holiday in one of the coastal restaurants with a glass of Caipirinha.

Sugar Loaf Mountain got its name due to its bizarre shape. Locals compare it to a lump of sugar.

Rise to sugar mountain is done according to cable car, thanks to which from the first minutes of your trip you enjoy a bewitching panoramic view of Rio.

During the ascent, you make three stops - at the Red Beach (Praia Vermelha), Mount Urca and at the very top of the Sugar Loaf.

On Mount Urka, in addition to an extensive observation deck and several restaurants, you will meet with small and very cute mikos monkeys.

At the top of Sugarloaf Mountain there is also an observation deck that offers a magnificent view of the city.

which tour operators fly to Cuba, and how to choose the right ones for your trip, find out in this article:

Don't forget to take warm clothes on your trip to Sugarloaf. Otherwise, you will have to warm up with strong drinks, which are offered in abundance by local restaurants and cafes.

How to save money in Rio?

Undoubtedly, Rio de Janeiro is a city in which it is difficult to relax on a modest budget. You will definitely want to visit every excursion, look into every corner of this fabulous city.

Meanwhile, if you keep these simple tips in mind, you can save a lot of money.

Choose the right time to rest. If the Brazilian carnival is not your dream, come to Rio on any other day.

Prices for accommodation and various services will be much lower.
Walk around the city more.

You can not only save on travel costs, but also enjoy the inimitable beauty of Rio, which is literally immersed in tropical greenery.

Shop for souvenirs and gifts at the Sunday market in Ipanema. As in any other tourist cities, the highest prices for souvenirs are waiting for us in shops located near various attractions.

Choose less presentable taxi cars. The younger and more expensive the car, the more you will pay for the fare. It is important that many drivers will ask you to pay extra for turning on the air conditioner.

Video of Rio de Janeiro

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Rio de Janeiro is the splendor of bright colors and the eternal carnival, the ocean and the endless sun. The city is located on the shores of Guanabara Bay, and is one of the most beautiful in South America. Nature has generously endowed this area, the Brazilians believe that the Lord himself granted them such beautiful lands. It seems that the inhabitants of this city always have a holiday under the incessant sounds of samba.

Who has not dreamed of climbing to the top of Mount Corcovado and looking at Christ the Redeemer or plunging into the emerald waters of the Atlantic on the famous Copacabana? In Rio de Janeiro, dreams become reality. High spirits here are mixed with the expectation of danger coming from gloomy favelas, and slight dizziness from caipirinhas with gentle nights. All this is Rio.

The best hotels and hostels at affordable prices.

from 500 rubles/day

What to see and where to go in Rio de Janeiro?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

A huge 38-meter monument is the main and most recognizable symbol of Rio de Janeiro. It was installed in the first half of the 20th century on Mount Corcovado, which rises about 700 meters above the city. From the observation area of ​​the statue, a stunning view of the bay, indented by green hills, opens up. At any time of the year, an impressive line of tourists line up, wishing to climb to the statue of the outstretched hand of Christ the Redeemer.

A mountain up to 400 meters high, which is located within Rio de Janeiro. observation decks and a small park, located on its top, compete in popularity with the statue of Christ the Redeemer. You can climb Pao de Ascuar (that's the name in Portuguese) using a cable car. The name "Sugar Loaf" was given because of the similarity with a special container of the same name, in which the Portuguese carried sugar from Brazil.

The theater was built at the very beginning of the 20th century and immediately became the decoration of Piazza Floriano. The architecture of the building clearly shows a mixture of styles - eclecticism. During construction, the building of the Paris Opera was taken as a model. Famous foreign groups often perform on the theater stage, the local choir, symphony orchestra and ballet troupe are no less popular.

The magnificent building in the style of the Portuguese Manueline was erected in the period 1880-1887. The library was founded with the aim of promoting the culture and values ​​of the metropolis on the territory of the Brazilian Empire. The foundation stone was laid by Emperor Pedro II. Many architectural elements buildings repeat the outlines of the famous Portuguese palaces, monasteries and cathedrals.

The building of the early XX century, erected for administrative purposes. It was the seat of the Legislative Assembly. Previously, a prison was located on the site of the palace, where the national hero and fighter for the independence of Brazil, Joaquin Jose da Silva, died. The interior of the palace is decorated with paintings by Brazilian painters, French mosaics and carved wooden furniture in the Portuguese style.

The castle is located on an island in Guanabara Bay off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. It was built in 1889 for the needs of the Customs Service, but outwardly it looks more like a royal residence. Inside is the Historical Museum of the Brazilian Navy. The architecture of the castle used a mixture of styles. Decorative elements were brought from England, Germany and other European countries.

Multi-coloured 125-meter staircase, created by Chilean artist Jorge Selaron. The master has been creating step by step since 1990. Gradually, this small cultural project grew into an obsession, and as a result, a long staircase was formed. Several thousand tiles brought from different countries and found in trash cans.

Once it was the largest and most magnificent temple of the Brazilian Empire. According to one version, it was founded by Spanish travelers in 1609 after they managed to avoid a terrible storm. Until the 18th century, it was a simple wooden chapel. Then a stone temple was erected in its place under the direction of F. Joao Rocio. The opening took place in 1811 in the presence of the Portuguese king João VI.

The main Catholic temple of the Brazilian capital, which is located in historical center cities. The cathedral was opened in 1979, it was named in honor of the patron saint of Rio de Janeiro - Saint Sebastian. Outside, the temple resembles an Indian pyramid and at the same time a futuristic building from science fiction literature. In the underground part of the temple there is a museum and a crypt where famous personalities are buried.

Benedictine monastery, founded at the end of the 16th century thanks to the intercession of local residents. The building of the monastery was erected in the Baroque style. The outer façade is distinguished by modesty of forms and a small number of decorative elements. The interior, on the contrary, is executed with special splendor - burgundy walls, multi-colored mosaic floors, gilded molding, an abundance of paintings and sculptures decorate the interior.

The garden occupies several hundred hectares of territory and is located in the southern part of the city. It was founded in 1808 at the behest of the royal family. Amazing exotic plants from all over the world were brought to the garden, which quickly adapted to local climatic conditions. On this moment more than 7 thousand representatives of the fauna grow here. On the territory there are ponds, fountains, palm alleys and themed areas.

Big green Zone inside the city, which was worked on by landscape designer R. Burle Marx (he also worked on the appearance of the Copacabana beach promenade). Various sports competitions are held on the territory of the park: bike rides, marathons and others. At any time of the day, you can see citizens doing sports or just relaxing on green lawns and benches.

The park is located at the foot of Corcovado on an area of ​​52 hectares. In the central part there is a charming mansion that once belonged to the family of the industrialist Enrique Lage. The park and the palace acquired their modern look in 1920 thanks to the work of the architect M. Vaudrel. The outer walls of the building are lined with Italian marble, specially delivered from across the ocean, the walls are decorated with works by Salvador Payalsa.

The building is located in the picturesque suburb of Rio de Janeiro in the Santa Teresa area. The bridge was built right in the center of the city at the beginning of the 18th century. The construction was supervised by Portuguese military engineers. It was assumed that the Carioca aqueduct could provide water 3 settlements. Plumbing stopped being used by the end 19th century, making it a bridge for urban transport. The aqueduct offers a rather picturesque view, which attracts many tourists.

The main stadium of Brazil and the symbol of the "most football" country in the world. More than once, Maracanã has become an arena for grandiose sporting events. In 2016, the opening and closing of the XXXI Summer Olympic Games took place here. The stadium was built in the middle of the 20th century. At that time it was the largest football arena in the world. After the latest reconstruction, Maracana can accommodate up to 80,000 spectators.

A group of urban slums that occupies an impressive part of Rio de Janeiro and gives the city authorities a lot of trouble. In fact, Brazilian favelas are a whole world, a separate and independent subculture and a “state within a state”. The inhabitants of these areas are practically autonomous. They almost do not pay for utilities, many trade in drug trafficking and other crimes.

A picturesque bay, which is connected to the Atlantic Ocean through a narrow channel. This is a popular place for city dwellers to relax. Families and large companies often come to the lagoon. Unfortunately, the water in the bay is not clean, but you can safely use the developed infrastructure on the shore, go boating or play beach volleyball. Rodrigo de Freitas has free gyms and playgrounds.

City beach of Rio de Janeiro, stretching for 4 km. along the coast. From 50-60 years. elite residential areas began to be built here, the place began to be popular with European bohemia. Avenida Atlantica stretches along the beach. Millions of Brazilians and tourists visit Copacabana every year, and many public holidays are held on the beach, including New Year's celebrations.

Another famous beach of Rio de Janeiro surrounded by prestigious areas. Ipanema is adjacent to Copacabana, but is considered safer than the latter, as it is further from the slum area. Despite the large number of visitors, the water here is considered clean (depending on the season). There are also fewer ocean waves in the Ipanema area, so families with children and older people prefer it.

An annual holiday, a real extravaganza of colors, feelings, rhythm and all the joys of life. The Brazilian carnival has long been considered an intangible heritage of mankind. Thousands of professionals from various samba schools organize a procession on the sambadrome - a street with stands specially designed for such events. Dancers compete in skill, beauty of costumes and scale of scenery.

I always pronounce the name of this city with a smile - it seems to hear the flutter of thousands of colorful butterflies, which can not wait to fly out and spin to the rhythms of bossa nova (“bossa nova” is a special style of Brazilian music, representing a mixture of jazz and samba).

Rio de Janeiro is amazing!

Passions are raging in the hearts of people here no quieter than in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It seemed to me that the city lives on the principle of yin-yang, without realizing it. All extremes harmoniously coexist here: poverty and prosperity, beauty and ugliness, spiritual kindness with flagrant aggression. Next to the elite, very green and beautiful areas of the city, there are always neighborhoods of the poor - favelas, with exteriors scorched by the sun, graffiti and endless poverty. One citizen will gladly change his route to show you the way if you go astray, while another will steal your bag and threaten you with a “barrel”. Like in the movies, honestly. And all this to the rhythms of bossanov.

And by the way, do not forget to bring a phrase book with you. 'Cause everyone here is talking Portuguese. And there is no more beautiful, completely incomprehensible language similar to the crunch of waffles in the world.

Short video about Rio de Janeiro

How to get there

How to get to Rio de Janeiro if you, like me, live in Moscow? This sunny metropolis is located in South America, and it is very far away. The words "very far" mean the figure 11,543 km - exactly this distance from Moscow to Rio de Janeiro. Therefore, the main way to get to Rio is by plane.

But there is another option - to go on a cruise and arrive in Rio on a multi-deck white ship. That is how my idol Ostap Bender dreamed of being in the sultry city of happiness.

And if you are already in South America, then there is nothing easier than to get to former capital Brazil by bus. In general, bus service is very developed in South American cities, they are quite comfortable and allow you to save money, sometimes time.

By plane

There are no direct flights from Moscow to Rio. You need to fly with a transfer. The minimum duration of the entire flight is usually 16 hours or more, depending on the selected connection.

After monitoring the offers various airlines(Lufthansa, KLM, Emirates, Etihad, Delta participated in the tender), I came to the conclusion that plane tickets - Rio de Janeiro should be taken from the airline Air France with a connection in Paris.

  1. First, it is the most a budget option flight (my boyfriend paid for the trip, and this item was the most important for him :-)).
  2. Secondly, convenient docking in Paris airport"Charles de Gaulle".

If you get on the airline's promotion, then the ticket will cost you 38,000 rubles (round-trip).

Air France operates daily flights to Rio de Janeiro. I advise you to choose flight AF 1745 from Moscow with an arrival in Charles de Gaulle at 21:45 and then a departure from Paris at 23:35 and an arrival in Rio de Janeiro at 05:40 in the morning. Choose a return flight depending on the price and preferences. There are 1 or sometimes 2 flights a day from Rio de Janeiro (the schedule is constantly changing). There are morning flights and evening flights.

You can view flight schedules, connection times, airfare prices.

Airport of arrival of international flights ()

All international flights destined for Rio de Janeiro Galeão Rio De Janeiro Airport. At the airport you will find money changers, taxis and anything else. To the center - 20 km.
At the airport, many employees speak English, so you definitely won’t get lost here :-)

Airport of arrival of domestic flights ()

A charming airport with a runway right along the Atlantic Ocean. Located in the historical center of the city.

By bus

In Brazil, as in many other countries in South America, bus service between cities is very well developed. Traveling by bus in Rio de Janeiro is a reasonable alternative to renting a car if you are, for example, afraid to drive in such a exotic country.

The main cities of great interest to the traveler, from which you can get to Rio by regular buses:

  • Sao Paulo.
  • Florianopolis.
  • Belo Horizonte.
  • Arraial do Cabo.
  • Buzios.
  • Iguazu.

And even from neighboring countries, such as Paraguay, you can come to Rio by bus. Only it is very far, about 2 days on the road.

Major bus companies

bus service in Rio (as well as in Brazil as a whole) it is organized super competently, and I envied this, to be honest (wish we had it like that!). There are several major bus companies, each with their own website. English version, and on the site you can easily get directions from point A to point B.

For myself, I singled out these bus companies (their sites seem to be created for non-Portuguese speaking tourists :-))

Travel and bus logistics

The logistics of your bus trip will be like this. Go to the site, choose the desired direction, buy a ticket, arrive at the station and pick up your tickets. It is very easy to understand where to pick up tickets: at the station, look for a stall with the name of the bus company, which will be indicated in large letters on the booking sheet.

I advise you to buy tickets on the site also because promotional fares are published there, about which cashiers often do not know anything. Well, besides, it will be difficult to communicate with the cashiers if you do not speak Portuguese.

Bus stations

Now as for the bus stations themselves. There are several in Rio. Foremost - .
The station is located in the city center at: Av. Francisco Bicalho, 1, Santo Cristo.
I advise you to get here by taxi. Although it is located in the center, this part of the city is not safe. The bus stop is quite far from the station, and you have to walk to it. Judging by the faces that I saw on the street at the entrance to the station, I would not have gone on foot.

And the station building itself is beautiful - very clean, comfortable, a lot of shops, the smell of cheese pies (Pão de queijo) and freshly brewed coffee in the air. And yes, there are charging stations for all gadgets. By the way, this service is free, not like at Moscow railway stations. As I remember now, I arrived on the morning train from St. Petersburg to Moscow, the phone sat down, and recharging was 100 rubles. Fi.

About buses

The buses themselves are very comfortable. When booking tickets, you can choose the bus class:

  • VIP, which means this bus is air conditioned.
  • STANDARD. There will be no air conditioning.

By the way, the climate of Antarctica prevails in buses. I strongly advise you to prudently bring warm clothes with you.

By car

In general, everything is in order with the roads in Brazil. Theoretically, motorists can get to Rio de Janeiro by car from any Brazilian city. And even from other countries in South America, subject to successful passage through customs.
Personally, I am sure that traveling by car through the "deaf" places of the country may not have the most favorable consequences, after all, the country is not very rich, you can easily be robbed. Well, there’s no one to especially ask for advice on the road - no one “speaks” in English.
If you are a fan of auto travel, then try to build a route that runs along safe and modern highways.
So, you can come to Rio de Janeiro from Sao Paulo along the largest highway BR-116

By ferry

Rio owes much of its stunning scenery to the amazing geographic location. The city stretched along the southeastern coast of Brazil and seemed to be squeezed between the mountains on one side and Guanabara Bay (the most beautiful bay in Rio de Janeiro) on the other. Such a good location suggests that you can also get to the city by water - on a chic white ship, if you want to fulfill the dream of Ostap Bender, or on a small cozy ferry.

By the way, the first sailors sailed to Rio on ships and thought that the bay was the January river in Rio de Janeiro, after which the city was named.

The ferry connects Rio with other Brazilian cities and islands - Nitera, Cocota, Mangaratiba, Angra dos Reis, Paqueta Island, Ilha Grande Island. These ferries moor at the maritime station in Rio (depart, by the way, from the same place). This station is called Estação das Barca and it is located in the city center close to Praça XV square next to Carioca/ Cinelandia metro station.

Travel time, schedule and cost can be viewed on the carrier. As a bonus, all those traveling by ferry are offered a gorgeous view of the city and the great statue of Christ from Guanabara Bay.

cruise ships

If we talk about cruise ships, then they sail from the most different cities of the world into a huge and significant port for the whole country - Port of Rio-de-Janeiro, to the terminal . The port is located not very far from the city center, at Av. Rodrigues Alves, 10 - Centro, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20081-250. The nearest metro station is Retiro. Here is the terminal.

In general, the terminal is cool - modern, functional, all the infrastructure necessary for a traveler is with him. By the way, if you are already in Rio and you are not going to sail anywhere on any ships, there is still a reason to look here - incendiary night parties with samba and caipirinha are often held here at night. Everything is as it should be.

Private yachts

And if suddenly you are traveling on your private yacht and do not know where to drop anchor, then head for the most beautiful port. By the way, it was in this harbor that yachtsmen from all over the world raced at the 2016 Olympic Games. The Marina da Gloria port is located in the charming Flamengo Park not far from the city center and, believe me, it offers absolutely fantastic panoramas of Rio. There are cute restaurants in the harbor, here you can learn how to sail, as well as go diving or fishing with a small group.

Clue:

Rio de Janeiro time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 6

Kazan 6

Samara 7

Yekaterinburg 8

Novosibirsk 10

Vladivostok 13

When is the season. When is the best time to go

The very name of the city radiates sunshine, doesn't it? But it also rains here.

During our Russian summer in Rio, winter brings intermittent rains to the city, and the sunny metropolis is immersed in a haze of gray clouds. At the same time, the air temperature rarely drops below +23, and the rains are most often short and warm. So bad weather in Rio - the concept is conditional. Another thing is that with a gray haze one cannot see the incredibly bright colors of the city. The clearest days in Rio de Janeiro are between November and March.

When planning our trip, we avoided the New Year period, just as we were afraid of fire in February (carnival takes place in February). These are the most expensive periods, prices for holidays in Rio de Janeiro soar several times. And if we talk about prices, then Rio has never cheap city.

We flew to Rio in the season - March 10, a couple of weeks after the carnival. By the time we arrived, the last carnival decorations were, fortunately, dismantled and prices returned to normal. The weather was good, hot, +38. Sometimes during the day there were prolonged rains (and we were grateful to them), and in the evening the sun invariably appeared, which, leaving, gave us incredible sunsets - so many heavenly colors, perhaps, can only be found in Monet's fictional canvases.

Rio de Janeiro in summer

If we talk about our summer months, then in Rio they are considered the rainiest and grayest. The air temperature, however, is not lower than 25 degrees, the water is also warm - 21-23 degrees. When traveling to Rio de Janeiro in the summer, take a windbreaker and an umbrella with you.

Rio de Janeiro in autumn

The season officially starts in November in Rio. In general, the division into seasons here is very conditional, because the tourist flow does not stop all year round. But if we talk about the weather, then yes, it becomes less cloudy from November. In the autumn months, the air temperature is 27-29 degrees. Of the benefits - the absence of sweltering heat and gentle wind.

Rio de Janeiro in spring

In my opinion, spring is the perfect time to visit Rio. At this time, the city becomes calmer, behind the carnival with its craziness and wild prices. The weather is wonderful. It is very hot, up to 38 degrees, sometimes there are refreshing rains.

Rio de Janeiro in winter

Our winter in Rio de Janeiro counts as summer. In guidebooks, the months from December to March are indicated as the most attractive for visiting the country. During this period, the probability of rain is small, the waves in the ocean are quieter, the sky is mostly cloudless. All this is very good, but the number of tourists in the city is such that the metropolis with mysterious name want to leave as soon as possible. The largest influx of tourists is in New Year and Carnival, which takes place annually in February.

Clue:

Rio de Janeiro - monthly weather

Districts. Where is the best place to live

As soon as Vadik bought tickets to Rio, we immediately thought about where to live, which part of the city to choose. I wanted to be at the sea, and at the same time in the mountains, and to be closer to all the bars and attractions. But when it comes to this big city(and Rio is really huge), you need to prioritize :-)

I'll tell you how the city works and what choice we made.

Conventionally, the city is divided into 4 zones:

  1. South.
  2. Central.
  3. Northern.
  4. Western.

Separate districts of Rio de Janeiro are concentrated in these zones (at the moment there are 34 districts in the city)

Southern part of the city

These are the legendary beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Flamengo. Perhaps these areas are the most attractive for tourists, everything here is like in a movie - gorgeous beaches, beautiful houses with fences, as in the Tropicanka series, all the streets are paved with neat tiles, palm trees, ficuses and eternal trees adorn the entrance to each building.

The areas of this part of the city are considered the safest, wherever you look - only policemen. From southern regions easy access to the main attractions, some of which are located right here:

  • Sugar head.
  • Mount Corcovado with a statue of Christ.
  • Lake Rodrigo de Freitas.

And there are taxis around the clock. We chose a hotel 2 steps from the Ipanema beach and did not regret it for a minute. The beach in Rio is the main stage of the city, everyone aspires here - both locals and tourists. Do you want to feel the real atmosphere of Rio? Then you go to the beach. And I'll tell you what, living near the beach in Rio is a must. Early in the morning before a long journey to the wilds of a sunny metropolis, you will always have the opportunity to wake up with the city, run along the embankment, swim in the gentle waves of the Atlantic Ocean, which can only be like this in the morning, drink freshly squeezed mango juice in a fruit bar on the beach. What could be better? This is how the morning in Rio de Janeiro should begin. And in the evening, no matter where you come from, the sunset will be waiting for you to the rhythms of the bossa nova - the locals are very fond of coming to the beach with a guitar.

Central part of the city

This is the so-called down town, the historical center of Rio de Janeiro. There are business centers, many historical sights, including the National Library, Tiradentes Palace, City Theater, National Museum fine arts, Cathedral and Palace of Pedro Ernesto.

On weekdays, downtown is very busy, people in business suits scurry back and forth. But it is worth coming on a Sunday, and you will not recognize the business district - there is not a soul in the district. Never in my life have I seen more deserted streets.
I was most impressed by the bohemian neighborhoods of Lapai Santa Teresa. In Lapa, I advise all party-goers to stay who want to fall asleep and wake up to the rhythms of the city. Well, Santa Teresa will appeal to those who are looking for romance and solitude.

Northern part of the city

Football fans often visit the northern part of the city, since this is where the legendary stadium in Rio de Janeiro "" is located. I highly recommend visiting one of the football matches played at this stadium, even if you are not a fan. An exciting game, experiences, tears of victory and loss and incomparable energy await you. Football is an integral part of Brazilian culture and lifestyle. And you must see it with your own eyes!
In the northern part of the city there are other, less well-known stadiums. But I would not advise walking further than the stadium - around the favela, dangerous quarters of bandits and the poor.

Western part of the city

This area is the most remote from the city center and therefore tourists rarely come here. The poorest quarters of the city are closely intertwined with areas for the rich, as if proving to the traveler that Rio is a city of contrasts. The pretty area of ​​Barra da Tijuca is located in this part of the city, as is the 20-kilometer beach, the longest in all of Rio.

What are the prices for holidays

Tours in Rio de Janeiro are expensive. The City of God itself is not cheap. How . But, of course, here you can easily save money if you think about many things in advance. But not at the hotel - accommodation here is expensive, even in a hotel, even in a hostel.

Prices for hotels in Rio de Janeiro

We rented a double room in a 3 * hotel 2 minutes from Ipanema beach with spacious rooms in white and with a huge window, on the windowsill of which ringing hummingbirds hung out every morning. The room cost about $100 per night with breakfast.

Ipanema is a magical area, like a piece of cozy Europe inside Rio with the cutest restaurants, beautiful houses and chic clean beach.

For the same money ($100 per day) in the bohemian area of ​​Santa Teresa, you can rent a room in a chic boutique hotel. There are many great boutique hotels in the area. The views that open from the hotels of Santa Teresa are stunning.

But there is a downside. The area is located on a mountain, and at night taxi drivers refuse to go up here without explanation. Therefore, if night walks are in your plans, this is probably not the most suitable area.

On Copacabana, hotels cost from $150 per day. By the way, the Copacabana beach itself is very dirty, and all the restaurants along the beach are terribly tasteless and also expensive.

You can still live on the party Lapa. A bed in a good hostel can be found for $60, and a hotel room can be rented for $80. At night it is very noisy and the audience in the area is very different - here are the glamorous party-goers of Rio, and the bandits, and the homeless. My friend Natasha said that it was here that they were threatened with a gun. As if in jest.

I usually monitor prices and book hotels on Booking -, but you can check if there is a more attractive price anywhere.

You can see the prices for renting private apartments here.

Taxi, bus and metro prices

Getting around the city is exactly the article where you can really save money if you use public transport.

So, on average, the cost of a taxi ride in the southern part of the city will be 50-70 reais ($15-20). A bus ticket costs 4 reais (about $2). Feel the difference. The cost of one metro ride is 3.20 reais ($1), which is more expensive than in Moscow, but still several times cheaper than a taxi.

Prices for restaurants, cafes and bars

Good restaurants are quite expensive. Dinner can cost from 200 reais ($60) for two. Take advantage of the offer in the menu "portion for 2". Believe me, it will be a serving for 4, but it will be more economical than each ordering a whole dish.
There are many restaurants in Rio, and you can find something simpler. But here's my advice to you - never go to restaurants on Copacabana. Everything here is horribly tasteless and expensive.

The cost of a caipirinha in a beach bar is 8-10 reais (about 3-4 dollars), but in a bar the price will already be 25 reais (8 dollars).

Freshly squeezed juice in juice bars (such bars are the “trick” of Rio, they are scattered throughout the city) - from 5 reais ($ 2).

Summing up, I’ll say that both holidays in Rio de Janeiro and prices are all on highest level! :-)

Clue:

The cost of food, lodging, transportation, etc.

Currency: Euro, € US dollar, $ Russian ruble, rub Brazilian real, R$

Main attractions. What to see

Rio is a real treasure trove of cultural and natural wonders, interesting and unusual city routes.

There is a list of places that are absolutely MUST SEE:

  • Statue of Christ the Redeemer.
  • Sugar Loaf.
  • Botanical Garden.
  • Forest of Tijuca.
  • Maracana Stadium.
  • Art Museum arts.
  • National Library (the largest in all of South America).

By the way, the beaches in Rio are also attractions. Be sure to visit the beaches Ipanema, Copacabana, Leblon, Flamengo» and you will see that each of them has its own unique atmosphere.

Walk through the world's largest urban national park Tijuca park and you will be pleasantly surprised to meet cute but very arrogant coatis, impressed by giant eucalyptus trees and signs that warn of dangerous and insidious snakes. By the way, the Statue of Christ - the most legendary monument in Rio de Janeiro - is located at the top of this park, and if you dare to get to it on foot (too long and hot), you will have inexpressible emotions and the most beautiful pictures.

Once in the Lapa quarter, be sure to take the "Bondino" (an old wooden tram), which will take you upstairs to the area of ​​​​the rich and mansions - santo teresa.
And if you want to experience the real life of the slums, then take a motorcycle taxi and go to the favelas. At one's own risk.

Don't forget to observe the stars of South America through the telescope at the Rio de Janeiro Planetarium. Remember that all museums have free days to visit, which will make your stay in Rio de Janeiro more budget-friendly.

And you can easily avoid queues at various museums and, most importantly, at the statue of Christ, using the service fast track offered by several local travel companies, for example, Matuete. The cost of this service is about $40 per person.

Top 5

Statue of Christ the Redeemer (Statue Christ Reemeder)

As the alphabet begins with the letter "A", so the top list of Rio attractions begins with the Statue of Christ the Redeemer, which is not only the main symbol of Rio de Janeiro, but also the main identification mark of Brazil as a whole.

My local friends told me that the monument was erected thanks to the efforts of a very rich man as a token of his gratitude to the City of God, in which he was able to get rich. The official version says that the statue was erected for the 100th anniversary of the independence of Brazil. I trust my friends more because Rio is a city of miracles.

The statue itself in Rio de Janeiro is located on top national park Tizhuk, and its height is about 38 meters. You can get on a special tourist train, by bus, car or on foot. The last way for the most desperate travelers is to walk long and in the heat, but the most stunning views of the city will be yours, plus explore the world's largest urban national park.

Pro fast service track, which I talked about above, we did not know, so we spent in 3 queues under scorching sun 4 hours!!! When, after all this hell, we ended up at the statue, I wanted to cry. Such a number of people, which was around the statue, could probably only be in the main Bombay market. It's horrible.

Try to focus on the magnificence of the monument. Because the figure of Christ radiates a really powerful energy, which easily spreads to a million Chinese around. And this energy, and these stunning views justify any torment. No wonder the monument is included in the list of modern wonders of the world.

  • Opening hours: daily from 8:30 - 17:00.
  • Price: entrance ticket for an adult - 51 reais (16 dollars).

For up-to-date information on opening hours and prices, see the Rio de Janeiro Metro website.

Read more about the Statue of Christ the Redeemer at.

Selarone paw and ladder (Lapa & Escadaria Selarón)

The Lapa district is geographically located in the central part of the city, and despite the fact that there are always a lot of tourists here, it has not lost its very special flavor.

The Lapa quarter is a kind of Parisian Montmartre, an area where artists, poets, dancers and other creative personalities have found refuge. At night, on the streets of Lapa, everyone dances samba, sings bossa nova. Do you want to go to carnival? You are here, this carnival is here all year round.

In one of the lanes you will find Selarone ladder (EscadariaSelaron) . Just ask any passer-by - everyone knows where she is.

In 2013, the artist was found dead on his stairs. They say that one of his own students killed him out of envy. Until now, Jorge Selarone is alive in the hearts of people, and his staircase has become one of the best examples of Brazilian contemporary art.

Access to the stairs is free.

Santa Teresa and Bondinho (Bondinho de Santa Teresa)

Santa Teresa is an area of ​​mansions. Remember the series "Tropicanka", "Wild Rose"? So everything looks the same there - rich houses, rose fences, labyrinths of streets and gorgeous views of Guanabara Bay.

It is best to go to Santa Teresa after walking around the Lapa quarter. From here, this can be done in a completely unusual way - using the "bondinho". So cariocas (local residents) call an old wooden tram, which has been transporting people from one area to another for decades.

In theory, the tram leaves every 20 minutes from Carioca metro station. But that's just in theory. In fact, the tram follows only his known timetable. The tram does not have a website, and I generally doubt that this type of transport functions officially. The opening hours at the entrance are not written, but I know one thing for sure, exactly at 16:00 the tram stops moving (for the first time we were going to ride at 5 pm and came to the closed doors of the station). Also, he does not make routes after the rain. We were convinced of this when we came to the station for the second time :-). And only for the third time luck smiled at us.

You sit in one of 5 wooden trailers, the benches are distributed equally between tourists and cariocas. The tram climbs up the hillside, deftly maneuvering between beautiful mansions with colorful fences and old buildings, the architectural appearance of which imperceptibly takes us to Rio of past centuries. Winding through the labyrinths of old streets, the tram periodically pampers passengers with views from the cliff to the sea in Rio de Janeiro. Undoubtedly, it was one of the most romantic and extraordinary trips in my life.

Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar)

Sugar loaf is Pão de Açúcar, and its height reaches almost 400 m. It is called so because it supposedly looks like a sugar cube. The essence of the visit is that you take the funicular to the top of this mountain.

During this time, the traveler will have 3 stops at different heights - Praia Vermelha, Urca and the very top of the mountain.

Definitely need to go here to see the sunset. And if you are lucky and the sky is cloudless, you will fall into a trance from the beauty around. Here, by the way, there are no crazy crowds of tourists. You can relax, sit on a chair, drink a beer and enjoy your stay in Rio. The views from the top are stunning. All as in the picture, honestly.

  • Opening hours: 8:10 - 21:00. Funiculars leave every 20 minutes.
  • Funicular cost: 62 reais (almost $20). This price includes all 3 ascents and 3 descents.

Favelas (FAVELS)

Favelas are the neighborhoods of the poor, haphazardly scattered around the city. For some reason, the implausible piles of houses on the mountain are fascinating.
Each favela is like a separate state with its own rules, system, drug lords, schools, hospitals. Have you seen the movie City of God? That's how the local neighborhoods of the poor are actually arranged.

Favelas are an acute social phenomenon, which personally does not scare me so much as makes me empathize with the inhabitants of these quarters. The number of people in Rio de Janeiro living in favelas is scary! Millions of people. From year to year, the state ignores the problems of communities, and sometimes their very existence, deprives the inhabitants of even minimal social support, and thereby dooms the poor to get their own bread through crime.

In these areas, poverty rules the ball, not carnival. A rare tourist can see this side of the city. Looking into the favela is a dangerous event, sometimes it can cost your life. But not to look here means not to understand anything about the city. Because Rio is not only beaches, samba and mansions with beautiful fences. Rio is a city of completely different destinies, a carnival city in which millions of people are doomed to starvation.

Beaches. Which is better

The most famous and beautiful beaches of Rio de Janeiro () are Ipanema, Copacabana, Leblon.

  • "Ipanema"- in my opinion, this is the most amazing beach in Rio de Janeiro. Azure, turquoise water, a view of the rocks "Two Brothers", seagulls overhead. The elite public of Rio de Janeiro hangs out here, and surprisingly there are not as many tourists as on Copacabana, for example. Cape Aproador, which separates the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, deserves special attention. As soon as the sun begins to go down behind the mountain, all the locals gather on the cape to spend the sunset. Grab a bottle of good wine at the nearest store and be sure to come here. I close my eyes and see those sunsets and hear a beautiful cariocas girl singing "Girl from Ipanema" to the guitar. Read more.

  • "Copacabana" is a four-kilometer public beach. And there is no such person who would not dream of being on Copacabana. I dreamed too. And here's what I'll say - Copacabana beach is beautiful from afar. In fact, it is very dirty, and the waves are so high that every step in the ocean needs to be carefully thought out, otherwise you simply won’t be able to swim. They say that you can often see celebrities here, but I didn’t meet them, but there are more than enough dubious people on the beach. On the outskirts of the beach is the Copacabana fortress (Forte de Copacabana), on the territory of which there is the Historical Museum of the Army, where you can see German submarines of the early 20th century. Details.

  • "Leblon» - this beach is a continuation of Ipanema and at the same time is considered the most respectable beach in the city of God. It is good to come here on Sunday, when Copacabana and Ipanema are crowded. After all, all residents of the city spend the weekend on the beach :-)

If you are a fan of surfing, then go to the beaches " Barra de Tijuca» And " Recreo» . High waves are guaranteed here all year round.

By the way, about the waves. If you want to enjoy their absence and the silence of the sea surface, then you will like Urca beach» , which is located at the foot of the Sugar Loaf.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

Everyone in Rio de Janeiro believes in God, and this metropolis is called the City of God for a reason. Within the city there is a huge number of churches, temples and monasteries. I will single out the most beautiful and significant for the inhabitants of the city.

  • Church of Santa Zenaide- This is a magnificent, incredibly cozy Orthodox church, the history of which begins in the 19th century. After the 1917 revolution, many Russian emigrants took refuge in Rio de Janeiro. Every Russian family invested in the construction of this church. It is located in the beautiful area of ​​Santa Teresa, people come here to relax their souls, pray, think about the main thing. I highly recommend taking the time to visit this church. On the temple website you can see the opening hours, learn more about the history of creation and much more.

Museums. Which are worth a visit

There are a lot of museums in the city. To see them all, I advise you to apply for permanent residence in the City of God. I’ll tell you about the most iconic and even the most unusual, where usually the tourist’s foot does not set foot. In Rio de Janeiro, attractions can be found where you do not expect at all.

Art Museum ()

There are many tourists in this museum. And this is not surprising, because here is a huge collection of works from the greatest masters of this world. Particularly interesting are the expositions of African and Brazilian art.

  • Address: Av. Rio Branco, 199 - Centro.
  • Opening hours: Tue-Fri 10.00 – 17.00. On Sunday admission is free. Other days 8 reais ($2.30) per person.

Or else it is called "museum of tomorrow". The fact that this is a museum of the future is immediately clear, the architect of the building, Santiago Calatrava, seemed to have flown into space and peeped how everything is arranged there. As for the expositions, various media panels, interactive things and other high-tech interstings are waiting for you. I highly recommend taking a look here.

  • Address: Praça Mauá, 1 - Centro.
  • Opening hours: Tue-Sun, 10.00 – 17.00. On Saturdays admission is free, on other days 10 reais ($3) per person.


Modern Art Museum ()

Everything here is like in all IOM museums around the world - a lot of exhibits of contemporary art, the advantage is given to Brazilian creators. This museum was designed by the well-known Brazilian architect Afonso Reidy.

  • Address: Av. Infante Dom Henrique, 85 - Parque do Flamengo.
  • Working hours: Tue-Fri 12:00-18: 00. Tickets cost 14 reais ($5).


Carioca Contemporary Art Gallery ()

This is perhaps the most popular gallery in Rio de Janeiro among those who understand art. Very interesting collections of famous and completely unknown local masters of the pen are collected here.

  • Address: Rua Gonçalves Lédo, 11 e 17 - Centro.
  • Working hours: mon-p t 12:00-19:00. WITH The cost of tickets is different and depends on the specific exhibition. On average, it varies from 2 to 12 reais (1-5 dollars).

All the museums listed above are classics of the genre. Everyone knows about them, everyone includes them in the program. Below is a list of places you should definitely look if you want something like that.

School of Arts ()

It's not really a museum, but operating school arts. This school is a real palace, already dilapidated for a long time, but not devoid of dignity. It is located on the territory of the real jungle, despite the fact that these jungles are spread almost in the middle of the city. You can go inside and walk around the school, that's where you will see real contemporary art, without refined frames and established stamps. But the most important thing is the flocks of divine toucans, which, sitting on the balconies of the palace, protect young masters from failures.

  • Address: R. Jardim Botânico, 414 - Jardim Botânico.
  • Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10:00 -16:00. Free admission.

Aunt Rosa's legendary samba school (Grêmio Recreativo Escola de Samba Unidos de Vila Isabel)

Dona Rosa is an outstanding old lady. All of us girls should be like this old woman. Fire in the eyes, smile on the lips, samba in the movements. Do you want to know how the most incendiary dance in the world begins and how the carnival works? Come to Vila Isabel school and they will show and tell you everything. True, the conversation will be in Portuguese. But don't let this scare you, I assure you, everything will be clear, because samba knows no language barriers. If you're lucky, you'll find Rosa, whose team, by the way, regularly wins the carnival.

  • Address: Boulevard 28 de Setembro.
  • Hours of Operation: No set hours of operation. Try to come on a weekday afternoon. Admission is free, but tips for the development of the school are welcome :-)

parks

Residents of Rio de Janeiro love to spend time outdoors - on the beach or in parks. That's where you need to go for the local flavor, so it's in the city parks, each of them has a special atmosphere, because the townspeople come here to take a breath and relax their souls. There are a lot of parks in the city, and they are amazing - with eucalyptus trees, bamboos, birds, butterflies and toucans.

The most famous, but from this they do not lose their charm:

  • Flamengo Park. The serene Brazilian soul seems to be reflected in this park. The aroma of fried meat is in the air (barbecue parties are often held in cariocas), single visitors sing bossanova under their breath, they play football on the grass, and they build castles on the sand. Entrance is free, it is better not to walk at night. Address: Rua Brigadeiro, Eduardo Gomes, Flamengo. Metro: Largo de Machado or Catete.

  • Park near the lake Rodrigo de Freitas. Here you can not only enjoy romantic walks along the alleys, but also ride a boat or catamaran on the lake. It is especially pleasant to slide imposingly on the water surface in the evening, when the heat subsides, you can watch how the city smoothly plunges into twilight and Ree, as if by a wave, the illumination is engulfed. The boat will cost you 15 reais (4.5 dollars) for 30 minutes. You can rent it at the Tretbootverleih Pier. Admission is free, boat rental is open from 10:00 to 20:00. Address: Avenida Epitacio Pessoa, Parque do Cantagalo, quiosque 20. Metro: Gal. Osorio.
  • Botanical Garden . An absolute MUST SEE in Rio de Janeiro. Think for yourself where else you will see alleys of giant palm trees, a lake with amazing giant water lilies and white lilies, bamboo labyrinths and dozens of other exotic plants. By the way, the garden contains not only Brazilian vegetation, but also completely non-local, brought here from all over the world by Prince João VI, who in the 1800s turned this garden into a royal park.
    A very important point - do not forget to take all the available repellents with you, there are much more mosquitoes here than visitors. Opening hours: daily from 8 to 18, admission costs 6 reais (1.55 dollars) Address: R. Jardim Botânico, 1008 - Jardim Botânico. Metro: Botafogo + bus 170/172/176.

tourist streets

The most important tourist streets in Rio are considered beaches "Ipanema", "Copacabana", "Leblon"» and their embankments with millions of boutiques, juice bars, beach markets and cozy restaurants. On such streets, the wind from the Atlantic always blows towards you, and passers-by compete for the most fashionable outfit, which here is, of course, a bikini.

If you are in the city center, be sure to take a walk in the Cinelandia quarter. In the early 20th century, the mayor of Pereira, Passusu, demolished more than 700 residential buildings to create a "little Paris" in the city center. So come here to take a look at this one. It is convenient to start the walk from the Cinelandia metro station on Piazza Floriano, surrounded by beautiful old palaces, next to the same square is the world-famous theater of Rio de Janeiro. The central streets of Rio de Janeiro are beautiful.

What to see in 1 day

It is very sad if you have only one day in Rio, because in such a city a whole life is not enough. Well, there's nothing to be done, 24 hours in the City of God, I would plan like this:

  • Morning (8-10 am). Travel to Ipanema and watch the city wake up. It is most pleasant to watch from a cozy cafe, where they will bring you coffee and branded cheese buns. In your arsenal, 2 hours for breakfast, the ocean and a bikini.
  • Late morning (10-12 am) After leaving the beach, do not cry, because you have a whole day ahead of you, filled with the search for interesting things in Rio de Janeiro. The nearest metro station to Ipanema is Gal. Osorio. Dive into the subway, you need to be at the Cinelandia station. And now you are in the historical center of the city, take a walk through the Cinelandia quarter and nearby streets - colonial houses, architectural monuments, beautiful churches, in general, everything that usually attracts the city center.
  • Lunch (12:00-13:00) Have lunch at one of Lapa's restaurants. Feel free to order meat and beer!
  • After lunch (13:00-15:00) From the restaurant, walk to Carioca metro station. Here is the stop of the local old Bondinho tram, which with a slight rattle will take you to the bohemian district of Santa Teresa mansions. Waiting for you along the way great views to Guanabara Bay.
  • Day (15:00-18:00) After you leave the tram, go to Sugar Loaf (Botafogo metro) where you should definitely catch the beginning of sunset. If the sky is cloudless, then I guarantee that it will be the most incredible sunset in your life.
  • Evening (18:00-22:00) If you have time, and especially if you are a football fan, then I advise you to buy tickets for the match that takes place at the Maracanã stadium. An amazing game of Brazilian teams awaits you, tears, joy, a thousand emotions in one bottle. Tickets are inexpensive, the game schedule can be viewed on the stadium website.

What to see in the surroundings

nearby islands

120 km from Rio lost an amazing tropical Ilha Grande island. This is a real green patch of the Amazon in the middle of the ocean and one of the most beautiful places in Brazil, and maybe in all of South America.

Ilya Grande is like an island from the books of Jules Verne. Tupinamba Indians once lived here, and the paths laid by them can still be used for walking.

The main attraction of Ilha Grande is wild nature And beautiful beaches. Take a water taxi (it costs a penny here) and go on a tour of the bay of Ilha Grande with its many islands, wild beaches, waterfalls and other wonders of nature. In the village of Abrau, located in the middle of virgin forests, you can rent a room in a small house, and in the evenings enjoy the sunset in one of the local restaurants. By the way, there are no ATMs on the island and they only accept cash. Don't forget about it.

How to get there

From Rio de Janeiro, you need to take a bus from the station to the Rodoviaria Novo Rio station (Costa Verde bus company) to the Conceicao de Jacarei stop, and then by ferry. Ferries depart daily (about 5 trips a day). Buy mono tickets on the spot, cost about 15 reais (5 dollars) per person.

Food. What to try

Rio never claimed to be exquisite gastronomic capital countries. I wouldn't be surprised if Brazil doesn't have one like that at all. Everything here is simple, satisfying, sometimes tasty, sometimes not.
In this city you need to eat meat. It's right here, juicy, awesome. My friend, a vegetarian, once confessed over a glass of Burgundy that she does not eat meat anywhere except Brazil and Argentina. Meat here can be eaten in a variety of variations, but in order not to be mistaken, I advise you to take just a steak. As a rule, it is served with vegetables and French fries.
Rio's street food deserves special attention. I still remember the scent Pao de queijo de tapioca(round cheese buns), which is simply in the air in Rio. Every morning I devoured them in an amount of at least 7 pieces. By the way, the balls are still fish. And they are very tasty too. Are called « Bolinhos de bacalhau» .
Even in Rio, a dish with the eastern name "feijoada" is popular. It is generally considered a traditional Brazilian treat, and was previously the food of slaves. The ingredients are as follows - beans, meat and everything that comes to hand. You will find this dish in restaurants and street stalls. I would not say that it is very tasty, but, no doubt, interesting :-)
In downtown, near the Carioca station, very colorful Brazilian women lure all passers-by with shrimp sandwiches. It looks very tasty, but Vadik did not allow me to try because of the suspicious green sauce. This sandwich is called an empada. If you are in Rio, eat 2! :-)

special attention in Rio de Janeiro deserve drinks. About caipirinha, I think everyone knows. Local alcohol, which is sold at every turn, a mixture of cachaça (Brazilian vodka), lime, cane sugar and sometimes mint. Very tasty and very drunk. After 3 days, this cocktail is impossible to look at. Another thing - tangerine caipirinha. In one of the bars on Lapa, I met a resident of Sao Paulo, and she advised me to order her. As a rule, tangerine caipirinha is not on the menu and bartenders make this drink at the request of those in the know. Try it for sure - this is an amazing cocktail that never gets bored.
Juice bars in Rio de Janeiro, I would classify as gastronomy wonders. They are scattered throughout the city and offer visitors to try a variety of exotic juices. Where else can you enjoy acerola, graviola and acai drinks?

Budget

  1. "Delírio Tropical", a chain of restaurants around the city.
  2. Baixo Gago, Laranjeiras.
  3. "Bar do Adão", a chain of restaurants around the city.
  4. "Corujao", Benfica.

Intermediate level

  1. "Tacacá do Norte", Flamengo.
  2. Botero, Laranjeiras.
  3. "Point Lanches", Tabajaras.
  4. "Fat Choi", Gloria.

Expensive

  1. "Pergula", Copacabana.
  2. Lasai, Botafogo.
  3. Olympe, Lagoa.
  4. Quiteria Restaurante, Ipanema.

Holidays

The most important holiday in Rio de Janeiro is February.

It is in February that the world-famous carnival in Rio de Janeiro starts every year, the photo of which is full of all magazines. And this, of course, is a magnificent show with its own traditions, which has no analogues. The essence of the event is that all citizens and guests of the city dress up in bright dance costumes and go outside to watch the competition of the best samba dance schools. All groups of speakers move on special platforms, each school is allocated about 80 minutes for the performance.

If the samba in your soul has been tapping out mischievous pas for a long time, then visiting the carnival will become a pearl in your travel treasury. That's where you'll find mass useful information, life hacks and tips on how to organize your trip to the carnival.

As for me, I adore samba, and yet I decided not to go to the carnival! :-) Because it is very expensive. And I also don't like tourists, and the carnival definitely involves crowds of people. During my stay in Rio, I made friends from the locals, and all of them (being of different age categories, gender and financial situation) admitted that they were trying to leave the city during the carnival. In addition to the craziness that is happening on the streets, prices increase tenfold, as does the crime rate, unfortunately. My Brazilian friends also reported that the place of a tourist at a carnival is invariably on the side, in a crowd of completely different people, often vulgarly drunk and literally dangerous. So it goes.

The carnival is very beautifully drawn in fantasy, but in fact it can disappoint with its turmoil, as it disappointed many of my friends who nevertheless decided to visit this celebration of life. Therefore, I advise you to weigh the pros and cons of such a trip. And I also want to inform you that the spirit of the carnival in Rio always reigns. Only in other months this spirit is not associated with crowds of tourists.

Safety. What to watch out for

Rio is a beautiful city, but dangerous. I advise you to always be on the alert and, going on long walks, do not take all your jewelry with you. Your earrings will instantly cease to belong to you - street scammers are so clever here.

I confess, I looked at Rio through rose-colored glasses and nothing bad happened - no scenes of robbery and shootings. But I assure you, this is not uncommon in Rio, this is evidenced by the experience of my travel friends and the stories of local friends. Take care of yourself in this city and be attentive to others!

Things to do

When you are in Rio, the soul seems to be in flight. You feel like a seagull, soaring relaxed in the streams of a cloudless sky. And it seems to me that not to make a real flight in this city is a crime!
And here are a couple of options for you that will become a unique experience in your life.

  • Flight on a hang glider. Well, I highly recommend it. You will not only see the city from a bird's eye view, but also feel like a real bird. The emotions that such a flight will give you are difficult to describe in words, such adrenaline awaits you that it will be enough for another year without traveling. The stunning views of the City of God will be in the palm of your hand: the Statue of Christ the Redeemer, and the Sugar Loaf, and the green peaks of the Tijuca National Park, and, of course, the outlines of all the beaches with the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. There are many companies in the city that offer flights. I advise you to contact one of these agencies in advance, because this is a very popular entertainment among tourists and cariocas. I can recommend the local company "Matuete" or ask the concierge at the hotel.
    WITH the cost of a tandem flight is not small - from $ 150 per person. True, this price already includes transfers from the hotel to Tijuca Park (this is where the flight starts from the Pedro Bonita ramp), entry tickets to the park, insurance and the flight itself (about 12 minutes in the air). Trust me, it's worth it!

Shopping and shops

Along the "Ipanema" and "Copacabana" there are many boutiques where you can buy beautiful clothes from Brazilian and leading world brands. Everything is VERY expensive. The city also has shopping centers, and if necessary, you can buy any clothes. But Rio, comrades, is not a place to hunt for brands. The only thing worth buying is the Havaianas brand slippers, which are sold in shops throughout the city. Well, Rainha brand sneakers, in which you have been walking for 10 years.

Check out antique and art stores. Here you can buy really outlandish and unusual gizmos. I recommend checking out these stores:

  1. LAVEREDAHANDICRAFTS. A rich selection of paintings by local artists, clay figurines from the state of Pernambuco, bright Bondo-style T-shirts. Address: R. Alm. Alexandrino, 428 - Santa Teresa.Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 20:00. There is no site.
  2. PE DE BOI . This seems to be the best store for art lovers. You can even just come here to take a look, the store is like a gallery. Here are collected rare works of masters from the Amazon and other distant corners Brazil. Address: R. Ipiranga, 55 - Laranjeiras.Opening hours: daily, except Sunday from 10 to 19.
  3. PLANOB. This is the place where you can dig up both old jazz records and modern CDs with the best music of Brazilian musicians. DJ-parties often take place on weekends. See the flyer on the website. Address: R. Francisco Muratori, 2 - Santa Teresa.Opening hours: check the website, they change all the time.

Bars. Where to go

One of the best and most atmospheric bars where they play and dance samba -.
It opens at 10 pm, and by this time there is already a queue in front of the entrance to get there. Entrance fee, costs about 10 dollars. At the same time, you will be given a bracelet, and you can enter and exit as much as you like. Only now you won’t want to go out - such a captivating atmosphere and amazing music. At the same time, there are a lot of people aged 45+, mostly Brazilians, all dressed very beautifully and tastefully. Address: Av. Mem de Sa, 79 - Centro.

No less colorful is the bar. The regulars are local artists drinking draft beer to a quiet samba. But in the evening, the decibel level rises sharply and the bar fills up with party-goers of all sorts. Address: R. Áurea, 26 - Santa Teresa.

And here is a list of great places:

  1. Lapa 40 Graus(R. Riachuelo, 97 - Centro, Rio de Janeiro).
  2. Jazz In(R. Sacadura Cabral, 63).
  3. Bar Bukowski(R. Álvaro Ramos, 270 - Botafogo).
  4. Bla Bla Champanheria(Av. Érico Verissimo, 843 - Barra da Tijuca).

Clubs and nightlife

Rio is made for party people. You can trust me in this matter, I myself am like that.

For incessant fun, alcohol and samba people go to Lapa. In the labyrinth of small streets and dilapidated buildings bossa nova rumbles, and after 12 or more incendiary tunes. The best thing is that the music is live here. Dancing in Rio de Janeiro until the morning - in bars, near bars, on the street, in other words, everywhere and absolutely everything.

The party in Rio de Janeiro at night is concentrated mainly in bars. But there are also a couple of great clubs with parties "for the rich." Stars often drop in here on vacation, everyone is dressed beautifully and stylishly. And still the main leitmotif is samba until the morning.

And here's another thing I want to say: during the day in Rio de Janeiro there is also a party. The beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema are at your service.

extreme sports

Most extreme views sports in Rio de Janeiro, perhaps hang gliding and surfing.

I have already written in detail about hang gliders in the "Things to do" section. As for surfing, Rio is very fond of it. The waves here are year-round, but the structure is quite difficult if you are a beginner.

If you are an experienced surfer, then take a board and go to the beaches of Recreo or Barra de Tijuca. On the beaches you can find equipment rental points, which always have experienced instructors. The cost of the lesson is negotiable :-)

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

Havaianas slippers

These are the best slippers ever. Already on the second day of my stay in Rio, my legs claimed a first degree disability, such were the consequences of a 30-kilometer walk in the pouring rain in Tijuca. I decided that this was quite a worthy excuse to beg Vadik for new shoes. And so we went to the Havaianas shop (they are at every turn in Rio). Millions of models of beach shoes, sneakers, slip-ons opened to my greedy gaze. The prices are super reasonable. Good slip-ons can be bought for 75 reais ($20). In Brazil, everyone walks in these shoes, and this is not surprising, because they will not cause you the slightest inconvenience and look bright and stylish.

Musical record by Shiko Buarka

Shiko Buarki is a legendary Brazilian singer, actor, public figure and just a handsome man. His music is magical. Buy yourself his disc, and it will forever remain in your heart. I still cry from the song Bye Bye, Brasil. A wonderful gift for music lovers. The price of the plate is from 50 reais ($15).

Natural cosmetics Granado

The most natural, the most Brazilian cosmetics. It is famous primarily for its glycerin soaps. But there are body lotions and much more. The persistent smell of exotic plants, fruits and freshness will give you a Brazilian mood every day. Prices start at 5 real ($2). And here are them.

How to move around the city

In Rio, the cheapest way to get around is by public transport, the safest way is by taxi, and the most pleasant thing is by bike.

A one-way bus ride costs from 2.7 to 5 reais (1-3 dollars), by metro - 4.1 reais (2 dollars).

By the way, the subway has such a Subway + MetrôRio bus service ticket, which includes one trip on the subway and one on a special bus. The cost is 4.1 reais ($2).

A taxi ride in the center starts from 30 reais ($10) - this is the basic fare.

And along the beaches of the city I advise you to move on bikes. Renting a bike for 2 hours is about 15 reais ($5).

Taxi. What features exist

Undoubtedly, the safest and most convenient mode of transport. Cars run all over the city. You can catch it right on the street or call it through the "easy taxi" application. There are 2 types of taxis - yellow and white. Yellow - you are driving through traffic. White - fixed rate.

Even in the city there are motorcycle taxis, their stations are mainly based at the foot of the favelas.

How to get from Galeo International Airport to the city center by taxi

At the exit of the main terminal, you will see a row of white taxis that operate on fixed traffic. All cars will say "100 reais" ($30) or a number similar to this. This is the price of a trip to the city center.

There is also an official city taxi stand at the airport (all cars are yellow). Price by agreement - you can take a fixed rate or by the meter.

How to get from Santos Dumont Airport to the city center by taxi

In the airport building at the exit there are city taxi stands. You come to any one, name the final destination, they tell you the cost. Pay. The driver will be waiting for you outside. The cost of a trip to the center (the airport itself is located in the center) is 70 reais (20 dollars).

Trams

In Rio, I found one single tram - bondinho, running from Lapa to Santa Teresa. I talked about him earlier. However! During my stay in the city, rails were laid out throughout the center. I'm guessing tram. But at the moment there is still no tram traffic.

Metro

The Rio de Janeiro metro is convenient, has modern stations, and is very easy to understand. The metro is divided into 2 lines: orange (Linha 1) and green (Linha 2). I advise you to actively use the subway website, there is an interactive map with which you can understand how to get from point A to point B.

In addition, on the site you will find information about all the main attractions of the city, including descriptions, current entrance fees, opening hours and how to get to them by metro.

And one more thing - the metro in Rio is hellishly cold, take a blouse with you or something.

Buses

There are a lot of buses in the city, especially in the center, and all of them are constantly crowded with citizens. However, such invaluable advantages as a dedicated lane and a cheap ticket give this mode of transport huge advantages. By the way, on the buses you can watch local residents, believe me, it is very curious.

It is almost impossible to understand the numbering of buses and their directions without prior preparation. My advice is to always think ahead about your way to one or another part of the city and find out which bus number you need. Help board.

How to get from the international airport to the city center by bus

Galeão Rio De Janeiro Airport is about 14 km from the city center.
We arrived at 5:40 am and were in absolutely no rush. So we decided to take the bus. At the exit terminal 2 stop yellow buses. If you need to go to the city center - be guided by the inscription "CAPACABANA". This bus passes through the center and stops at every stop. Show the driver the address, and he will stop as close as possible to the desired address. The fare is about 1.50 dollars per person (4 reais).

In theory, from the airport to the Capacabana stop - 40 minutes, but we got into all possible traffic jams and were in place only after a couple of hours.

Transport rental

Cars

My opinion is this: it is better to do without a car in Rio and not mess with the rental. The traffic in the City of God is heavy, the geography of the city is insanely difficult to understand quickly, there is no parking, and fines are heavy. Well, and a large number of cases of robbery of cars.

If you still decide to rent a car, then take it better from local companies, the price will be 10 percent lower. You can see prices in advance and monitor promotional offers. Don't forget to take international driver license and credit card. When registering a car, you will be issued insurance at the rate of approximately $ 12 per day. A cash deposit is sometimes charged at the discretion of the transport company.

Bicycles

Renting a bike in Rio is very cool. Along the beaches of "Copacabana" and "Ipanema" there are various rental companies. I advise you to find points. These bikes are free for the first hour, but if you rent for the whole day, you will pay only 5 reais ($1.50).

To rent such a bike, you need to have mobile phone and 300 reais ($95) for credit card(will be temporarily blocked as collateral).

Rio de Janeiro - holidays with children

Rio de Janeiro is a great destination for families with children.

Believe me, your little masters will be absolutely delighted with the exotic nature of this city. After all, here they will meet toucans, monkeys, coatis, pelicans and other terribly cute animals. I am sure that children will see this sunny metropolis exactly as it is shown in the Rio cartoon!

And yet, there are obvious obstacles and difficulties that you need to think about before you go with children to Rio.

  • First, a tiring long flight. After all, in airplanes in total you will spend at least 16 hours. Will your fidget survive such an adventure?
  • And secondly, do not forget that Rio is a city in the middle of the jungle, where any mosquito bite can have consequences even for an adult. And there are a lot of mosquitoes here, as well as other insects, flying and crawling. Have you heard of the Zico virus? So I seem to have been ill with them during the trip. He appeared out of nowhere and also suddenly disappeared. But for 3 days I was in a severe fever, lay with a temperature of +39.

We will tell you about the 10 best and most popular attractions in Rio de Janeiro, where you need to go upon arrival in this amazing city. If you do not visit them, consider that you have not been to Brazil.

Well, let's go to study the most interesting places Rio de Janeiro!

In the first place of the best attractions in Rio de Janeiro, we have the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer, which stands on top of Mount Corcovado. This is a symbol not only of the city, but of the whole country. Thanks to this tall statue, Rio became the "City of God". You can climb the mountain to see its cities. Fascinating, beautiful. You can get to the top by a special train.

2 Sugar Loaf

Another popular place to visit is Sugar Loaf. Here you will not find powerful statues, but the overview of the city is much better, you can take plenty of pictures and take amazing pictures of Rio de Janeiro.

To climb the mountain, you need to walk on the cable car. Down on the hill there is a wonderful restaurant where you can sit and drink a cooling cocktail. Climbers also train here. If you can climb mountains, you can try climbing Sugar Loaf with them.

3. Rio Sambodrome Street and Rio de Janeiro Carnival

It is worth visiting the Rio Sambodrome street, where the popular carnival takes place. Every year, samba schools compete with each other for the brightest outfits, movements, and so on. It is because of this that a million tourists come here to enjoy this breathtaking performance.

4. Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is considered the only place in the world where there is one of the largest botanical gardens. Once in the garden, you will get acquainted with 700 types of plants collected from different parts of the world. Basically, these are tropical plants from the Amazon forests. You can also walk through the rainforest and get a lot of positive emotions.

5. City center

A popular area located in the city center is Centro. This article is stupid to talk about every building that is here. To feel Rio with your every cell, you must take a leisurely stroll through its ancient streets.

You will see the colonial architecture, go to the Colombo Cafeteria, which is the most beautiful cafe in the city, decorated with real Italian marble and amazing wood carvings. For believers, you can be advised to go to a couple of Catholic churches.

Maracanã Stadium is considered one of the largest football stadiums in the world. This is a true marvel of sports architecture. Brazil is famous for its love of football. After all, she gave the whole world the most famous and expensive football players whom the whole world loves.

In 2014, the World Cup will be held here, so you have a chance to visit Brazil and see everything with your own eyes.

7. Copocabana Beach

8. Ipanema Beach

Magnificent museum of Carmen Miranda, famous actress and singer. After her death, a million people followed the coffin in the parade. She was very famous. She was known in every house, and no one could believe what had happened.

In the museum you will find her things - dresses, hats, jewelry. The largest museum in the world dedicated to the beloved actress.

It contains more than 300 thousand exhibits that are dedicated to the history of Latin America. This is the most famous Cultural Center Brazil. Here you can find everything: jewelry, books, clothes, weapons.

If you came to Brazil and visited everything you can: cafes, restaurants, climbed a mountain, hung out on local beaches, then it's time to go to this museum. He is very interesting. Even the most lazy and not fond of museums people will be extremely exciting.

Rio de Janeiro is an amazing city that should be on your list of the most right places for visiting. Only Brazil is able to give you unforgettable, exotic moments of life.