Rio de Janeiro

For a tourist looking for a city to vacation that offers incomparable pleasure, the city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil is one of the best options. The city of Rio de Janeiro is a melting pot of races, colors and creeds. Rio de Janeiro is a Portuguese term that means January River.

Rio was the capital of the country until 1960 and is the second largest city in Brazil after Sao Paolo. The inhabitants of the city are known as Cariocas. They have made important contributions in the fields of history, culture, music and literature, particularly when Rio de Janeiro was the federal capital and the center of Brazilian growth.

Rio is famous for its tourist beaches lined with hotels in Copacabana and Ipanema. The best way to enjoy the city is by organizing a trip to Pan de Azúcar or Pão de Açúcar. The mountain offers a spectacular view of Rio and Guanabara Bay and is a climber’s paradise. It also has the largest forest found within an urban region, called Floresta da Tijuca or ‘Bosque de Tijuca’.

Christo Redentor, the Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado Mountain, is a 38-meter statue of Jesus that overlooks the city of Rio. The statue has become a symbol of the city and reflects the warmth of the Brazilian people.

Perhaps, at no time is the city’s festive reputation better on display than during the annual carnival, which enlivens the city for 4 full days with music, singing, parties, dancing, and street parades of brilliantly costumed samba dancers.

For a true soccer fan, a visit to the Maracana Stadium carries the importance of going on a pilgrimage. They can put their feet in the footsteps of soccer greats like Pelé and other Brazilian legends.

Rio’s unique landscape, with a magnificent bay and stunning beaches on one side and a rising mountain range on the other, justifies its title of Cidade Maravilhosa, or ‘Wonderful City’. With its world-famous beaches, splendid bay, and wonderful climate, Rio de Janeiro has built a reputation as a great tourist destination.