'''Rio de Janeiro''' is the second largest city in Brazil, on the South Atlantic coast. Rio is famous for its breathtaking landscape, its laidback beach culture and its annual carnival.

The harbor of Rio de Janeiro is comprised of a unique entry from the ocean that makes it appear as the mouth of a river. Additionally, the harbor is surrounded by spectacular geographic features including Sugar Loaf mountain at 395 m (1,296 feet), Corcovado Peak at 704 m (2,310 feet), and the hills of Tijuca at 1,021 m (3,350 feet). These features work together collectively making the harbor one of the ([Seven Natural Wonders of the World] [http://sevennaturalwonders.org/]).

Districts

  • Centro including Santa Teresa. The city's financial and business center also has many historic buildings from its early days.
  • Zona Sul (South Zone) including Copacabana and Ipanema. Contains some of the more upscale neighborhoods and concentrates the largest part of the city's tourist activity.
  • Zona Norte (North Zone). The Maracana stadium and more.
  • Zona Oeste (West Zone), a suburban area including primarily the districts of Jacarepagua and Barra da Tijuca, popular for its beaches!
  • Understand

    It is a common mistake to point out '''Rio''' as Brazil's capital, as in fact it was until April 21st 1960 when Brasilia became the capital. Beaches such as '''Copacabana''' and '''Ipanema''', the '''Christ The Redeemer''' (''Cristo Redentor'') statue, the stadium of '''Maracanã''' and '''Sugar Loaf Mountain''' (''Pao de Acucar'') are all well-known sights of what the inhabitants call the "marvelous city" (''cidade maravilhosa''), and are also among the first images to pop up in traveler's mind, along with the '''Carnaval''' celebration.

    Sadly, most people also know Rio for its violence and crime. The drug lords and the slums or '''favelas''' are the tip of very old social problems. The favelas are areas of poor-quality housing, slums usually located on the city's many mountain slopes, juxtaposed with middle-class neighborhoods.

    The South Zone holds most of Rio's landmarks and world-famous beaches, in an area of only 43.87 square km (17 square miles). Many of them are walking distance from each other (for instance, the Sugar Loaf lies about 5 miles from Copacabana beach). Most hotels and hostels are located in this side of the city, which is compressed between the Tijuca Range (''Macico da Tijuca'') and the sea. There are relevant places in other regions as well, such as Maracana stadium in the North Zone.

    History

    Rio was founded in 1565 by the Portuguese as a fortification against French privateers who trafficked wood and goods from Brazil. Piracy played a major role in the city's history, and there are still colonial fortresses to be visited (check below). The Portuguese fought the French for nearly 10 years, both sides having rival native tribes as allies. For the next two centuries it was an unimportant outpost for Portuguese Empire, until gold, diamonds, and ore were found in Minas Gerais in 1720. Then, as the nearest port, Rio became the exit way for the mineral outcomes and replaced Salvador as the main city in the colony in 1763. When Napoleon invaded Portugal, the Royal Family moved to Brazil and made Rio capital of the Kingdom (so it was the only city outside Europe to be capital of a European country). It retained the post when Brazil became independent, in 1822, and adopted Monarchy as its government (with Emperors Pedro I and Pedro II). Many historians and Brazilians from other places say ''cariocas'' are nostalgic of the Royal and Imperial times, which is reflected in many place names and shop names.

    Get in

    Rio is one of the country's major transportation hubs, second only to Sao Paulo.

    Distance from some capitals:

  • Belo Horizonte - 450 km (280 mi)
  • Brasilia - 1160 km (725 mi)
  • Porto Alegre - 1550 km (970 mi)
  • Recife - 2380 km (1480 mi)
  • Salvador - 1730 km (1080 mi)
  • Sao Paulo - 430 km (270 mi)
  • By plane

  • International and most domestic flights land at '''Galeao - Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport''' (better known as ''Galeao International Airport'') ({{IATA|GIG}}) ({{ICAO|SBGL}}), Tel: +55 21 3398-5050 (''fax 3393-2288''). This airport is 20 km away from the city center and main hotels.
  • '''Santos Dumont Airport''' ({{IATA|SDU}}) ({{ICAO|SBRJ}}), Tel. +55-21-3814-7070 (''fax. 2533-2218''). Gets flights only from Sao Paulo and a few other domestic destinations. Located right in the city center, by the Guanabara bay. Airlines that service Santos Dumont are: GOL [http://www.voegol.com.br ], Varig [http://www.varig.com.br ], TAM [http://www.tam.com.br ], OceanAir [http://www.oceanair.com.br ], and Team [http://www.voeteam.com.br ].
  • Air-conditioned '''bus service''' operated by '''Real'''[http://www.realautoonibus.com.br] departs every 20-30 minutes from 05h30 to 22h00 and runs between both airports, the main bus terminal and further along the beachfront in Botafogo, Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon, and has its terminus at the Alvorada terminal near Barra Shopping in Barra da Tijuca. The full run takes at least 60 minutes, often double. Single ticket R$ 6.50. Plenty of luggage space, comfy. A smaller bus, also by '''Real''' [http://www.realautoonibus.com.br], same price, runs directly every 30 minutes from Alvorada to Galeao by Linha Amarela in as little as 35 minutes, traffic allowing.

    '''Taxis''', though considerably more expensive (ex: Galeao - Copacabana R$ 70), are also a convenient way to reach the tourist areas.

    From the US, there are non-stop flights to Rio de Janeiro only from Washington, D.C. with United Airlines, Houston with Continental Airlines, Miami with American Airlines, and Atlanta with Delta Airlines. From New York, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco and most of the USA, you have to make a stop in the aforementioned U.S. cities or later in Sao Paulo to get to Rio.

    From Europe Air France flies twice a day from Paris, British Airways three times a week from London, TAP twice a day from Lisbon and Porto, Iberia flies daily from Madrid and Barcelona.

    By train

    Rio's glorious '''Central Station''', or ''Central do Brasil'', made famous by a movie of the same name, serves mostly local commuter lines (SuperVia [http://www.supervia.com.br/]), so it's unlikely that you'll arrive through here. It's worth a visit just to see it, though, you can get there either by bus or subway (subway is better; get off on ''Central'' station, line 1).

    By bus

    The long-distance bus depot, ''Rodoviária Novo Rio''[http://www.novorio.com.br/ ], is in the North Zone's Santo Cristo neighborhood. Taxis and coach buses can get you to the South Zone in about fifteen minutes; local buses take a bit longer. ''Frescao'' air-conditioned coaches can be caught just off the bus station. The coaches connect the station to the city center and main hotel areas of Copacabana and Ipanema. Bus companies include :
  • Itapemirim [http://www.itapemirim.com.br]
  • Penha [http://www.nspenha.com.br]
  • Cometa [http://www.viacaocometa.com.br]
  • 1001 [http://www.autoviacao1001.com.br]
  • Expresso Brasileiro [http://www.passagem-em-domicilio.com.br/expresso%20brasileiro.asp]
  • By car

    Rio is connected by many roads to neighboring cities and states, but access can be confusing as there are insufficient traffic signs or indications of how to get downtown.

    The main interstate highways passing through Rio are:

  • '''BR-116''', which connects the city to the southern region of Brazil. Also known as Rodovia Presidente Dutra
  • '''BR-101''', which leads to the north and northwest, and
  • '''BR-040''', which will take you in the central and western areas.
  • By boat

    Ferries (''barcas'') connect neighboring Niteroi to Rio de Janeiro and arrive at Praca XV, in the city center.

    Get around

    By taxi

    A cab is one of the best ways to move around Rio. All legal cabs are yellow with a blue stripe painted on the sides. Taxis not designed like this are special service cars (to the airport or bus stations) or illegal. Rio taxis are not too expensive to begin with, so it's worth spending a little more in exchange of speed and safety. Most of the tours in the South Zone will cost around R$15, and the car can usually hold four people. You can ask a cab for a city tour, and arrange a fixed price (may be around US$20). Major taxi companies include Central de Taxi, Ouro Taxi and Yellow Taxi.

    After getting into the taxi, check to see if the taximeter has been started (as of December 2008) it charges R$ 4.30 for the minimum ride, called ''bandeirada''). If not, ask the taxi driver to do so. You may be ripped off by some taxi drivers. Avoid the blue, green, and white taxis as they tend to charge considerably more for the same ride.

    Prior to arriving at the airport, it may also be useful to pre-book your airport to hotel transfers. Although there are not many reputable companies offering this service online, some, such as Rio Airport Transfer [http://www.rioairporttransfer.com], allow you to book and pay before you leave home. Alternatively (and even easier) you can buy fixed price tickets for the blue and red taxis from a booth in the arrival hall. Fares vary depending your destination (for Copacabana and Ipanema BRL 80 one-way [December 2008]). Taxi services such as this do cost a little extra but are well worth it for the additional security and peace of mind.

    Be aware that traffic jams in Rio can be terrible at times. A taxi ride from Ipanema to the bus terminal for instance can take an hour and a half if you get seriously stuck, so make sure you have margins in case you really don't want to be late.

    By car

    Traffic within some parts of Rio can be daunting, but a car may be the best way to reach distant beaches like Grumari, and that can be an extra adventure. Avoid rush-hour traffic jams in neighborhoods such as Copacabana, Botafogo, Laranjeiras, and Tijuca, where moms line up their cars to pick up their children after school. In Rio, most road signals are placed after the curve you were supposed to take, and do not help unless you already know how to go there. Buy a map, and have fun.

    By bus

    Buses are still the cheapest and most convenient way to get around the South Zone (Zona Sul) of the city due to the high number and frequency of lines running through the area, and from there reach all the main tourist and nightlife spots as well. For the adventurous or budget traveler, it is worth asking your hotel or hostel employees how to navigate the system or which routes to take to arrive at specific locations.

    Buses are a cheap and nice way to get around by day, while still being mindful of questionable characters and one's belongings. By night they are more scarce, and most lines will usually not be running by the time the bars and clubs are full. Buses start at R$ 2.20 (as of March 2009), but some buses with air conditioning charge higher fares. The fare is paid in cash to a controller or the driver inside the bus, by passing through a roulette. There are no tickets. Some residents and students have a digital card for free pass. Keep an eye out for pickpockets when the bus is crowded, and don't be surprised if your driver goes a little faster than you'd like. Except for minibuses, all buses have two doors: passengers get in through the front door and get off through the back (it was otherwise until 2001-2002).

    Bus stops in the South Zone are often equipped with a shelter and a bench, but sometimes, far from tourist areas, they are less obvious and have no signs at all - you might have to ask. As a general rule in most parts of Brazil, buses stop only when you hail them, by extending the arm. If you don't hail and there are no passengers waiting to get off, the bus simply won't stop. The same can be said if you are on the bus wanting to get off at a particular stop. You should know the surroundings or the name of the intersection of the area you are going, or inquire to the employee operating the roulette, so you can signal to the driver that you want to get off, or he may not stop! There are no schedules nor timetables. Usually buses run no longer than every 15 minutes. However, they can run an hour or longer late at night or in further off areas of town.

    There are 831 bus lines in Rio, but while they cover nearly all of the city, they might seem confusing to visitors, especially foreigners. Many lines differ only a few streets from each other in their itineraries, and some even have variants within the same line. Bus lines with a * or a letter means that this bus has a variant. It means that there may be a bus with the same name, same number, same origin, even same destination but with a complete different tour. Lines are numbered accordingly to the general route they serve:

  • beginning with 1 - South Zone/Downtown
  • beginning with 2 - North Zone/Downtown
  • beginning with 3 - West Zone/Downtown
  • beginning with 5 - within South Zone
  • beginning with 6 - North Zone/West Zone
  • beginning with 7 and 9 - from Rio to neighboring cities (Niteroi, Duque de Caxias, Nova Iguacu etc.)
  • beginning with 8 - within West Zone
  • Most popular lines for tourists are 583 and 584 (from Copacabana and Ipanema to Corcovado railway station), as well as 464 and 435 (from Copacabana to Maracana). Buses 511 (Ataulfo de Paiva) and 512 (Bartholomeu Mitre) are also popular as they take you to Urca for the station to take the cable car up the Sugar Loaf mountain. Typically bus drivers and controllers won't understand any foreign language. If you can't speak Portuguese at all, use a map. Trying to speak Spanish is usually not as fruitful as one might expect.

    By subway

    The '''Metrô Rio''' [http://www.metrorio.com.br ] subway system is very useful for reaching areas from Copacabana to Downtown, although the rest of Zona Sul is not particularly well-served and it closes after midnight (it opens 24x7 during Carnival). It is the only totally safe transport in Rio. The air-conditioned subway is clean, comfortable, and quick, and in 2006 it received bilingual Portuguese-English signs, maps, and a loudspeaker system to make the life of millions of foreign tourists easier (sometimes in a low volume and difficult to understand or they just forget to announce, so pay attention as if you rely only on the speaker you can miss your station). There are two main lines: Line 1 (Orange) has service to Copacabana, the Saara district, and much of Downtown, as well as Tijuca. Line 2 (Green) stops at the zoo, Maracana stadium, and Rio State University. The two lines intersect at '''Estácio''' station.

    Since 2003, the ''Metro'' company operates bus lines from some stations to nearby neighborhoods which are not served by the subway system. This is particularly helpful for places uphill such as Gavea, Laranjeiras, Grajau and Usina. Since the city grew around the Tijuca Range mountains, these neighborhoods will never be served by the subway, but you now can take the ''integracao'' (connection) minibuses. The company calls it ''Metronibus'' and ''Metro na Superficie'' (literally, ''Subway on Ground''), but actually they are ordinary buses in special routes for subway commuters. You can buy tickets for these - just ask for ''expresso'' (pronounced "eysh-PREH-sso", not "express-o") when buying a ticket (price is R$ 3.00 as of June 2007), then keep it after crossing the roulette. When you leave the subway, give the ticket to the bus driver (who shall be waiting in the bus stop just outside of the station). If you buy an ordinary ticket, you won't be able to get this bus for free - then it will cost a regular fee.

    Recently the last wagon of each train has been marked women-only with a pink window sticker, in order to avoid potential harassment in crowded trains. Some men, however, are still to get used to this separation (since it is very recent) and many women, who are accustomed to hassle-free everyday travel in Rio's subway, also think the measure is unnecessary. Anyway, if you're a man, avoid getting into trouble with local security staff and stay off the pink-marked wagons. Note that the women only policy for the wagon is valid only in the rush hour.

    Rio subway stations

    '''Line 1 (Orange)'''

  • ''Praca General Osorio'' (contruction began in February 2007) - to Ipanema Beach
  • ''Cantagalo'' (in Copacabana) - to Arpoador and the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon ("Lagoa")
  • ''Siqueira Campos'' (in Copacabana) - to Copacabana beach, and coaches to Ipanema, Leblon, and Gavea
  • ''Cardeal Arcoverde'' (in Copacabana) - to Copacabana and Leme beach and Rio Sul mall
  • ''Botafogo'' (in Botafogo) - to Botafogo beach, Botafogo Praia Shopping mall, and indie/art movie theaters; connection (''integracao'') bus to Urca/Sugar Loaf and Jardim Botanico.
  • ''Flamengo'' (in Flamengo) - to Flamengo beach, Guanabara Palace (governor's)
  • ''Largo do Machado'' (in Laranjeiras) - connection (''integracao'') bus to Corcovado, where is the Christ, the redeemer statue
  • ''Catete'' (in Catete) - to Catete palace (former presidential building, now Museum of the Republic)
  • ''Gloria'' (in Gloria) - to Our Lady of Glory cathedral
  • ''Cinelandia'' (in downtown) - to main square downtown, with National Library, City Hall, Municipal Theater (Rio's Opera house), Museum of Modern Art and Odeon movie theater. To Lapa (Bohemian district).
  • ''Carioca'' (in downtown) - Santa Teresa tram station, downtown offices
  • ''Uruguaiana'' (in downtown) - to popular market
  • ''Presidente Vargas'' (in downtown) - to downtown offices
  • ''Central'' (in downtown) - to Central do Brasil rail station, Itamaraty Palace (foreign ministry)
  • ''Praca Onze'' (in downtown) - to Sambodromo, the samba parade venue during Carnival
  • ''Estacio'' (in downtown) - to Line 2
  • ''Afonso Pena'' (in Tijuca)
  • ''Sao Francisco Xavier'' (in Tijuca)
  • ''Saens Pena'' (in Tijuca) - to Tijuca forest trail (way up!)
  • '''Line 2 (Green)'''

  • ''Estacio'' (in downtown) - to Line 1
  • ''Sao Cristovao'' (in Sao Cristovao) - to the Rio Zoo and ''Feira de Sao Cristovao'', typical market and fair with food, drinks and craft from Brazilian Northeastern culture
  • ''Maracana'' (in Maracana) - to Maracana football stadium
  • ''Triagem'' (in Mangueira) - to Mangueira, the most famous favela and samba school
  • ''Maria da Graca'' (in Maria da Graca)
  • ''Del Castilho'' (in Del Castilho) - to outlet clothes mall Nova America
  • ''Inhauma'' (in Inhauma)
  • ''Engenho da Rainha'' (in Engenho da Rainha)
  • ''Thomaz Coelho'' (in Thomaz Coelho)
  • ''Vicente de Carvalho'' (in Vicente de Carvalho)
  • ''Iraja'' (in Iraja)
  • ''Colegio'' (in Colegio)
  • ''Coelho Neto'' (in Coelho Neto)
  • ''Acari/Fazenda Botafogo'' (in Acari)
  • ''Engenheiro Rubens Paiva'' (in Engenheiro Rubens Paiva)
  • ''Pavuna'' (in Pavuna)
  • See

    Beaches

  • Ramos (in-bay)
  • Flamengo (in-bay)
  • Botafogo (in-bay)
  • Urca (in-bay)
  • Vermelha (in-bay)
  • Leme (oceanic)
  • Copacabana (oceanic)
  • Arpoador (oceanic)
  • Ipanema (oceanic)
  • Leblon (oceanic)
  • Sao Conrado (oceanic)
  • Barra da Tijuca (oceanic)
  • Recreio dos Bandeirantes (oceanic)
  • Grumari (oceanic)
  • It is also worth visiting the beaches in Paqueta, particularly:

  • Praia da Moreninha (on the Guanabara Bay, but often not proper for swimming)
  • Cariocas have a unique '''beach culture''', with a code of customs which outlanders (even Brazilians from other cities) can misconstrue easily. Despite what many foreigners may believe, there are no topless beaches. Girls can wear tiny string bikinis (''fio dental''), but it doesn't mean they're exhibitionists. For most of them, it's highly offensive to stare. Until the 1990s, men and boys wore ''speedos'', but since then wearing bermudas or boardshorts has become more common. Jammers are less common but still accepted.

    Waves in Rio vary from tiny and calm in the Guanabara bay beaches (Paqueta, Ramos, Flamengo, Botafogo, Urca) to high, surf-ideal waves in Recreio. In Leme, Copacabana, Arpoador, Ipanema, and Leblon, there's a popular way of "riding" the waves called ''pegar jacare'' (pe-GAHR zha-kah-REH; literally, "to grab an alligator"). You wait for the wave to come behind you then swim on top of it until it crumbles next to the sand.

    Commerce is common in Rio's beaches, with thousands of walking vendors selling everything from sun glasses to fried shrimp to cooling beverages (try ''mate com limao'', a local ice tea mixed with lemonade). For food, there is also ''empada'' (baked flour pastry filled with meat or cheese) and ''sanduiche natural'' (cool sandwich with vegetables and mayo). Vendors typically shout out loud what they're selling, but they won't usually bother you unless you call them.

    Although beaches are often considered a plural, democratic space, there are still some informal (and not too strict) "social area" divisions. In the South Zone, Copacabana attracts mainly tourists (foreign and national) and lower-classes bathers. Prostitution is also present there, even in daylight. Ipanema is the major beach for the middle-class, and specifically the ''Posto 9'' section (watchtower #9) is preferred by left-wing, intellectuals, artists, journalists and similar beach-goers. You can easily walk into a politician or someone famous there. The area close to the Farme de Amoedo street in Ipanema is known to attract the gay crowd of the city that show off openly their sexuality. The beaches in Barra and Recreio (Quebra-Mar, Pepe, Pontal, Prainha) were favored by surfers and hang-gliders until the 1980s, but now they are outnumbered by the middle-class and ''nouveau riche'' from the suburbs and also West Zone favela residents, such as now world-famous ''Cidade de Deus'' (City of God, made famous in the eponymous film).

    There is also ''Praia de Ramos'' in the Guanabara Bay, a popular destination among low-class beach-goers. There the government built an artificial pool on the sand (''piscinao''). This area is not recommended for foreigners to visit.

    Sights

  • '''Corcovado''' [http://www.corcovado.com.br/index_ing.html] - The train up costs R$45 for a round trip up to Cristo Redentor, and it is definitely worth the view.
  • '''Pao de Acucar''' - The Sugar Loaf mountains (one taller, the other shorter), Brazil's top landmark, with an aerial tramway to the top; a definite must see. A ticket up is R$ 44. The buses number 511, 512, 591 and 592 and the subway buses bring you to the base station. Do not make the mistake of thinking you have seen enough once you have seen the view from Cristo Redentor. Try Sugar Loaf at sunset for a truly mind-blowing experience.
  • '''Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas''' - A large lagoon in the middle of South Zone, with great views to Corcovado and Ipanema and Leblon beaches; there are skating and jogging fields all around it.
  • '''Maracana''' - The largest football/soccer stadium in South America and once the largest on Earth.
  • '''Parque Lage''' - A small park, once a private mansion, where now a school of fine arts works.
  • '''Jardim Botanico''' - The Botanical Garden, planted up in the 1800s. It is both a park and a scientific laboratory. If you take the bus note that Jardim Botanico is also the name of a neighborhood so make sure you take the right one to the entrance. The admission is $4. The gardens are well kept and very lush. Not far from the cafe, first you hear swooshing sounds. Look up and you can see small monkeys swinging from tree to tree.
  • Buildings

  • '''Paco Imperial''' (1743) - Old Imperial Palace (though impressively modest), colonial architecture (in downtown, next to ''Praca XV'', Fifteen Square).
  • '''Casa Franca Brasil''' (1820) - French cultural center, with gallery and video hall (in downtown, next to CCBB).
  • '''CCBB - Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil''' (1906) - A cultural center with gallery, movie theater, video room, library and stages; usually hosts the main exhibitions in town (in downtown).
  • '''Candelaria Church''' - Neoclassic cathedral (next to CCBB).
  • '''Mosteiro de Sao Bento''' (1663) - ''Saint Benedict's Monastery'', colonial architecture (in downtown).
  • '''Ilha Fiscal Palace''' (1889) - Located in the Guanabara Bay, next to the Navy Museum
  • '''Palacio Gustavo Capanema''' - Former ministry of culture, designed by French architect Le Corbusier; though small, it is regarded as an important pioneering in modern architecture (downtown).
  • '''Arcos da Lapa''' (1750) - Lapa Aqueduct, colonial structure that brought water from springs to downtown; now it has a suspended tramway track (in Lapa).
  • '''Catedral Metropolitana''' - Cone-shaped cathedral, an example of modern architecture (in Lapa).
  • '''Sao Francisco da Penitencia church''' (1773) - Colonial church.
  • '''Teatro Municipal''' (1909) - City Theater, inspired by the Paris Opera House (in Cinelandia square).
  • '''Biblioteca Nacional''' (1910) - ''National Library'' (in Cinelandia square).
  • '''Camara Municipal''' - The City Hall, hosts the city council (in Cinelandia square).
  • '''Palacio do Catete''' - The former presidential palace (1893-1960), now hosts a museum of recent history and nice gardens (in Catete).
  • '''Itamaraty''' - Former presidential palace (1889-1893) and foreign office; now hosts a museum of South American diplomacy, a library and the UN information offices in Brazil (in Downtown, next to the Central station).
  • '''Palacio Guanabara''' - Former palace of the Imperial Princess, now governor's office; eclectic architecture; not open to public (in Laranjeiras).
  • Museums

    Downtown

  • '''Museu Historico Nacional''' (''National Museum of History'') - A museum of Brazilian history stretching from colonial to imperial times; big collection of paintings, but poor in artifacts (downtown).
  • '''Museu Nacional de Belas Artes''' (''Museum of Fine Arts'') - Includes large paintings from Academicist and Neoclassical Brazilian artists, as well as many copies of European sculptures (downtown, Cinelandia square).
  • '''MAM - Museu de Arte Moderna''' (''Museum of Modern Art'') - The second most important contemporary art museum in Brazil, after MASP (downtown, next to Santos Dumont airport). Modernist architecture spreading over almost the sea.
  • '''Museu da Imagem e do Som''' (''Image and Sound Museum'') - For researchers about Brazilian film, radio, and broadcasting industry (downtown).
  • '''Museu Naval''' (''Navy Museum'') - Located downtown.
  • '''Museu do Carnaval''' (''Museum of Carnival'') - History of Brazilian carnival and parades (in downtown, next to the Sambodromo).
  • '''Museu Chacara do Ceu''' - An important collection of South American modern art (in Santa Tereza).
  • South Zone

  • '''Jardim Botanico''' (''Botanical Garden'') - Not a museum per se, but a huge collection of plants from all over the world, not only tropical, yet you will find Amazon trees and river flowers as well in the same-named neighborhood.
  • '''Museu da Republica''' (''Museum of the Republic'') - Hosted on the former presidential palace, this museum hosts permanent exhibitions about recent Brazilian history (from 1889 on); one of main features is the room where president Getulio Vargas shot himself in 1954 (in Catete).
  • '''Oi Futuro''' (Formerly ''Centro Cultural Telemar'') - Formerly Museum of Telephone, it now hosts a fine gallery with temporary exhibitions of digital art or art with interactive medias; it is sponsored by the local phone company (in Catete).
  • '''Museu Internacional de Arte Naif''' (''International Naif Art Museum'') - In Cosme Velho, next to Corcovado rail station.
  • '''Museu Carmem Miranda''' (''Carmem Miranda Museum'') - About this Brazilian actress and singer (the lady with pineapples-and-bananas hat), the national icon in the 1940s and 50s (in Flamengo).
  • '''Museu do Indio''' (''Museum of the Indian'') - A small museum with a collection of Brazilian Indian (''povos indigenas'') photographs, paintings, artifacts and other craft (in Botafogo). Very popular with local schoolchildren, but has much for adults as well.
  • '''Museu Villa-Lobos''' - A modest collection about Brazil's most important composer (in Botafogo).
  • North Zone

  • '''Museu Nacional''' (''National Museum'') - Actually, it's the Natural History museum, with dinosaur fossils and lots of mounted tanned animals; go there if you want to see a jaguar without getting into the jungle; it was formerly the Emperor's Palace (in Sao Cristovao, just next to the Zoo).
  • '''Museu do Primeiro Reinado''' (''First Reign Museum'') - A museum about the reign of Emperor Pedro I (1822-1831), but with a modest collection (in Sao Cristovao).
  • '''Museu Museu de Astronomia e Ciencias Afins''' (''Astronomy Museum'') - Also has an observatory (in Sao Cristovao).
  • '''Museu do Trem''' (''Train Museum'') - A modest collection of 19th century engines, train cars and streetcars (in Engenho de Dentro).
  • '''Museu Aeroespacial''' (''Aerospatial Museum'') - Located in Campo dos Afonsos (in the suburbs).
  • West Zone

  • '''Museu Casa do Pontal''' - The most important collection of popular arts and crafts (in Recreio dos Bandeirantes).
  • Parks

  • '''Jardim Botanico''' [http://www.jbrj.gov.br/]
  • '''Parque Lage'''
  • '''Parque do Flamengo''', also known as Aterro do Flamengo.
  • '''Parque Guinle'''
  • '''Campo de Santana'''
  • '''Quinta da Boa Vista'''
  • '''Parque Nacional da Serra dos Orgaos'''
  • Do

    Carnival

    Still the greatest reason for visiting Rio seems to be the '''Carnaval'''. This highly-advertised party lasts for almost two weeks and it is well known for the ''escolas de samba'' (samba schools) that parade in Centro, on a gigantic structure called ''Sambodromo'' (Sambadrome). During Carnaval, Rio has much more to offer though, with the ''blocos de rua'', that parade on the streets. There are now hundreds of these street "samba blocks", that parade almost in every neighborhood, especially in Centro and the South Zone, gathering thousands of people. Some are very famous, and there are few ''cariocas'' that have not heard of "Carmelitas", "Suvaco de Cristo", "Escravos da Maua" or "Simpatia E Quase Amor".

    The rest of the year, samba shows are popular with tourists, and are held at several venues like ''Plataforma'' and ''Scala''. These are expensive and not really representative of Brazilian culture, they present a lot of almost naked women and bad musicians, a tourist trap (much like the real thing.) Much more interesting and genuine, though, are the night practice sessions held by the various samba schools in the months leading up to Carnaval. You will find only a small number of tourists here, and you will be served the best caipirinhas of your trip! These go on into the wee hours of the morning, with the fun really only starting at 1-2 A.M. A good cab driver should be able to hook you up, and cabs will be available to take you back when you are samba-ed out. Salgueiro and Mangueira are good choices, as they are two of the larger samba schools, and are located relatively close to the tourist areas in a fairly safe area.

    Note that a change is afoot that may make this genuine experience a thing of the past (or more convenient, depending on your viewpoint) for all but the most savvy tourists. The local government built a complex of buildings (Cidade do Samba) where many of the samba schools are moving their practice halls and float-construction facilities from the gritty warehouses typically located in or near their home favelas. One can expect many more tourists, and shows made-up for the tourists as the tourist bureau milks this facility for all it's worth year-round.

    Here is a list of some of the samba schools:

  • Mangueira. ua Visconde de Niteroi, 1072, Mangueira. 55(21) 3872-6786. epm@mangueira.com.br. 55(21) 2567-4637. ehearsals every Saturday, 10PM. ttp://www.mangueira.com.br.
  • Salgueiro. ua Silva Teles, 104, Andarai. 55(21) 2238-9258. ttp://www.salgueiro.com.br. ehearsals every Wednesday, 8PM. ecretaria@salgueiro.com.br.
  • '''Academicos da Rocinha''' [http://www.academicosdarocinha.com.br/ ].
  • '''Beija-Flor''' [http://www.beija-flor.com.br/].
  • The newest addition for tourists is the '''Samba City''' [http://www.sambacity.info/].

    Music

    Rio was the cradle of three of Brazil most important musical genres: samba, choro, and bossa nova. In recent years, there has been a boom of traditional samba and choro venues. A lot of them are in the downtown district of Lapa. There are good and cheap nightlife options, where you will see some of the best musicians of the country. Any of the city newspapers provide pointers to the best shows.

    If you're not such an anthropological type of tourist, you can check out the same papers for tips on other kinds of music. Being a big city, Rio has big and small clubs that play almost every kind of music. The major mainstream clubs mostly play whatever's on the Radio - which is usually whatever's on the USA radios and MTV - but the underground scene has a lot to offer on Rock, E-Music, Rap and such. The best way to find out about those are the flyers handed or left at hostels, cinema and theater lobbies, nightclub lines, etc.

    New Year_fs Eve celebrations

    Rio hosts the country's largest and most popular New Year_fs Eve celebrations. The huge fireworks display and music shows attract 2 million people to the sands of Copacabana beach every year. People dress in white for luck and toast the arrival of the new year. It's usual also to have some national and international concerts on the beach for free.

    Hang gliding and paragliding

    The Hangliding and Paragliding flights have found in Rio de Janeiro, the ideal land for its high hills and favorable wind. Different from other places in the world, in Rio, the sport could be done in urban areas and landing on the beach! These conditions naturally attract many tourists who get the courage to enjoy a flight. And even the most inexperienced person can flight since there_Ls no training or special gear needed. 2437-4592 to 7817-3526 Sky Center Operator included:

  • '''Sky Center''' [mailto:skycenter@skycenter.com.br].
  • Sky Center [http://www.skycenter.com.br]

    Panoramic flights

    If you have the money the following operators give you panoramic flights in helicopters:
  • '''Cruzeiro Taxi Aereo''' [http://www.cruzeirotaxiaereo.com.br/]
  • '''Helisight''' [http://www.helisight.com.br/]
  • Favela (Shantytown) tours

    The following operators offer tours of Rocinha (Warning: NEVER go on your own). This is often considered an awkward journey by locals, as you will probably go there in a safari like car:

  • '''Favela Architectour''', [http://www.favelaarchitectour.com/]. Run by community residents and proceeds benefit local NGOs.
  • '''Paulo Amendoim''', ph: ''+55 (21)'' 3322-8498, ''+55 (21)'' 9747-6860, (''email: [mailto:pauloamendoim@hotmail.com pauloamendoim@hotmail.com]'').
  • '''Marcelo Armstrong''' ph: ''+55 (21)'' 3322-2727, (''email: [mailto:info@favelatour.com.br info@favelatour.com.br]'') [http://www.favelatour.com.br]
  • '''Be a Local''' , ph: ''+55 (21)'' 9643-0366 [http://www.bealocal.com]. R$65 for a three hour tour on the weekend (Oct. 2007).
  • Learn

    For tourists there are many interesting things to learn. Why not take a rainy day in town to have '''samba''' (the national rhythm) classes or '''capoeira''', a mix of dance and fighting created by the then enslaved African community. Is not as hard as outsiders may think, and it's original and fun. At '''Casa Rosa Cultural''' [http://www.casarosa.com.br], an antique house in Laranjeiras neighborhood, they offer special classes for the beginner tourists.

    If you are staying in Brazil for an extended time, major universities offer Portuguese courses for foreigners, usually for a very low price and with high educational standards.

  • '''Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro'''[http://www.uerj.br]
  • '''Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro''' (UFRJ) [http://www.ufrj.br] - Offers courses at various levels in Portuguese for Foreigners [http://www.scri.ufrj.br/oprt30.htm]. R$428 for one semester, or R$214 if you're a regular student at UFRJ.
  • '''Universidade Federal Fluminense''' [http://www.uff.br] (located in Niteroi)
  • '''Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio de Janeiro''' (PUC-Rio) [http://www.puc-rio.br] - Its courses Portuguese for Foreigners [http://www.cce.puc-rio.br/letras/portuguesingles.htm] are popular, but a bit pricey at R$1632 per semester for the beginner's levels.
  • '''Goethe-Institut''' [http://www.goethe.de/br/rio]
  • '''Instituto Brasil-Estados Unidos''' [http://www.ibeu.org.br/]
  • '''Cultura Inglesa''' [http://www.culturainglesa.com.br]
  • '''Instituto Cervantes''' [http://riodejaneiro.cervantes.es/br]
  • '''Alianca Francesa''' [http://www.rioaliancafrancesa.com.br]
  • '''Instituto Nacional de Matematica Pura e Aplicada''' (IMPA) [http://www.impa.br] - the National Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics. A center with an international renown for scientific excellence and superb working conditions in Mathematics. You can take any course for free. The summer courses (Jan-Feb) are very popular and there is even the possibility of getting some modest funding for the summer.
  • Buy

    Money

    Banks do Money Exchange but only the bigger branches and major currencies. There might be a commission.
  • <listing name="Moedas Moedas" alt="" directions="A numismatic shop in a little shopping mall downtown" address="7 Setembro 88" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Changes almost any type of currency. Even unexchangeable Paraguaian Guaranis. The rate can be quite bad for less common currencies. No commission.</listing>
  • Shopping

    When shopping in street commerce, always bargain; this can lower prices considerably. Bargaining in stores and malls, though, is usually impolite. But naturally merchants won't bargain unless you ask, especially if you are clearly a tourist. To tourists, items can easily be overpriced by a factor of 20% especially in highly informal markets such as Saara or on the beach.

  • A typical Brazilian hammock shouldn't be more than R$20-30 but they can sell for up to US$150.
  • A beer on the beach should cost around R$3.00
  • A caipirinha can be had for the same price (around R$3.00-R$4.00) and you get a great show as the ingredients are produced from a cooler and lime slices muddled before your eyes
  • You can get coconut water for R$2.00-3.00
  • For trinkets, your best bet is the "hippie fair" in Praca General Osorio in Ipanema every Sunday.
  • For a sterile ''norte-americano''-style shopping experience, head to the malls in Barra da Tijuca.
  • For a cheap price, head to Norte Shopping in Del Castilho (the 456 or the 457 bus can leave you in front of it. Take them at Praca General Osorio in Ipanema) or to the Nova America Outlet Shopping in Del Castilho too (take the subway and leave it on Del Castilho Station. It has a passage to the shopping mall).
  • Great bargains can be had on Brazilian-made clothing, as well as some European imports. Most imported items, however, such as electronics, tend to be insanely expensive due to protective import duties. For example, you will find digital cameras sell for about twice what they sell for in the U.S.

    Store managers in Rio often speak some English, as this gains employees an almost-automatic promotion. But "some" can be very little, so it is useful to learn at least some very basic Portuguese. Just knowing basic greetings, numbers, and how to ask directions and prices will get you at least a "B" for effort, and despite finding that store clerks may know more English than you Portuguese, it can still come in handy to know a bit of the language. Don't be afraid to resort to writing numbers, pictures, or resorting to pantomime. Clerks will often tap out prices for you on a calculator. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Brazil, with American Express to a significantly lower degree. But beware that many stores will accept either Visa or Mastercard, but not both! If you carry only one, look for the sign in the store window before attempting to buy.

    A great choice of gift, since it does not take much space in the suitcase back home, are bikinis, a trademark from Rio for its quality and fashion style.

    For local crafts store, a great choice is '''PE DE BOI''', [http://www.pedeboi.com.br/] in Laranjeiras neighborhood. A lovely store with many great gift ideas. There are two floors, the first one composed of items that are for sale, such as pieces made from wood, ceramic and fiber fit to decorate any living room space. The second floor is where they sometimes have art exhibits, usually related to Brazilian history, culture or customs from various regions that are distinctly scattered throughout the country. If you're looking for a souvenir to take back home, this is the place to go.

    Another lovely choice of handcraft is '''BRASIL & CIA''', [http://www.brasilecia.com.br/], a store which the biggest concern is to keep the Brazilian identity in all that its sold. They privilege artists who didn_ft become any kind of art education and have difficulties to sell their art.

    Rio has several malls (''shopping centers'', just like this, in English), most of them in the South and West Zones. Everything there is normally more expensive than in street shops, but safety and comfort might worth if you don't feel like walking too much.

  • '''Rio Sul''' - The biggest mall in the South Zone, located just between Copacabana and the Sugar Loaf.
  • '''Botafogo Praia Shopping''' - Located in the Botafogo beach area facing the Sugar Loaf and Guanabara Bay; has a nice view and a belvedere on the rooftops; it is sometimes called just "Shopping Botafogo", but don't take it for Rio Sul, which is also located in Botafogo neighborhood.
  • '''Barra Shopping''' - The biggest mall in the city and arguably the largest in Latin America.
  • '''New York City Center''' - Next to Barra Shopping, has multiplex movie theaters, American-like restaurants including Outback Steakhouse and TGIF.
  • '''Norte Shopping''' - The biggest in the North Zone.
  • '''Nova America Outlet Shopping''' - Find cheapest stores for clothing and typical Brazilian wear; can be easily reached through Del Castilho subway station (Line 2).
  • A good shopping guide to Rio you have on Gringo-Rio.com [http://www.gringo-rio.com/shopping-in-rio.html], there you will find tips on anything from buying trainers to finding farmers markets.

    Eat

    In Rio de Janeiro you can probably find something to fit any craving. A good approach to local food is "comida a kilo" - buffet style restaurants where you pay by the weight of the food on your plate. An excellent place to go with your friend or even with your partner is the Fellini restaurant. Located in Leblon, the place has a "pay for what you eat" buffet, with really good and beautiful food. Great for all tastes, it has even Asian food on the menu. More information available online [http://www.fellini.com.br].

    Don't miss the Brazilian most famous dish, the '''feijoada''' (fay-zho-AH-da), made with black beans and pork. It is typically served city-wide on Saturdays. An specialized restaurant that serves nothing but the traditional an authentic Brazilian feijoada, is '''Casa da Feijoada''', In Ipanema. Definitely a must try for any tourist in the wonderful city.

    A very interesting review from a tourist who just loved the Brazilian "feijoada": In Rio, they have one of the most typical dishes known as the "feijoada", which will invoke curiosity to anyone coming from anywhere outside Brazil. It_Ls a black bean stew filled with big chunks of meat, like sausages, pork and beef. And what better place to try it than a local restaurant called "Casa de Feijoada"? This place will fix you up with some of Brazil_Ls culinary goods. Along with the "feijoada", you will also get some colorful side dishes that come with it, such as rice, cassava (which is roasted manioc, quite popular down here), collard greens, fried pork rinds (trust me, this is very good!), and some orange slices, to sweeten things up a bit. This is bonafide, authentic "Carioca (term used for anything deriving from Rio)" culinary excellence, almost worth the trip alone! Best while sipping down "caipirinia", a drink made from lime juice and alcohol ("cachaca"), good stuff.

    For the hungry, nothing beats a good ''rodizio'' (all-you-can-eat service). These are available in numerous types, although the most well-known are the ''churrascaria'', all-you-can-eat grilled meats. '''Marius''' [http://www.marius.com.br/] has arguably the best ''churrascaria'' in town. '''Porcao''' [http://www.porcao.com.br/] has 5 restaurants around Rio, whereas '''Carretao''' [http://www.carretaochurrascaria.com.br/] has a good and cheap(er) rodizio. At various restaurants around town, you can also find ''rodizio'' style dining featuring seafood, pizza, or various appetizer-style snacks. The defining element of rodizio is that unlike an all-you-can-eat buffet, the servers continuously bring food to your table of various kinds. In addition, the '''Monchique Churrascaria''' is an excellent choice for a rodizio buffet restaurant. As well as it's extensive buffet, waiters constantly come to your tables with wide selections of grilled meats for you to try if you wish. The price is somewhere around 22 Brazilian Reals (around $11 or __7) and it is on the main street in the Copacabana area of the city, Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana.

    If you like meat but want an alternative to the rodizios, a good place to eat at is '''File de Ouro''' (Rua Jardim Botanico, 731, Jardim Botanico; phone: 55 (21) 2259-2396; see Google Maps for directions). The place is simple and cozy. During the weekends there are usually big lines, but the steak is delicious, having been elected one of the best in Rio many times. Try "File a Oswaldo Aranha", with toasted garlic.

    Brazil has the largest population of Japanese outside of Japan, and sushi has become widely popular in Rio too. If you are a sashimi and sushi lover, you will find a great deal of options in Rio de Janeiro. If you are in Ipanema or nearby, a great tip is '''Benkei''' [http://www.benkei.com.br/], that has an "all you can eat" buffet, with high quality products, great environment and staff for nice prices.

    As a former ex Portugal colony, Brasil has maintained many influences of this country on its culinary. Therefore you will find great authentic Portuguese restaurants in Rio. A good option, from the localization to the ambiance, and naturally the food, is the '''CBF Restaurant''', in the Tiradentes Square, a lovely area full of antique architecture.

    In Leblon, the best choice is the hip and contemporaneous '''Zuka''', [http://www.zuka.com.br] where chef Ludmila creates many original recipes. In Ipanema, '''Zaza Bistro''' [http://www.zazabistro.com.br] is a trendy, sexy and exotic place with great South Asian dishes. Good to go as a couple.

    Because its huge coast, many Brazilian specialties are in the Seafood area. They are very rich in shrimps, lobster, calamaris, shellfish, clams, mollusks and many other tasty fishes. So, once in this land, don't miss the opportunity to order those lovely dishes. An option of restaurant very well known is '''Azul Marinho''' [http://www.cozinhatipica.com.br/ver_restaurante.php?id=1], in Arpoador, very close to Ipanema.

    The highest recommendation for a decently priced superb meal is at '''Sobrenatural''', that has the some of the freshest fish in Rio. Go on Monday, Wendesday or Friday, when they have live samba and chorinho music by renowed artists. It takes place at Almirante Alexandrino st. 432 Santa Teresa.

    For sophisticated people who enjoy simple life, '''Via Sete''' [http://www.viasete.com.br] is in the heart of Ipanema, on Garcia D'Avila. This grill restaurant offers a great bang for the buck: from their veranda you get to people-watch pretty Brazilians. There you can enjoy tasty wraps and sandwiches.

    '''Felice''' [http://www.felice.com.br] is one of those tasteful places you can just hang out all day and all night: it has a great breakfast, a healthy lunch, varied gourmet ice-cream flavours at the palour, and a hip sunset after hour vibe. St.Tropez inspired dinner menu with a fair cost benefit and a lounge crowd after 11PM.

    Travellers with fatter pockets may also splash out a bit at the Dias Ferreira street in Leblon, Rio's up-and-coming restaurants row.

    Rio is also famous for its pastries and street food, heritage from Portuguese and old European culture. In most cafeterias (''lanchonete''; lun-sho-NETCH) you can have a ''pastel'' (pahs-TELL) or ''salgado'' (saw-GAH-do; local pastry) for less than R$2. Typical pastries are ''coxinha'' (ko-SHEEN-ya; chicken nugget shaped like a chicken leg), and unique Rio's ''joelho'' (zho-EH-lyo; rolled dough filled with ham and cheese). Also try ''pao de queijo'' (pawn-deh-KAY-zho; cheese baked dough), typical from Minas Gerais but very common in Rio as well, and ''tapioca'' (typical from Bahia), a kind of crepe made out of manioca flour.

    For drinking, ask for ''guarana'' (gwa-ra-NAH; soda made from the seed of an Amazon fruit, also available as a strong drink), ''mate'' (MAHTCH; sweet ice tea; not like Rio Grande do Sul or Argentina's hot and sour ''mate''), ''agua de coco'' (ah-gwa-djee-KOH-ku; natural coconut water) or ''caldo de cana'' (caw-do-djee-KAH-na; sugarcane juice). There is also a common fruit called ''acai'' (ah-sah-EEH), with a dark-purple pulp out of which are made juices, and ice-creams. Typical cariocas eat it like cream in cups or glasses, mixed with ''granola'', oats or other flakes. The best place for such drinks are one of a number of Rio's open juice bars. Very often, these are located on street corners and have long, curved bars offering you juices from pretty much every fruit you can imagine. The best option is a small chain of juice bars called '''"Big Bi's"'''. The juices are astounding value alongside their good selection of salgados and sandwiches. Their acai is one of the best in terms of value and taste and the staff are excellent. On top of all this, if you leave a tip, you get a big "''Obrigado''" from all the staff. For the best Big Bi's experience, try the Tangarina au Limao juice along with the famous Bauru sandwich for a total of a mere B$13. Finish it all off with an acai to go. Perfect. Big Bi's has a few branches dotted around Copacabana and Ipanema, one of which is on the corner of Rua Santa Clara and Rua Barata Ribeiro in Copacabana. If you then cross the road of Rua Barata Ribeiro, you will land at an exquisite ice cream parlour.

    There are many specialized "health food" shops that offer an incredible variety of rich meat and vegetable sandwiches, plus an awesome variety of fruit juices, many of them delicious and usually unknown by foreigners. Among them are graviola, fruta do conde, jaca, acai, guarana, pitomba, mango, coconut, orange, lemon, papaya, melon, etc. (they make it as you ask and all food is 100% organic and fresh. The meal is often prepared as you wait, so you can ask them to mix whatever fruit you want and create a customized mix if you like). You must try acai and guarana, Amazon fruits which are famous to be the strongest energizers and anti-oxidants of the world. They also offer Brazilian snacks (including many Italian and Oriental delicacies), and other simple but delicious things to eat. I never got enough of them! These shops usually are cheap and hang many fruits at the entrance or somewhere visible to display their quality.

    Warning: look for clean places, as hygiene can be poor in many street shops.

    If your palate is homesick for more familiar tastes, Rio has most of world-class fast food chains (McDonald's, KFC, Domino's, Outback, and a few Subway and Pizza Hut shops) except for Burger King and International House of Pancakes. Bob's and Habib's are the biggest national fast food chains.

    Many foods that in other countries are simply picked up in the hands and eaten, are either eaten with knife and fork (such as pizza) or are picked up by wrapping a napkin around the food so that it is not touched with the hands (such as sandwiches). You will undoubtely notice napkin dispensers on the tables in most restaurants for this purpose.

    Drink

    What

  • '''Botequim''' (pronounced 'boo-chi-KEEM') also well known as boteco - These quite unpretentious bars with simple appetizers and lots of ice-cold ''chope'' (draft beer) are everywhere and are almost inseparable from the ''carioca'' lifestyle. Try Bracarense (''85, Jose Linhares street, Leblon''), one of the most traditional.
  • '''Juice bars''' - Of particular note for an often hot and muggy city are the refreshing juice bars, found on nearly every corner in the city. Choose from dozens of freshly squeezed fruit juices - mix two or three fruits together or simply try the freshly squeezed orange juice. For a delicious Brazilian special try the ''acai'', a smoothie made from a deep purple fruit from the Amazon.
  • '''Caipirinha''', a drink made of cachaca (a Brazilian liquor made of sugarcane juice), lime, sugar and ice cubes.
  • Where

  • '''Kiosks''' along the boardwalk at Copacabana and Ipanema beach stay open all night.
  • Devassa. Nine locations in Rio (and one in Sao Paulo), including Leblon (Rua General San Martin 1241, 021-2540-6087) and Jardim Botanico (Av. Lineu de Paula Machado 696, 021-2294-2915). Well-crafted microbrews, a tropical take of English ale styles.

  • '''Ipanema''' - Don_Lt know how these guys do it, but they brew their beer to absolute perfection! I saw a bunch of these pubs spread all over town when I was down in Brazil, and they all seemed to have a pretty faithful clientele. We ended up hitting the Ipanema spot most the time, and two of those times we closed the place down! That good!
  • Neighborhoods:

  • Lapa - A good bet for Thursdays, several bars and clubs, but the party is in the street. There you will find people dancing and playing Samba, Choro (soft rhythm with flutes and mandolin), Reggae and Hip Hop, as well as ballroom dancing (''gafieira''), but no Rock (except for some underground, which doesn't happen often or in the same place, but usually in some less known places of Lapa) or Pop music. While drinks are sold in the bars and clubs, vendors also roam the streets wearing coolers full of beer for even cheaper prices. It can also be a very exciting and packed place on Friday and Saturday nights. Be sure not to bring valuables, as there are a lot of pick-pockets operating in the area. Don't take it for the neighborhood with the same name in Sao Paulo, which is totally different.
  • Samba Clubs

    Being in Rio and not going to one of the countless samba live music bars, certainly you've missed a lot of your trip. In Lapa the nightlife life district of Rio are many nice bars with great atmosphere where locals go for dancing and meeting people. Most of this bars works with a kind of comsuption card, in which is handed to you when getting in and everything you consume is marked on this card. Loosing this you'll have to pay a really high fee of sometimes more than R$200,00! So take good care of it. Below are a list of some of this clubs:

  • '''Carioca da Gema''' - Lapa, Rua Mem de Sa 79 - Mondays through Saturdays. Located in a nice old house from 1900's, this place always has good samba groups playing. One of the best days is on Monday nights when it gets on stage one of the most powerfull voices of samba the singer Richah with his group playing old carnaval songs. Fun guaranteed!
  • Clubbing

    For those who like to go clubbing, Rio has some good options to offers. You'll be seeing lots of flyers and talk about "raves", but those aren't the same as European ones. Usually Rio's raves are devoted to trance, which is pretty popular, especially with the upper-class youngsters, though some electronic parties do have good djs and live acts from around the world. The night in Rio is pretty much divided between mainstream and underground.

    Mainstream would be such "raves" and big electronic festivals, as well a nightclubs like Bombar (Leblon and Barra da Tijuca), Baronetti (Ipanema) and Melt (Leblon) that are devoted to pop, dance and variations of house and trance. Those are not, however, places you go for the music. They are usually packed with "patricinhas" (tanned, long soft-haired girls with gym-built bodies) and specially "pitboys" (upper/middle-class boys, known for having various degrees of martial arts training and a certain tendency for violence). Yes, fights are one of the major problems with the mainstream clubbing scene in Rio. It's also fairly expensive. You'd be expecting to pay between R$30 and R$50 to get in a club (girls pay less, but all those clubs will have an f/m proportion around 1/3) and between R$50 and R$100 for a "rave" or electronic music party being held at spots like the Marina.

  • '''Melt''' (pronounced meelch by locals) - Leblon, Rua Rita Ludolf 47A - Thursdays - this 2-story club sports an upscale bar downstairs and a dance club upstairs.
  • '''Bombar''' Leblon, good club.
  • Though with far less options, the underground clubbing scene is more available and interesting than the mainstream. Most of the underground clubs are on Zona Sul and offer different parties for each day of the week. The underground club scene has a more diverse public, from goths to punks also with strong hedonistic tints. It's very gay-friendly and most of the parties and clubs have almost the same m/f proportion. It is also far cheaper than the mainstream clubs, with tickets starting as low as R$5 and not going further up than R$25.

  • '''Clandestino''' [http://clandestinobar.com.br/] Copacabana- Rua Barata Ribeiro, 111. A European-style underground club: dark, dungeony and has a basement with a compact dance floor. What_Ls cool is that every Friday is Black Friday, which is when Brazilians and foreigners get down to hip-hop, Brazilian funk and other types of "black music". A great place to meet people. International beers and mixed drinks. They_Lve got rock n_Lroll parties called Benflogin and also eletronic partiers like LBF and Partiers Angels.
  • '''Fosfobox''' [http://fosfobox.com.br/] Copacabana - Rua Siqueira Campos, 143. "Fosfo" as it's nicknamed by the goers has a strong Saturday rock-oriented party. Young, trendy crowd with djs playing mostly indie rock, discopunk and electro-rock. After 4 am it has a more electronic after-party. Different parties happen on Fridays, but it's usually electronic, with favorite genres being electro, house and minimal. Other nights are usually more electronic also, but has had Rock parties also on Thursdays. On Tuesdays there's a dub/reggaeton party.
  • '''Casa da Matriz''' [http://matrizonline.com.br/] Botafogo - Rua Henrique Novaes, 126. An 18th century house turned into a two-floor nightclub. Because the walls of the original structure are all there, it is regarded as small. It has a weekly schedule that never changes. On Fridays there's a Brazilian music party (''Brazooka'') which is must-go in town. On Saturdays, there's rock on the first floor, with occasional appearances by local and even foreign bands (''Paradiso''). On Mondays has a very indie and prestigious rock party (''Maldita''), though never a really crowded one (except on Holidays).
  • '''Dama de Ferro''' [http://www.damadeferro.com.br/] Ipanema - Rua Vinicius de Moraes, 288. Electronic-only club, with two floors. Mostly has electro, minimal and house parties, with well-known DJs from Rio, Brazil and foreigners. A "must" with the electronic-loving gay community. (''00''), located in Gavea.
  • Sleep

    While Rio's fancy hotels are along the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, there are lots of small and cheap, but clean, hotels around Flamengo and Catete.

    The street in front of the strip of tourist hotels in Copacabana can be seedy, due to both garishly-dressed tourists, and a few opportunistic locals ready to take advantage of them. The apart-hotels in Ipanema are a much more pleasant alternative, being both better appointed and in a nicer neighborhood with fewer tourists.

    Accommodation in the '''city center''' can be convenient for business travellers. The surrounding areas, however, are far from pleasant at night, being nearly deserted and lacking decent restaurants and leisure options. The central '''Santa Teresa''' neighbourhood, however, is quite departed from the city centre life and has plenty of pleasant bed and breakfasts and a significant nightlife.

    Given Rio's rise as a fashionable destination with creative and fashion people, some hotels that cater to the '''design-conscious''' crowd have also been popping up at the most upscale neighborhoods. The city also has a large selection of '''apart-hotels''', which provide apartment-style accommodations with kitchen facilities. Private condominium '''apartments''' can also be rented short-term at reasonable rates, and can be found on the Internet. This is probably a preferable means of finding one of these than the notes that will be passed to you by anonymous persons on the street. These apartments generally have a one-week minumum, or two weeks during Carnaval or New Years holidays.

    Accommodation in Rio is probably '''Brazil's most expensive'''. There is a relative shortage of hotel rooms on the cheaper range and booking in advance is recommended. Moreover, prices for most accommodation can more than triple during New Year's and Carnival. Those are very busy periods and booking ''well'' in advance is recommended. Note that most hotels in tourist areas will only sell 4-day packages and charge in advance - even if you want to stay only for a couple of days during those events. Other than those, the busiest month is January - summer holidays in Brazil.

    Budget

    If hostel life is more your style, they are easy to find in Rio. The more expensive ones boast locations that are short walking distance to either Ipanema or Copacabana beach. However if you prefer to stay in Lapa, Gloria, Catete, and Botafogo, there are many other choices available. Hostelling has become increasingly popular in Brazil, and many of them are located at walking distance from hot spots. Beware, however, not to be taken to any fraudulent scheme - you might end up being robbed. Look for accredited places with Youth Hostelling International and similar franchises.

  • CabanaCopa Hostel [http://www.cabanacopa.com.br/] at Travessa Guimaraes Natal, 12 - +5521.39889912 - Located 3 blocks from the beach, close to the metro and next to a beautiful natural park, CabanaCopa is a brand new, unique hostel. A large colonial house, fully renovated in the safest part of Copacabana, with spacious ensuite dorms, excellent social areas and friendly, helpful staff.
  • Che Lagarto Copacabana [http://www.chelagarto.com/] at Rua Anita Garibaldi, 87 - +5521.22562776 - Another hostel a mere three blocks from the beach, this branch of Che Lagarto is nearly faultless. The staff are incredible and the atmosphere is "party if you want to"; as opposed to the "party" hostels where you can get no sleep, this place allows you to sleep even when others are partying! The facilities are excellent with good internet, Wi-Fi, a decent bar and an ''interesting'' pool table. The dorms are of an excellent standard and get cleaned every day by possibly the best cleaning team in South America. The private rooms are of an absolutely exceptional standard, but are quite a bit more expensive. Discounts are offered for long stays and also for future stays in any Che Lagarto hostel. Security is good too. But as previously mentioned, the greatest asset is the staff who are so helpful that it is untrue!
  • [http://stoneofabeach.com.br/] Stone of a Beach Adress: Rua Barata Ribeiro 111 - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro" directions="One block next to Copacabana bech and Cardeal Arco Verde train station " phone="+55 (21) 32 09 03 48"
  • Albergues Rio [http://www.elmistihostel.com] <sleep name="El Misti Hostel" alt="" address="Praia de Botafogo, 462, casa 9, Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro" directions="Two block west of Botafogo Beach" phone="+55 (21) 22 26 09 91" email="elmistihostel@hotmail.com" fax="" url="http://www.elmistihostel.com" checkin="" checkout="" price=""></sleep>
  • Rio Hostel El Misti Copacabana [http://www.elmistihostels.com]<sleep name="El Misti Hostel Rio de Janeiro" alt="Rio de Janeiro Hostel" address="Travessa Frederico Pamplona, 20" directions="Next of Hospital Sao Lucas" phone="+55 (21) 2547 0800" url="http://www.elmistihostels.com" checkin="" checkout="" price="U$11" lat="" long="Rio de Janeiro Hostel" email="copacabana@elmistihostels.com">El Misti Hostel Rio de Janeiro - Hostel & Pousada in Copacabana - Brasil. Free pickup Aeroport, Safe area, Fun, Dorms from $11, Great Breakfast. Te.+55 21 2547 0800</sleep>
  • Posada Copacabana. ousada Copacabana. ravessa Frederico Pamplona, 20. 55 (21) 2547 0800. ostel@elmisticopacabana.com. ttp://www.elmisticopacabana.com. $13.

    Mid range

  • '''Rio Apartments''', Rua Praia de Botafogo 462 casa 9 - Copacabana, tel. +55 (21) 22 26 63 68, [mailto:contato@rioflatrental.com contato@rioflatrental.com], [http://www.rioflatrental.com]. Offers a wide range of furnished apartments with 24 hours security and located in areas that provide easy access to local transportation as well as being close to beaches.
  • Santa Teresa is a nice option for accommodation in Rio. '''Casa Beleza''' [http://www.casabeleza.net] is one guest house in a charming exotic historic mansion with tropical gardens and swimming pool typical of the kind of accommodation you will find in Santa Teresa.
  • '''Rio Apartments - Brazil , Copacabana and Ipanema''', [http://www.riodejaneiro.netsons.org],[http://www.missionebrasile.com]. Many apartments for rent in Rio de Janeiro, in Copacabana area and Ipanema. You can find the best solutions, just a few meters from the sea.
  • Splurge

    Most luxury hotels are in Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon.

  • Porto Bay Rio Internacional. v. Atlantica, 1500 - Copacabana - Right on Copacabana beach in the spectacular city of Rio de Janeiro, the Porto Bay Rio Internacional Hotel offers the best of two worlds ? the magnificent city and a breathtaking view over the beach, right at your feet.. opacabana Beach. 55 21 2546-8000. hotel@portobay.com.br. 55 21 2542-5443. ttp://www.portobay.com. 4:00. 2:00.

  • Pestana Rio Atlantica Hotel. venida Atlantica 2964 Copacabana - Rio de Janeiro 22070-000 - Brasil. 55 (21) 254 86 332. ioatlantica@pestanarioatlantica.com.br. +55 (21) 225 56 410. ttp://www.pestana.com/hotels/en/hotels/southamerica/RioJaneiroHotels/RioAtlantica/Home/.
  • Copacabana Palace Hotel. venida Atlantica, 1702, Copacabana. 55 (21)2548-7070. eservations@copacabanapalace.com.br. 55 (21)2235-7330. ttp://www.copacabanapalace.com.br/web/orio/orio_a2a_home.jsp.
  • JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro. venida Atlantica, 2600, Copacabana. The newest hotel in Copacabana, the JW Marriott Hotel has deservedly earned popularity in recent years. A favorite among business and leisure travelers alike" . eservations: +55 (21)2545-6500. ttp://marriott.com/RIOMC. 55 (21)2545-6555.
  • '''Fasano''', Avenida Vieira Souto, 80, Ipanema, tel. ''21'' 3202-4000. [http://www.fasano.com.br/]
  • Hotel Sofitel. venida Atlantica, 4240, Copacabana. 55 (21)2525-1232. ofitelrio@accorhotels.com.br. 55 (21)2525-1200. ttp://www.sofitel.com/sofitel/fichehotel/gb/sof/1988/fiche_hotel.shtml.
  • Hotel Marina Palace. v. Delfim Moreira, 630, Leblon. 55 (21)2172-1001 . 55 (21)2172-1010. ttp://www.hotelmarina.com.br/palace/ingles/principal.asp.

  • Marina all Suites Hotel. v. Delfim Moreira, 696 Leblon - Rio de Janeiro. The Marina All Suites is the only deluxe boutique hotel in Rio. Top contemporary designers beautifully decorated it. A unique hotel that attracts acclaimed guests of the world of music and cinema. The Restaurant: the hottest spot of the famous and trendy. Here you can mingle with famous Brazilian musicians. The health club and pool on the roof top has fantastic views. Everything at this hotel is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Location: The hotel is situated in front of the beach of Leblon south end of Ipanema.

  • Caesar Park Hotel. venida Vieira Souto, 460, Ipanema. 55 (21)3906-8999. ttp://www.caesarpark-rio.com/english/index.html.

  • Porto Bay Rio Internacional. v. Atlantica, 1500 - Copacabana - Right on Copacabana beach in the spectacular city of Rio de Janeiro, the Porto Bay Rio Internacional Hotel offers the best of two worlds ? the magnificent city and a breathtaking view over the beach, right at your feet.. opacabana Beach. 55 21 2546-8000. hotel@portobay.com.br. 55 21 2542-5443. ttp://www.portobay.com. 4:00. 2:00.

    Health

    It is strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.

    Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.

    The standard of private medical facilities in large cities such as Sao Paulo, Campinas, Rio and Curitiba is comparable to First World Countries. Treatment at private clinics and hospitals is very expensive. Doctors and hospitals may expect cash payment prior to providing medical services, including for emergency care.

    HIV/AIDS is a significant risk in Brazil as in any country. You should exercise appropriate precautions if engaging in activities that expose you to risk of infection. You can find out more information at the World Health Organization website.

    Stay safe

    It is important to note that while the following information may panic you and also make you question whether to go or not to Rio, Rio is not as dangerous as it sounds. As a traveler, if you don't leave the "Zona Sul" (which include Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Gavea, Jardim Botanico, Flamengo, Laranjeiras, Botafogo, Urca) or Western Suburbs (Barra, Recreio), you'll probably suffer nothing worse than some hassling from hawkers and a few hangovers. If you follow some rules and have some common sense, you will be alright. However, Rio ''can'' be a dangerous city and it is wise to follow these rules even if they seem over exaggerated. It's better to be safe than sorry.

    In order to fully enjoy your trip the traveler should pay attention to simple things. Avoid the downtown area, especially ''Saara'', after dark. Although downtown is a relatively safe place during the day, after dark all the people who work there have already gone home. If you are going to a theater or a show, it's all right; but do not wander in those dark streets by night. Go to Ipanema beach, all lighted and policed during the night, though it's not entirely safe for tourists that look obviously like tourists at any time. Never go to Copacabana beach at night, you may get robbed. After midnight, you probably want to stay off Avenue Atlantica in general as there will only be prostitutes and beggars out at those times. Also, avoid Avenue Atlantica in front of the Praca Lido park, 3 blocks NE of the Copacabana Palace Hotel. This is the only block without any businesses, making muggings far more likely. Try walking on the beach side, or even better, detour inland. Sunday is a particular day since most shops are closed and their security guards are absent, this means that the neighbourhood Centro is not safe daytime and also that even the bigger streets in Copacabana are less safe after dark, the beach walk is probably the best option. Should you find yourself being mugged, the normal advice applies: Don't resist or do anything to aggravate the muggers. Try not to stare in their faces, as they might think you are memorizing their appearance. Eyes to the ground is probably your best bet. Let them take anything they want (keep your arms limp). Afterwards, leave the scene quickly but calmly (don't run in panic screaming for the police). If possible, and not more dangerous, don't leave in the same direction that the muggers went.

    When in downtown during the rush hour, be aware of pickpockets as in any other big city center. The difference in Rio is that the pickpocket can often be a bit violent: one of them pushing you forward in the bus or to the ground in the street while another one takes your wallet and runs away. It's not that usual or as bad as it sounds, but try to avoid being in real danger by reacting strongly as these guys often operate in armed groups (2-5 people), some unnoticed by you.

    Still in the city center (but also in other parts of the city) you will see lots of people called ''camelos'' in small tables or simply on the ground trying to sell all sort of things like cheap small electronic devices, wallets, purses, pirated software, music and films. People do buy some of these stuff as they can be amazingly cheap, but be aware that most of these ''camelos'' are illegally selling on the street and often the police will try to expel them. You may see lots of them packing their goods and quickly running away right before the police arrives. Be aware... this moment can be a chaos !

    In the area around Copacabana beach (and maybe in the city center) the tourist should be aware of a shoe shining scam. The tourist will be approached by a shoeshiner and to his astonishment discover a large, dirty blot on his shoes (which is actually shoe polish or mustard, but looks like quite something else). The tourist is typically shown to a chair and has his shoes or sandals cleaned in the best manner. Only after this service is rendered, the outrageous price of somewhere around R$1000 or more is revealed. At this point, muscular friends of the shoeshiner typically appear to "oversee" the completion of the transaction. If you are approached by a shoe shiner, you should shout or state loudly "NO" and walk quickly past. Swearing in your native tongue could also act as a deterrent. Should you be so unlucky as to have been put in a position where you cannot prevent having your shoes cleaned, it will be of some relief to you that the price can often be haggled down to a level suited to the size of your wallet.

    The subway is fairly safe, so it is recommended to use it if you want to go from one place to another. Although you may be used to taking the handy and good trains in Europe or even in North America to go across many places, you won't need to take a train in Rio. If you do, it can be a fairly nice trip to the suburbs or a chaotic journey to a bad neighborhood in a train where people sell all kinds of weird stuff, where everyone will look at you in a way you will feel you are a alien, about to be mugged. Buses on the South Zone are fairly safe as well but in the city center they can be quite crowded. Inside a bus, being mugged is always a threat: smaller in the South and tourist zones, but is a threat. Always remember that ''Bus 174'' movie. It happens more often that you may imagine. So often that they don't even go to the news (only weird and big cases where the police got involved such as this ''Bus 174'' go to the news). In the subway, it is quite unlikely though! One extra point to the subway.

    Don't walk around with lots of money in your pocket. ATM's are everywhere (prefer the ones inside shopping centers) and credit/debit cards are widely accepted. But don't walk around without any money: you may need something to give to the bad guys in case you are mugged. Not having money to give a mugger can be dangerous as they may get aggravated and resort to violence. An excellent idea is to buy a "capanga" (literally meaning bodyguard), that is, a small frontal unisex pouch, normally used to carry your wallet, checks, money and car keys.

    Avoid wearing jewelry or other signs of wealth (iPods, fancy cell phones/mobiles, digital cameras, ect.) if possible, at any time of the day as these attract attention. Thieves have been known to run past targets and tear off necklaces, rings, and earrings without stopping. Earrings are particularly dangerous as tearing them off often harms the owner.

    There are around 700 Favelas in the city and most of them can potentially be unsafe in Rio: and there is always one near you (by a couple of miles or just a few yards). These are easily recognized by their expansive brick walls, and are often on a hillside. The slums grew from being impoverished neighborhoods but are now large areas ruled by drug lords. If you want to keep your nice vision of Rio, you don't need to go there. However, some favelas are amazingly huge, and a new experience for some -- there are some travel agencies who take people on tours there. If you want to go, pay one of those agencies. Never, '''NEVER''' go to a favela by yourself, or with an unknown guide. The tour operators have "safe-conduct pacts" with the local drug dealers. If you don't have one, you'll be in BIG trouble. You'll most likely be approached by the drug baron's guards and asked what you are doing there (and these guys typically don't speak English). If you don't have a good reason (and you probably don't), the consequences could be dire. Don't count on the police to help you, as they don't like to enter the favela either, except in special circumstances, though most likely they will check if you are carrying any drugs upon leaving the favela.

    In Brazil, every state has two police forces: the Civil (''Policia Civil'') and Military (''Policia Militar''). Only the latter wear uniform (in Rio, it is navy blue). The city of Rio also has an unarmed Civil Guard, dressed in khaki. Policemen can usually be trusted, but corruption in Brazil is still rampant and a few officers may try to extort you or demanding a little bribe. When this happens, it is usually very subtle, and the officer may typically say something about "some for the beer" (''cervejinha''). If you are not willing, refuse and ask for another officer. Don't ever try to bribe a policeman on your own - most of them are honest and you might end up in jail.

    The local emergency dial number is ''190''.

    At night, especially after traffic has died-down you may hear what sounds like fireworks and explosions. This is not as menacing as it sounds, though it is still indicative of somebody up to no good. These are often firecrackers set-off as signals in the favelas. It might mean that a drug shipment has arrived and is in-transit, or that the police are making a raid into the favela. It is a signal to gang operatives who act as lookouts and surrogate police to be extra-vigilant. However, real shoot-outs may occur, especially on weekends. If you are on the street and you hear a shooting, find shelter in the nearest shop or restaurant.

    For your safety, cross at the crosswalks - not closer to the corner - and watch for cars regardless of traffic lights.

    You will notice that ''cariocas'' (Rio residents) avoid stopping at the traffic lights after dark, specially at small roads. This is because the boys selling candies and other goods may be something simply annoying... or some of them may be there to mug/rob you. Therefore, you will also notice that most ''cariocas'' drive with all the windows shut and doors locked, despite the usually warm weather. Air conditioner is therefore a must and you will probably not see a single convertible car: it is too expensive for a regular Brazilian citizen and even though one could buy such a car, it is again a sign of wealth, which is to be avoided even by locals.

    Carjacking can be a threat too, especially if you are outside the tourist areas and after dark. It is perfectly acceptable (but not exactly legal) not to stop in the traffic lights if there is nobody else on the street and you feel it's okay to go (no other cars). You will even see police doing this. Some major motorways such as ''Linha Amarela'' (Yellow Line: connects the west zone(''Barra da Tijuca'') to the north zone - may be your way to ''Norte Shopping'' for example) and ''Linha Vermelha'' (Red Line - the main connection from the International Airport) are strongly avoided late at night. Both motorways are surrounded by favelas so carjacking is usual and shoot-outs may occur between rival drug lords or between drug lords and the police. If you rented a car, be aware of all these issues. As a tourist, it may be better not to rent one anyway, as if you get lost and go to a bad neighbourhood (and again, there will always be one near you) you will most likely be in trouble.

    If you want to go to a traditional ''escola de samba'' (samba school), ''Mangueira'' is a good place. This is close to a favela, so you should go with a guide accordingly. If you do have a trustful Brazilian friend that can take you, that's excellent. Ask him/her to take you to ''Maracana'' as well to watch a football (soccer) match! Yet exercise great caution if you go by yourself especially if two of the local Rio teams are playing (Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafogo and Vasco). These matches can be very exciting but also very dangerous especially if between Flamengo and Botafogo or Vasco. If it looks like your team (your team is whoever the fans around you are cheering for) is losing, it is wise to leave the stadium before the match ends. You don't want to be in the middle of a very angry bunch of football fans when they all cram out of the stadium.

    Get out

  • Niteroi - The ferry between Rio and Niteroi, a city across the bay, is a pleasant and cheap trip (as of December 2006, R$ 2.10). There are a couple of kinds of boats, ranging from very cheap and slow (called ''barca'') to fairly cheap and fast (called ''catamara'', catamaran). Niteroi does not have many tourist attractions, but it does have a wonderful unique view of Rio and an intriguing contemporary art museum, which looks like a flying saucer jutting out over the sea (designed by famous architect Oscar Niemeyer). Also, it has one of state's the most beautiful beaches, Itacoatiara, which can be reached by the bus numbered 38.
  • Buzios
  • Ilha Grande - pretty island with beautiful beaches and good hiking, a couple of hours from Rio.
  • Parati - a fully-conserved 18th-century colonial town, just by the ocean, hidden by tall jungle-covered mountains which used to be a hideout for pirates after the Portuguese ships; a must-see for people interested in History and Culture; also good for Rainforest hiking and kayaking
  • Paqueta -- Though not exactly outside of Rio, because it is an island and can only be reached by a 70 minutes ferry ride, this district of Rio makes an excellent (and inexpensive) day trip.
  • Petropolis - In the mountains outside Rio. A good place to cool down when Rio becomes too hot.
  • Praia do Abrico [http://www.anabrico.com/i_abertura.htm] The best public naturist beach around Rio, located in Grumari, right after Prainha. Facilities and telephone service are quite limited, so plan ahead.
  • Teresopolis - Another mountain town, near Petropolis.
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