Open left menu Rio de Janeiro. Brief information about Rio de Janeiro Who stands in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is the second most populous city in Brazil and the sixth in the Americas. It was founded in 1565 by the Portuguese. Rio de Janeiro has a population of over 6 million, according to 2015 estimates. The city ranks second in terms of level in Brazil. Rio is home to the headquarters of oil, mining and telecommunications companies, as well as two major corporations. The largest research center in Brazil is located here. Millions of tourists flock to Rio every year and the city is known for its magnificent carnivals and sandy beaches. In 2016, Rio was held here and became the first city in South America to host this sporting event.

Historical features

The population of Rio de Janeiro is deservedly proud of the beauty of their city. The architecture combines completely new buildings with buildings that are almost half a thousand years old. The history of the city began with the discovery of Guanabara Bay by Gaspar de Lemos. He was a Portuguese navigator. De Lemos' expedition mistook Guanabara Bay for the mouth of the river. The city was named accordingly. Translated from it translates as “January river”. In 1555, the French colony of Henriville was founded on the island of Serigipe. Ten years later, Portuguese troops landed near this place. The area at the foot of the fortification was chosen as the base of operation and was called San Sebastian di Rio de Janeiro. The hostilities continued for two years, but the Portuguese won. Thus began the development of the city of Rio de Janeiro.

In 1763, it became a new impetus for the development of the city given the Napoleonic wars. In 1821, Brazilian independence was declared. During this period, the population of Rio de Janeiro was only 113 thousand people. The city became the capital of the now Brazilian Empire. In 1889, further changes occurred. Brazil was transformed into a republic. According to the census, the population of Rio de Janeiro in 1890 was already 520 thousand people. In 1920 it exceeded a million people. In 1960, Brasilia became the capital of the country. This somewhat slowed down the further development of the city. In 1980, the population of Rio de Janeiro exceeded five million people. Now the city is the capital of the state of the same name.

Zoning

Most often, the city is divided into the following parts:

• Center. This is the historical heart of the city.
• South Zone. This is a tourist rich area.
• Northern Zone. where representatives of the middle class live.
• Western Zone. There are traditionally three more districts here: Santa Cruz, Campo Grande and the newer and richer district of Barra da Tijuca.

Central Zone

This area is the historical and financial heart of Brazil. The population of Rio de Janeiro that lives there is 41,142 thousand people. However, the area is predominantly commercial. Modern skyscrapers and historical buildings coexist peacefully in it. Among the attractions of the Center are Paco Imperial, the historical residence of the Portuguese rulers, Brazil, the churches of the Calendarium, San José, Santa Lucia, Our Lady, Santa Rita, San Francisco de Paula and the monasteries of St. Anthony and St. Benedict. The Central Zone of Rio is home to the Municipal Theater and the National Library, as well as several museums. The Lapa district is also located here. It is famous for its historical monuments and nightlife.

South

This area is located between the Tijuca Mountains, the Atlantic Ocean and Guanabara Bay. Most of the spa resorts and hotels are located here, such as Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. In the Southern Zone there is a large part of the Tijuca National Park, Sugar Loaf Mountain, and therefore the famous cable car, Corvocado Hill, on which stands the famous This is the richest area of ​​​​Rio. Every year it is visited by thousands of tourists from all over the world.

North

This area begins in Grand Tijuca, west of the Center, and extends many kilometers inland. It was previously known for having one of the world's largest football stadiums, which can accommodate 199 thousand people. The World Cup final was held here in 1950. Now its capacity has been slightly reduced due to new safety requirements. It was recently reconstructed. Now it can accommodate 80 thousand people. It hosted the final match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Summer Olympics. The Northern Zone is also home to an international airport, Federal and National Universities, and the best samba schools in the country. There are about 100 slums in this area. Among the main districts of the Northern Zone are the following:

• Alto da Boa Vista.
• Tijuca. The population of Rio de Janeiro, who lives in this district, is 181.810 thousand people.
• Villa Isabel. If you look at how much of the population of Rio de Janeiro lives in this district, it is 189.310 thousand people.
• Mayer. About 400 thousand people.
• San Cristovao. About 85 thousand people.
• Madureira. About 372 thousand people.
• Penha. About 186 thousand people.
• Manguinhoz.
• Fundao.
• Olario.

West

This zone occupies more than half of the city's area. There are many attractions and the highest peak of Rio, Pico da Pedra Branca (1024 meters). The most famous districts of the Western Zone are: Campo Grande and Santa Cruz. The elite district of Barra da Tijuca is also located in this part of the city.

Santa Cruz

This district is developing quite dynamically. If we consider what population lives here in Rio de Janeiro, it is about 217 thousand people. This is one of the most numerous districts. People with both high incomes and poor live here. However, in terms of density, it is at the end of the list, since it occupies a fairly large area. Campo Grande is an industrial area. Huge areas are still empty, so it has great potential for further dynamic development.

Campo Grande

The population of the city of Rio de Janeiro exceeds six million people. More than three hundred thousand of them live in the Campo Grande district, which is located in the Western Zone. It is the most numerous in the city. Today the district is developing dynamically. A huge number of students live here. As for industry and commerce, it is in this district that companies from other regions have often opened offices recently.

Barra da Tijuca

The population of this district is growing at the fastest rate. If in 1991 there were 99 thousand people living here, then in 2010 there were already 301. Barra da Tijuca is known for its beaches, lakes, rivers and rich lifestyle. Only 5% of Rio's population lives here. However, they transfer 30% of taxes to the city budget. Barra da Tijuca is considered one of the most developed districts in all of Brazil. It is a cultural, economic and administrative center. Barra da Tijuca is the safest district in Rio as there are no slums. It is in this district that celebrities and football stars often buy their homes. Many events related to the 2016 Summer Olympics took place in Barra da Tijuca, so foreigners could see its modern beauty with their own eyes.

I always pronounce the name of this city with a smile - it’s as if you can hear the fluttering of a thousand colorful butterflies, who can’t wait to fly out and spin to the rhythms of bossa nova (“bossa nova” is a special style of Brazilian music, which is a mixture of jazz and samba).

Rio de Janeiro is amazing!

Passions rage in the hearts of people here no more quietly than in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It seemed to me that the city lives according to the yin-yang principle, without realizing it. All extremes coexist harmoniously here: poverty and prosperity, beauty and ugliness, spiritual kindness with blatant aggression. Next to the elite, very green and beautiful areas of the city, there are always neighborhoods of the poor - favelas, with sun-scorched exteriors, graffiti and endless poverty. One townsman will happily change his route to show you the way if you get lost, while another will steal your bag and threaten you with a gun. Just like in the movies, honestly. And all this to the rhythms of bossa nova.

And by the way, don’t forget to take a phrasebook with you. Because everyone here speaks Portuguese. And there is no more beautiful, completely incomprehensible, waffle-crunching language 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 - this is exactly the 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. This is exactly 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 getting to the former capital of Brazil by bus. In general, bus service is very developed in South American cities; they are quite comfortable and allow you to save money and 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 chosen connection.

Having monitored the proposals of various airlines (Lufthansa, KLM, Emirates, Etihad, Delta participated in the tender), I came to the conclusion that plane tickets to Rio de Janeiro should be purchased from the airline Air France connecting in Paris.

1. Firstly, this is the most budgetary flight option (my boyfriend paid for the trip, and this point was the most important for him :-)).
2. Secondly, a convenient connection at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport.

If you attend an airline promotion, the ticket will cost you 38,000 rubles (round trip).

Air France flies daily 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 departure from Paris at 23:35 and arrival in Rio de Janeiro at 05:40 in the morning. Choose a return flight depending on 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, and air ticket prices.

Arrival airport for international flights ()

All international flights head to Rio de Janeiro airport Galeão Rio De Janeiro. At the airport you will find exchange offices, taxis and everything you need. The center is 20 km away.
At the airport, many employees speak English, so you definitely won’t be lost here :-)

Airport of arrival for domestic flights ()

A charming airport with a runway directly 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 services between cities are very well developed. Traveling by bus to Rio de Janeiro is a smart alternative to renting a car if, for example, you are afraid to drive in such an exotic country.

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

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

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

Major bus companies

The bus service in Rio (as in Brazil in general) is organized super competently, and I envied it, to be honest (I wish it were like that here!). There are several large bus companies, each with its own website with an English version, and on the website you can easily get directions from point A to point B.

For myself, I highlighted these bus companies (their websites 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 website, choose the desired direction, buy a ticket, come to the station and pick up your tickets. It is very easy to understand where to pick up tickets: at the station, look for a kiosk with the name of the bus company, which will be indicated in large letters on the booking sheet.

I advise you to buy the tickets themselves on the website also because promotional rates are published there, which the cashiers often know nothing about. 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 of them in Rio. Foremost - .
The station is located in the city center at: Av. Francisco Bicalho, 1, Santo Cristo.
I recommend getting 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 will 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 walked.

And the station building itself is beautiful - very clean, cozy, 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, unlike at Moscow train stations. As I remember now, I arrived on the morning train from St. Petersburg to Moscow, the phone rang out, and recharging cost 100 rubles. Fi.

About buses

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

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

By the way, the Antarctic climate prevails on buses. I strongly advise you to take the precaution of having warm clothes with you.

By car

In general, in Brazil everything is fine with the roads. In theory, motorists can reach Rio de Janeiro by car from any Brazilian city. And even from other countries in South America, subject to successful passage through customs points.
Personally, I am sure that traveling by car to the “outback” parts 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 really no one to ask for advice on the road - no one “speaks” in English.
If you are a fan of road 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 landscapes to its amazing geographical 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 means that you can get to the city by water - on a luxurious white ship, if you want to make Ostap Bender’s dream come true, 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 - Niteroi, Cocota, Mangaratiba, Angra dos Reis, Paqueta Island, Ilha Grande Island. These ferries dock at the sea terminal in Rio (by the way, they depart from there). This station is called Estação das Barca and it is located in the city center near Praça XV near Carioca/Cinelandia metro station.

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

Cruise ships

If we talk about cruise ships, they sail from various cities of the world to 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's the terminal.

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

Private yachts

And, if suddenly you are traveling on your private yacht and don’t know where to drop anchor, then head for the beautiful port. By the way, it was in this harbor that races for yachtsmen from all over the world took place at the 2016 Olympic Games. The Marina da Gloria port is located in the charming Flamengo Park near the city center and, believe me, absolutely fantastic panoramas of Rio open up from here. There are nice restaurants in the harbor, where you can learn sailing, or go diving or fishing with a small group.

Clue:

Rio de Janeiro - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 6

Kazan 6

Samara 7

Ekaterinburg 8

Novosibirsk 10

Vladivostok 13

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

Just the name of the city radiates sunlight, right? But it also rains here.

During our Russian summer in Rio, winter brings intermittent rain to the city, and the sunny metropolis is plunged into a haze of gray clouds. At the same time, the air temperature rarely drops below +23, and the rains are most often short-lived and warm. So bad weather in Rio is a relative concept. Another thing is that in the gray haze you can’t 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 is by no means a cheap city.

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

Rio de Janeiro in summer

If we talk about our summer months, 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 begins in Rio in November. In general, the division into seasons here is very arbitrary, 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. The advantages are the absence of sweltering heat and a gentle wind.

Rio de Janeiro in spring

In my opinion, spring is the ideal time to visit Rio. At this time, the city becomes calmer; the carnival with its madness and wild prices is behind us. The weather is wonderful. It is very hot, up to 38 degrees, with occasional refreshing rains.

Rio de Janeiro in winter

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

Clue:

Rio de Janeiro - weather by month

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

As soon as Vadik bought tickets to Rio, we immediately started thinking about where to live, which part of the city to choose. I wanted to be on the sea, and at the same time in the mountains, and to be closer to all the bars and attractions. But when we are talking about such a big city (and Rio is really huge), you need to set priorities :-)

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.

Individual areas of Rio de Janeiro are concentrated in these zones (there are currently 34 areas in the city)

Southern part of the city

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

The areas of this part of the city are considered the safest, everywhere you look - there are only police officers. From the southern regions it is easy to reach the main attractions, some of which are located right here:

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

There are also taxis running here around the clock. We chose a hotel 2 steps from Ipanema beach and did not regret it for a minute. The beach in Rio is the main stage of the city, everyone flocks here - both locals and tourists. Want to feel the real atmosphere of Rio? Then you're off to the beach. And I’ll tell you what, living next to the beach in Rio is a must. Early in the morning, before a long journey into the wilds of a sunny metropolis, you will always have the opportunity to wake up along 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 at a fruit bar on the beach. What could be better? This is how a morning in Rio de Janeiro should begin. And in the evening, no matter where you return from, the sunset will await you to the rhythms of bossa nova - the locals really like to come 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 and many historical attractions, including the National Library, the Tiradentes Palace, the Municipal Theater, the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Cathedral and the Pedro Ernesto Palace.

On weekdays, downtown is very lively, with people in business suits scurrying here and there. But come on a Sunday and you won’t recognize the business district – there’s not a soul in the area. Never in my life have I seen more deserted streets.
What impressed me most was the bohemian neighborhoods of Lapai Santa Teresa. I advise all party-goers who want to fall asleep and wake up to the rhythms of the city to stay in Lapa. Well, Santa Teresa will appeal to those 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 attending one of the football matches held at this stadium, even if you are not a fan. An exciting game, emotions, tears of victory and loss and incomparable energy await you. Football is an integral part of Brazilian culture and way of life. And you should see it with your own eyes!
There are other, lesser-known stadiums in the northern part of the city. But I wouldn’t recommend walking further than the stadium – there are favelas around, dangerous neighborhoods of bandits and poor people.

Western part of the city

This area is the farthest from the city center and therefore tourists very rarely come here. The poorest neighborhoods 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 district 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 to Rio de Janeiro are expensive. The City of God itself is not cheap. How . But, of course, you can easily save money here if you think about many things in advance. But not at a hotel - accommodation here is expensive, whether in a hotel or a hostel.

Rio de Janeiro hotel prices

We rented a double room in a 3* hotel 2 minutes from Ipanema beach with spacious rooms in white colors and 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 a gorgeous clean beach.

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

But there is a minus. 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.

In Copacabana, hotels cost from $150 per night. By the way, 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 crowd in the area is very different - here are the glamorous partygoers of Rio, and bandits, and homeless people. My friend Natasha told me that it was here that they were threatened with a pistol. As if as a joke.

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

You can see the prices for renting private apartments using the link.

Taxi, bus and metro prices

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

So, on average, the cost of a taxi trip in the southern part of the city will be 50-70 reais (15-20 dollars). A bus ticket costs 4 reais (about 2 dollars). Feel the difference. The cost of one metro trip is 3.20 reais (1 dollar), 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 “serving for 2” menu offer. Believe me, this will be a serving for 4 people, but it will be more economical than everyone 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 in Copacabana. Everything here is terribly 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 be 25 reais (8 dollars).

Freshly squeezed juice in juice bars (such bars are a specialty of Rio, they are scattered throughout the city) - from 5 reais (2 dollars).

To summarize, I will say that both the holiday in Rio de Janeiro and the prices are all at the highest level! :-)

Clue:

Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things

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.
• Tijuca Forest.
• Maracanã Stadium.
• Art Museum of Art.
• National Library (the largest in all of South America).

By the way, the beaches in Rio are also among the 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 about 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 indescribable emotions and the most beautiful photographs in your arsenal.

Once in the Lapa quarter, be sure to take the Bondinho (an old wooden tram) that will take you up to the area of ​​the rich and mansions - Santa 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 watch the stars of South America through a telescope at the Rio de Janeiro Planetarium. Remember that all museums have free days to visit, which will make your holiday in Rio de Janeiro more budget-friendly.

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

Top 5

Statue Christ the Redeemer

Just 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 identifying sign of Brazil as a whole.

My local friends told me that the monument was erected thanks to the efforts of one very rich man as a sign 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 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Brazil's independence. I trust my friends more, because Rio is a city of miracles.

The statue itself in Rio de Janeiro is located at the top of the Tijuca National Park, and its height is about 38 meters. You can get there by special tourist train, minibus, car or on foot. The last option is for the most desperate travelers - you will have to walk for a long time and in the heat, but you will have the most stunning views of the city, plus you will explore the world's largest urban national park.

We didn’t know about the fast track service, which I talked about above, so we spent 4 hours in 3 queues under the scorching sun!!! When, after all this hell, we found ourselves at the statue, I wanted to cry. Such a number of people as there were around the statue could probably only have been in the main Bombay market. It's horrible.

Try to focus on the magnificence of the monument. Because the figure of Christ emits truly powerful energy, which easily spreads to a million Chinese people around. Both this energy and these stunning views justify any torment. It is not for nothing that the monument is included in the list of modern wonders of the world.

• Opening hours: daily from 8:30 – 17:00.
• Price: Admission for adults is 51 reais ($16).

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

Read more about the Statue of Christ the Redeemer at.

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 and sings bossa nova. Do you want to go to the carnival? This carnival is here all year round.

In one of the alleys you will find Selarone staircase (EscadariaSelaron) . Just ask any passerby - everyone knows where it is.

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

Visiting the staircase is free.

Santa Teresa and the Bondinho

Santa Teresa is a district of mansions. Remember the series “Tropicana”, “Wild Rose”? So everything there looks the same - rich houses, rose fences, labyrinthine streets and gorgeous views of Guanabara Bay.

The best time to go to Santa Teresa is after a walk through the Lapa district. From here this can be done in a completely unusual way - using the “bondinho”. This is what cariocas (locals) call the old wooden tram, which has been transporting people from one area to another for decades.

In theory, the tram leaves every 20 minutes from the Carioca metro station. But this is only in theory. In fact, the tram follows only the schedule known to it. The tram does not have a website, and I generally doubt that this type of transport functions officially. The opening hours are not written at the entrance, but I know one thing for sure: at exactly 16:00 the tram stops moving (the first time we decided to take a ride at about 5 pm and came to the closed doors of the station). He also does not make routes after rain. We were convinced of this when we came to the station for the second time :-). And only for the third time luck smiled on 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 ancient buildings, the architectural appearance of which quietly takes us to Rio of past centuries. Winding through the labyrinth of old streets, the tram periodically pampers passengers with views from the cliff of the sea in Rio de Janeiro. Undoubtedly, this was one of the most romantic and extraordinary trips of my life.

Sugar Loaf (Pão de Açúcar)

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

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

You 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 you. By the way, there are no crazy crowds of tourists here. You can relax, sit on a chair, drink a can of beer and enjoy your stay in Rio. The views from the top are stunning. Everything is as in the picture, honestly.

• Opening hours: 8:10 – 21:00. Funiculars depart every 20 minutes.
• Cost of lifting the funicular: 62 reais (almost 20 dollars). This price includes all 3 ascents and 3 descents.

Favelas (FAVELS)

Favelas are poor people's neighborhoods scattered haphazardly throughout the city. For some reason, the incredible piles of houses on the mountain are fascinating.
Each favela is like a separate state with its own orders, structure, drug lords, schools, hospitals. Have you seen the movie “City of God”? This is exactly how the poor people's neighborhoods here actually work.

Favelas are an acute social phenomenon, which personally does not frighten me so much as makes me empathize with the inhabitants of these neighborhoods. The number of people living in Rio de Janeiro's favelas is alarming! Millions of people. From year to year, the state ignores the problems of communities, and sometimes their very existence, deprives residents of even minimal social support and thereby condemns the poor to earn their living through crime.

In these areas, poverty, not carnival, rules the roost. Rarely does a tourist get to see this side of the city. Looking into a favela is a dangerous undertaking and can sometimes cost your life. But not looking here means not understanding 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 ones are 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, view of the Two Brothers rocks, seagulls overhead. The elite crowd of Rio de Janeiro hangs out here, and surprisingly there are not as many tourists as in Copacabana, for example. Cape Aproador, which separates the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, deserves special attention. As soon as the sun begins to sink behind the mountain, all the locals gather on the cape to watch the sunset. Take a bottle of good wine from 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” with a guitar. Read more.

• "Copacabana" is a four-kilometer public beach. And there is no such person who would not dream of being in Copacabana. I dreamed too. And what I will say is that Copacabana Beach is beautiful from afar. In fact, it is very dirty, and the waves are so high that every step in the ocean must 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-looking people on the beach. On the outskirts of the beach is the Copacabana Fortress, which houses the Army Historical Museum, where you can see German submarines from 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's good to come here on Sunday, when Copacabana and Ipanema are crowded. After all, all city residents spend their weekends on the beach :-)

If you are a surfing fan, 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, then you will like it beach "Urka"» , which is located at the foot of Sugar Loaf.

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

In Rio de Janeiro, everyone believes in God; it is not for nothing that this metropolis is called the City of God. Within the city there are a huge number of churches, temples and monasteries. I will highlight the most beautiful and significant for the city residents.

• Temple of Saint Zenaide (Paróquia Santa Zenáide) is a magnificent, incredibly cozy Orthodox church, the history of which begins in the 19th century. After the 1917 revolution, many Russian emigrants found refuge in Rio de Janeiro. Every Russian family invested money in the construction of this church. It is located in the beautiful Santa Teresa area, people come here to rest their souls, pray, and 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 its creation and much more.

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

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 ones and also about the most unusual ones, where tourists usually never set foot. In Rio de Janeiro, attractions can be found where you might not expect them.

Art Museum ()

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

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

Or it is also called “the 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 spied how everything worked there. As for the exhibitions, you will find various media panels, interactive things and other high-tech interests. 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 - many exhibits of contemporary art, with preference given to Brazilian creators. This museum was designed by the famous Brazilian architect Afonso Reidy.

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

Gallery of Contemporary Carioca Art ()

This is perhaps the most popular gallery in Rio de Janeiro among art lovers. There are very interesting collections of famous and completely unknown local pen artists here.

• Address: Rua Gonçalves Lédo, 11 e 17 - Centro.
• Working hours: Mon-Fri t 12:00-19:00. WITH Ticket prices vary and depend 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 check out if you want something like this.

School of the Arts ()

It’s like it’s not really a museum, but a functioning art school. This school is a real palace, already dilapidated for a long time, but not devoid of dignity. It is located on the territory of a real jungle, despite the fact that this jungle is located almost in the middle of the city. You can go inside and walk around the school, this is where you will see real contemporary art, without refined frames and established cliches. But the most important thing is the flocks of divine toucans, who, sitting on the balconies of the palace, protect the young masters from failure.

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

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

Dona Rosa is an outstanding old lady. We wish all of us girls could be like this old lady. There is fire in the eyes, a smile on the lips, samba in the movements. Do you want to know where the most incendiary dance in the world begins and how the carnival works? Come to the 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 catch Rosa, whose team, by the way, regularly wins the carnival.

• Address: Boulevard 28 de Setembro.
• Opening hours: no set opening hours. Try coming 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. Where you need to go for local flavor is in city parks, each of them has a special atmosphere, because citizens come here to take a breath and rest their souls. There are a lot of parks in the city, and they are stunning - with eucalyptus trees, bamboos, birds, butterflies and toucans.

The most famous, but without losing their charm:

• Flamengo Park. This park seems to reflect the serene Brazilian soul. The aroma of grilled meat is in the air (Cariocas often host barbecue parties), single visitors hum bossa nova to themselves, they play football on the grass, and 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 Lake Rodrigo de Freitas. Here you can not only enjoy romantic walks along the alleys, but also take a boat or catamaran ride on the lake. It is especially pleasant to glide along the surface of the water in the evening, when the heat subsides; you can watch how the city smoothly plunges into twilight and the illumination washes over the river, as if in a wave. The boat will cost you 15 reals ($4.5) for 30 minutes. You can rent it at 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 delightful 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 vegetation, brought here from all over the world by Prince João VI, who in 1800 turned this garden into a royal park.
  A very important point - do not forget to take all available repellents with you, there are many more mosquitoes here than there are 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.

Once in the city center, be sure to take a walk around the Cinelandia quarter. At the beginning of the 20th century, the mayor of the city, Pereire Passuso, demolished more than 700 residential buildings to create a “little Paris” in the city center. So come here and take a look at this one. It’s convenient to start your walk from the Cinelandia metro station in Floriano Square, surrounded by beautiful ancient palaces; the world famous Rio de Janeiro Theater is located next to the same square. The central streets of Rio de Janeiro are beautiful.

What to see in 1 day

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

• Morning (8-10 am). Travel to Ipanema and watch the city awaken. The most pleasant way to watch is from a cozy cafe, where you will be served coffee and signature cheese buns. You have 2 hours for breakfast, the ocean and a bikini.
• Late morning (10-12 am) When you leave the beach, don’t cry, because you have a whole day ahead of you, filled with searching for interesting things to do in Rio de Janeiro. The closest metro station to Ipanema is Gal. Osorio. Take the metro and you'll end up at 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 awaits you.
• Lunch (12:00-13:00) Have lunch at one of Lapa's restaurants. Feel free to order meat and beer!
• Afternoon (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. Along the way you will enjoy magnificent views of Guanabara Bay.
• Day (15:00-18:00) After you leave the tram, quickly go to Sugar Loaf (Botafogo metro), where you should definitely catch the beginning of sunset. If the sky is cloudless, I guarantee it will be the most incredible sunset of your life.
• Evening (18:00-22:00) If you have time, and especially if you are a football fan, I advise you to buy tickets for the match, which takes place at the Maracanã stadium. An amazing game of Brazilian teams, tears, joy, a thousand emotions in one bottle awaits you. Tickets are inexpensive, and the game schedule can be viewed on the stadium's website.

What to see in the area

Nearby Islands

Lost 120 km from Rio is an amazing tropical Ilha Grande island. This is a real green patch of Amazonia 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. The Tupinamba Indians once lived here, and the paths they laid can still be used for walking.

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

How to get there

From Rio de Janeiro you need to take a bus from the train 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 departures per day). Mono tickets can be purchased directly on the spot, costing about 15 reais (5 dollars) per person.

Food. What to try

Rio has never laid claim to being the country's gourmet gastronomic capital. I wouldn’t be surprised if there isn’t one like this in Brazil at all. Everything here is simple, satisfying, sometimes tasty, sometimes not.
In this city you have to eat meat. It is correct, juicy, awesome. My friend, a vegetarian, once admitted over a glass of Burgundy that she doesn’t eat meat anywhere except Brazil and Argentina. You can eat meat here in a variety of variations, but to avoid mistakes, I advise you to just take steak. As a rule, it is served with vegetables and French fries.
Street food deserves special attention in Rio. I still remember the scent Pão de queijo de tapioca(round cheese buns), which is simply in the air in Rio. Every morning I devoured them in quantities of at least 7 pieces. By the way, the balls can also be fish. And they are very tasty too. Are called « Bolinhos de bacalhau» .
A dish with the oriental name “feijoada” is also popular in Rio. It is generally considered a traditional Brazilian treat, and was previously the food of slaves. The ingredients are as follows - beans, meat and whatever comes to hand. You will find this dish in restaurants and street stalls. I wouldn't say it's very tasty, but, without a doubt, interesting :-)
In downtown, next to the Carioca station, very colorful Brazilian women entice all passers-by with shrimp sandwiches. It looks very tasty, but Vadik did not allow me to try it because of the suspicious green sauce. This sandwich is called empada. If you're in Rio, eat 2! :-)

Drinks deserve special attention in Rio de Janeiro. I think everyone knows about caipirinha. Local alcohol, which is sold at every turn, is 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 it. As a rule, tangerine caipirinha is not on the menu and bartenders make this drink at the request of those in the know. Be sure to try it - this is an amazing cocktail that never gets boring.
I would classify the juice bars of Rio de Janeiro as gastronomic wonders. They are scattered throughout the city and offer visitors to try a variety of exotic juices. Where else will you have the opportunity to enjoy drinks made from acerola, graviola and acai?

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. "Corujão", Benfica.

Mid-level

1. "Tacacá do Norte", Flamengo.
2. "Botero", Laranjeiras.
3. "Point Lunches", 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, photos of which are replete with all the 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 out into the street 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 to perform.

If samba has been tapping out naughty steps in your soul for a long time, then visiting the carnival will become a pearl in your travel treasure chest. Here, where you will find a lot of 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's very expensive. And I also don’t like tourists, and a carnival definitely involves crowds of people. During my stay in Rio, I made local friends, and all of them (being of different age categories, gender and financial status) admitted that they were trying to leave the city during the carnival. In addition to the madness 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 depicted in fantasy, but in reality it can disappoint with its turmoil, as it disappointed many of my friends who nevertheless decided to attend 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 carnival always reigns in Rio. 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 alert and, when going on long walks, not to take all your jewelry with you. Your earrings will instantly cease to belong to you - such are the clever street scammers here.

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

Things to do

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

• Hang gliding flight. Well, I highly recommend it. You will not just see the city from a bird's eye view, but you will 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 appear in the palm of your hand: the Statue of Christ the Redeemer, and Sugarloaf, 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 a local company, Matuete, or ask your hotel concierge.
  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 (it is from here that the flight starts from the Pedro Bonita ramp), entrance tickets to the park, insurance and the flight itself (about 12 minutes in the air). Believe me, it's worth it!

Shopping and shops

Along 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 are Havaianas brand slippers, which are sold in shops throughout the city. Well, sneakers from the Rainha brand, which you wear for 10 years.

Pay attention to antique and art shops. Here you can buy truly outlandish and unusual things. I recommend checking out these shops:

1. L.A.VEREDAHANDICRAFTS. 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 website.
2. PE DE BOI . This seems to be the best store for art lovers. You can even just come here to have a look, the store is like a gallery. Rare works by artists from the Amazon and other distant corners of Brazil are collected here. 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 are often held on weekends. See the poster 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 is.
It opens at 10 pm, and by this time there is already a line out front to get in. Admission is paid, it costs about $10. At the same time, you will be given a bracelet, and you can enter and exit as often as you like. But you won’t want to go out – such a captivating atmosphere and amazing music. At the same time, there are a lot of people here aged 45+, mostly Brazilians, everyone is dressed very beautifully and tastefully. Address: Av. Mem de Sá, 79 – Centro.

The bar is no less colorful. The regulars are local artists, drinking draft beer and listening to quiet samba. But in the evening the decibel level rises sharply and the bar fills with partygoers 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 Veríssimo, 843 - Barra da Tijuca).

Clubs and nightlife

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

People come to Lapa for non-stop fun, alcohol and samba. In the labyrinth of small streets and dilapidated buildings, bossa nova thunders, and after 12 or more incendiary tunes. The coolest thing is that the music here is live. Dancing in Rio de Janeiro until the morning - in bars, near bars, on the street, in other words, everywhere and absolutely everything.

The party scene in Rio de Janeiro at night is concentrated mainly in bars. But there are also a couple of excellent clubs with parties “for the rich”. Celebrities often come 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 there is also a party in Rio de Janeiro. The beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema are at your service.

Extreme Sports

The most extreme sports in Rio de Janeiro are perhaps hang gliding and surfing.

I have already written in detail about hang gliders in the “What to do” section. As for surfing, it is very popular in Rio. 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 first-degree disability, such were the consequences of a 30-kilometer walk in the pouring rain in Tijuca. I decided that this was a completely worthy excuse to beg Vadik for new shoes. And so we went to the Havaianas shop (they are everywhere in Rio). Millions of models of beach shoes, sneakers, and slip-ons opened up to my greedy gaze. The prices are super reasonable. Good slip-ons can be purchased for 75 reais ($20). In Brazil, everyone wears these shoes, and this is not surprising, because they will not cause you the slightest discomfort and look bright and stylish.

Musical record by Chico Buarca

Chico Buarqui is a legendary Brazilian singer, actor, public figure and just a beautiful man. His music is magical. Buy his CD and it will forever remain in your heart. The song Bye Bye, Brasil still makes me cry. A wonderful gift for music lover friends. The price of the record is from 50 reais (15 dollars).

Natural cosmetics Granado

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

How to get around the city

In Rio, the cheapest way to get around is by public transport, the safest is by taxi, and the most enjoyable is by bicycle.

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 metro has a Subway + MetrôRio bus service ticket, which includes one trip on the metro and one on a special bus. Cost – 4.1 reais (2 dollars).

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

And along the beaches of the city I advise you to ride bikes. Rent a bike for 2 hours about 15 reais (5 dollars).

Taxi. What features exist

Undoubtedly the safest and most convenient form of transport. Cars run throughout the city. You can catch it right on the street or call it through the "easy taxi" app. There are 2 types of taxis – yellow and white. Yellow - you are driving through traffic. White – fixed tariff.

There are also motorcycle taxis in the city, 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 machines 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 is negotiable - you can take a fixed rate or by 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 go to any one, name the final destination, and they tell you the cost. You pay. The driver will already be waiting for you on the street. The cost of a trip to the center (the airport itself is located in the center) is 70 reais ($20).

Trams

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

Metro

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

In addition, on the website 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 here's another thing - the metro in Rio is damn cold, take a blouse with you or something.

Buses

There are a lot of buses in the city, especially in the center, and they are all constantly crowded with citizens. However, such invaluable advantages as a dedicated lane and low ticket prices give this mode of transport enormous advantages. By the way, on buses you can watch the locals, believe me, it’s very interesting.

It is almost impossible to understand the numbering of buses and their directions without prior preparation. My advice is to always plan your route to a particular part of the city in advance and find out what bus number you need. A sign to help.

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

From Galeão Rio De Janeiro Airport to the city center it is about 14 km.
We arrived at 5:40 am and were in absolutely no hurry. Therefore, we decided to go by bus. At the exit terminal 2 yellow buses stop. If you need to go to the city center, follow the sign “CAPACABANA”. This bus travels through the entire center and stops at every stop. Show the driver your address and he will stop as close to the desired address as possible. The fare is about $1.50 per person (4 reais).

In theory, it would take 40 minutes from the airport to the Capacabana stop, but we got stuck in every possible traffic jam and were only there a couple of hours later.

Transport rental

Cars

My opinion is this: it is better to do without a car in Rio and not bother with renting. Traffic in the City of God is intense, the geography of the city is insanely difficult to quickly understand, there is no parking, and the fines are large. Well, there are also a large number of cases of car robbery.

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

Bicycles

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

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

Rio de Janeiro - holidays with children

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

Believe me, your little overlords 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 cartoon Rio!

Still, there are obvious obstacles and difficulties that you need to think about before taking your children to Rio.

• Firstly, a tiring long flight. After all, in total you will spend at least 16 hours on airplanes. 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 about the Zico virus? So, it seems that I got sick from it during the trip. He appeared out of nowhere and just as suddenly disappeared. But for 3 days I was in a severe fever, lying with a temperature of +39.

It is known that even before the discovery of South America, close to 2 million redskins lived in this area, which now belongs to Brazil. But these days there are hardly more than 100,000 of them. The vast majority of them were destroyed by the conquerors. In 1970, the country's population was already 92 million. Of these, 10 million are blacks and Indians, and the rest of the inhabitants are mestizos - descendants of Indians, Portuguese and blacks. Because in 1880 the country had its largest emigration.

The inhabitants of Rio de Janeiro are cheerful, friendly people who are constantly smiling. The local population is so responsive and rushes to help at any moment that visitors literally feel at home within the walls of the metropolis. This is explained by the fact that immigrants from a large number of countries live in Rio de Janeiro. Therefore, travelers are greeted as “our own”, cordially and hospitably. After all, in the metropolis there is no clearly expressed racial discrimination. As paradoxical as it may sound, one of the taboo topics of the indigenous aborigines is race. That is, any tactless statement on this topic is automatically perceived as racism. This behavior is even protected at the official level by local authorities. Therefore, it is advisable for tourists to be extremely careful in this matter.

The indigenous inhabitants love holidays so much that they are always held at such a height that they are considered incredible spectacles. The renowned local carnival attracts visitors from all over the world year after year. You can visit it every year, but the emotions and impressions will be the same as the first time. During the period of folk festivals, travelers have fun along with the residents of the metropolis. It often happens that several tourists vacation in the company of the indigenous population. Everyone laughs and shares their impressions like old acquaintances.

Population of Rio de Janeiro is about 15 million.

Hierarchy of Rio de Janeiro

The inhabitants of the metropolis, according to their everyday and social characteristics, differ significantly from the inhabitants of other cities in the country. This territory is home to the core mass of Brazil's historically formed elite: the richest part of the bourgeoisie and large landowners. There are many colored natives within the city walls. In the past, their ancestors were brought here by slave traders from the African expanses as slaves to work on local plantations. And although a law has been passed prohibiting and punishing manifestations of racism. This does not in the least prevent the white population from treating blacks somewhat arrogantly and with notes of disdain. While racial prejudices are not shown towards mulattoes, Europeans and Asians.

The sidewalks of Rio de Janeiro surprise travelers with their unique mosaic covering. The fact is that it consists of black and white stone slabs. The drawing consists of wavy white and black lines. This city landmark is considered a unique monument to the unity of two races. But in practice, racism continues to “trickle down.” Although mixed marriages are not prohibited in the city, white ladies prefer to choose white men as their husbands. And black guys choose girlfriends with black skin. Black and white soldiers march side by side in formation. But in reality the number of black officers is very small. And in the administration, blacks rarely occupy high positions. And they rarely become large successful businessmen and landowners. No matter how hard the government tries to maintain racial equality, the overwhelming majority of white jobs go to those with light skin, and all the hard work goes to the black population.

The hierarchical division of the inhabitants of the metropolis depends on the place and economic position a person occupies in social and political life. The relationship between layers of society also depends on this.

Although today more than 95% of local population of Rio de Janeiro They profess Catholicism, but the influence of the church is no longer what it was in past times. The wealthy segments of society, mainly for the sake of decency, in order to be perceived as respectable Christians, continue to constantly visit churches and observe all religious rituals.

Life of the inhabitants of Rio de Janeiro

Regarding lifestyle features residents of Rio de Janeiro, it is worth noting that the indigenous population of the metropolis are Cariocas, rather carefree individuals. They are not predisposed to burdening their person with any serious relationships or work. At the same time, literally everyone in the city tries to dress well, loves to eat in good restaurants and, most importantly, have fun and have a good rest. The main concern of city residents is to have a pleasant pastime. This explains why carnival celebrations in the metropolis are held on such a grand scale, with rich investments and sincere fun.

Cariocas adore the sea so much that they try to spend every free minute on sunny beaches.

Travel to Rio de Janeiro, video:

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Rio de Janeiro is the first city that comes to mind when you think of Brazil. In a city of contrasts, wealthy residents of elite areas coexist with poor people from slums. Noisy, diverse and crowded, Rio is second only to Sao Paulo, but in terms of entertainment it is an unsurpassed leader. They say that you can get to know it and see all the interesting places only by staying there forever. Grandiose and less noisy festivals are held here all year round, the absolute leader of which is Carnival. In 2016, the glory of Rio de Janeiro around the world will increase many times thanks to the Olympics.

Geographical features

Rio stretches along the Atlantic coast of Brazil. It has the following geographical coordinates:

• 22054’ S;
• 43011’ W.

Founded at the entrance to Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro gradually expanded its borders. It is oriented in a southerly direction. The terrain is heterogeneous. The north is dominated by plains and gentle hills. The central part has more mountains and cliffs that frame the sandy beaches of the south.

The proximity to the equator smoothes out seasonal temperature fluctuations. The air in the city warms up to +22…+28°C. The driest and coolest months are June to October, but rain occurs regularly throughout the year. The average annual precipitation is 1170 mm. For tourists, Rio is more interesting in December-March, when the air and water temperatures become most comfortable.

Population

Rio de Janeiro has a high population density. More than 6.5 million inhabitants live on an area of ​​1.26 thousand km², which is not surprising, because even before 1960 the city was the capital of Brazil. And today many flock here in search of a better life. On the downside, crime has increased, especially in poor slums, where tourists are asked to visit with caution.

The city is a mixture of different peoples and races, so discrimination on these grounds will not be found here. For the most part, residents are very smiling and hospitable, always ready to help. The main religion is Catholicism, which is often mixed with local traditions as well as African beliefs.

Kitchen

The cuisine in Rio de Janeiro is a combination of the culinary traditions of the Arabs, European settlers and local Indian residents. To experience the local flavor, you should order feijoada. This hearty dish is prepared from smoked meats, dried meat, beans and generously seasoned with spices. Each cook adds something of his own to the recipe, so feijoada will differ from place to place.

The highlight of Rio is Rodizio. These are meat restaurants where you charge an entrance fee, after which you can enjoy salads and main courses for free. Some establishments allow you to take breaks between meals and even walks in the fresh air. Drinks and desserts are billed separately.

A popular local drink is the caipirinha. It can be ordered both in an expensive restaurant and in a street eatery. For preparation, use cane vodka (cachaça), lemon, lime, ice and cane sugar. The cocktail turns out to be very pleasant and refreshing, but quickly gets you drunk.

And, of course, you cannot visit the birthplace of coffee and not enjoy the numerous varieties of this invigorating drink.

Attractions

It’s hard to imagine as many attractions as there are in Rio de Janeiro. Therefore, the excursion program should be thought out in advance. We will list only a small but most interesting part of the attractions. For convenience, they are grouped by topic.

Natural parks

Even the streets of the city are distinguished by lush vegetation, not to mention the parks and reserves that are scattered throughout Rio. To get acquainted with the unusual flora of Brazil in a small area, you should go to the Botanical Garden. It is divided into thematic sectors, through which there are convenient paths. Visitors alternate between fields of orchids, cacti or water lilies. Ubiquitous monkeys scurry through the dense vegetation and flocks of brightly colored birds flutter.

Many tourists are attracted by the beauty and historical significance of the palace and park complex of Quinta da Boa Vista. At the beginning of the 19th century, the property belonged to the imperial family, which abandoned it after Brazil gained independence. On the territory there is a park, a zoo and a palace, within the walls of which the National Museum is located.

At the Rio de Janeiro Zoo, there are more than 350 species of representatives of the local fauna, as well as those arriving from other countries, on the territory of the complex. The zoo area is small, but very green and well-groomed.
You can enjoy a walk and explore the features of landscape design in the parks:

• Tijuca;
• Lage;
• Flamengo.

These green islands are equipped with jogging and cycling paths, as well as other necessary recreational infrastructure. And to admire and capture the most beautiful panoramas of the city, you should climb to the observation deck at the statue of Christ on Mount Corcovado or to the famous Sugar Loaf.

Religious monuments

The most famous landmark not only of Rio, but also of Brazil can be called the statue of Christ the Redeemer, which guards the city from the top of Mount Corcovado. The height of the structure is 38 m, and the arm span reaches 30 m.

You can get acquainted with temple architecture and better understand the meaning of religion for local residents by visiting the following attractions:

• Church of Candelaria in honor of Our Lady;
• Monastery of Sao Bento;
• Cathedral of San Sebastian.

Architectural landmarks

The colonial era architecture in Rio de Janeiro is no less interesting. The pearl of Piazza Floriano is the Municipal Theater, replicating the architecture of the Paris Opera. In addition to its beautiful façade, the theater amazes with its rich interior decoration. It still hosts performances to this day.

The largest collection of literature in all of South America is located in the National Library. Much of it is included in the UNESCO heritage list. The majestic building was built at the beginning of the 19th century.

The city has several picturesque palaces that attract tourists:

1. Tiradentes. State meeting place. The palace is distinguished by its monumentality, high columns and a huge glass dome.
2. The Imperial Palace is an ancient snow-white building with a rich history. It was here that the law abolishing slavery was signed.
3. The castle on the island of Ilha Fiscal resembles a fairytale pearl. Its walls are painted in emerald tones and are richly decorated. In the 19th century the customs office was located here, and today there is a naval museum.

Beaches of Rio de Janeiro

A visit to Rio is impossible without relaxing on the beach. This kind of relaxation involves more than just lying on the sand or swimming in the noisy ocean waters. By the way, they can be very insidious, which is why lifeguards are constantly on duty on the shore. The beach is a meeting place and a center of youth entertainment. Hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and open-air discos are located nearby. Carnival processions and mass New Year celebrations take place here. The most popular beaches are:

• Copacabana;
• Ipanema;
• Leblond;
• Flamengo;
• Barra di Tijuca.

How to get there?

Rio has an international airport that receives flights from various countries. Considering the flight distance, a direct flight from Russia cannot be found. Most companies offer connections in Paris or Amsterdam. Citizens of the Russian Federation can stay in Brazil without a visa for 90 days.

Many Russian-speaking people, hearing the name Rio de Janeiro, they immediately remember the Great Schemer, whose crystal dream was this city. Remember, Ostap Bender, performed by Andrei Mironov in the film “The Twelve Chairs,” sang:

"Trust the tramp and the poet
There is a city of my happy dreams in the world,
Don’t say he doesn’t exist!”

Today's Rio de Janeiro in all respects resembles the “city of happy dreams.” Ostap read in the Small Soviet Encyclopedia about the amazing bay, rich shops, magnificent buildings, coffee exports, mulattoes...

“Just imagine Shura, 1.5 million people, and everyone in white pants!”

That's right, in the last 75 years alone, Rio's population has grown to 6.4 million inhabitants, of which only a few can be seen in white pants.

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Rio de Janeiro - City of Happy Dreams

Rio de Janeiro(port. Rio de Janeiro) or simply Rio - the capital and former capital (1764-1960), a center of tourism, one of the largest and most visited cities in the whole. It is considered a real “pearl” of Brazil, located on the Atlantic coast in one of the most magnificent bays on the planet. , among the green slopes of the mountains and many kilometers of beaches, gives a special uniqueness and a certain charm. The city also attracts the attention of tourists from all over the planet with its annual carnivals, incendiary sambo and one of the 7 new wonders of the world - famous throughout the world.

No wonder the Brazilians claim that God created the world in 6 days, on the seventh day the Creator created Rio de Janeiro!

Beautiful Rio de Janeiro from a bird's eye view

Its name translates as "January River". The area is 1260 km², the population is about 6.4 million people, making it the second most populous and largest city in Brazil, after.

Did you know that the city was discovered and named by the famous Italian navigator?

Due to its beauty, Rio is also sometimes called Cidade maravillosa, which means “Amazing City”. And the locals like to call themselves carioca.

A little history

The area where the city is located was discovered on January 1, 1502 by a navigator from Portugal Gaspar de Lemos decided that this was the mouth of the river. This is where the name Rio de Janeiro comes from, literally “January River” in Portuguese. The city itself was founded 63 years later as a fortification for defense against hostile Indian tribes and French and Spanish pirates.

In 1555, the territory in the Guanabara Bay region was occupied by the French, who managed to establish contact with the local indigenous tribes. The French intended to establish their colony here under the name " French Antarctica"(French France Antarctique).

In order to prevent occupation by France, in 1565 the Portuguese royal house sent an army here under the command of an officer, who in March 1565 founded the city of Rio de Janeiro on the southern shore of the bay and, together with his army, waged a fierce war for 2 years. war with an alliance of French colonists and local Indians. In 1567, in one of the battles, he was wounded in the eye by a poisonous Indian arrow and died a month later. However, he completed his mission: the French were defeated and expelled from these lands.

By the beginning of the 17th century, with the discovery of gold and diamond deposits in Brazil, mountains of gold and diamonds were exported to Portugal through the city port of Rio, which became Brazil's largest export hub. The rapid economic growth of the region contributed not only to its active settlement by Portuguese immigrants, but also to the importation of large numbers of African slaves for hard labor on sugar and coffee plantations.

From 1763 to 1815 Rio was the capital of all South American colonies of Portugal (all of colonial Brazil).

In 1808, after the capture of the Iberian Peninsula by Napoleon Bonaparte, the entire Portuguese royal family, taking with them the entire treasury of the Portuguese crown and several hundred noble nobles, fled to Brazil and settled in their residence in Rio. The arrival of the royal family greatly influenced the development of the city, both infrastructural and cultural. A large number of hospitals, educational institutions, churches, the first bank branches, etc. began to open in Rio. Later (Jardim Botânico), the Royal Library (nowadays), the Royal Military Academy, etc. were built.

This was followed by a process of cultural improvement of the region, which was influenced by the arrival of a large number of European artists and architects hired to shape the appearance of Rio. At the same time, the Royal School of Sciences, Arts and Crafts was opened.

In 1960, an artificially constructed symbolic city became the capital of Brazil, and Rio de Janeiro acquired state status.

general information

Officially, the city is divided into 34 districts and 160 municipalities. Local residents unofficially divide it into 4 parts:

Centro (Centro) or Central Historical Zone - the financial and business center of Rio. It is here that the fashionable areas of Santa Teresa and Lapa, the famous Sambadromo, as well as many buildings of historical significance are located:, etc.

Zona Sul (Zona Sul) or South Zone - this includes the main tourist areas such as Ipanema, Copacabana, Flamengo, and Leblon. Here is part of the bohemian quarters and many of the main tourist sites: with the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf and.

Zona Norte (Zona Norte) or Northern Zone - almost all major sports stadiums are concentrated here, led by the giant football stadium, which is one of the largest in the world, accommodating up to 95,000 spectators. Local residents often call the Maracana nothing less than the temple of the second (after Catholicism) Brazilian religion - football.

Zona Oeste or Western Zone - the area furthest from the center, located in the southwest. Basically, there are poor neighborhoods and huge favelas. This also includes the area of ​​Barra da Tijuca, with its longest beach of 18 kilometers.

Evening Rio

Recently, ordering excursions from. has become a very fashionable, exciting and not so expensive solution. What is very important, our Russian-speaking residents!

Weather and climate in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro has a tropical climate influenced by the nearby Atlantic Ocean. It is characterized by mild winters, sultry hot summers and a fairly long period of heavy rains, which often cause floods and mudslides in the city.

The average annual temperature is about +27°C, air humidity is about 90% almost all year round. From May to September (winter) the sun is almost always shining here. The lowest temperature level during this period can drop to a maximum of +18°C. It's funny that the Cariocas (locals) find this temperature insanely cold. In November-March (summer), the climate becomes less predictable: many hot sunny days, followed by torrential downpours and tropical heat up to +30-40°C.

The coldest and wettest month is July, so going here in July is not exactly a good move. The hottest month is February. In general, any month can be suitable for relaxing on the beach, except July, because... The water temperature does not drop below +20°C all year round. The average annual temperature is also very favorable for a wonderful holiday throughout the year - on average +23°C.

Sights of Rio de Janeiro

Tourists from all over the world know Rio de Janeiro for its many breathtaking landscapes and attractions.

The main calling card and symbol of Rio de Janeiro and all of Brazil as a whole is the famous one, erected at an altitude of more than 700 meters above sea level, on the top of Mount Corcovado. Christ rises with his arms spread wide, as if hovering over the city, protecting and blessing it from troubles. The giant sculpture was made in the capital of France - Paris, after which it was specially delivered here. In 1931, the statue was inaugurated and dedicated.

Statue of Christ the Redeemer

Another important symbol is the crystalline 395-meter peak - (port. Pão de Açúcar), which rises at the very entrance to Guanabara Bay, welcoming ships entering it. They say that the mountain received such an interesting name due to its shape, reminiscent of the outline of a cone, similar in shape to the containers in which Portuguese sailors transported sugar. Such containers were called Sugar Loaves, hence the name. Sugarloaf is one of the most interesting places to visit in Rio, with stunning views of the bay and city.

Rio de Janeiro is rich in many architectural monuments: ancient monasteries (San Antonio, San Bento and the Capuchin Order) and various colonial churches.

The embankments and streets boast a lush abundance of equatorial vegetation: graceful evergreen trees and a huge variety of exotic flowers. There are also many parks and an avenue of palm trees, and the Tijuca National Park, which includes the peak of Mount Corcovado, is the largest urban forest on the planet.

Rio is also the cultural capital of Brazil. There are many libraries here (the National Library alone has more than 2 million rare manuscripts and books), museums, galleries and theaters. But one of the main cultural attractions is world famous. It boasts several dozen samba schools, whose graduates annually organize colorful processions at the carnival, which take place through the streets and at the local sambodrome.

Transport

Almost all types of public transport are represented here, except trolleybuses: buses, trams, minibuses, taxis, etc.

The main city transport is buses of various models, new, comfortable and always white, with a black coat of arms. It is worth noting that buses are the most dangerous thing on the roads of Rio; their speeds are so high that Rubens Barrichello would be jealous. The fact is that bus “drivers” here receive a piece-rate salary (for the number of kilometers driven per day), everyone tries to run as much as possible, hence the breakneck speed.

Although this has its advantages, for example, thanks to separate bus lanes and high speeds, you can get there by bus many times faster than by taxi or your own car. There are about 450 bus routes, which are capable of transporting more than 4 million passengers per day. Buses stop on request both for boarding (both at stops and between them, if you raise your hand) and for disembarking.

It should be borne in mind that yellow seats on Brazilian buses are intended for the disabled, the elderly and passengers with children.

Also a popular form of public transport is. There are well-developed taxi networks (yellow cars with taximeters, of course) and several branches of the suburban railway.

Bicycle paths are widespread, running next to beaches and parks, with a total length of more than 160 km and 60 rental points scattered throughout the city, where every tourist can rent a bicycle.

Beaches of Rio de Janeiro

For locals, beaches are much more than just a strip of sand where you can swim in the ocean and soak up the sun. Many people come here to meet people, chat with friends, play sports or just sit on the benches and admire the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean.

Almost all beaches are characterized by fairly strong surf. And for Ipanema there are also dangerous coastal currents that can easily carry a person into the open ocean, so no one here risks sailing far from the shore.

Ipanema Beach, Rio

Although, teams of professional rescuers work quite clearly on local beaches, who even have rescue helicopters capable of pulling people out of the water using special nets.

Scheme of Rio and its beaches

The safest beaches for swimming are those located in Guanabara Bay. One of them is Flamengo. The beaches in the bay are quite narrow, and there are practically no big waves there, but they do not have such clear water as the ocean ones.

The longest beach in Rio de Janeiro is the beach.

Safety. but on the other hand

Like all major cities, Rio has its dark sides. From a security point of view, it has long been labeled as a criminal city - foreign tourists have more than once become victims of robberies and attacks here. Especially during the carnival. Many horror stories can be heard about this.

Which is not at all surprising, because in this “city of dreams” prestigious areas are located next to disadvantaged criminal areas - giant slums located on the hillsides.

Rio de Janeiro's favelas are home to almost a quarter of the city's population.

It’s better not to go here, it’s not worth the risk, but if the desire to look at the “underside of life” is so great, then it is strongly recommended to book one of the special favela tours that many local travel agencies provide. Travel agencies donate part of the profits to the criminal gangs of these favelas, which is why such excursions, although not very cheap, are safe.

Before the 2014 FIFA World Cup, city authorities cleared out a number of criminal slums and also took full control of tourist areas. Now the local police pay great attention to security and maintaining order, all these measures have significantly improved the situation on the streets.

However, despite this, when coming to Rio, you need to constantly be on alert.