Rio De Janeiro

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Christ the Redeemer

Ipanema Beach

It's no wonder Rio de Janeiro is known as cidade maravilhosa, or Marvelous City: With its stunning beaches, renowned Carnival, pulsing nightlife and a laidback, sun-soaked culture that celebrates the good life, Rio treats visitors to a memorable holiday.

Things to see and do:

Sugar Loaf Mountain: Instantly recognizable as a symbol of Rio de Janeiro, Sugar Loaf mountain (in Portuguese, Pão de Açúcar) looms over the city at nearly 1,300 feet above sea level. The views from the top are spectacular. To get there, you can take a cable car that stops first at Morro de Urca, a nearby mountain roughly half as high as Sugar Loaf, before continuing up on a second tram to the summit at Sugar Loaf. It's also possible for fit tourists to hike up to the top of Sugar Loaf, and rock climbers will enjoy a variety of climbing options on the mountain.

Corcovado Mountain and Christ the Redeemer Statue: Corcovado, meaning "hunchback" in Portuguese, is a striking, 2,330-foot mountain within Rio's city limits. It's famous worldwide for the 125-foot statue of Jesus atop its peak, entitled "Cristo Redentor" or "Christ the Redeemer." Originally intended to mark Brazil's centenary in 1922 but completed in 1931, the statue has a distinctive art-deco aesthetic. Getting to the summit is easy via a pair of escalators. Once you're there be sure to give yourself enough time to enjoy the view.

Imperial Palace (Paço Imperial): The Paço Imperial, in the heart of Rio, was built in 1743 to serve as residence for the governors of colonial Brazil. It was later used by King Joao VI of Portugal and the rulers of the Empire of Brazil, Pedro I and Pedro II, following independence from Portugal in 1822. The palace remained the nexus of political life in Brazil until the monarchy was dissolved and a republic declared in 1889. Today the building houses traveling cultural exhibits-mostly in Portuguese, unfortunately-and a small library. It's also a cool respite from Rio's tropical heat.

Arcos da Lapa: Also known as the Carioca Aqueduct, the Arcos de Lapa is a photogenic aqueduct in Rio's Lapa neighborhood. It was built in 1750 to bring fresh water from the Carioca River to the city. By the late 19th century, however, other sources of water were found and the aqueduct was shut down. In 1896 the arches were adapted to support a tram--the Bondinho de Santa Teresa--that transports passengers between the center of Rio and the hilly Santa Teresa neighborhood. The Santa Teresa bondinho is the only tram still in use in Rio de Janeiro, and the picturesque ride is popular among locals and tourists alike.

Old Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro (Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo da antiga Sé): A striking example of European influence in the New World is Rio's historic cathedral, consecrated in 1770. Within its walls Prince Regent Joao VI was declared King of Portugal in 1816, and both of independent Brazil's two emperors-Pedro I and II-held their coronations here.
With the declaration of the Republic of Brazil in 1889, the church lost its title of Imperial Chapel but remained the cathedral of the city, until a new and larger church was built in 1976. The Old Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro, in addition to its exceptional historical value, has one of the most harmonious interiors of any of the churches in Rio. The walls, chapels and ceiling are covered with ornate late baroque and rococo woodwork which displays great lightness and unity of style. The decoration was executed after 1785 largely by one of Rio's best rococo wood carvers of the period, Inácio Ferreira Pinto. The façades of the church were remodeled in the early decades of the 20th century. In addition to its extraordinary interior, the cathedral was also a center of early Brazilian church music.

Passeio Público is a lovely splash of green in the heart of Rio. Built between 1779 and 1783, it is the oldest public park in Brazil and one of the oldest in the Americas. Its original design, in the French style with its pathways in regular geometric forms, was replaced in the 1860s by an English design, which attempts to recreate a natural landscape. After a period of decline in the 20th century the park was completely restored from 2001 to 2004. Fountains, sculpture, granite pyramids and a variety of tree species are found throughout the park.

Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico): The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, in an affluent section of Rio's South Zone, was founded in 1808 by Prince Regent Joao. Today the Botanical Garden boasts more than 6,000 species on 348 acres, including rare species from the Brazilian rainforest, orchids and carnivorous plants. Guided tours are possible, but it's just as much fun to explore the trails and greenhouses on your own.

Museum of the Indian (Museu do Índio): This museum celebrates Brazil's and Rio's indigenous people. With more than 14,000 artifacts, the collection is one of the most important in the Americas. The displays are engaging and kids will love the gallery where they can dress up as Indian warriors, chiefs or shamans, complete with washable body paint.

National Museum (Museu Nacional): Occupying what was once the home of Brazil's royal family, this museum has one of the largest natural history exhibits in the Americas, consisting of animals, insects, minerals, aboriginal utensils, Egyptian mummies, South American archaeological artifacts, meteorites, fossils and other curiosities.

BEACHES The beaches of Rio de Janeiro, including Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, are justly famous around the world.


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

From Europe Air France flies twice a day from Paris, British Airways three times a week from London, TAP twice a day from Lisbon and Porto, Iberia flies daily from Madrid and Barcelona.
http://www.brazil.com/travel/3/Rio-de-Janeiro




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