Rio de Janeiro

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

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

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

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

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

For a true football fan, a visit to the Maracanã Stadium carries with it the importance of making a pilgrimage. They can put their feet in the footsteps of soccer greats like Pelé and other Brazilian legends.

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