Although the name translates as "January's River," Rio de Janeiro is a fantastic city to visit at any time of the year. It is surrounded by hills, including Sugarloaf Mountain to the east and the 710m Corcovado, or hunchback hill, which offers spectacular views of the city streets. The sensual sounds of samba will entice you, as will the bohemian spirit of historic Santa Teresa and the splendour of Rio's backdrop. This vibrant and colourful destination is brimming with life and sip caipirinhas while listening to lively Lapa's smooth samba rhythms. As you ride the streetcar through the ancient cobblestone streets of downtown Rio, you'll get a different perspective. And explore Tijuca Forest's waterfalls, rugged peaks, and hiking trails - a hidden gem in the heart of this bustling city. On holiday in Rio de Janeiro, live in the moment as the charms of Copacabana Beach, Corcovado Summit, and Sugar Loaf Mountain enchant you. To have a fantastic experience with the best of this city, make sure to check off some of the highlights listed in our Top 10 reasons to visit Rio de Janeiro. Capital: Rio de Janeiro International Airport: Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) Population: 6.748 million Currency: the Real Time: UTC/GMT -3 hours Driving side: Right side Main Electricity: 127 V or 220 V - 60 Hz Official Language: Portuguese Religion: Catholicism
Although no longer the capital of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is the country's most iconic and beautiful city and the host city for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Everything, from its breathtaking natural landmarks to its crowded, glitzy beaches, must be seen to be believed. Rio de Janeiro's setting between the mountains and the sea is so spectacular that UNESCO designated Rio as a World Heritage Site, citing "the staggeringly beautiful location for one of the world's largest cities." Gave accolades from UNESCO for the natural setting, urban cultural landscape, and the mix of architecture. They planned green space that characterised the city's growth. Christ the Redeemer, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, this 38m tall statue embraces the city from Corcovado mountain with open arms. Sugar Loaf-Located in Guanabara Bay, this granite and quartz mountain was named during the height of the sugar cane trade when moulded sugar into cones. The famous cable car ride offers breathtaking views of the city. Cliff of Arpoador (between Ipanema and Copacabana)- If you've ever wondered where the name Arpoador came from, today's your lucky day. Arpoar is a Portuguese word that means "to harpoon," and an arpoador is a person who harpoons. This was the best place to look for them, and it's also a great spot to watch the sunset. Favelas are makeshift communities built by the homeless that have grown into full-fledged communities. If all Rio's favelas were combined, the population would equal Brazil's ninth-largest city. Hanggliding- The weather was perfect, so we set off from Pedra Bonita, located above the Parque Nacional de Floresta de Tijuca. Rio's beaches (Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Barra da Tijuca), Christ the Redeemer, the Sugar Loaf, and so on are seen from above.
