Trip and Attractions in the City of Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro in Brazil is the most impressive city in Brazil, considered the most popular tourist destination in the southern hemisphere. It is a city of contrasts. Luxury skyscrapers versus slum neighborhoods known as "favelas",
Beaches at the foot of mountains and cliffs, a huge forest in the heart of the city rich in tropical vegetation and wildlife (considered the largest urban forest in the world!) alongside dense construction. The city's residents rightly call it the "Marvelous City", Cidade Maravilhosa. The city is surrounded by many islands and islets, some say: 365 islands, one for each day of the year.
Rio de Janeiro can also be reached on a cruise ship to South America. The Port of Rio is a large port where 5-6 ships sometimes dock simultaneously. The port is located in the heart of the city's commercial area and features a small visitor center handing out maps and information, alongside a taxi service that also provides city tours.
For those arriving by ship, it is best to pre-book a private tour of Rio in order to make the most of this day. Although the ship is in Rio for a full day, because it is such a large and crowded city (with over 6 million residents in the city proper, known for its traffic jams) and full of attractions, it is advisable to make the most of every minute in the best possible way. A private tour allows you to make the most of what the city has to offer, tailor it to your pace, interests, and also the weather. In pictures Rio is always sunny, but in reality, especially in summer (meaning the months of December-March) there are many rainy days because it is the hot and rainy season.
Breathtaking, amazing viewpoints that must not be missed:
The first and most famous of all is from Mount Corcovado, at the top of which stands a huge statue of Jesus with outstretched arms named "Christ the Redeemer", Cristo Redentor. The statue, 38 meters high, was built on a mountain 710 meters high in the heart of the Tijuca Forest and overlooks the entire city, its beaches, and its lagoon. From almost anywhere in the city, the huge and impressive statue can be seen (if the weather is clear). The statue, officially inaugurated in 1931, is considered one of the most important symbols of the city of Rio and was declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
You can reach the summit of the mountain in several ways: by train (for which tickets must be booked at least 24 hours in advance), by shuttle service from the bottom of the mountain, or by private car which can be parked in an organized parking lot and from there take vans up the mountain to the base of the statue. From the train or passenger drop-off point, you can climb 222 stairs on foot or take one of three elevators and then escalators or another flight of stairs to the statue.
Visitors to Corcovado should not miss a visit to the nearby peak, "Mirante Dona Marta", which is slightly lower but much less crowded, with equally breathtaking views providing additional angles for viewing the beautiful city, its many neighborhoods, its mountains, and of course its beaches.
The second equally famous viewpoint with stunning views from a different angle is from the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain, which is reached by riding two cable cars.
The first cable car reaches Morro da Urca, which abounds in gardens, huge trees with tropical fruits on whose branches scamper swarms of tiny, cute monkeys that can be fed from the palm of your hand with bananas purchased at a local kiosk. A wonderful experience for animal lovers.
Additionally, the first cable car station has several impressive viewpoints over the entire city, including Mount Corcovado, the beaches, the lagoon, and also the dense favelas. This station also features an exhibition of old cable car cabins from previous generations and, of course, a coffee shop.
At the second, higher cable car station, located at the edge of a sharp rock, is the most impressive viewpoint.
Between the two viewpoints: Corcovado and Sugarloaf Mountain, it is recommended to drive through the huge forested Tijuca National Park, which features many trees, waterfalls, and many other beautiful viewpoints of the city. From there it is worth continuing to visit Rio's beautiful Botanical Gardens, Jardim Botanico, and from them continue to the city's famous beaches: first the luxurious Leblon Beach, from which leads Ipanema Beach, and then of course the most famous of all: Copacabana Beach.
On the way back to the ship, you drive along Flamengo Park and stop in the city center to visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, which looks like a giant concrete pyramid on the outside but is impressive and unique on the inside.
Two highly recommended guides are:
Manu and Vitor from Rioprivatetourguide
More details on the website: www.cariocawayoflife.blogspot.com.ar
It is recommended to contact them by email:
rioprivatetourguide@gmail.com
It is hard to believe how much fascinating information they will provide you during the 7-hour tour of the city. They will answer every single question that comes to mind and provide you with a glimpse into life in this intriguing city today and in the recent past. They will talk about both the good and the less good in the city, shatter some myths, and open your eyes. You will surely be left wanting more and will promise yourselves to return again for a longer period to this impressive and constantly changing city (in 2014 it was in the midst of road construction, highway building, and development ahead of the Olympics).
In addition to "classic tours", Vitor specializes in ecological and adventure trips: paragliding over Rio, bike tours, hiking in the forest, and even surf-integrated tours.
For those arriving in the city on a cruise ship, a perfect conclusion to the touring day in Rio is watching the ship depart the port and leave the city. The ship passes close to most of the famous sites you visited on the trip: the Sugarloaf cable car, Mount Corcovado at a distance where only its black shadows can be seen in the dark, and the giant statue of Jesus glowing in a brilliant white light, and of course the famous beaches sparkling with the diverse lights of their luxury homes: Copacabana Beach, Ipanema Beach, and Leblon Beach.
More articles about Brazil:
Guided tour in the city of Salvador
Day trip in the cities of Recife and Olinda
Trip to a beach near the city of Maceió