Enjoying Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
"The river of January". Named after the period in which it was discovered by the Portuguese on Jan 1st 1502, when they mistakened the entry of the bay at the southern part of the Brazilian coast for the mouth of another big river.
Rio is framed by natural beauty ranging from blue ocean waters, to bays, mountains with intense green, luxurious tropical vegetation, tropical nights with cool sea breezes, in a city full of glamour and excitement and very warm cultures.
People of all colours and flavour fill the city and a variety of languages are spoken including Portuguese, Spanish, Creole, and English. Brazil also has towns that still preserve the African culture, traditions and even the language 'Yoruba' which is one of the most popularly spoken language in Nigeria, West Africa.
Samba & Carnival - Rio is the "Samba" capital of the world. Samba is recognized as a gift from God. The Samba rhythm was brought to Brazil by the Negro slaves, and the celebration brought to a high peak is exhibited by the Samba schools who participate in the competition during the Carnival Parade. The ultimate goal is to win the parade and the schools prepare year round, dancing to the beats of the rhythmic percussion instruments (drums, maracas, panderios etc.) The Carnival is usually held during the end of February and the first week of March, and this exciting and very colourful occasion attracts thousands of tourists from all walks of life yearly. photo
Attractions
Sugar Loaf Mountain - "Pao de Acucar". A 396 meters high granite rock arising from the ocean, that offers a panoramic view of Rio. A view from the east resembles the sugar loaf formation during sugar production that used to occur mainly on Madeira Island. Accessible by cable cars. Two cars take you to see first, the view of Botafogo Bay, the yacht club, Flamengo Park, Downtown Rio and the mountains; and then the second car which positions itself above the Sugar loaf itself offers the most spectacular view of Rio itself. photo
Corcovado - "The statue of Christ". At 710 meters high, the Corcovado offers another spectacular view of Rio. The statue itself stands 38 meters high at the peak of the mountain, with arms outstretched as if it were blessing the city below it. It was conceived by the Brazilian architect Carlos Oswald, with cooperation of the French sculptor Paul Landoswky, and then Heitor da Silva Costa who was responsible for carrying out the project, which took 5 years and was inaugurated on Oct. 12th 1931. photo
Other attractions - Tijuca Tropical forest, Beaches, Tropical Island tours, Parks (Jardim Botanica, Parque Laje, Flamengo Park etc.), Downtown Rio, Historical sites (Fortaleza de Santa Cruz in Niterol, romantic Largo do Boticario, the Arcos, famous churches at Largo da Carioca, Sao Bento monastery etc.), Boat tours, Petropolis (the Imperial town), Mirante Dona Marta and Maracan Stadium.
Other Information
Shopping - Brazil is known for a variety of precious gemstones and jewels and these are a must see to be included in your shopping sprees. Most shops are located in Copacobana, Ipanema, Leblon and Centro (downtown Rio).
Restaurants - There are lots of good places to eat out and it's recommended you try out some of the local dishes. Local dishes vary from one locale to another. 'Feijoada' is a legendary Cariocan specialty. Good aperitif is 'Caipirinha'. Imported liquor is expensive, so try the local spirits and get a taste of Brazil. Chopp is the traditional draught beer.
Churrascaris are Gaucho style steak houses specializing in barbeques, and some offer standard prices for assorted meats, and can be recognized with the sign that says "Churraso Rodizio".Bahian cooking with strong African influence is also recommended. This food is very spicy and has lots of flair. Brazil offers a lot of fresh and rich seafood 'Fruto do mar'.
Nightlife - There is fun nightly, whether you choose to go dancing, to eat out, for boat rides (night tours) or just for strolls on the beach. Brazilians believe in having fun and you will have your fill if you so desire. There are several nightclubs with fascinating and colourful floor shows. Be forewarned though, if you choose to go to the Macumba and dinner shows, as this is a mixture of religion and what some deem black magic, and includes of Macumba rituals. A lot of theatre, seasonal opera, concerts and ballet are also available.
Useful Information
Currency exchange - Make exchanges only at banks, authorized Bureaus "Casa de Cambio", Travel agencies or in your hotel.
Valuables - Use common sense and keep in hotel vaults or room safes. Do not make unnecessary displays at beaches etc.
Water - Usually properly processed and fit for consumption, but you can always opt for mineral or other bottled water.
Swimming - Stay close to the beach, because even the most avid swimmers can encounter unexpected undercurrents. Remember the keyword for help is "Socorro". Display of flags saying "Salvamar" means the water is too rough for swimming. Arrow shaped signs saying "Perigo" means a danger point, where dangerous currents have been identified.
Certain beaches are set aside for surfers, so unless that's your intention, it's best to avoid these, and choose other beaches for swimming.
Sunbathing - Be extremely careful with sunbathing during the hours of 10 a.m -
2 p.m as the tropical sun can cause severe burns due to extreme heat at its peak hours.
