Most of Rio’s samba schools are located in favelas

Kids get ready for the carnival in Rocinha favela

There are more than 1,000 slums, or favelas, in Rio – and almost one fourth of Cariocas (locals) live in them. Rio’s modest residents have been living in favelas since the end of the 19th century, being the most affordable housing option. It was there, in the favelas, that former African slaves and their descendants first created the music style we now know as samba.

Nowadays, most of the city’s renowned samba schools that compete in the world famous parade every carnival are located in favelas, or close by. Mangueira, Salgueiro, and Unidos da Tijuca are some of them.

Read more: 10 exciting dance styles for the toe-tapping travellers

Inland: north to the mountains

Excellent bus services from Rio de Janeiro make the interior of the state easily accessible, and its mountainous wooded landscape and relatively cool climate are a pleasant contrast to the coastal heat. There’s not a great deal in the way of historical interest, but the scenic beauty of the countryside, studded with small towns still bearing their colonial heritage, is an attraction in itself.

Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos

One of Brazil’s most beautiful mountain regions, the Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos straddles an area of highland Atlantic rainforest between Petrópolis and Teresópolis. The main features of the park are dramatic rock formations that resemble rows of organ pipes (hence the range’s name), dominated by the towering Dedo de Deus (“God’s Finger”) peak. There are tremendous walking possibilities in the park, with the favourite peaks for those with mountain-goat tendencies being the Agulha do Diablo (2050m) and the Pedra do Sino (2263m); the latter has a path leading to the summit, a relatively easy three-hour trip (take refreshments). There are some campsites but no equipment for rent, so you’ll need to come prepared.

Approaching from Petrópolis, take one of the frequent buses to Corrêas (30min; R$3) and change to a #616 “Pinheiral” bus (hourly; 35min; R$3), which will leave you near the park entrance.

Coffee country

To many people, coffee and Rio de Janeiro are synonymous, a legacy of the nineteenth century when Brazil completely dominated the trade. But Rio’s coffee boom was actually short-lived, getting under way in the 1820s and collapsing suddenly in 1888 as a consequence of the abolition of slavery, on which plantation owners were completely dependent. Many of the more resourceful farmers migrated south to São Paulo to take advantage of Italian and other immigrant labour and the availability of fertile, well-watered land. Furthermore, single-crop farming on the hilly terrain of the Paraiba Valley had resulted in serious levels of soil erosion, while the felling of the forest to plant coffee bushes altered the climate, causing draught. The “coffee barons” either abandoned their fazendas (plantations) or looked for other uses of their land. Dairy farming was eventually found to work, and today almost all the land is given over to cattle grazing – the area, some 200km west of Petrópolis, is a peaceful backwater, with the evidence of the coffee boom most clearly apparent in the fazenda houses that are left standing in various states of repair.

With a few days and, ideally, a car, a visit to the Paraiba Valley can be fascinating. The area can be reached in two hours from Rio, and is a convenient stop-off if travelling between Petrópolis and Paraty, or other points on the coast. A particularly attractive place to make for is Rio das Flores, a sleepy little place dotted with grand fazenda houses, some right alongside the approach road to town, others hidden from view off side-roads. The tourist information office at Rua Cesar Nillares 120 can usually help with visiting these houses, and you can even stay in one, the Fazenda Santo Antônio, set amidst beautiful gardens some 22km southeast of town. The six guest rooms are either in the impeccably preserved casa grande, or plantation house, that dates back to 1842, or in the former senzala, or slave quarters, and there’s a pool and horses to ride. The helpful English-speaking owner and his wife can make arrangements for visits to neighbouring properties: the slightly run-down look of Fazenda Campos Eliseos, established in 1847, contrasts greatly with the beautifully preserved Fazenda Santa Justa, the detail of the period decor of the casa grande seemingly leaping from the pages of a coffee-table book.

Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor)

If you have the time, I think you simply must go up and visit the statue of Christ the Redeemer.

While your breakfast sandwich happily digests, your next stop on this Ultimate Day in Rio de Janeiro has to be a ride on the Trem do Corcovado.

We pre-bought tickets online for the tram (link here), booking a few days before-hand. It was very easy to pick up our tickets from the ticket booth, directly in front of the tram (tram boards here).

Corcovado Tram Ride

The tram ride takes about 20 minutes, and you will climb over 700 meters (2,300 feet) to the top. The view of the Christ the Redeemer statue at the top is breathtaking.

Nearly 100 years old, the statue stands almost 30 meters high (add another 8 meters for the huge black soapstone (and concrete) pedestal). It was built in collaboration between a French designer and a local Brazilian engineer, and the statue is now listed as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

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Christ the Redeemer watches over the entire city of Rio de Janeiro.

A View Beyond Words

The sight of this statue, and the experience this day, is something I will never forget. During our trip to Rio de Janeiro, I am so glad for the chance to visit Christ the Redeemer.

The tickets are not cheap, but I highly recommend a visit to this view point. The stairs are steep, but the views are stunning – the experience of seeing this statue for yourself is simply beyond words. Take your time, and just enjoy yourself, standing between one of our world’s most iconic viewpoints and the city it watches over.

Some Things to Know

Local Tip: You can book your tickets online, but first remember that the key to a great visit to the amazing statue of Christ the Redeemer is a clear day of weather (whenever possible).

When you are in Rio de Janeiro, try and wait for the best weather day before you book the tickets. You will not save very much money by booking ahead, its more just to gain assurance as to your place on the tram.

Finally, depending on time of the year, the amount of visitors can vary greatly (our visit was on a weekday, and we were the only ones in the entire tram car for our 8:20am departure).

*While it is also possible to walk (there’s a road up to the statue as well), local friends advise that it is not the best idea – the tram is definitely the most safe, convenient, and confident option.

Location: (Google Maps)Hours: First tram is at 8am, leaving every 20 minutes until 8pmPrice: 65 BRL ($16.44) (prices vary between 60 – 70 BRL depending on season)

Just 100 meters from the Trem do Corcovado, this is your nearest espresso!

Демография[]

Население — 6 млн. 150 тыс. человек (), в Большом Рио — около 13 млн. человек. Жители города называют себя «кариока» (порт. carioca).

История

Залив Гуанабара был открыт португальским мореплавателем Гаспаром де Лемушем 1 января . Португальцы приняли залив за устье реки — отсюда название города, в переводе с португальского означающее январская река. В район современного Рио-де-Жанейро был ненадолго занят французами, но вскоре португальцам удалось восстановить контроль над территорией. Город Рио-де-Жанейро был основан 1 марта Эштасиу де Са и первоначально назывался Сан-Себастьян де Рио-де-Жанейро (порт. São Sebastião de Rio de Janeiro), в честь португальского короля Себастьяна I.

В колониальная администрация была переведена из Салвадора в Рио-де-Жанейро, почти на два столетия город стал столицей Бразилии. В период эмиграции португальского двора с по Рио-де-Жанейро был также столицей Объединённого королевства Португалии и Алгарве, а с до  — столицей Объединённого королевства Бразилии, Португалии и Алгарве.

В столица Бразилии была перенесена в центр страны, в город Бразилиа. Город получил статус города-штата (штат Гуанабара). В штат Гуанабара был объединён со штатом Рио-де-Жанейро, и город стал столицей объединённого штата.

Город контрастов

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Фавела

Рио-де-Жанейро — город контрастов. На склонах окрестных гор ютятся убогие жилища. Это беднейшие районы города — фавелы, в которых проживает несколько миллионов человек. В городе насчитывается несколько сотен фавел. По сути это мини-государства в государстве. Федеральные власти в дела фавел практически не вмешиваются. В большинстве фавел уровень жизни очень низкий, часто здесь нет элементарных удобств, школ, больниц и т. п. и, как следствие всего этого, крайне неблагоприятная криминогенная обстановка.

Карнавал

Рио-де-Жанейро знаменит, кроме всего прочего, благодаря бразильскому карнавалу. В городе существует несколько десятков школ самбы, которые ежегодно в дни карнавала устраивают красочные представления на самбодроме, а также шествия в различных районах города.

Основные достопримечательности

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Пляж Ипанема, вид на Гору Два Брата

Пляжи Ипанема и Копакабана, парк Фламенго, гигантская статуя Христа-Спасителя на горе Корковаду, гора Сахарная Голова (порт. Pão de Açucar), стадион Маракана — крупнейший в мире футбольный стадион (200 тыс. зрителей).

Getting Around Rio de Janeiro

Night falls over Rio

Once you arrive in Rio de Janeiro, there are several transportation options to get around the city, including taxis, buses, and the metro. Taxis are plentiful and relatively affordable, while the metro is a fast and efficient way to get around the city. Buses are also available but can be crowded and confusing for first-time visitors.

Rio is spread out and congested with traffic, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time for sightseeing. When driving or taking taxis you will be sitting in traffic.

Private guides are an excellent way to get around as they can navigate through traffic, give you insider tips, and keep you out of the more questionable neighborhoods. We book tours through GetYourGuide and Viator. Both offer easy bookings, free refunds on cancellations (24 hours before activity), and last-minute bookings.

Having finally traveled through more of South America than we had in the past, we can honestly say that Rio de Janeiro is one of the most exciting cities to visit in Latin America. Brazil takes up more than half of the continent in land mass so if you are planning any travels through South America, chances are Rio de Janerio will be on your itinerary! Read more: 12 Fun and Interesting Facts about Brazil

There are so many things to do in Rio de Janeiro, you’ll never have much more than a day or two to explore the city. Rio is a city in progress, so be sure to stick on the beaten path.

Did I miss anything? What are your favorite things to do in Rio de Janeiro?

21. Gabinete Portugues de Leitura (Royal Portuguese Reading Room)

If you are looking for unique things to do in Rio, check out the Royal Portuguese Reading Room. The Real Gabinete Português de Leitura, is a beautiful and historic library located in the heart of Rio. Founded in 1837 by a group of Portuguese immigrants, the library is dedicated to preserving the Portuguese language and culture and is home to one of the largest collections of Portuguese literature outside of Portugal.

Just visiting the building is worth it. The Gabinete Portugues de Leitura is housed in stunning neoclassical building, which was completed in 1887. The exterior of the building features carvings and sculptures, including a statue of the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. Inside, the library is even more impressive, with soaring ceilings, intricate woodwork, and an enormous stained glass skylight that floods the reading room with natural light.

The library’s collection includes over 350,000 books, manuscripts, maps, and other rare documents. The collection is particularly strong in works by Portuguese authors, including many first editions and rare volumes. The library also has an extensive collection of periodicals, as well as a large collection of works by Brazilian authors.

Достопримечательности

У многих людей Рио ассоциируется в первую очередь с их традиционным ежегодным карнавалом. Это торжественное и красочное шествие по улицам города.  Помимо художественных развлечений, в жизни каждого бразильца огромную роль играет футбол. Практически в каждом городе есть свой стадион. Самый известный стадион в Рио называется «Маракана».

Знакомство с городом можно начать с посещения пляжей. Например, со знаменитого на весь мир четырехкилометрового пляжа Копакабана. Однако стоит учесть, что он всегда пользуется популярностью, причем не только у туристов, но и у местных жителей. Поэтому на нём всегда шумно и много народу. Копакабана – центр тусовок.

С пляжа можно увидеть другую достопримечательность – «Сахарную голову». Это огромная гора, внешний вид которой действительно напоминает чью-то голову. С неё открывается завораживающий вид на весь город. На вершину горы осуществляется подъем с помощью фуникулера.

Другая небезызвестная гора называется Корковаду. На ней находится гордость и самая известная достопримечательность не только Рио, но и во всей Южной Америке – статуя Христа-Искупителя необычайно больших размеров. Там также находится обширная смотровая площадка, которая позволяет рассмотреть город со всех сторон.

Любителям истории и искусства подойдет та часть города, в которой расположено множество различных тематических музеев и соборов. Так называемый «Старый город». Из достопримечательностей этого района наиболее известен Архиепископский собор Святого Себастьяна, гордость Бразилии — Музей современного искусства и Музей республики.

Brazilian Meat Kebabs

To end your perfect day, touring through the delicious streets of Rio de Janeiro, I recommend none other than Brazilian Meat Kebabs. Street style, of course.

You won’t need to search for this location actually, because you may have just been here 12 hours ago!

Returning to the same location as our breakfast today (that double-sausage sandwich from this morning), you need to find this man who is roasting the most wonderful Rio meat treats.

This hilarious and friendly man uses this same strategic moto-taxi corner as our friend Mineiro (the Pão com Linguiça), setting up his own grill and roasting kebabs each night. Working with his wife, they are selling home cooked Brazilian food, pleasing anyone and everyone with some budget-friendly and delicious home cooking.

He cooks the kebabs (and loves to pose with them as well!), and his wife provides a large assortment of other items to go with each one as well (packing them in a box should the customer want to make a kebab into an entire meal to-go).

The Wolverine of Rio Kebabs poses with Style

Carnaval rehearsals

If you can’t make Carnaval, give the shows put on for tourists in the Zona Sul a miss and get a taste of the samba schools at the ensaios (rehearsals) below. They take place at weekends from August to February: phone to confirm times and days. After New Year, Saturday nights are packed solid with tourists and prices triple. Instead, go to one on a midweek evening or, better still, on Sunday afternoon when there’s no entrance fee and locals predominate.

Most of the schools are in distant bairros, often in, or on the edge of, a favela, but there’s no need to go accompanied by a guide. It’s easy, safe and not too expensive to take a taxi there and back (there are always plenty waiting to take people home). Of the schools, Mangueira is certainly the most famous; it has a devoted following, a great atmosphere and includes children and old people amongst its dancers. The gay-friendly Salgueiro has a more white, middle-class fanbase.

Churrasco Panela de Barro

Ordering your first kebab, you have a choice of each meat, but I would say the chicken heart kebab is a great one to start off.

When you order a kebab, you get it dusted with cassava powder, and drenched in hot sauce – it was so good, I won’t fault you at all for ordering a second kebab, before you’re done with the first (and for your second kebab, you should probably try any of the ones that come full of cheese).

Finally, for just R$5 more, you can choose from her containers of rice, black beans, chicken salad, or just fresh shreds of vegetables, and get this all in a convenient take away box for home.

Location: Google Maps (link here) up in the evening about 6 pm.Hours: Starts in the evening, around 6pm, sells until the kebabs are gone.Price: R$5 each (US$1.25), plus 5R for a full rice box with veggies and sauce.

We focused mainly on Brazilian street food in this one day tour of Rio de Janeiro, but alternatively for a fancier sit down meat filled meal, you don’t want to miss a Churrascaria experience. In Rio, we ate at Churrascaria Palace, which was incredibly delicious, highly recommended.

Rio is beautiful from any direction you look.

Рио-де-Жанейро. Районы

Формально городская территория делится на 34 общеадминистративных региона. Но по традиции коренные жители продолжают делить столицу на 4 ведущих макрорайона: Барра-да-тижука, Исторический центр, Северная и Южная местность.

Центральный район столицы Бразилии

В действительности Центральная часть Рио-де-Жанейро не может быть географическим микрорайоном. Так как она размещена в восточном регионе Рио-де-Жанейро. Исторический центр между древними колониальными соборами, богемными кварталами и дворцовыми ансамблями умело совместил деловую, управленческую и коммерческую часть бразильской столицы. Именно здесь можно отыскать главные правительственные организации, банковские структуры, транспортные агентства, редакции печатных изданий, офисы, морской порт, железнодорожные вокзалы, аэропорт для внутренних линий,шикарные рестораны, супермаркеты и кафе. Исторический центр – это комбинация современных многоэтажных комплексов и старинных сооружений. Именно здесь останавливаются деловые гости Рио-де-Жанейро. В будни на этой территории бурно кипит деятельность. Но в час сумерек и в субботу с воскресением соблюдается тишина. Исключение проявляется только на квартале кинотеатров.

Историческая часть столицы прославилась своей Национальной библиотекой, местным театром, дворцом Тирадентес, Национальным музеем изящных искусств, дворцом Педро-Эрнесто и кафедральным собором. Но когда речь заходит о вечерних развлекательных мероприятиях и первоклассных ресторанах, то приходится посещать Санта-Терезу.

Кариокский Монмартр

Еще в середине 18 столетия вокруг монастыря кармелиток появился квартал Санта-Тереза. Так как в то время это было место проживание «богемы» бразильской столицы, то коренные жители и в наши дни продолжают называть эту городскую территорию Кариокский Монмартр. Живописная зона Рио отныне стала сердцевиной ночного веселья и общения богатых людей. Компактный квартал радует глаз роскошными виллами, церквями, музеем и мозаичной лестницей. Если раньше здесь проживали аристократы, то ныне – это гастрономическая мекка. В здешних ресторанах можно отведать блюда стран мира и за трапезой полюбоваться красочным видом на залив Гуанабара и городских пейзажей.

Что посмотреть в Рио? Подробнее:
Рио-де-Жанейро достопримечательности.

Изюминкой Кариокского Монмартра считаются антикварные трамваи «бондиньо». Эти забавные канареечные колымаги не имеют окон и дверей. С грохотом и лязгом можно доехать на них к центру Рио и вернуться назад. Вся прелесть «национального транспорта» состоит в том, что в них запрыгивают на ходу. Но и на остановках выстраиваются немалые очереди. Не каждый же день предоставляется возможность прокатиться по городским улицам на «национальном историческом памятнике».

Именно в Санта-Терезе останавливаются богатые туристы, которым интересна культура и история города. Местные отели высокого класса. Так что ночлег будет комфортным и безопасным. Симпатичные гостиницы, экспрессивные бары, рестораны с приятной атмосферой, красочные окрестности и фешенебельные сооружения создают уютную обстановку для проживания.

Что касается увеселительных мероприятий и карнавала, то их принято проводить на местном пляже.

Южный район Рио-де-Жанейро

Прославленный пляжный берег Копакабана, Сахарная голова и монумент Христа-искупителя можно увидеть, посетив богатый Южный район столицы. Он объединяет следующие микрорайоны: Копакабана, Леме, Глориа, Фламенго, Ботафого, Катете, Ларанжейрас, Ипанема, Умаута, Гавеа и Леблон, Жардин Ботанико, Лагоа и Урка. Эти названия регионы обрели еще в момент планирования и возведения Рио. К примеру, Копакабана и Глориа нарекли так в честь церквушек святых дев Копакабаны и Глории. Упомянутые церкви расположены в одноименных районах. Так как Катете решили обосновать возле президентского дворца, то в его честь и был назван данный регион. Что касается местности Ларанжерайс, то он получил такое имя потому, что на этой территории в давние времена цвели апельсиновые рощи.

Копакабана

Преобладающее большинство путешествующих людей предпочитает останавливаться на территории Копакабана. Так как здесь можно отыскать комфортное место проживания за приемлемую цену. Потому что здесь полно не только представительных гостиниц, но и простых, дешевых хостелов. Улицы южного района Рио неизменно наполняют туристы и находчивые местные обитатели, которым удается разнообразными способами наживаться на приезжих. Жизнь бьет здесь ключом 24 часа в день.

Особенности всех основных курортов Бразилии, подробнее:
Курорты Бразилии.

People from Rio are among the quickest getting on and off buses

Buses are the most affordable way to get around Rio, and they will take visitors almost anywhere in the city. Riding a bus in Rio isn’t, however, as straight forward an experience as one might hope for. Bus drivers aren’t exactly cautious, trustworthy drivers, and they will often leave passengers behind if they are not quick enough to get on.

With years of experience as a savvy passenger, a researcher called Ronaldo Balassiano got curious and decided to look into this social phenomenon. What he found was that the fear to be left behind made Cariocas be quicker in the process of getting on and off buses. When compared to busy, commuting Londoners, Cariocas take 1.85 seconds to get on a bus, while Londoners take 2.4 seconds. You’ve been warned!

Shopping in Rio de Janeiro

It’s not hard to find things to buy in Rio, but it’s surprisingly difficult to find much that’s distinctively Brazilian. Throughout the city are shops geared to tourists (most of which sell a similar line in semi precious stones, mounted piranha fish and T-shirts), but the best shopping area is undoubtedly Ipanema, with a wealth of boutiques lining Rua Visconde de Pirajá and its side streets. Books and CDs make good purchases – sales assistants in music stores are usually delighted to offer recommendations and you’ll be able to listen before you buy. Of Rio’s markets, the so-called Hippie Market in Ipanema has nowadays become very touristy; much better is the Babilônia Feira Hype in Gávea, the Mercado das Pulgas at Largo dos Guimarães in Ipanema, or the Feira de Antiguidades at Praça Santos. For arts, crafts and food from Brazil’s Northeast, there’s nowhere better than the Feira Nordestina in the Zona Norte.

Top image Marcos Amend/Shutterstock

The background

The origins of Carnaval in Rio can be traced back to a fifteenth-century tradition of Easter revelry in the Azores that caught on in Portugal and was exported to Brazil. Anarchy reigned in the streets for four days and nights, the festivities often so riotous that they were formally abolished in 1843 – this edict was ignored, however, allowing street celebrations to stand out as the most accessible and widely enjoyed feature of Carnaval ever since. In the mid-nineteenth century, masquerade balls were first held by members of the social elite, while processions, with carriages decorated in allegorical themes, also made an appearance, thus marking the ascendancy of the procession over the general street melee. Rio’s masses, who were denied admission to the balls, had their own music – jongo – and they reinforced the tradition of street celebration by organizing in Zé Pereira bands, named after the Portuguese tambor that provided the basic musical beat. The organizational structure behind today’s samba schools (escolas da samba) is partly a legacy of those bands sponsored by migrant Bahian port workers in the 1870s – theirs was a more disciplined approach to the Carnaval procession: marching to stringed and wind instruments, using costumes and appointing people to coordinate different aspects of the parade.

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Real Life Information

The city is famous for its Carnival in Brazilian summer (February or March, depending on the year). It is the second-largest city in Brazil and is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. For about two centuries, from 1763 to 1960, it was the capital of Brazil, until Brasília was founded and took over the position. It is the capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Rio’s population is over 6.32 million making it the 19th largest city in the world.

Many tourists visit during February/March, the season of the biggest party in the world, Carnival. Carnival is a great big party with traditional foods, parades of samba school dancers and floats in the Sambadrome, and it always gets really packed in the streets as shown in Rio.

Also, Rio de Janeiro is home to one of the most loved statues of Jesus Christ in the world: Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer), as it is called, is a great monument of truth. Although despite the beauty of the forests and beaches, Rio to some is a dirty place with heaps of smuggling happening that are decreasing the number of species of birds and other animals.

Rio de Janeiro is known to be a landmark in soccer (football in some countries).

Rio de Janeiro can be beautiful, but serious problems have occurred within the city such as having a lot of violence and vandalism; infrastructure problems such as public transport of the city, among other problems which have caused a wave of protests against the government of the city and the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Rio de Janeiro was one of the cities that hosted the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014 when Rio 2 was being released. And in 2016, the city will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games for the first time. It is also the first time they will be hosted in South America.

For some of the staff of Blue Sky Studios, they had the chance to go to Brazil to witness the beauty themselves. In 2010, they went to the beach of Rio de Janeiro and had a great big party where members of the public were also invited.

In the Movies

Blu and Jewel having a bird’s eye view of Rio

The jungle of Rio de Janeiro are featured during the first scenes of the first movie, where we see young Blu captured and smuggled to Minnesota. After 15 years, Blu returns home, thus starting his adventure in the land of paradise with his counterpart, Jewel. It is where the whole story took place from the beginning till the end (except the scenes from Minnesota). Within the scene of Blu and Jewel on a hang glider with Rafael by their side, the scene shows the real beauty of the movie, the city itself and for Blu to know what it feels like to be free.

While Blu and Jewel live in the city during the time between the two movies and the beginning of Rio 2, at the end of the second movie, Blu and Jewel decide to move to the Amazon, making Rio their summer home instead.

Bar Urca

After all of the beach visits, a great place to spend the late afternoon might be Bar Urca.

This is an old food and bar establishment (just celebrating 80 years in fact), famous for serving Empada de Camarão (6.50 BRL ($1.64). This is a shrimp pastry, wonderfully flaky and actually quite filling for its small size.

Many people order these from the large glass case full of pastries, and then walk over to sit on the ledge outside. Looking over one of Rio’s many lagoons and bays, this is just a lovely place to visit to get a different view of all the water that surrounds this amazing city.

Location: Google maps (link)Hours: 7am – 11pm, Monday through Saturday, and 830am – 9pm on SundayPrice: Pastries around R$6-8 each (US$1.50-2), and local beers usually sell around R$10-12 (US$2.50-3)

The style at Bar Gato de Botas is similar to Tapas – perfect for an early evening meal

Where to Stay in Rio

There are plenty of neighborhoods to stay in Rio de Janeiro, but we recommend staying somewhere near Ipanema and Copacabana Beaches. Especially for first-time visitors.

We stayed at Copacabana Beach, Ipanema, and Leblon beaches and loved them all. You can also stay in Santa Teresa and if you are looking for a quieter more residential feel, Flamengo is a good option with easy public transportation.

Copacabana Beach is probably the most famous beach in the world and the place to stay when visiting Rio is definitely the Belmond Copacabana Palace Hotel. While we were visiting Rio, Arnold Schwarzenegger was staying at the hotel.

Leblon Beach is the quietest of Rio’s famous beaches and the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Resort is the place to stay. This was our favorite hotel in Rio. It is the only hotel with direct beach access, it has outstanding views from its rooftop bar and it has recently been completely renovated.

The Sol Ipanema is all about its location. Located across the street from the beach. (Note all Rio hotels are located across the street from the beach – None except the Sheraton are located directly on the beach) it is also just around the corner from the famed Girl from Ipanema Cafe where the famous tune was penned.