Welcome to Rio de Janeiro

One of the World’s Most Beautiful City

"God created the world in six days and on the seventh day, he created Rio de Janeiro"
Brazilians sayings.

Rio is an awe-inspiring city where impossibly steep granite mountains rise from the ocean between glorious stretches of golden sand. Brash skyscrapers vie for space with impeccable colonial buildings, and lush forests tumble down hillsides into densely populated residential areas.

Rio de Janeiro is my favorite city in the world. The main thing I am impressed with is the natural beauty of one of the world's largest cities. I call the "Urban Jungle," which I suppose has a double entendre. One of my friends lives in an area just past Ipanema called Leblon. He walks down the street his apartment is on to get to the beach. It's about a five block walk. Meanwhile, although there are highrises and busy streets and restaurants and shops, it's in the middle of a jungle. Somehow, this factor makes living there much less stressful. The view from his 12th floor balcony looks over the mountainside and the mansions that cover it. Of course, you can also see the ocean.

Here's a quick list of tips for your trip to Rio de Janeiro-

>Find a good driver and get his cell phone number. It's better to have someone who knows to expect you than to rely on a cab. Take his advice as to where to go, and, more importantly, where not to go! This one factor alone will dramatically improve your security while in Rio de Janeiro.

>Eat at the following restaurants: Puercao (Churrascuria), Esplandada Grill, Leblon Sushi (Best Sushi in the World, bar none. They were shooting a commercial right next to me last time I was there.), Esch Cafe (for drinks, light snacks, and cigars), Satyricon (fancy seafood place).

>Stay at Ipanema, not Copacabana. It's worth the extra money because it's safer, more classy, cleaner, and less crowded.

>Caesar Park Towers is a great place to stay in a great location and has great service if you can handle the price.

>Eat lots of Pao de Quesia-

You'll understand when you get there. Brazilian food is a little salty, but it's really good. The salads with hearts of palm are great. There are lots of rice dishes that are fabulous, many with bits of dried meat in them. Make sure to go to a Churrascuria while you are there. Unlike the copies in the US, most of the Churrascuria's in Rio/Sao Paulo have the most amazing buffets you've ever seen.

>Remember that in Rio, most "discos" are actually pick up locations for prostitutes (yes, that's true for the famous club "Help" too), so find a local (or a hotel concierge) to recommend a place if you are really going out to dance.

>Cabo Frio-

About two hours from Rio, has great fishing. You can catch your fill of sailfish and often blue marlin. Paulo, the world record holder for the largest blue marlin ever caught lives a few hours east and north of Rio. It's worth the ride to charter his boat and have him take you out. He also has a couple of apartments that he rents out to fishing clients. I highly recommend you go stay with him and utilize his skills at finding the fish.

>The Beach-Goers-

Sun, sun, sun! If you are craving some quality beach time, Rio de Janeiro provides a beach oasis in its “Zona Sul” or South Zone. Travel to the districts of Ipanema and Copacabana, home to the most infamous beaches. Both are the perfect place to enjoy some Brazilian drinks after a day of surfing in the Atlantic or while catching some rays. Wanting to add a little excitement, set up a paragliding excursion and get some spectacular views of the coast. 

>More stuff to see and do in Rio de Janeiro-

Christ, the Redeemer Statue-
On top of the Corcovado Mountain at a height of 710 meters, the statue of Christ the Redeemer is one of the world's most-visited monuments. Hire a driver and have him take you through the mountains and the Atlantic Rainforest up to the statue. Along the way and once you arrive, you will see several amazing views of Rio from many different angles. From the top, the view is nothing short of phenomenal. You can see Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, the Botanical Gardens, the Jockey Club, and the Lagoon. The entire city spreads out in an unbelievable panorama during the day, and it glistens beautifully after dark.

Botanical Gardens-
Rio is home to an impressive Botanical Garden. You will find many examples of plant life in this huge garden. The Imperial Palms are among its most impressive attractions, planted in 1809 by Prince Regent D. João VI. There are huge trees decked with orchids that contrast with giant victoria-regia, lilies, bromeliads, royal poincianas, and tropical foliage, making the Botanical Gardens a favorite tourist attraction.

Sugar Loaf-
Rio's signature landmark is at the entrance of Guanabara Bay-- the famous Sugar Loaf Mountain. Take a “bondinho” (cable car) to the top of Morro da Urca and eat a snack while admiring one of the most beautiful views in the world. Then, continue on to the peak of Sugar Loaf and enjoy a complete view of the Bay and the beautiful Rio beaches.

Island of Paqueta-
Visit the beautiful island of Paquetá, lying in the middle of Guanabara Bay, just one hour from downtown by ferry. The only means to get to the island is by boat as there are no bridges linking it to the continent. The only cars on Paquetá are one ambulance, one police car, and one fire truck. The beauty of this excursion begins when you board the ferry at Praça XV (downtown). Bring or wear a bathing suit and towel, because once you are on Paquetá, you will love the beautiful beaches, the quaint atmosphere, and the unforgettable sunset. There are some wonderful photo opportunities on the island as well.

Modern Art Museum-
Be sure to check out the Modern Art Museum located in Flamengo Park close to downtown. The museum is home to 1,700 works, including paintings , sculptures and engravings by Brazilian and foreign artists. It's definitely worth your time to visit.

>Tour guide in Rio de Janeiro-

Many travelers prefer to visit Rio de Janeiro without using a tour guide. This is also possible for most of its locations. However, some places like Christ the Redeemer should however be visited using a private tour guide.

If you are visiting the city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil there are several spots that have to be part of your tour. Question then is whether you should go on your own, use private tour guide with car or minivan, or take a bus tour.

I am here talking about tours within the city of Rio de Janeiro. If you are going on tour to other cities within the State, the main time is spent on the road so taking a bus is usually the best option.

For any tours within the city of Rio de Janeiro you should try to avoid taking bus tour. You will not save much and the disadvantages are numerous. Main disadvantage is time related. It will often take ages to pick up the other passengers. Copacabana and Ipanema are very busy neighborhoods and it will be a shame spending a large portion of your morning stuck in traffic. Same applies when visiting tour spots. In large groups the tour doesn´t move quicker than the slowest person.

The Nature Lover-

If you love to explore the scenic beauty and natural wonders of your destination, you will not be let down by Rio de Janeiro. Take the mountain train on the Corcovado, the mountain that sits in the middle of the city. Housing the largest urban forest in the world, this mountain train ride takes you through the beautiful Tijuca forest. Once reaching the top, be inspired by the panoramic views of the beaches, mountains, and skylines, and marvel at the Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. 

Also in the Rio area is, Tropical Island, which has been claimed one of the area’s most charming attractions. Tours take travelers outside of the city through beautiful fields and banana plantations before arriving at the Sepetiba Bay, where boat rides are available on the calm waters.

No matter what type of traveler you are, immerse yourself in the culture of Rio de Janeiro by enjoying an evening indulging in the city’s traditional cuisine, and Samba. Feeling in the mood for a fiesta , Rio is known for its immense nightlife. Whether you’re looking for a lavish nightclub or a small bar with live music you can find it here. This lively city never sleeps; bars and nightclubs are open at all hours of the night.

Every corner a story….

Awesome stories are everywhere you look, all over the globe….