About Rio de Janeiro:

Ah, Rio de Janeiro...

Does anyone not recognize this photo as spectacular Rio? The cidade maravilhosa is called Rio de Janeiro because the Portuguese explorers who landed there on January 1, 1502 mistook Guanabara Bay for a river. Later, Portuguese settlers founded Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro, and the city became wealthy exporting diamonds, gold and sugar. It was the capital, and home of Brazil's monarchs, until Brasilia was built in the 1960's.

Rio is one of the top destinations for world travelers.

Location and Practical Information:

Rio is the capital of Rio de Janeiro state in the southeast portion of Brazil known as the Costa Verde, or Green Coast.

Backed by coastal mountains, forests and fronted by the Atlantic, Rio ejoys a marvelous scenic location. See this panoramic view.

These practical hints include emergency information, car rentals, money, taxis, car rental, telephones, business hours and more.

Getting There and Around:

Rio is an international and domestic destination, with flights to and from Santos Dumont airport, named for aviation pioneer Alberto Santos Dumont, and Aeroporto Galeão, now renamed Antonio Carlos Jobim Airport. Check flights from your area. You can also browse for hotels and car rentals.

Getting Around has details about flights and bus systems to and from Rio.

Within Rio, the subway system is a good way to get around.

Suggested Tours

When to Go:

Rio is an all-season city, with a humid, tropical Climate.

Refer to these packing tips.

Check today's weather in Rio.

To match your vacation with a festival or activity in Rio, try New Year's Eve for the Festa de Iemanjá and February for Carnaval!

While you are in Rio, remember these basic safety tips. At the time of writing, there is a crime wave of robberies and muggings at the beaches, and Rio police are taking more severe methods to control it.

Accommodations and Dining:

Hotels, resorts and apart hotels

Cuisine, nightlife, shopping, sports and recreation

Fodor's List of Restaurants Check into the Top Four Star and Above or Three Star hotels for some additional choices.

Things to Do and See:

Carnaval!

Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro

Beaches! Ipaneman, Copacabana, Leme, Barra, Praia do Pepino, Leblon.. the list goes on. Not all beaches are good for swimming, so inguire locally. Although Rio has a relaxed attitude toward the beaches, it's only recently that Abrico became the first legalized nude beach in Rio.

Nightlife is fantastic in Copacabana, Ipanema and other districts for dance clubs, nightclubs, bars and classical arts performances

Catch a futebol game at Maracanã stadium, with seating for 200,000

Go up to Corcovado by the miniature train through the rainforest for a great view of Rio and a visit to Cristo Redentor

Take the aerial tramway in late afternoon or evening to Sugarloaf for panoramic views of the city and beaches and Guanabara Bay

Attend a Samba school in preparation for Carnaval, or merely to watch the rehearsals

Tour the Sambadromeand the Carnival Museum

Visit the Amsterdam Sauer Museum on Ipanema's Diamond Row for a display of colorful gems and a replica of a mine

For more gems, and to see how they are shaped from rough stone to precious jewelry, visit the H. Stern Gem Museum

The Museo Carmen Miranda displays the singing star's fabulous headresses and baiana costumes.

The Museum of the Indian contains pottery, wood, straw and feathers from various indigenous tribes

The Sambodromo is the locale for the competing samba groups at Carnaval and hosts sporting events, conferences and concerts the rest of the year

Acrive sports include golf, hang-gliding, parachuting, cycling, bowling, diving, squash, tennis, water-skiing and windsurfing

Stroll Praca Floriano to enjoy the outdoor cafes, samba musicians with a stop at the Teatro Municipal, home to opera, orchestra and vivid architecture.

Tour the jungle-like Parque Nacional de Tijuca, only 15 minutes from Copacabana

Take a helicopter ride for an Aerial Tour of Rio.

For shopping, beachwear, precious stones and ethnic goods are Rio's trademarks. Browse the ethnic market of SAARA for clothes and food

For more ideas, browse Frommer's Suggested Attractions

Anf if all this is too tiring, and you are of legal age, relax with a refreshing Caipirinha and watch the world go by.
Whenever you go to Rio, follow basic precautions, relax and enjoy Rio's distinctive lifestyle and have fun.

Boa viagem!