Rio De Janeiro Tourist-Attractions

Rio De Janeiro Tourist-Attractions information

Sugar Loaf

Known locally as Pão de Açúcar, this bullet-shaped hill stands almost 400m high, providing some of the most stunning views of Rio. If you have a head for heights, take the first cable car from the base to Morro da Urca and admire the views over Guanabara Bay. The second cable car takes you to the top of Sugar Loaf offering a breathtaking vista of Rio in all her glory. The sensuous curves of Copacabana and Ipanema beaches are laid out below while the statue of Christ looks across from Rio's other famous mountain, Corcovado. As if the views weren't enough, there's entertainment in the form of a café and gift shop and sometimes shows are held at the small open-air theatre. The cable cars run from 08h10-21h50 every half-hour. Cost (roundtrip): BRL35, adults; BRL17.50, children. From Centro take bus 107 marked 'Urca' or taxi to Praça General Tibúrcio at Praia Vermelha.

Corcovado Hill and the Statue of Christ

Rio's most famous landmark, the enormous statue of Christ the Redeemer, Cristo Redentor, stands atop this humpbacked hill with arms outstretched as if embracing the city. Corcovado itself rises to over 700m making the 30m-high statue appear small from a distance. From close up though, the proportions are awesome. The panorama from up here is, if anything, even more spectacular than from Sugar Loaf and best seen towards the end of the day as the city's lights come on and Rio sparkles below. The best way to reach the statue is by the funicular train, which runs daily every half-hour from 08h30-20h00. Roundtrip cost: BRL36. From Centro take the bus marked "Cosme Velho" or taxi to Estação Cosme Velho from where the train departs.

Tijuca National Park

When the Portuguese colonists first landed in Rio, they found the area blanketed in lush vegetation. Today, Tijuca National Park is all that remains of the original tropical rainforest and represents the world's largest urban forest. Even this has been replanted - the area was cleared in the 18th century to make way for a coffee plantation, but re-established as a park in the 1880s. In the ideal growing conditions such was the success of the project that the current forest is almost indistinguishable from virgin rainforest - even this close to the city. Just 15 minutes drive from Rio, the park provides a welcome green sanctuary for visitors. Tijuca's terrain hides lakes and caves, waterfalls and wildlife - all of which are open for exploration. Corcovado Hill rises in the park, topped with its magnificent statue. Jeep tours can be arranged, as can independent guides who are knowledgeable about both flora and fauna. Expect to see such jungle denizens as monkeys, sloths and armadillos, flora of wild-growing tropical fruit trees and abundant birdlife. Open: daily 07h00-21h00. Jeep Tour, Av Rainha Elizabeth 664, Ipanema Tel: +55 (0)21-2108-5800.

Beaches

Rio de Janiero is defined by its superb beaches and both locals and tourists simply love loafing on the golden sand that fronts the Atlantic coastline. The most famous among the stretches of pristine sand around the city are the beaches of the Copacabana and Ipanema - not least because of the songs which both have to their name. Ipanema is the city's rich area, where designer swimwear is sported on country club sculpted bodies. The suburb is replete with upmarket bars, restaurants and cafes where you can hang out and people-watch. The strip is divided into areas - the city's unofficial gay beach occupies its own stretch here, while the beach where the "Girl from Ipanema" so wowed Tom Jobim that he was inspired to write a song about her is the hangout for arty types (Porto 9). The Copacabana is a more down-to-earth place. The bikinis are just as skimpy but you'll see a greater variety of people, a true cross-section of Rio's population. The beach volleyball courts are always packed out with amazingly athletic players, while the beach football pitches allow the young men to show off their "samba" soccer skills. It's a great place for spending a lazy day people watching, with beach bars allowing some respite from the endless sunshine that pours down.

Maracanã Stadium

This giant venue was built for the 1950 World Cup when 200,000 fans crowded in to see Uruguay shatter Brazil's dreams in the final. Brazil's record-breaking fifth World Cup win in 2002 helped heal the wounds, but it didn't dampen the Brazilians' passion for football - brought to the country by Scottish labourers just over a century ago. In this football-crazy country, a visit to a match is as much a social observation as it is a sporting event and a match played between local teams will show the local cariocas at their most passionate. Rio de Janeiro has several teams, with rivalry between them being extremely fierce. Probably the best known among them are Fluminese and Flamengo. Both play at the Maracanã. Although generally you can just turn up on match day and expect to get in (the stadium's size means it's rarely sold out) be aware that during local derbies, particularly the Flu-Fla game, although you may still get in, the atmosphere is intense and can be intimidating. Make sure that you cheer for the side whose supporters you are sitting amongst. For current ticket prices and upcoming fixtures (usually around BRL12 depending on where you sit and who's playing) check the local press, you won't have to search hard for the information on how all the local teams are faring. Visit the stadium on a non-match day to visit the Soccer Museum housed within. Among the items from the half a century or so history of the Maracanã the undoubted highlight is the Brazil Number Ten shirt, worn by Pele, the world's greatest ever player.

Favela Tour

Rio may be blessed with beautiful people and luscious scenery but it's an uncomfortable fact that around a quarter of Rio's residents live in shantytowns. These favelas, often built on steep hillsides, are a strange mixture of community-minded mutual support and lawlessness, making it inadvisable to enter any favela without an experienced guide. Seeing the unique life of these communities, some of which have developed into proper established suburbs is a fascinating if not an altogether comfortable experience. Two of Rio's best-known favelas can be visited through Marcelo Armstrong and his small multilingual team at Favela Tour. The company provides the school at the Vila Canoas favela with around 40 per cent of its budget through Marcelo's tours. It is always advisable to book directly through Marcelo, to guarantee no additional charges. Tours cost BRL65 per person and last three hours. Pick up from hotel can be arranged. Tel: +55 (0)21-3322-2727/9989-0074

Carnival and Samba Schools

The mother of all street parties, Rio's glittering carnival is the most lavish in the country, with preparations underway for most of the year. As musician Tom Jobim sang of Rio's carnival addiction: "people work the entire year just for a moment's dream". The samba schools, often representing a district or a favela, are busy for months making the sumptuous costumes and rehearsing their moves. In the months leading up to the celebrations some of the samba schools open their doors to visitors, allowing an insight into the Cariocas' passion for partying. Carnival is usually held in February and draws people from all over the world to Rio for the festivities. If planning to visit at this time you have to book accommodation and transport at least a year in advance, it is the biggest event of the year and Rio is completely packed out. Carnival 2007: Feb 17th-20th For rehearsal information, contact the Mangueira samba school, Rua Visconde de Niterói 1072, Mangueira. Expect to pay between BRL10-25 for entry. Tel: +55 (0)21-2567-4637.

Ferry to Niterói

Across Guanabara Bay lies what most locals will tell you is Rio's poor relation, the sister city of Niterói. Linked by the 15km-long bridge, Ponte Costa e Silva, the city is home to a fine modern art museum, which appears to hover over the bay like a spaceship, as well as the Santa Cruz Fortress from where there are great views looking back at Sugar Loaf. On the return journey do as the locals and take the slow ferry, being sure to sit up front with your camera to capture a panorama of Rio. Ferries leave from the docks at Praça 15 de Novembro in Centro. The Jumbo Catamaran takes around 10mins and costs BRL5, the slower ferries cost BRL2.10 and take around 20mins. Both boats run daily from 06h00-20h00 (Mon-Fri); 06h00-23h00 (Sat & Sun) leaving every 15mins.

City Museums

Rio's many museums are replete with artworks and artefacts drawn from all over Brazil and from all periods of its many layered history. Of those that you have to see the foremost is the National Historical Museum, housed in the 18th-century Arsenal, one of the oldest buildings in Rio. The collection of artefacts within spans the 500-year history of the city and its nation from militaria to the humdrum objects from the Cariocas' daily lives. Praça Marechal Ancora. Tel: +55 (0)21-2205-829. Admission: BRL6. For art lovers, the National Museum of Fine Arts (Av Rio Branco 199; Admission: BRL4) and the Museum of Modern Art (Infante Dom Henrique 85) together offer valuable insight into the culture of Brazil. Open: 12h00-18h00 (Tue-Fri) & 12h00-19h00 (Sat-Sun). Admission: BRL5. Rio may offer bigger and better museums, but the quirky Carmen Miranda Museum, dedicated to Brazil's most famous chanteuse, continues to draw fans from around the world with its collection of her outrageous costumes, old recordings, film scripts and contracts. Miranda has become a gay icon and her wonderfully exaggerated outfits serve as inspiration for many carnival drag queens. Museu Carmen Miranda, Av Rui Barbosa, Flamengo. Open: Tue-Fri 11h00-17h00; Sat/Sun 14h00-17h00. Admission: free.

Helicopter Tour

In a city blessed with natural beauty, there are places aplenty to take in the sights of Rio. But for the most breathtaking and heart stopping views of the city, a helicopter tour is a must. The most popular routes take in Sugar Loaf, the statue of Christ and Rio's famous beaches, but aerial tours of Maracanã, the favelas and the lagoon can be arranged. Night flights are also available, and the city takes on a magical quality when lit up. The shortest flights, lasting 6-7 mins, start at BRL150 per passenger. There's now a helipad at Morro da Urca, the first stage of the Sugar Loaf. For information on itineraries, contact Helisight. Tel: +55 (0)21 2511-2141. (weekends Tel: +55 (0)21-2542-7895).

Santa Teresa District

Rio's most bohemian of neighbourhoods, Santa Teresa boasts winding cobbled streets, 19th-century architecture and a host of art galleries. Local artists and intellectuals have made this district their own, as did Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs before his return to England. There are plenty of bars and sidewalk cafés where visitors can linger and watch the always lively streetlife at their leisure. There's also a fine art museum, the Chácara do Céu. For a scenic trip up here take the yellow tram, o bondinho, across the Arcos da Lapa aqueduct with its 42 arches. This tram passes the favelas below so caution is advised. Trams run from Rua Prof. Lélio Gama in Centro near the Petrobras Building from 06h00-23h00. Tickets: BRL0.60. For organised tram tours: Tel: +55 (0)21-2222-1003.

Religious Buildings and the Monastery of São Bento

Away from the beaches and parties another side of the Carioca character can be seen through their religious beliefs. Apart from the massive statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Hill, there are several religious buildings in the city, including the Convent of St Anthony built in 1608 and the beautiful Our Lady of Candelária Church. Arguably the best of the city's religious attractions is the Monastery and Church of Saint Bento with its ornate baroque style chapel. This Benedictine monastery was founded in 1590 by monks from Bahia. Construction of the church began in 1617 and was completed in 1641. The exquisite interior is richly adorned with woodcarvings. A daily mass is accompanied by Gregorian chants that heighten the atmosphere. Rua Dom Gerardo 68, Centro. Entrance is via lift on 5/F at Rua Dom Gerardo 40. Services: daily 07h00-11h00 & 14h00-18h00. The monastery is not open to the public. Tel: +55 (0)21-2291-7122 for current services.