Date travelled: 4-8 December 2008
The city of Rio de Janeiro is Brazil's second biggest city, and indeed was its capital until 1960. The city is lucky enough to be surrounded by simply stunning natural scenery.
Citizens holding United Kingdom and most European Union passports do not need a visa for visits up to 90 days, but make sure you have a return flight ticket. Citizens of many countries, including the United States, do need a visa before travelling, so check with your local Embassy.
There aren't many ways to get from the airport to the city apart from taxi. Despite the bad press, the taxis in Rio are generally safe; just make sure the taxi driver has a licence before you get in. Most taxis in the city are a distinct yellow colour too. Prices to the city centre from the airport cost around 40 Brazilian Reals (about £12). I stayed at the Ace Hostel, which is situated in the Botafogo, a safe neighbourhood in the centre of the city, 30 metres from the nearest Metro station.
The best way to explore the city is by taking a half-day guided tour of all the main tourist attractions. It saves you having to hassle with taxis, and it is completely safe. You also get to meet some of your fellow travellers along the way. Most hotels in the city can arrange a place on tour for you, and should cost about 120 Reals (about £36). The complete tour takes about 6 hours, and start either in the morning, or in the afternoon.
The tour of Rio de Janeiro starts with the journey up Corcovado Mountain, which is situated to the west of the city. If you're luckily enough to be here on a clear day, you will get a spectacular view of Rio de Janeiro, and the islands in the sea.
The first sight you will see is the Estádio do Maracanã, one of the biggest football stadiums in the World, with a capacity of 95,000 spectators. Football matches occur in Rio quite a lot, so if you have time, go and soak up the atmosphere of a game.
Estádio do Maracanã
Next you will see a glorious view of the city, looking towards Botafogo beach, with the Sugarloaf Mountain, sticking out like a small thumb, situated beside.
The view of Rio de Janeiro from Corcovado
Perhaps Rio de Janeiro's, indeed South America's most famous monument is also situated on Corcovado. Known locally as O Cristo Redentor, Christ the Redeemer is a statue of Jesus Christ, with his arms out stretched. Built in the 1930's, and standing 38 metres tall, the statue is the tallest kind in the World, and wherever you are in Rio, you will easily see Christ looking down on you. 73% of Brazil's 190 million population are Roman Catholic, making it the largest Catholic nation in the World.
Christ the Redeemer
During your drive up Corcovado, you will have passed through Tijuca Rainforest. The forest is the largest urban Rainforest in the world, covering 32km²
Tijuca Rainforest
The journey now leaves Corcovado, and heads through the city, passing the large lagoon in the Ipanema neighbourhood. You will stop outside the Estádio do Maracanã to see the statue celebrating Brazil's football world cup win in 1958.
Statue outside Maracanã
South east of the stadium is a street in Rio known as Sambodromo. The street itself for most of the year is empty and quiet, apart from the odd drag race from locals in the evening, but during Rio's famous carnival in February/March, the 700 metre long street comes to live, with all the big parades passing here. The street doesn't contain any shops or homes; only seats for 90,000 people. If you are in Rio just before Christmas, you get to see some of the rehearsals for the main event for free.
Sambodromo
Not far from Sambodromo is perhaps Rio de Janeiro's most bizarre monument. The San Sebastian Cathedral was built in the 20th century, and from the outside looks like a bland teepee shaped building, but step inside to see some beautiful stained glass shining through. Outside, you will be able to purchase some freshly made popcorn from the vendors on the street, price 3 Reals (about £1 for a big bag).
San Sebastian Cathedral
The tour finishes with Rio de Janeiro's other Mountain. Known locally as Pão de Açúcar, it is perhaps better known as Sugarloaf Mountain. At a height of 396 metres above sea level, the best route to the top is by taking the two cable cars to the top. If you are on a tour like I was, the price of the cable car is free. If you are travelling by yourself, the price will be 30 Reals (about £9). Once at the top, you will get a fine view of Rio looking towards the city, and Christ the Redeemer.
View from Sugar Loaf Mountain
You may have heard of the term "favela" before visiting Rio de Janeiro. A favela is a neighbourhood of poor people, and in Rio, there are many different favelas all across the city. The biggest, and most well known is Rocina favela, home to at least 100,000 people. Brazilian citizens from the Amazon regions to the north of the country come to the favela, in the hope to find a fortune in the big city. The atmosphere of the favelas are quite electric, and generally quite friendly. However, it is essential that you do not visit a favela by yourself. Always take a guided tour for your own safety. The best is Favela tour, which takes you to a local school, a walk through a typical favela neighbourhood and you get to meet some of the locals, all for 65 Reals (about £20). Your guide will teach you about the main economy of the favela – drugs, and how it affects nearly everybody in the community. This is a tour I highly recommend, and is 100% safe.
Rocina favela
From the poor areas of Rio to the richer areas. Across the Botafogo area of the city are many shopping malls, featuring typical main street shops and boutiques. If you plan to do any shopping in Rio, these are the places to do it. Botafogo Praia Shopping Mall is a massive building, containing supermarkets, shops, boutiques and restaurants. There is a smashing American restaurant on the 5th floor, serving some of the biggest burgers you will ever see. You will also get the chance to try the national cocktail. The Caipirinha is a drink made of sugar, limes and cachaça, a sugarcane spirit. Be warned, this is strong stuff!
Another highlight of this particular mall is the viewing platform on the 8th floor. Take a look outside, and see a nice view of Botafogo beach, and Sugarloaf Mountain.
Sugarloaf & Botafogo beach
On the main street in Botafogo are many bars, serving local beers, all highly refreshing. These bars make a nice way to watch the world go by for an hour or two. During your visit to Rio de Janeiro, you will come across beers such as Itaipava (4.5%), Skol (5% – not to be confused with the Skol served in the UK, which is completely different), Antartica (4.9%), Devassa (4.8%) and perhaps the most well known for UK drinkers Brahma (4.8%).
If you are more of a beach person, you are in luck in Rio. The city is blessed with many gorgeous beaches, such as the ones in Ipanema or Botafogo, but perhaps the most famous is Copacabana beach. The beach features a lovely sandy beach, and plenty of small vendors selling drinks and snacks. Get here early to get a good spot, but be prepared for people trying to sell you things during the day. Just say no politely then they will move on.
Copacabana beach
If you have time, you may like to visit the old city of Rio de Janeiro, which can be accessed using the Metro system, tickets 2.20 Reals (about 68p). Be careful when walking through the old city, as there are a lot of pickpockets in operation here, especially during the weekends. One of Rio's oldest buildings is the Paço Imperial, built in the 17th century was a former colonial building. Today it is a cultural centre.
Paço Imperial
Just up the road from the Paço Imperial is Candelária church. The church took over 100 years to build, but feature some super architecture.
Candelária church
It certainly isn't the cheapest place in the world to visit, with the price of flights potentially very expensive, but Rio de Janeiro is a brilliant, vibrant city, and is well worth a visit.
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