Rio de Janeiro is such an ocean. Rio de Janeiro: “City of Happy Dreams” (Brazil)

From stunning beaches to the big Carnival in February, Rio de Janeiro knows how to delight its guests, day and night. He offers many that have brought him unfading fame. Who hasn't heard about the statue of Christ the Redeemer or Copacabana Beach - the largest nature reserve in the world? All this is Rio, as well as much else.

Until 1960, Rio de Janeiro was considered the capital of Brazil. Until now, many architectural objects remind of this, as symbols of that time. Rio, even today, is the most important city in the country, one of the most developed business centers, where many national and international conferences are held. A new type of tourism in the city is business tourism, attracting many wealthy visitors. However, Rio is not just for the rich. Here you can find hotels of all types and for all budgets.

Because the weather is warm and beautiful throughout the year, Rio does not rely on seasons to attract tourists. Those who come here will understand that their travel program will always be complete. Rio Carnival is an emotional explosion that combines emotion and creativity, plasticity and beauty, colors and sounds, eroticism and imagination. It's the biggest party on the planet and a testament to Brazil's cultural richness.

Where is Rio de Janeiro

Geographic coordinates of Rio de Janeiro: 22°54″ south latitude, 43°14″ west longitude.Cityis located in the southeast of Brazil, on the shores of Guanabara Bay of the Atlantic Ocean. Rio de Janeiro is located on a narrow plain, sandwiched on both sides by mountains and the sea to the south. Rio de Janeiro covers an area of ​​1260 sq. km and is home to about 7 million people.

Rio de Janeiro is the regional capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Cities near Rio de Janeiro:

Petropolis(Petrpolis) 68 km from Rio de Janeiro

Teresopolis (Terespolis) 96 km from Rio de Janeiro

Bizius(Bzios) 176 km from Rio de Janeiro

Paraty(Parati) 261 km from Rio de Janeiro

Districts of Rio de Janeiro

OfficiallyThe territory of Rio de Janeiro is divided into 34 administrative districts. But according to tradition, residents divide the city into 4 macrodistricts:Zona Norte (Northern zone),Zona Sul (South zone), Centro Historico (Historical Center) andZona Oeste (Western zone).

Northern zone - This favela neighborhoods and locationindustrial enterprises. There are few beautiful buildings and entertainment venues here; only in Saenz Pena Square you can find boutiques, restaurants and cafes. The main attraction of the Northern zone isstadium "Maracana".

South zone divided by districts:Copacabana, Leme, Gloria, Flamengo, Botafogo, Catete, Laranjeiras, Ipanema, Humauta, Gavea and Leblon, Botanical Garden, Lagoa and Urca. The South Zone is home to many of the city's attractions: beautiful beaches, the statue of Christ on Mount Corcovado and Sugarloaf Mountain.

Western zone includes the richest and poorest areas of Rio de Janeiro. The most prestigious area of ​​this zone isBarra da Tijuca (Barra da Tijuca). It is in this area that there are the most restaurants, bars, nightclubs, sports grounds and the largest shopping center in South America.But the main feature of the areaBarra da Tijuca is the city's longest 18-kilometer beach and will be one of the venues for the 2016 Olympics.

INHistorical center The main historical buildings are located: the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Library, the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Tiradentes Palace and the Pedro Ernesto Palace. Also here you can find major government organizations, banks, transport and excursion agencies, office buildings, a seaport, railway stations, a domestic airport, expensive restaurants and shops. The Historic Center includes the districts of Lapa and Santa Teresa.

Hotels in different areas of Rio de Janeiro

How to get to Rio de Janeiro

There are no direct flights from Russian cities to Brazil. Flights are carried out with a transfer or connection in one of the European cities. Regular flights are operated by the following airlines:

Lufthansa (via Frankfurt),

KLM (via Amsterdam),

Air France (via Paris),

British Airways (via London),

Swiss Air (via Zurich),

TAP Portugal (viaLisbon) and etc.

WITHThe average cost of plane tickets from Moscow to Rio de Janeiro and back is 66958 rubles. The fastest flight from Moscow to Rio de Janeiroamounts to16 hours 25 minutes.Rio de Janeiro is served by 2 airports:Galean, Santos Damont.

The Aviasales air ticket search engine helps its clients buy cheap tickets by comparing the cost of air tickets to Rio de Janeiro in 45 agencies, 5 booking systems and 728 airlines. You decide which airline to buy plane tickets from Moscow to Rio de Janeiro from. To find out the cost of tickets and plane schedules, use the search form.

Transport in Rio de Janeiro

The public transport system in Rio de Janeiro allows tourists to reach almost all interesting parts of the city.

Busis the main 24/7 mode of transport in Rio de Janeiro. Buses stop only on request. If you want to get on the bus, just wave to the driver. Boarding the bus occurs through the front door, and exit through the back door (translation: entrada - entrance, saida - exit). The fare must be paid to the driver or conductor at the entrance, so it is better to prepare money in advance, preferably change or small bills. To get off the bus, you need to pull the lace or press a special button in the cabin.

Metropolitanin Rio de Janeiro open from Monday to Saturday from 06:00 to 23:00, closed on Sunday. Total length metro– 48 km and 35 stations. Two lines are open: First line and Second line (orange and green). The trains of the two lines partially follow a common track, the First Line trains are painted orange, the Second Line trains are green. This type of transport will not be able to get to the beaches of Ipanema or Leblon. It is a fairly cheap and safe form of transport, equipped with an air conditioning system.More detailed information about the city metro can be found on the websiteMetrorio.com.br .

Taxiin Rio de Janeiro - this is one of the safest ways to get around the city, especially in the evening and at night.There are yellow taxis with blue stripes on the sides with red license plates and radio taxis red-blue color. To understand whether the car is busy or free, look at the red flag of the meter: if it is raised, the taxi is free, but if the flag is not visible, then the taxi is busy. Yellow taxis can be found in any part of the city; there are many parking lots in the city, most often they are located along all the beaches, near hotels, large shops and restaurants. There are two tariffs - day and night (from 21:00 to 06:00). Require the taxi driver to turn on the meter before departure andbMake sure that the meter is set from scratch and shows the number 1. In the evening, at night, on weekends and holidays, the meter can show the number 2, the cost at this time is 10% more expensive.It is customary to tip the taxi driver - 10% of the cost of the trip.

What souvenirs to bring from Rio de Janeiro

Brazilian coffee Cafe Iguaçu, Pilão, Mielita, Cafe do Ponto, Melita, Café Brasileiro or Santa Clara

Cachasa– national strong alcoholic drink made from sugar cane (São Francisco, Ypioca, Seleta)

Mate and a special cup for the drink - calabash and a straw - bombilla.

StatuetteChrist the Redeemer

Tmahogany brazil mascot

Decorating themprecious and semi-precious stones

Berimbau (one-string musical instrument)

SlatesHavaianas

PareoKanga(canga) with Brazilian motifs

NaturalBrazilian chocolate from Lacta and Garoto producers

ANDAmazonian Indian crafts

BBrazilian jeans from Colcci and Damyller companies

TOsuit with the colors of the Brazilian flag

FYoke is a symbol of happiness in Latin America

Best restaurants in Rio de Janeiro

Kurt – Rua General Urquiza, 117, Leblon district

L'Atelier du Cuisinier – Rua Teofilo Otoni, 97, Central District

Restaurante Visual – Rua Maria Do Carmo, Favela Rocinha

Sa – Av Atlantica, 3668, Miramar Hotel By Windsor – Terreo, Copacabana area

Le Pre Catelan – Av. Atlantica 4240, Hotel Sofitel Rio De Janeiro, Ipanema area

Prana Vegetariano – Rua Erere 11, LJ D, near the station where trains leave for the top of Mount Corcovado

L'Etoile – Av Niemeyer, 121. Hotel Sheraton, Vidigal district

Hachiko – Travessa Do Paco 10, Central District

Olympia – Rua Custódio Serrão 62, Lagoa district

Tasty and inexpensive. A budget option

Pizzaria Alessandro e Federico – Rua Garcia D’ávila 151, Ipanema district

Koni Store – Rua Maria Quitéria 77 and Rua Farme de Amoedo 75, Ipanema district

Shirley – Rua Gustavo Sampaio, 610, Leme district

L amas – Rua Marquês de Abrantes 18, Flamengo district

Bar Lagoa – Av Epitácio Pessoa 1674, Lagoa district

Cedro do Libano – Rua Senhor dos Passos 231, Central District

Amir – Rua Ronald de Carvalho 55c, Copacabana area

Carlota – Rua Dias Ferreira 64, Leblon district

Plataforma – Rua Adalberto Ferreira 32, Leblon district

Best beaches in Rio de Janeiro

Copacabana - one of the most famous beaches of Rio de Janeiro, it is also one of the symbols of the city. The length of the beach is 4 km. Strong current. There are many cafes and bars on the beach.Local traders and artists organize a fair every day from 18:00 to 21:00.Promenade along Copacabana - Avenida Atlantis - paved with stones with a pattern in the form of waves.

Ipanema Beach equipped with sports grounds, so hereYou can always meet people playing football and volleyball. Every Sunday the road along the beach is blocked from cars.

Leblon is the most calm and respectable beach in Rio de Janeiro, located in one of the most prestigious areas of the city. The length of Leblon beach is 1.3 km.

Arpoador – a favorite spot for surfers due to the big waves.Lengthbeach with white sand and pebbles – 800 metrov. The beach is located between the Copacabana Fortress and Francisco Otaviano Street.

Safety rules in Rio de Janeiro

Dress simply and carry with you only those things that you will need at this particular time.

Don't carry extra money with you.

Walk around the city during the daytime. In the evening and at night, it is better to walk along illuminated streets where there are a lot of people.

Do not put money, documents or other valuables in your back pockets.

There are a lot of pickpockets in Rio de Janeiro, so be careful when traveling on buses, subways and while walking during rush hours.

You should not wear expensive gadgets in plain sight: iPads, iPods, video cameras, cameras, tablets, players and phones.

Do not wear expensive jewelry, chains, rings, or watches when walking around the city.

Do not carry documents with you; a copy of them is sufficient.

Withdraw cash from your card only at ATMs in shopping centers and bank branches.

Sockets. Electricity

For electronics with European standard sockets, you need to purchase adapters, since in Rio de Janeiro they use type J sockets. The power supply voltage in Brazil is 110-220 V.

It is known that even before the discovery of South America, close to 2 million redskins lived in this area, which now belongs to Brazil. But these days there are hardly more than 100,000 of them. The vast majority of them were destroyed by the conquerors. In 1970, the country's population was already 92 million. Of these, 10 million are blacks and Indians, and the rest of the inhabitants are mestizos - descendants of Indians, Portuguese and blacks. Because in 1880 the country had its largest emigration.

The inhabitants of Rio de Janeiro are cheerful, friendly people who are constantly smiling. The local population is so responsive and rushes to help at any moment that visitors literally feel at home within the walls of the metropolis. This is explained by the fact that immigrants from a large number of countries live in Rio de Janeiro. Therefore, travelers are greeted as “our own”, cordially and hospitably. After all, in the metropolis there is no clearly expressed racial discrimination. As paradoxical as it may sound, race is one of the taboo topics of the indigenous aborigines. That is, any tactless statement on this topic is automatically perceived as racism. This behavior is even protected at the official level by local authorities. Therefore, it is advisable for tourists to be extremely careful in this matter.

The indigenous inhabitants love holidays so much that they are always held at such a height that they are considered incredible spectacles. The renowned local carnival attracts visitors from all over the world year after year. You can visit it every year, but the emotions and impressions will be the same as the first time. During the period of folk festivals, travelers have fun along with the residents of the metropolis. It often happens that several tourists vacation in the company of the indigenous population. Everyone laughs and shares their impressions like old acquaintances.

Population of Rio de Janeiro is about 15 million.

Hierarchy of Rio de Janeiro

The inhabitants of the metropolis, according to their everyday and social characteristics, differ significantly from the inhabitants of other cities in the country. This territory is home to the core mass of Brazil's historically formed elite: the richest part of the bourgeoisie and large landowners. There are many colored natives within the city walls. In the past, their ancestors were brought here by slave traders from the African expanses as slaves to work on local plantations. And although a law has been passed prohibiting and punishing manifestations of racism. This does not in the least prevent the white population from treating blacks somewhat arrogantly and with notes of disdain. While racial prejudices are not shown towards mulattoes, Europeans and Asians.

The sidewalks of Rio de Janeiro surprise travelers with their unique mosaic covering. The fact is that it consists of black and white stone slabs. The drawing consists of wavy white and black lines. This city landmark is considered a unique monument to the unity of two races. But in practice, racism continues to “trickle down.” Although mixed marriages are not prohibited in the city, white ladies prefer to choose white men as husbands. And black guys choose girlfriends with black skin. Black and white soldiers march side by side in formation. But in reality the number of black officers is very small. And in the administration, blacks rarely occupy high positions. And they rarely become large successful businessmen and landowners. No matter how hard the government tries to maintain racial equality, the vast majority of white jobs go to those with light skin, and all the hard work goes to the black population.

The hierarchical division of the inhabitants of the metropolis depends on the place and economic position a person occupies in social and political life. The relationship between layers of society also depends on this.

Although today more than 95% of local population of Rio de Janeiro They profess Catholicism, but the influence of the church is no longer what it was in past times. The wealthy segments of society, mainly for the sake of decency, in order to be perceived as respectable Christians, continue to constantly visit churches and observe all religious rituals.

Life of the inhabitants of Rio de Janeiro

Regarding lifestyle features residents of Rio de Janeiro, it is worth noting that the indigenous population of the metropolis are Cariocas, rather carefree individuals. They are not predisposed to burdening their person with any serious relationships or work. At the same time, literally everyone in the city tries to dress well, loves to eat in good restaurants and, most importantly, have fun and have a good rest. The main concern of city residents is to have a pleasant pastime. This explains why carnival celebrations in the metropolis are held on such a grand scale, with rich investments and sincere fun.

Cariocas adore the sea so much that they try to spend every free minute on sunny beaches.

Travel to Rio de Janeiro, video:

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What is Rio de Janeiro famous for? All about Rio: what is interesting about the Old and New Towns, beaches and legendary places of the most beautiful city in Brazil.

If you remember the song about the “fairy tale city”, “dream city”, and forget that it is dedicated to St. Petersburg, then these are the epithets that can be safely awarded to the pearl - the magnificent Rio de Janeiro. Located on the picturesque coast of the Atlantic Ocean in a tropical climate zone and occupying more than 1,200 km² of area, Rio is inhabited by almost seven million people, and if you take into account its suburbs, the total number of people exceeds 11 million!

The endless beaches of Rio de Janeiro with golden sand are legendary!

Considering the proximity of the “big water” and the geographical location, it is worth saying that in Rio de Janeiro it is quite humid and hot, in summer the temperature does not drop below 25 degrees Celsius, in winter - below 20, of course, with a plus sign.

History of Rio de Janeiro

The history of the city began in the mid-16th century, when the Portuguese founded a settlement here. Due to its proximity to the ocean, the port city of Rio de Janeiro began to develop rapidly, and it only took a couple of centuries for it to become the capital.

Even after the declaration of independence in the 20s of the 19th century, Rio did not lose its capital status, which was lost only in the 60s of the 20th century. Before the Portuguese, several local ethnic groups lived here, the Tupi ethnic group prevailing among them. It is believed that these lands have been inhabited by humans for the last 50 thousand years, which is periodically confirmed by Brazilian archaeologists. With the arrival of Europeans and the emergence of slave settlements to which Africans, Chinese and representatives of other nationalities were brought, a special ethnic group began to form in Rio de Janeiro, the descendants of which represent today the local population, predominantly black.

What's interesting about Rio de Janeiro

A magical panorama of Rio - the most beautiful city in South America!

Today Rio de Janeiro is one of the most popular resorts in the world. It is here that the world famous Capacabana beach is located, where you can easily see world-famous show business stars. Here in Rio stands the famous Sugar Loaf, rising almost 400 meters above the bay.

Another attraction of Rio de Janeiro, known without a doubt to everyone, is the legendary statue of Christ the Redeemer, looking at the city from the heights of Mount Corcovado. And, of course, the carnivals of Rio are one of the most colorful, noisy and relaxed in all of Brazil.

Old town of Rio de Janeiro

In addition to those sights of Rio de Janeiro that need no introduction and are known all over the world, the city has many more places that you simply must visit when you come here on vacation.

The famous Capacabana beach lies within the New City of Rio de Janeiro, as well as another equally pretty beach, Ipanema.

And it’s worth starting with the so-called Old Town, where the majority of buildings built during the formation of Rio de Janeiro are located. Here you can see the old customs house, stroll along the docks, look into the Arsenal, and also visit the buildings of the town hall and exchange. Of particular interest to travelers is Boticario Square with the ancient buildings located on it, as well as the monastic quarter and the monastery of St. Teresa itself, founded in the first half of the 17th century.

In Old Rio you can also see many picturesque palaces and stroll through the adjacent parks. The former residence of the emperor, called Quinta da Boa Vista, deserves special attention. Here you can not only enjoy the luxury of the apartments, but also take a walk in the shade of the tropical trees that grow in large numbers in the palace park.

In general, as for the nature of Rio de Janeiro, this is a separate story, and in order to experience all its beauty and see its richness, you need to devote several days to it and go on an overnight hike.

Fortunately, near the city there is one of the picturesque Brazilian parks - the Tijuca Forest, where you can find not only colorful parrots and butterflies, but also much more. On the territory of this large environmental site is the famous Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro, which houses a unique collection of plants and animals of the region.

New city of Rio de Janeiro

In the photo: Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden

But the park and the Botanical Garden are already located on the territory of the New Town. There are also many museums here, where you can clearly learn about the history of the city and the land on which it is located.

The famous Capacabana Beach also lies within the New City of Rio de Janeiro, as does another equally pretty beach, Ipanema. And also Flamengo Park, which amazes with its beauty. Of the new buildings located here, the famous Maracanã stadium, where the vast majority of Brazilian football stars began their careers, attracts attention.

And these are not all the beauties that will open to the eyes of a traveler who has decided to choose the amazing Brazilian metropolis with metropolitan manners as his holiday destination - Rio de Janeiro.

Two of Rio's most iconic landmarks: Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf

I always pronounce the name of this city with a smile - it’s as if you can hear the fluttering of a thousand colorful butterflies, who can’t wait to fly out and spin to the rhythms of bossa nova (“bossa nova” is a special style of Brazilian music, which is a mixture of jazz and samba).

Rio de Janeiro is amazing!

Passions rage in the hearts of people here no more quietly than in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It seemed to me that the city lives according to the yin-yang principle, without realizing it. All extremes coexist harmoniously here: poverty and prosperity, beauty and ugliness, spiritual kindness with blatant aggression. Next to the elite, very green and beautiful areas of the city, there are always neighborhoods of the poor - favelas, with sun-scorched exteriors, graffiti and endless poverty. One townsman will happily change his route to show you the way if you get lost, while another will steal your bag and threaten you with a gun. Just like in the movies, honestly. And all this to the rhythms of bossa nova.

And by the way, don’t forget to take a phrasebook with you. Because everyone here speaks Portuguese. And there is no more beautiful, completely incomprehensible, waffle-crunching language in the world.

Short video about Rio de Janeiro

How to get there

How to get to Rio de Janeiro if you, like me, live in Moscow? This sunny metropolis is located in South America, and it is very far away. The words “very far” mean the figure 11,543 km - this is exactly the distance from Moscow to Rio de Janeiro. Therefore, the main way to get to Rio is by plane.

But there is another option - to go on a cruise and arrive in Rio on a multi-deck white ship. This is exactly how my idol Ostap Bender dreamed of being in the sultry city of happiness.

And if you are already in South America, then there is nothing easier than getting to the former capital of Brazil by bus. In general, bus service is very developed in South American cities; they are quite comfortable and allow you to save money and sometimes time.

By plane

There are no direct flights from Moscow to Rio. You need to fly with a transfer. The minimum duration of the entire flight is usually 16 hours or more, depending on the chosen connection.

Having monitored the proposals of various airlines (Lufthansa, KLM, Emirates, Etihad, Delta participated in the tender), I came to the conclusion that plane tickets to Rio de Janeiro should be purchased from the airline Air France connecting in Paris.

1. Firstly, this is the most budgetary flight option (my boyfriend paid for the trip, and this point was the most important for him :-)).
2. Secondly, a convenient connection at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport.

If you attend an airline promotion, the ticket will cost you 38,000 rubles (round trip).

Air France flies daily to Rio de Janeiro. I advise you to choose flight AF 1745 from Moscow with an arrival in Charles de Gaulle at 21:45 and then departure from Paris at 23:35 and arrival in Rio de Janeiro at 05:40 in the morning. Choose a return flight depending on price and preferences. There are 1 or sometimes 2 flights a day from Rio de Janeiro (the schedule is constantly changing). There are morning flights and evening flights.

You can view flight schedules, connection times, and air ticket prices.

Arrival airport for international flights ()

All international flights head to Rio de Janeiro airport Galeão Rio De Janeiro. At the airport you will find exchange offices, taxis and everything you need. The center is 20 km away.
At the airport, many employees speak English, so you definitely won’t be lost here :-)

Airport of arrival for domestic flights ()

A charming airport with a runway directly along the Atlantic Ocean. Located in the historical center of the city.

By bus

In Brazil, as in many other countries in South America, bus services between cities are very well developed. Traveling by bus to Rio de Janeiro is a smart alternative to renting a car if, for example, you are afraid to drive in such an exotic country.

The main cities of keen interest to the traveler, from which you can get to Rio by regular buses:

• Sao Paulo.
• Florianapolis.
• Belo Horizonte.
• Arraial do Cabo.
• Buzios.
• Iguazu.

And even from neighboring countries, such as Paraguay, you can come to Rio by bus. But it’s very far away, about 2 days on the road.

Major bus companies

The bus service in Rio (as in Brazil in general) is organized super competently, and I envied it, to be honest (I wish it were like that here!). There are several large bus companies, each with its own website with an English version, and on the website you can easily get directions from point A to point B.

For myself, I highlighted these bus companies (their websites seem to be created for non-Portuguese-speaking tourists :-))

Travel and bus logistics

The logistics of your bus trip will be like this. Go to the website, choose the desired direction, buy a ticket, come to the station and pick up your tickets. It is very easy to understand where to pick up tickets: at the station, look for a kiosk with the name of the bus company, which will be indicated in large letters on the booking sheet.

I advise you to buy the tickets themselves on the website also because promotional rates are published there, which the cashiers often know nothing about. Well, besides, it will be difficult to communicate with the cashiers if you do not speak Portuguese.

Bus stations

Now as for the bus stations themselves. There are several of them in Rio. Foremost - .
The station is located in the city center at: Av. Francisco Bicalho, 1, Santo Cristo.
I recommend getting here by taxi. Although it is located in the center, this part of the city is not safe. The bus stop is quite far from the station, and you will have to walk to it. Judging by the faces that I saw on the street at the entrance to the station, I would not have walked.

And the station building itself is beautiful - very clean, cozy, a lot of shops, the smell of cheese pies (Pão de queijo) and freshly brewed coffee in the air. And yes, there are charging stations for all gadgets. By the way, this service is free, unlike at Moscow train stations. As I remember now, I arrived on the morning train from St. Petersburg to Moscow, the phone rang out, and recharging cost 100 rubles. Fi.

About buses

The buses themselves are very comfortable. When booking tickets, you can choose a bus class:

• VIP, which means this bus is air conditioned.
• STANDARD. There will be no air conditioning.

By the way, the Antarctic climate prevails on buses. I strongly advise you to take the precaution of having warm clothes with you.

By car

In general, in Brazil everything is fine with the roads. In theory, motorists can reach Rio de Janeiro by car from any Brazilian city. And even from other countries in South America, subject to successful passage through customs points.
Personally, I am sure that traveling by car to the “outback” parts of the country may not have the most favorable consequences; after all, the country is not very rich, you can easily be robbed. Well, there’s really no one to ask for advice on the road - no one “speaks” in English.
If you are a fan of road trips, then try to build a route that runs along safe and modern highways.
So, you can come to Rio de Janeiro from Sao Paulo along the largest highway BR-116

By ferry

Rio owes much of its stunning landscapes to its amazing geographical location. The city stretched along the southeastern coast of Brazil and seemed to be squeezed between the mountains on one side and Guanabara Bay (the most beautiful bay in Rio de Janeiro) on the other. Such a good location means that you can get to the city by water - on a luxurious white ship, if you want to make Ostap Bender’s dream come true, or on a small cozy ferry.

By the way, the first sailors sailed to Rio on ships and thought that the bay was the January river in Rio de Janeiro, after which the city was named.

The ferry connects Rio with other Brazilian cities and islands - Niteroi, Cocota, Mangaratiba, Angra dos Reis, Paqueta Island, Ilha Grande Island. These ferries dock at the sea terminal in Rio (by the way, they depart from there). This station is called Estação das Barca and it is located in the city center close to Praça XV near Carioca/Cinelandia metro station.

Travel time, schedule and cost can be viewed on the carrier. As a bonus, everyone traveling on the ferry is offered a gorgeous view of the city and the great statue of Christ from Guanabara Bay.

Cruise ships

If we talk about cruise ships, they sail from various cities of the world to a huge and significant port for the whole country - Port of Rio de Janeiro, to the terminal. The port is located not very far from the city center, at Av. Rodrigues Alves, 10 - Centro, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20081-250. The nearest metro station is Retiro. Here's the terminal.

In general, the terminal is cool - modern, functional, with all the infrastructure necessary for a traveler. By the way, if you are already in Rio and do not intend to sail anywhere on any ships, there is still a reason to come here - at night, incendiary night parties with samba and caipirinha are often held here. Everything is as it should be.

Private yachts

And, if suddenly you are traveling on your private yacht and don’t know where to drop anchor, then head for the beautiful port. By the way, it was in this harbor that races for yachtsmen from all over the world took place at the 2016 Olympic Games. The Marina da Gloria port is located in the charming Flamengo Park near the city center and, believe me, absolutely fantastic panoramas of Rio open up from here. There are nice restaurants in the harbor, where you can learn sailing, or go diving or fishing with a small group.

Clue:

Rio de Janeiro - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 6

Kazan 6

Samara 7

Ekaterinburg 8

Novosibirsk 10

Vladivostok 13

When is the season? When is the best time to go

Just the name of the city radiates sunlight, right? But it also rains here.

During our Russian summer in Rio, winter brings intermittent rain to the city, and the sunny metropolis is plunged into a haze of gray clouds. At the same time, the air temperature rarely drops below +23, and the rains are most often short-lived and warm. So bad weather in Rio is a relative concept. Another thing is that in the gray haze you can’t see the incredibly bright colors of the city. The clearest days in Rio de Janeiro are between November and March.

When planning our trip, we avoided the New Year period, just as we were afraid of fire in February (carnival takes place in February). These are the most expensive periods; prices for holidays in Rio de Janeiro soar several times. And if we talk about prices, then Rio is by no means a cheap city.

We flew to Rio during the season - March 10, a couple of weeks after the carnival. By the time we arrived, the last carnival decorations had, fortunately, been dismantled and prices returned to normal. The weather was good, hot, +38. Sometimes there were long rains during the day (and we were grateful to them), and in the evening the sun invariably appeared, which, when leaving, gave us incredible sunsets - so many heavenly colors, perhaps, can only be found in Monet’s fictional paintings.

Rio de Janeiro in summer

If we talk about our summer months, in Rio they are considered the rainiest and grayest. The air temperature, however, is not lower than 25 degrees, the water is also warm - 21-23 degrees. When traveling to Rio de Janeiro in the summer, take a windbreaker and an umbrella with you.

Rio de Janeiro in autumn

The season officially begins in November in Rio. In general, the division into seasons here is very arbitrary, because the tourist flow does not stop all year round. But if we talk about the weather, then yes, it becomes less cloudy from November. In the autumn months the air temperature is 27-29 degrees. The advantages are the absence of sweltering heat and a gentle wind.

Rio de Janeiro in spring

In my opinion, spring is the ideal time to visit Rio. At this time, the city becomes calmer; the carnival with its madness and wild prices is behind us. The weather is wonderful. It is very hot, up to 38 degrees, with occasional refreshing rains.

Rio de Janeiro in winter

Our winter in Rio de Janeiro is considered summer. In guidebooks, the months from December to March are designated as the most attractive for visiting the country. During this period, the likelihood of rain is low, the waves in the ocean are quieter, and the sky is mostly cloudless. All this is very good, but the number of tourists in the city is such that you want to leave the metropolis with a mysterious name as soon as possible. The largest influx of tourists occurs during the New Year and Carnival, which takes place annually in February.

Clue:

Rio de Janeiro - weather by month

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

As soon as Vadik bought tickets to Rio, we immediately started thinking about where to live, which part of the city to choose. I wanted to be on the sea, and at the same time in the mountains, and to be closer to all the bars and attractions. But when we are talking about such a big city (and Rio is really huge), you need to set priorities :-)

I'll tell you how the city works and what choices we made.

Conventionally, the city is divided into 4 zones:

1. South.
2. Central.
3. Northern.
4. Western.

Individual areas of Rio de Janeiro are concentrated in these zones (there are currently 34 areas in the city)

Southern part of the city

These are the legendary beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, and Flamengo. Perhaps these areas are the most attractive for tourists, everything here is like in a movie - gorgeous beaches, beautiful houses with fences, like in the series “Tropicana”, all the streets are paved with neat tiles, palm trees, ficuses and eternal trees decorate the entrance to each building.

The areas of this part of the city are considered the safest, everywhere you look - there are only police officers. From the southern regions it is easy to reach the main attractions, some of which are located right here:

• Sugarloaf.
• Mount Corcovado with a statue of Christ.
• Lake Rodrigo de Freitas.

There are also taxis running here around the clock. We chose a hotel 2 steps from Ipanema beach and did not regret it for a minute. The beach in Rio is the main stage of the city, everyone flocks here - both locals and tourists. Want to feel the real atmosphere of Rio? Then you're off to the beach. And I’ll tell you what, living next to the beach in Rio is a must. Early in the morning, before a long journey into the wilds of a sunny metropolis, you will always have the opportunity to wake up along with the city, run along the embankment, swim in the gentle waves of the Atlantic Ocean, which can only be like this in the morning, drink freshly squeezed mango juice at a fruit bar on the beach. What could be better? This is how a morning in Rio de Janeiro should begin. And in the evening, no matter where you return from, the sunset will await you to the rhythms of bossa nova - the locals really like to come to the beach with a guitar.

Central part of the city

This is the so-called down town, the historical center of Rio de Janeiro. There are business centers and many historical attractions, including the National Library, the Tiradentes Palace, the Municipal Theater, the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Cathedral and the Pedro Ernesto Palace.

On weekdays, downtown is very lively, with people in business suits scurrying here and there. But come on a Sunday and you won’t recognize the business district – there’s not a soul in the area. Never in my life have I seen more deserted streets.
What impressed me most was the bohemian neighborhoods of Lapai Santa Teresa. I advise all party-goers who want to fall asleep and wake up to the rhythms of the city to stay in Lapa. Well, Santa Teresa will appeal to those looking for romance and solitude.

Northern part of the city

Football fans often visit the northern part of the city, since this is where the legendary stadium in Rio de Janeiro is located. I highly recommend attending one of the football matches held at this stadium, even if you are not a fan. An exciting game, emotions, tears of victory and loss and incomparable energy await you. Football is an integral part of Brazilian culture and way of life. And you should see it with your own eyes!
There are other, lesser-known stadiums in the northern part of the city. But I wouldn’t recommend walking further than the stadium – there are favelas around, dangerous neighborhoods of bandits and poor people.

Western part of the city

This area is the farthest from the city center and therefore tourists very rarely come here. The poorest neighborhoods of the city are closely intertwined with areas for the rich, as if proving to the traveler that Rio is a city of contrasts. The pretty district of Barra da Tijuca is located in this part of the city, as is the 20-kilometer beach, the longest in all of Rio.

What are the prices for holidays?

Tours to Rio de Janeiro are expensive. The City of God itself is not cheap. How . But, of course, you can easily save money here if you think about many things in advance. But not at a hotel - accommodation here is expensive, whether in a hotel or a hostel.

Rio de Janeiro hotel prices

We rented a double room in a 3* hotel 2 minutes from Ipanema beach with spacious rooms in white colors and a huge window, on the windowsill of which ringing hummingbirds hung out every morning. The room cost about $100 per night with breakfast.

Ipanema is a magical area, like a piece of cozy Europe inside Rio with the cutest restaurants, beautiful houses and a gorgeous clean beach.

For the same money ($100 per day) in the bohemian district of Santa Teresa you can rent a room in a chic boutique hotel. There are many cool boutique hotels in the area. The views from the hotels in Santa Teresa are stunning.

But there is a minus. The area is located on a mountain, and at night taxi drivers refuse to go up here without explanation. Therefore, if night walks are in your plans, this is probably not the most suitable area.

In Copacabana, hotels cost from $150 per night. By the way, Copacabana beach itself is very dirty, and all the restaurants along the beach are terribly tasteless and also expensive.

You can still live on the party Lapa. A bed in a good hostel can be found for $60, and a hotel room can be rented for $80. At night it is very noisy and the crowd in the area is very diverse - here are the glamorous partygoers of Rio, and bandits, and homeless people. My friend Natasha told me that it was here that they were threatened with a pistol. As if as a joke.

I usually monitor prices and book hotels on Booking -, but you can check if there is a more attractive price somewhere.

You can see the prices for renting private apartments using the link.

Taxi, bus and metro prices

Getting around the city is exactly where you can really save money if you use public transport.

So, on average, the cost of a taxi trip in the southern part of the city will be 50-70 reais (15-20 dollars). A bus ticket costs 4 reais (about 2 dollars). Feel the difference. The cost of one metro trip is 3.20 reais (1 dollar), which is more expensive than in Moscow, but still several times cheaper than a taxi.

Prices for restaurants, cafes and bars

Good restaurants are quite expensive. Dinner can cost from 200 reais ($60) for two. Take advantage of the “serving for 2” menu offer. Believe me, this will be a serving for 4 people, but it will be more economical than everyone ordering a whole dish.
There are many restaurants in Rio, and you can find something simpler. But here's my advice to you - never go to restaurants in Copacabana. Everything here is terribly tasteless and expensive.

The cost of a caipirinha in a beach bar is 8-10 reais (about 3-4 dollars), but in a bar the price will be 25 reais (8 dollars).

Freshly squeezed juice in juice bars (such bars are a specialty of Rio, they are scattered throughout the city) - from 5 reais (2 dollars).

To summarize, I will say that both the holiday in Rio de Janeiro and the prices are all at the highest level! :-)

Clue:

Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things

Currency: Euro, € US Dollar, $ Russian Ruble, Rub Brazilian Real, R$

Main attractions. What to see

Rio is a real treasure trove of cultural and natural wonders, interesting and unusual city routes.

There is a list of places that are absolutely MUST SEE:

• Statue of Christ the Redeemer.

• Sugar Loaf.
• Botanical Garden.
• Tijuca Forest.
• Maracanã Stadium.
• Art Museum of Art.
• National Library (the largest in all of South America).

By the way, the beaches in Rio are also among the attractions. Be sure to visit the beaches " Ipanema, Copacabana, Leblon, Flamengo» and you will see that each of them has its own unique atmosphere.

Walk through the world's largest urban national park Tijuca Park and you will be pleasantly surprised to meet cute, but very arrogant coatis, impressed by giant eucalyptus trees and signs that warn about dangerous and insidious snakes. By the way, the Statue of Christ - the most legendary monument in Rio de Janeiro - is located at the top of this park, and if you dare to get to it on foot (too long and hot), you will have indescribable emotions and the most beautiful photographs in your arsenal.

Once in the Lapa quarter, be sure to take the Bondinho (an old wooden tram) that will take you up to the area of ​​the rich and mansions - Santa Teresa.
And if you want to experience the real life of the slums, then take a motorcycle taxi and go to the favelas. At one's own risk.

Don't forget to watch the stars of South America through a telescope at the Rio de Janeiro Planetarium. Remember that all museums have free days to visit, which will make your holiday in Rio de Janeiro more budget-friendly.

And you can easily avoid queues at various museums and, most importantly, at the statue of Christ, by using the service fast track, which is offered by several local travel companies, for example, Matuete. The cost of this service is about $40 per person.

Top 5

Statue of Christ the Redeemer

Just as the alphabet begins with the letter “A,” so the top list of Rio attractions begins with the Statue of Christ the Redeemer, which is not only the main symbol of Rio de Janeiro, but also the main identifying sign of Brazil as a whole.

My local friends told me that the monument was erected thanks to the efforts of one very rich man as a sign of his gratitude to the City of God, in which he was able to get rich. The official version says that the Statue was erected to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Brazil's independence. I trust my friends more, because Rio is a city of miracles.

The statue itself in Rio de Janeiro is located at the top of the Tijuca National Park, and its height is about 38 meters. You can get there by special tourist train, minibus, car or on foot. The last option is for the most desperate travelers - you will have to walk for a long time and in the heat, but you will have the most stunning views of the city, plus you will explore the world's largest urban national park.

We didn’t know about the fast track service, which I talked about above, so we spent 4 hours in 3 queues under the scorching sun!!! When, after all this hell, we found ourselves at the statue, I wanted to cry. Such a number of people as there were around the statue could probably only have been in the main Bombay market. It's horrible.

Try to focus on the magnificence of the monument. Because the figure of Christ emits truly powerful energy, which easily spreads to a million Chinese people around. Both this energy and these stunning views justify any torment. It is not for nothing that the monument is included in the list of modern wonders of the world.

• Opening hours: daily from 8:30 – 17:00.
• Price: Admission for adults is 51 reais ($16).

For up-to-date information on opening hours and costs, see the Rio de Janeiro Metro website.

Read more about the Statue of Christ the Redeemer at.

Lapa & Escadaria Selarón

The Lapa district is geographically located in the central part of the city, and despite the fact that there are always a lot of tourists here, it has not lost its very special flavor.

The Lapa quarter is a kind of Parisian Montmartre, an area where artists, poets, dancers and other creative personalities have found refuge. At night on the streets of Lapa everyone dances samba and sings bossa nova. Do you want to go to the carnival? This carnival is here all year round.

In one of the alleys you will find Selarone staircase (EscadariaSelaron) . Just ask any passerby - everyone knows where it is.

In 2013, the artist was found dead on his stairs. They say that one of his own students killed him out of envy. Jorge Selarone is still alive in the hearts of people, and his staircase has become one of the best examples of Brazilian modern art.

Visiting the staircase is free.

Santa Teresa and the Bondinho

Santa Teresa is a district of mansions. Remember the series “Tropicana”, “Wild Rose”? So everything there looks the same - rich houses, rose fences, labyrinthine streets and gorgeous views of Guanabara Bay.

The best time to go to Santa Teresa is after a walk through the Lapa district. From here this can be done in a completely unusual way - using “bondinho”. This is what cariocas (locals) call the old wooden tram, which has been transporting people from one area to another for decades.

In theory, the tram departs every 20 minutes from the Carioca metro station. But this is only in theory. In fact, the tram follows only the schedule known to it. The tram does not have a website, and I generally doubt that this type of transport functions officially. The opening hours are not written at the entrance, but I know one thing for sure: at exactly 16:00 the tram stops moving (the first time we decided to take a ride at about 5 pm and came to the closed doors of the station). He also does not make routes after rain. We were convinced of this when we came to the station for the second time :-). And only for the third time luck smiled on us.

You sit in one of 5 wooden trailers, the benches are distributed equally between tourists and cariocas. The tram climbs up the hillside, deftly maneuvering between beautiful mansions with colorful fences and ancient buildings, the architectural appearance of which quietly takes us to Rio of past centuries. Winding through the labyrinth of old streets, the tram periodically pampers passengers with views from the cliff of the sea in Rio de Janeiro. Undoubtedly, this was one of the most romantic and extraordinary trips of my life.

Sugar Loaf (Pão de Açúcar)

Sugarloaf is a mountain called Pão de Açúcar, and its height reaches almost 400 m. It is called so because it supposedly looks like a piece of sugar. The essence of the visit is that you take a cable car to the top of this mountain.

During this time, the traveler will have 3 stops at different heights - Praia Vermelha, Urca and the top of the mountain itself.

You definitely need to go here to see the sunset. And if you are lucky and the sky is cloudless, you will fall into a trance from the beauty around you. By the way, there are no crazy crowds of tourists here. You can relax, sit on a chair, drink a can of beer and enjoy your stay in Rio. The views from the top are stunning. Everything is as in the picture, honestly.

• Opening hours: 8:10 – 21:00. Funiculars depart every 20 minutes.
• Cost of the funicular ride: 62 reais (almost 20 dollars). This price includes all 3 ascents and 3 descents.

Favelas (FAVELS)

Favelas are poor people's neighborhoods scattered haphazardly throughout the city. For some reason, the incredible piles of houses on the mountain are fascinating.
Each favela is like a separate state with its own orders, structure, drug lords, schools, hospitals. Have you seen the movie "City of God"? This is exactly how the poor people's neighborhoods here actually work.

Favelas are an acute social phenomenon, which personally does not frighten me so much as makes me empathize with the inhabitants of these neighborhoods. The number of people living in Rio de Janeiro's favelas is alarming! Millions of people. From year to year, the state ignores the problems of communities, and sometimes their very existence, deprives the inhabitants of even minimal social support and thereby condemns the poor to earn their bread through crimes.

In these areas, poverty, not carnival, rules the roost. Rarely does a tourist get to see this side of the city. Looking into a favela is a dangerous undertaking and can sometimes cost your life. But not looking here means not understanding anything about the city. Because Rio is not only beaches, samba and mansions with beautiful fences. Rio is a city of completely different destinies, a carnival city in which millions of people are doomed to starvation.

Beaches. Which ones are better

The most famous and beautiful beaches of Rio de Janeiro () are Ipanema, Copacabana, Leblon.

• "Ipanema"– in my opinion, this is the most amazing beach in Rio de Janeiro. Azure, turquoise water, view of the Two Brothers rocks, seagulls overhead. The elite crowd of Rio de Janeiro hangs out here, and surprisingly there are not as many tourists as in Copacabana, for example. Cape Aproador, which separates the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, deserves special attention. As soon as the sun begins to sink behind the mountain, all the locals gather on the cape to watch the sunset. Take a bottle of good wine from the nearest store and be sure to come here. I close my eyes and see those sunsets and hear a beautiful cariocas girl singing “Girl from Ipanema” with a guitar. Read more.

• "Copacabana" is a four-kilometer public beach. And there is no such person who would not dream of being in Copacabana. I dreamed too. And what I will say is that Copacabana Beach is beautiful from afar. In fact, it is very dirty, and the waves are so high that every step in the ocean must be carefully thought out, otherwise you simply won’t be able to swim. They say that you can often see celebrities here, but I didn’t meet them, but there are more than enough dubious-looking people on the beach. On the outskirts of the beach is the Copacabana Fortress, which houses the Army Historical Museum, where you can see German submarines from the early 20th century. Details.

• "Leblon» – this beach is a continuation of Ipanema and at the same time is considered the most respectable beach in the city of God. It's good to come here on Sunday, when Copacabana and Ipanema are crowded. After all, all city residents spend their weekends on the beach :-)

If you are a fan of surfing, then go to the beaches " Barra de Tijuca» And " Recreo» . High waves are guaranteed here all year round.

By the way, about the waves. If you want to enjoy their absence and the silence of the sea, then you will like it beach "Urka"» , which is located at the foot of Sugar Loaf.

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

In Rio de Janeiro, everyone believes in God; it is not for nothing that this metropolis is called the City of God. Within the city there are a huge number of churches, temples and monasteries. I will highlight the most beautiful and significant for the city residents.

• Temple of Saint Zenaide is a magnificent, incredibly cozy Orthodox church, the history of which begins in the 19th century. After the 1917 revolution, many Russian emigrants found refuge in Rio de Janeiro. Every Russian family invested money in the construction of this church. It is located in the beautiful Santa Teresa area, people come here to rest their souls, pray, and think about the main thing. I highly recommend taking the time to visit this church. On the temple website you can see opening hours, learn more about the history of its creation and much more.

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

There are a lot of museums in the city. To see them all, I advise you to apply for permanent residence in the City of God. I’ll tell you about the most iconic ones and also about the most unusual ones, where tourists usually never set foot. In Rio de Janeiro, attractions can be found where you might not expect them.

Art Museum ()

There are a lot of tourists in this museum. And this is not surprising, because there is a huge collection of works from the greatest masters of this world. Particularly interesting are the exhibitions of African and Brazilian art.

• Address: Av. Rio Branco, 199 - Centro.
• Opening hours: Tue-Fri 10.00 – 17.00. On Sunday admission is free. On other days, 8 reais ($2.30) per person.

Or it is also called “the museum of tomorrow.” The fact that this is a museum of the future is immediately clear; the architect of the building, Santiago Calatrava, seemed to have flown into space and spied how everything worked there. As for the exhibitions, you will find various media panels, interactive things and other high-tech interests. I highly recommend taking a look here.

• Address: Praça Mauá, 1 - Centro.
• Opening hours: Tue-Sun, 10.00 – 17.00. On Saturdays admission is free, on other days 10 reais ($3) per person.

Modern Art Museum ()

Everything here is like in all IOM museums around the world - many exhibits of contemporary art, with preference given to Brazilian creators. This museum was designed by the famous Brazilian architect Afonso Reidy.

• Address: Av. Infante Dom Henrique, 85 - Parque do Flamengo.
• Opening hours: Tue-Fri 12:00-18: 00. Tickets cost 14 reais (5 dollars).

Gallery of Contemporary Carioca Art ()

This is perhaps the most popular gallery in Rio de Janeiro among art lovers. There are very interesting collections of famous and completely unknown local pen artists here.

• Address: Rua Gonçalves Lédo, 11 e 17 - Centro.
• Working hours: Mon-Fri t 12:00-19:00. WITH Ticket prices vary and depend on the specific exhibition. On average it varies from 2 to 12 reais (1-5 dollars).

All the museums listed above are classics of the genre. Everyone knows about them, everyone includes them in the program. Below is a list of places you should definitely check out if you want something like this.

School of the Arts ()

It’s like it’s not really a museum, but a functioning art school. This school is a real palace, already dilapidated for a long time, but not devoid of dignity. It is located on the territory of a real jungle, despite the fact that this jungle is located almost in the middle of the city. You can go inside and walk around the school, this is where you will see real contemporary art, without refined frames and established cliches. But the most important thing is the flocks of divine toucans, who, sitting on the balconies of the palace, protect the young masters from failure.

• Address: R. Jardim Botânico, 414 - Jardim Botânico.
• Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10:00 -16:00. Free admission.

Aunt Rose's legendary samba school (Grêmio Recreativo Escola de Samba Unidos de Vila Isabel)

Dona Rosa is an outstanding old lady. We wish all of us girls could be like this old lady. There is fire in the eyes, a smile on the lips, samba in the movements. Do you want to know where the most incendiary dance in the world begins and how the carnival works? Come to the Vila Isabel school and they will show and tell you everything. True, the conversation will be in Portuguese. But don’t let this scare you, I assure you, everything will be clear, because samba knows no language barriers. If you're lucky, you'll catch Rosa, whose team, by the way, regularly wins the carnival.

• Address: Boulevard 28 de Setembro.
• Opening hours: no set opening hours. Try coming on a weekday afternoon. Admission is free, but tips for the development of the school are welcome :-)

Parks

Residents of Rio de Janeiro love to spend time outdoors - on the beach or in parks. Where you need to go for local flavor is in city parks, each of them has a special atmosphere, because citizens come here to take a breath and rest their souls. There are a lot of parks in the city, and they are stunning - with eucalyptus trees, bamboos, birds, butterflies and toucans.

The most famous, but without losing their charm:

• Flamengo Park. This park seems to reflect the serene Brazilian soul. The aroma of grilled meat is in the air (Cariocas often host barbecue parties), single visitors hum bossa nova to themselves, they play football on the grass, and build castles on the sand. Entrance is free, it is better not to walk at night. Address: Rua Brigadeiro, Eduardo Gomes, Flamengo. Metro: Largo de Machado or Catete.

• Park near Lake Rodrigo de Freitas. Here you can not only enjoy romantic walks along the alleys, but also take a boat or catamaran ride on the lake. It is especially pleasant to glide along the surface of the water in the evening, when the heat subsides; you can watch how the city smoothly plunges into twilight and the illumination washes over the river, as if in a wave. The boat will cost you 15 reals ($4.5) for 30 minutes. You can rent it at the Tretbootverleih Pier. Admission is free, boat rental is open from 10:00 to 20:00. Address: Avenida Epitacio Pessoa, Parque do Cantagalo, quiosque 20. Metro: Gal.Osorio.
• Botanical Garden . An absolute MUST SEE in Rio de Janeiro. Think for yourself where else you will see alleys of giant palm trees, a lake with delightful giant water lilies and white lilies, bamboo labyrinths and dozens of other exotic plants. By the way, the garden contains not only Brazilian vegetation, but also completely non-local vegetation, brought here from all over the world by Prince João VI, who in 1800 turned this garden into a royal park.
  A very important point - do not forget to take all available repellents with you, there are many more mosquitoes here than there are visitors. Opening hours: daily from 8 to 18, admission costs 6 reais (1.55 dollars) Address: R. Jardim Botânico, 1008 - Jardim Botânico. Metro: Botafogo + bus 170/172/176.

Tourist streets

The most important tourist streets in Rio are considered beaches “Ipanema”, “Copacabana”, “Leblon”» and their embankments with millions of boutiques, juice bars, beach markets and cozy restaurants. On such streets, the wind from the Atlantic always blows towards you, and passers-by compete for the most fashionable outfit, which here is, of course, a bikini.

Once in the city center, be sure to take a walk around the Cinelandia quarter. At the beginning of the 20th century, the mayor of the city, Pereire Passuso, demolished more than 700 residential buildings to create a “little Paris” in the city center. So come here and take a look at this one. It’s convenient to start your walk from the Cinelandia metro station in Floriano Square, surrounded by beautiful ancient palaces; the world famous Rio de Janeiro Theater is located next to the same square. The central streets of Rio de Janeiro are beautiful.

What to see in 1 day

It’s very sad if you only have one day in Rio, because in such a city a whole life is not enough. Well, there’s nothing to be done, I would plan 24 hours in the City of God like this:

• Morning (8-10 am). Travel to Ipanema and watch the city awaken. The best way to watch it is from a cozy cafe, where they will serve you coffee and signature cheese buns. You have 2 hours for breakfast, the ocean and a bikini.
• Late morning (10-12 am) When you leave the beach, don’t cry, because you have a whole day ahead of you, filled with searching for interesting things to do in Rio de Janeiro. The closest metro station to Ipanema is Gal. Osorio. Take the metro and you'll end up at Cinelandia station. And now you are in the historical center of the city, take a walk through the Cinelandia quarter and nearby streets - colonial houses, architectural monuments, beautiful churches, in general, everything that usually attracts the city center awaits you.
• Lunch (12:00-13:00) Have lunch at one of Lapa's restaurants. Feel free to order meat and beer!
• Afternoon (13:00-15:00) From the restaurant, walk to Carioca metro station. Here is the stop of the local old Bondinho tram, which with a slight rattle will take you to the bohemian district of Santa Teresa mansions. Along the way you will enjoy magnificent views of Guanabara Bay.
• Day (15:00-18:00) After you leave the tram, quickly go to Sugar Loaf (Botafogo metro), where you should definitely catch the beginning of sunset. If the sky is cloudless, I guarantee it will be the most incredible sunset of your life.
• Evening (18:00-22:00) If you have time, and especially if you are a football fan, I advise you to buy tickets for the match, which takes place at the Maracanã stadium. An amazing game of Brazilian teams, tears, joy, a thousand emotions in one bottle awaits you. Tickets are inexpensive, and the game schedule can be viewed on the stadium's website.

What to see in the area

Nearby Islands

Lost 120 km from Rio is an amazing tropical Ilha Grande island. This is a real green patch of Amazonia in the middle of the ocean and one of the most beautiful places in Brazil, and maybe in all of South America.

Ilya Grande is like an island from the books of Jules Verne. The Tupinamba Indians once lived here, and the paths they laid can still be used for walking.

The main attraction of Ilha Grande is its wild nature and beautiful beaches. Take a water taxi (it costs pennies here) and go on a tour of Ilha Grande Bay with its many islands, wild beaches, waterfalls and other natural wonders. In the village of Abrau, located in the middle of virgin forests, you can rent a room in a small house and enjoy the sunset in one of the local restaurants in the evenings. By the way, there are no ATMs on the island and only cash is accepted. Don't forget about it.

How to get there

From Rio de Janeiro you need to take a bus from the train station to the Rodoviaria Novo Rio station (Costa Verde bus company) to the Conceicao de Jacarei stop, and then by ferry. Ferries depart daily (about 5 departures per day). Mono tickets can be purchased directly on the spot, costing about 15 reais (5 dollars) per person.

Food. What to try

Rio has never laid claim to being the country's gourmet gastronomic capital. I wouldn’t be surprised if there isn’t one like this in Brazil at all. Everything here is simple, satisfying, sometimes tasty, sometimes not.
In this city you have to eat meat. It is correct, juicy, awesome. My friend, a vegetarian, once admitted over a glass of Burgundy that she doesn’t eat meat anywhere except Brazil and Argentina. You can eat meat here in a variety of variations, but to avoid mistakes, I advise you to just take steak. As a rule, it is served with vegetables and French fries.
Street food deserves special attention in Rio. I still remember the scent Pão de queijo de tapioca(round cheese buns), which is simply in the air in Rio. Every morning I devoured them in quantities of at least 7 pieces. By the way, the balls can also be fish. And they are also very tasty. Are called « Bolinhos de bacalhau» .
A dish with the oriental name “feijoada” is also popular in Rio. It is generally considered a traditional Brazilian treat, and was previously the food of slaves. The ingredients are as follows - beans, meat and whatever comes to hand. You will find this dish in restaurants and street stalls. I wouldn't say it's very tasty, but, without a doubt, interesting :-)
In downtown, next to the Carioca station, very colorful Brazilian women entice all passers-by with shrimp sandwiches. It looks very tasty, but Vadik did not allow me to try it because of the suspicious green sauce. This sandwich is called empada. If you're in Rio, eat 2! :-)

Drinks deserve special attention in Rio de Janeiro. I think everyone knows about caipirinha. Local alcohol, which is sold at every turn, is a mixture of cachaça (Brazilian vodka), lime, cane sugar and sometimes mint. Very tasty and very drunk. After 3 days, this cocktail is impossible to look at. Another thing - tangerine caipirinha. In one of the bars on Lapa, I met a resident of Sao Paulo, and she advised me to order it. As a rule, tangerine caipirinha is not on the menu and bartenders make this drink at the request of those in the know. Be sure to try it - this is an amazing cocktail that never gets boring.
I would classify the juice bars of Rio de Janeiro as gastronomic wonders. They are scattered throughout the city and offer visitors to try a variety of exotic juices. Where else will you have the opportunity to enjoy drinks made from acerola, graviola and acai?

Budget

1. Delírio Tropical, a chain of restaurants around the city.
2. "Baixo Gago", Laranjeiras.
3. "Bar do Adão", a chain of restaurants around the city.
4. "Corujão", Benfica.

Mid-level

1. "Tacacá do Norte", Flamengo.
2. "Botero", Laranjeiras.
3. "Point Lunches", Tabajaras.
4. "Fat Choi", Gloria.

Expensive

1. "Pergula", Copacabana.
2. "Lasai", Botafogo.
3. "Olympe", Lagoa.
4. "Quiteria Restaurante", Ipanema.

Holidays

The most important holiday in Rio de Janeiro is February.

It is in February that the world-famous carnival in Rio de Janeiro starts annually, photos of which are replete with all the magazines. And this, of course, is a magnificent show with its own traditions, which has no analogues. The essence of the event is that all citizens and guests of the city dress up in bright dance costumes and go out into the street to watch the competition of the best samba dance schools. All groups of speakers move on special platforms; each school is allocated about 80 minutes to perform.

If samba has been tapping out naughty steps in your soul for a long time, then visiting the carnival will become a pearl in your travel treasure. Here, where you will find a lot of useful information, life hacks and tips on how to organize your trip to the carnival.

As for me, I adore samba and yet I decided not to go to the carnival! :-) Because it's very expensive. And I also don’t like tourists, and a carnival definitely involves crowds of people. During my stay in Rio, I made local friends, and all of them (being of different age categories, gender and financial status) admitted that they were trying to leave the city during the carnival. In addition to the madness that is happening on the streets, prices increase tenfold, as does the crime rate, unfortunately. My Brazilian friends also reported that the place of a tourist at a carnival is invariably on the side, in a crowd of completely different people, often vulgarly drunk and literally dangerous. So it goes.

The carnival is very beautifully depicted in fantasy, but in reality it can disappoint with its turmoil, as it disappointed many of my friends who nevertheless decided to attend this celebration of life. Therefore, I advise you to weigh the pros and cons of such a trip. And I also want to inform you that the spirit of carnival always reigns in Rio. Only in other months this spirit is not associated with crowds of tourists.

Safety. What to watch out for

Rio is a beautiful city, but dangerous. I advise you to always be alert and, when going on long walks, not to take all your jewelry with you. Your earrings will instantly cease to belong to you - such are the clever street scammers here.

I admit, I looked at Rio through rose-colored glasses and nothing bad happened - no scenes with robbery and shootings. But I assure you, this is not uncommon in Rio, as evidenced by the experience of my fellow travelers and the stories of local friends. Take care of yourself in this city and be attentive to others!

Things to do

When you're in Rio, your soul feels like it's in flight. You feel like a seagull, relaxingly soaring in the streams of a cloudless sky. And it seems to me that not making a real flight in this city is a crime!
And here are a couple of options that will become a unique experience in your life.

• Hang gliding flight. Well, I highly recommend it. You will not just see the city from a bird's eye view, but you will also feel like a real bird. The emotions that such a flight will give you are difficult to describe in words; such adrenaline awaits you that it will be enough for another year without traveling. The stunning views of the City of God will appear in the palm of your hand: the Statue of Christ the Redeemer, and Sugarloaf, and the green peaks of the Tijuca National Park, and, of course, the outlines of all the beaches with the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. There are many companies in the city that offer flights. I advise you to contact one of these agencies in advance, because this is a very popular entertainment among tourists and cariocas. I can recommend a local company, Matuete, or ask your hotel concierge.
  WITH The cost of a tandem flight is not small - from $150 per person. True, this price already includes transfers from the hotel to Tijuca Park (it is from here that the flight starts from the Pedro Bonita ramp), entrance tickets to the park, insurance and the flight itself (about 12 minutes in the air). Believe me, it's worth it!

Shopping and shops

Along Ipanema and Copacabana there are many boutiques where you can buy beautiful clothes from Brazilian and leading world brands. Everything is VERY expensive. The city also has shopping centers, and if necessary, you can buy any clothes. But Rio, comrades, is not a place to hunt for brands. The only thing worth buying are Havaianas brand slippers, which are sold in shops throughout the city. Well, sneakers from the Rainha brand, which you wear for 10 years.

Pay attention to antique and art shops. Here you can buy truly outlandish and unusual things. I recommend checking out these shops:

1. L.A.VEREDAHANDICRAFTS. A rich selection of paintings by local artists, clay figurines from the state of Pernambuco, bright Bondo-style T-shirts. Address: R. Alm. Alexandrino, 428 - Santa Teresa.Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 20:00. There is no website.
2. PE DE BOI . This seems to be the best store for art lovers. You can even just come here to have a look, the store is like a gallery. Rare works by artists from the Amazon and other distant corners of Brazil are collected here. Address: R. Ipiranga, 55 – Laranjeiras.Opening hours: daily except Sunday from 10 to 19.
3. PLANOB. This is the place where you can dig up both old jazz records and modern CDs with the best music of Brazilian musicians. DJ parties are often held on weekends. See the poster on the website. Address: R. Francisco Muratori, 2 - Santa Teresa.Opening hours: check the website, they change all the time.

Bars. Where to go

One of the best and most atmospheric bars where they play and dance samba is.
It opens at 10 pm, and by this time there is already a line out front to get in. Admission is paid, it costs about $10. At the same time, you will be given a bracelet, and you can enter and exit as often as you like. But you won’t want to go out – such a captivating atmosphere and amazing music. At the same time, there are a lot of people here aged 45+, mostly Brazilians, everyone is dressed very beautifully and tastefully. Address: Av. Mem de Sá, 79 – Centro.

The bar is no less colorful. The regulars are local artists, drinking draft beer and listening to quiet samba. But in the evening the decibel level rises sharply and the bar fills with partygoers of all sorts. Address: R. Áurea, 26 - Santa Teresa.

And here is a list of great places:

1. Lapa 40 Graus(R. Riachuelo, 97 - Centro, Rio de Janeiro).
2. Jazz In(R. Sacadura Cabral, 63).
3. Bar Bukowski(R. Álvaro Ramos, 270 - Botafogo).
4. Bla Bla Champanheria(Av. Érico Veríssimo, 843 - Barra da Tijuca).

Clubs and nightlife

Rio seems to be made for party people. You can trust me in this matter, I am like that myself.

People come to Lapa for non-stop fun, alcohol and samba. In the labyrinth of small streets and dilapidated buildings, bossa nova thunders, and after 12 or more incendiary tunes. The coolest thing is that the music here is live. Dancing in Rio de Janeiro until the morning - in bars, near bars, on the street, in other words, everywhere and absolutely everything.

The party scene in Rio de Janeiro at night is concentrated mainly in bars. But there are also a couple of excellent clubs with parties “for the rich”. Celebrities often come here on vacation; everyone is dressed beautifully and stylishly. And still the main leitmotif is samba until the morning.

And here’s another thing I want to say: during the day there is also a party in Rio de Janeiro. The beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema are at your service.

Extreme Sports

The most extreme sports in Rio de Janeiro are perhaps hang gliding and surfing.

I have already written in detail about hang gliders in the “What to do” section. As for surfing, it is very popular in Rio. The waves here are year-round, but the structure is quite difficult if you are a beginner.

If you are an experienced surfer, then take a board and go to the beaches of Recreo or Barra de Tijuca. On the beaches you can find equipment rental points, which always have experienced instructors. Lesson cost is negotiable :-)

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

Havaianas slippers

These are the best slippers ever. Already on the second day of my stay in Rio, my legs claimed first-degree disability, such were the consequences of a 30-kilometer walk in the pouring rain in Tijuca. I decided that this was a completely worthy excuse to beg Vadik for new shoes. And so we went to the Havaianas shop (they are everywhere in Rio). Millions of models of beach shoes, sneakers, and slip-ons opened up to my greedy gaze. The prices are super reasonable. Good slip-ons can be purchased for 75 reais ($20). In Brazil, everyone wears these shoes, and this is not surprising, because they will not cause you the slightest discomfort and look bright and stylish.

Musical record by Chico Buarca

Chico Buarqui is a legendary Brazilian singer, actor, public figure and just a beautiful man. His music is magical. Buy his CD for yourself and it will remain in your heart forever. The song Bye Bye, Brasil still makes me cry. A wonderful gift for music lover friends. The price of the record is from 50 reais (15 dollars).

Natural cosmetics Granado

The most natural, most Brazilian cosmetics. It is famous primarily for its glycerin soaps. But there are also body lotions and much more. The persistent smell of exotic plants, fruits and freshness will give you a Brazilian mood every day. Prices start from 5 reais (2 dollars). And here are them.

How to get around the city

In Rio, the cheapest way to get around is by public transport, the safest is by taxi, and the most enjoyable is by bicycle.

A one-way bus ride costs from 2.7 to 5 reais (1-3 dollars), by metro - 4.1 reais (2 dollars).

By the way, the metro has a Subway + MetrôRio bus service ticket, which includes one trip on the metro and one on a special bus. Cost – 4.1 reais (2 dollars).

A taxi ride in the center starts from 30 reais (10 dollars) - this is the basic fare.

And along the city’s beaches I advise you to ride bikes. Bicycle rental for 2 hours is about 15 reais (5 dollars).

Taxi. What features exist

Undoubtedly the safest and most convenient form of transport. Cars run throughout the city. You can catch it right on the street or call it through the "easy taxi" app. There are 2 types of taxis – yellow and white. Yellow - you are driving through traffic. White – fixed tariff.

There are also motorcycle taxis in the city, their stations are mainly based at the foot of the favelas.

How to get from Galeo International Airport to the city center by taxi

At the exit of the main terminal you will see a row of white taxis that operate on fixed traffic. All machines will say "100 reais" ($30) or a number similar to this. This is the price of a trip to the city center.

There is also an official city taxi stand at the airport (all cars are yellow). Price is negotiable - you can take a fixed rate or by meter.

How to get from Santos Dumont Airport to the city center by taxi

In the airport building at the exit there are city taxi stands. You go to any one, name the final destination, and they tell you the cost. You pay. The driver will already be waiting for you on the street. The cost of a trip to the center (the airport itself is located in the center) is 70 reais ($20).

Trams

In Rio, I found only one tram - the Bondinho, running from Lapa to Santa Teresa. I talked about him earlier. However! During my stay in the city, rails were laid throughout the center. I assume for the tram. But at the moment there is still no tram service.

Metro

The Rio de Janeiro Metro is convenient, has modern stations, and is very easy to navigate. The metro is divided into 2 lines: orange (Linha 1) and green (Linha 2). I advise you to actively use the metro website, there is an interactive map with which you can understand how to get from point A to point B.

In addition, on the site you will find information about all the main attractions of the city, including descriptions, current entry prices, opening hours and how to get to them by metro.

And one more thing - the metro in Rio is damn cold, take a blouse with you or something.

Buses

There are a lot of buses in the city, especially in the center, and they are all constantly crowded with citizens. However, such invaluable advantages as a dedicated lane and low ticket prices give this mode of transport enormous advantages. By the way, on buses you can watch the locals, believe me, it’s very interesting.

It is almost impossible to understand the numbering of buses and their directions without prior preparation. My advice is to always plan your route to a particular part of the city in advance and find out what bus number you need. A sign to help.

How to get from the international airport to the city center by bus

From Galeão Rio De Janeiro Airport to the city center it is about 14 km.
We arrived at 5:40 am and were in absolutely no hurry. So we decided to go by bus. At the exit terminal 2 yellow buses stop. If you need to go to the city center, follow the sign “CAPACABANA”. This bus travels through the entire center and stops at every stop. Show the driver your address and he will stop as close to the desired address as possible. The fare is about $1.50 per person (4 reais).

In theory, it would take 40 minutes from the airport to the Capacabana stop, but we got stuck in every possible traffic jam and were only there a couple of hours later.

Transport rental

Cars

My opinion is this: it is better to do without a car in Rio and not bother with renting. Traffic in the City of God is intense, the geography of the city is insanely difficult to quickly understand, there is no parking, and the fines are large. Well, there are also a large number of cases of car robbery.

If you still decide to rent a car, then it’s better to rent from local companies, the price will be 10 percent lower. You can look at prices in advance and monitor promotional offers. Don't forget to take your international driver's license and credit card. When you register your car, you will be provided with insurance at the rate of approximately $12 per day. A cash deposit is sometimes required at the discretion of the moving company.

Bicycles

Renting bicycles in Rio is very cool. There are various rental companies located along the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. I advise you to find the points. These bikes are free for the first hour, and if you rent for the whole day you will only pay 5 reais ($1.50).

To rent such a bike, you need to have a mobile phone and 300 reais ($95) on your credit card (will be temporarily blocked as a deposit).

Rio de Janeiro - holidays with children

Rio de Janeiro is a great destination for a holiday with children.

Believe me, your little overlords will be absolutely delighted with the exotic nature of this city. After all, here they will meet toucans, monkeys, coatis, pelicans and other terribly cute animals. I am sure that children will see this sunny metropolis exactly as it is shown in the cartoon Rio!

Still, there are obvious obstacles and difficulties that you need to think about before taking your children to Rio.

• Firstly, a tiring long flight. After all, in total you will spend at least 16 hours on airplanes. Will your fidget survive such an adventure?
• And secondly, do not forget that Rio is a city in the middle of the jungle, where any mosquito bite can have consequences even for an adult. And there are a lot of mosquitoes here, as well as other insects, flying and crawling. Have you heard about the Zico virus? So, it seems that I got sick from it during the trip. He appeared out of nowhere and just as suddenly disappeared. But for 3 days I was in a severe fever, lying with a temperature of +39.

Rio de Janeiro is the second largest city in Brazil, population 6.4 million. Located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded on both sides by mountains and the sea. The main attraction of Rio is the statue of Christ the Redeemer.

The city of Ostap Bender’s “crystal dream,” where, as the great schemer believed, “everyone wears white pants,” actually turned out to be a city of contrasts. Rio de Janeiro is famous for the annual Brazilian carnival, but at the same time, the city has a consistently high crime rate, and the slopes of the surrounding mountains are home to squalid housing - favelas - the poorest areas of the city.
The Portuguese founded Rio de Janeiro in the mid-16th century. The Gulf of Guanabara itself, on the western shore of which the metropolis is located, was discovered on January 1, 1502 by Gaspar de Lemos. True, the Portuguese navigator mistook the bay for the mouth of a large river, and this misunderstanding gave the name to the city: “January River”.

Rio de Janeiro was the capital for many years: first of a colony, then of the united kingdom of Portugal and Brazil, then of the Brazilian Empire and, finally, until 1960, of the Republic of Brazil.

The main attraction and real symbol of Rio de Janeiro is the statue of Christ the Redeemer. It took about 9 years to build and opened in October 1931. In 2007, about 90 million Internet users voted to include the monument among the seven “new wonders of the world.”

The statue of Christ the Redeemer is located in the Tijuca National Park on the top of Mount Corcovado. The height of the sculpture with a pedestal is 38 meters, weight is 635 tons, arm span is 28 meters.

The highest point in Rio de Janeiro, the sculpture is regularly targeted by electrical discharges. Most often, for some reason, the right hand suffers; in 2013 and 2014, lightning chipped off fragments of the fingers. For express repair of the statue, a reserve of the stone from which it is made has been created.

At the foot of the statue, at an altitude of more than 700 meters above sea level, there is an observation deck with panoramic views of the city and the bay.

Every year, about 2 million tourists climb to the statue of Christ the Redeemer. The railway helps ensure this flow. It was built at the end of the 19th century. Its length is 3.8 km, the journey to the top takes 20 minutes.

The idea of ​​erecting a statue of Christ the Redeemer arose in 1921 on the eve of the 100th anniversary of Brazil's national independence. All the details of the monument were made in France; they were delivered to the top of Mount Corcovado by rail.

Botafogo is a prestigious area (and the beach of the same name) in the southeast of Rio de Janeiro. Mostly wealthy upper class people and businessmen live here.

"A bay within a bay." The artificial bay Marina da Gloria was built in 2006 for the Pan American Games in Rio for sailing competitions. Yachtsmen competed here during the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Business center of Rio de Janeiro. The large bridge over Guanabara Bay is visible in the background.

Nestled among the high-rise buildings in the center of Rio is the Municipal Opera and Ballet Theater in Plaza Cinelandia. Opened in 1909. A Brazilian and a Frenchman reached the finals of the architects' competition. The Brazilian turned out to be the son of the local prefect. In order to suppress accusations of favoritism, the final project of the municipal theater in the neo-Renaissance style was adopted in the form of a compilation of ideas from domestic and overseas authors.

Throughout the 20th century, due to the growing population of the city, the theater was reconstructed and expanded several times. Today it accommodates more than 2,300 spectators.

The Carioca Aqueduct in downtown Rio de Janeiro is a prime example of colonial architecture and engineering. Maximum height 17.6 meters. From the middle of the 18th century, it delivered water from the Carioca River to the population of the city. Before this, water was carried to Rio, surrounded by swamps, by hand.

Since the end of the 19th century, the aqueduct, which stopped working as intended, has served as a railway bridge. It is served by the only remaining St. Teresa tram in the city. A popular route connects the city center with the Santa Teresa district. It was closed in 2011 after a disaster and the death of 6 people. Having strengthened security measures, traffic was resumed in 2015.

The famous Selaron Staircase gained fame at the end of the 20th century, when the Chilean artist Jorge Selaron decided to mosaic the steps of the stairs near his home in the center of Rio. The poor Brazilian colleague was helped by artists from all over the world; tiles for the mosaic in red, yellow, blue and green (the colors of the Brazilian flag) were sent from 60 countries, including Russia.

The length of the staircase passing through two blocks exceeds 120 meters, it has more than 200 steps. In one of them in 2013, the body of Jorge Selaron was found with burns from an ignited solvent. The artist died next to the work that made him famous. The causes of death remained unclear. The police did not rule out the possibility of murder or suicide.

Cultural Center of the Navy. The historic headquarters building of the Brazilian Navy was built at the beginning of the 19th century. Today in the museum's exhibition you can see sea vessels and a submarine, as well as a ship from the First World War. The center also organizes sightseeing tours around the waters of Guanabara Bay.

Presidential Vargas Avenue. In the background is Snake Island with the center of the Brazilian Navy.

A monument of colonial architecture and one of the main religious buildings in Brazil is the Catholic Church of Candelaria on President Vargas Avenue. According to legend, having fulfilled their oath, two Spaniards built it at the beginning of the 17th century: their ship “Candelaria” was almost destroyed by a storm, and the passengers promised heaven to build a church if they were saved.

The heart of the historical part of Rio de Janeiro is Carioca Square. Santos Dumont Airport is in the background.

On a hill next to Carioca Square is located one of the oldest buildings in Rio - the Monastery of St. Anthony. Its history begins in 1592, when the first Franciscans arrived in Rio de Janeiro, and a few years later they began to build the first buildings on Mount St. Anthony.

Headquarters of Petrobras, Brazil's state-controlled and world's seventh largest oil and gas company. Local residents do not like the non-standard 29-story gray building made of reinforced concrete and call it a “monster.” On the right in the photo is the building of the state national development bank of more familiar forms.

Monumental Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro. The building was built in the modernist style in 1964–1979. The cathedral is dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Saint Sebastian.

The shape of the cathedral is a truncated cone 75 meters high. Up to 20 thousand people can be inside.

The Museum of Tomorrow is a large exhibition and conference center dedicated to the environmental and social problems of Brazil and the entire planet.

The futuristic form of the Museum of Tomorrow complex was designed and implemented by the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The total area of ​​the center exceeds 15,000 square meters. m.

The “Museum of Tomorrow” uses its own electricity: it is generated by solar panels located on the cantilever roof of the building; during the day they automatically turn after the luminary.

Rio Branco Avenue in the center of Rio de Janeiro.

The unique Sambodrome street was built in 1984 specifically for the organized holding of the legendary Brazilian carnivals and other mass public events.

The Sambodrome is a 700-meter street with stands for 80 thousand people. During the 2016 Olympics, archers competed at the Sambodrome.

Contrasts. A common sight in Rio: shacks in the shadow of mirrored skyscrapers.

One of the main prides of football-crazy Rio residents is the Maracanã stadium. Until the end of the 20th century, the arena was the largest in the world, it could accommodate up to 200 thousand spectators. However, after a series of reconstructions dictated by safety requirements, the stadium abandoned virtually free standing places. Today the Maracana seats just under 80 thousand spectators and has lost the palm. In 2016, the stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the Summer Olympic Games.

Brazil Central Train Station. The station has existed since 1858; the modern building in the art deco style was built in 1943 and today is one of the architectural dominants of Rio de Janeiro. Up to 700 thousand passengers pass through the central station every day.

The Central Station tower is topped with a clock on all sides. An interesting detail: the four dials often show different times. It's not a matter of different time zones. It’s just that the mechanisms regularly break down, and the clock stops on one side or the other.

Next to the Central Station is the so-called Duca de Caxias Palace, the high-rise building of the central command of the Brazilian Army.

Launched in 1979, the Rio de Janeiro Metro has 4 lines and about 40 stations. Today, the Rio metropolitan area in Brazil is the second largest after São Paulo.

Brazilian cemetery.

The building of the Museum of the History of Brazilian Firefighters. Regular fire departments in Brazil were created in 1856 by order of Emperor Pedro II.

Tiradentes Square. Named in honor of the national hero and revolutionary Joaquín José da Silva Xavier (a dragoon officer studied dentistry in his youth, which is why he received the nickname “Tiradentes” - “tooth puller”). He participated in a conspiracy against Portuguese colonial rule and was executed in this square on April 21, 1792. In the center of the square is Rio's oldest public statue, erected in 1862. This is an equestrian figure of the first Emperor of Brazil, Pedro I, who proclaimed the country's independence.

Snake Island. It houses a complex of buildings and structures serving the Brazilian naval forces: shipyards, an arsenal, the headquarters and central hospital of the Navy, the main command of the Marine Corps, etc.

The aircraft carrier "Sao Paulo" at the pier on Snake Island. Built in France, it has been in service with the Brazilian Navy since 2000.

Brazilian Navy frigate Bosisio (F 48) in dry dock on Snake Island.

The longest (13,290 meters) and highest (72 meters) bridge across Guanabara Bay in Brazil. Connects the municipalities of Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi. Built in 1974 and named after the then head of state, President Costa e Silva, the initiator of the crossing.

One of the two main airports in Rio de Janeiro is Santos Dumont. Named after Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont.

The legendary Copacabana is a 4-kilometer sandy beach located south of the center of Rio de Janeiro. It got its name from the name of a fishing village that was once located here. The Avenida Atlantica promenade runs along the beach. In the 50s of the 20th century, representatives of the artistic bohemia settled here, today wealthy Brazilians bought up houses on the embankment. Copacabana regularly hosts concerts with huge crowds. In 1994, Rod Stewart's performance with 3.5 million spectators was included in the Guinness Book of Records.

The Copacabana Palace, the most prestigious hotel in Rio, faces the beach. The complex consists of an 8-story main building and a 14-story additional building.

Copacabana. Almost all of Rio de Janeiro is located between hills and mountains.


Ipanema is another famous place on the map of Rio (including thanks to the popular musical composition “The Girl from Ipanema”). A prestigious area in the southern part of Rio and the beach of the same name.

In the Indian language, “Ipanema” means “smelly water.” However, this epithet has an indirect relation to today’s Rio region: this piece of land in the 19th century belonged to a certain businessman and was named after his family estate in a completely different region of Brazil.

Arpoador. A rocky cape that actually separates the beaches of Ipanema on one side, and Praia do Diabo and Copacabana on the other. The tiny peninsula is known for its big waves and attracts surfers.

Leblon beach. It received its name in honor of the Frenchman Leblon, the owner of one of the farms that were located in the area in the 19th century.

Favelas. Another symbol of Rio de Janeiro, this time infamous. There are areas of poor illegal slums in almost all underdeveloped countries, but only the favelas of Rio de Janeiro have become famous throughout the world.

There are several thousand favelas in the city. Essentially, these are mini-states within a state. Federal authorities practically do not interfere in favela affairs. The standard of living here is very low, often there are no basic amenities - schools, hospitals, etc.

Favelas have an extremely unfavorable crime situation and terrible sanitary conditions.

The largest favela in Rio de Janeiro and all of Brazil is Rocinha. Its population is estimated at 200 thousand people.

Rocinha is a real city within a city. Unlike other favelas, there are several medical and social institutions and even its own television station. Despite warnings, tourists often visit the area at their own risk.

On the eve of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, massive police and army “clean-ups” were carried out in the favelas. However, it was never possible to establish complete government control in an area of ​​rampant poverty and thriving drug trafficking.

Monolith rock of Pedra da Gávea. Together with Mount Corcovado and the statue of Christ the Redeemer, it has the status of a national park.