What to eat in Rio de Janeiro. Population of rio de janeiro

What is Rio de Janeiro famous for? All about Rio: what is interesting about the Old and New town, 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. Situated on a picturesque coastline Atlantic Ocean in a tropical climate zone and occupying more than 1200 km² of area, Rio is inhabited by almost seven million people, and if we 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 " big water" And geographical position, 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 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.

The two most iconic places Rio: Christ the Redeemer Statue and Sugarloaf

Rio de Janeiro is the first city that comes to mind when you think of Brazil. In a city of contrasts, wealthy residents of elite areas coexist with poor people from slums. Noisy, diverse and crowded, Rio is second only to Sao Paulo, but in terms of entertainment it is an unsurpassed leader. They say that get to know him and see everything interesting places You can only stay in it forever. Grandiose and less noisy festivals are held here all year round, the absolute leader of which is Carnival. In 2016, the glory of Rio de Janeiro around the world will increase many times thanks to the Olympics.

Geographical features

Rio spreads along Atlantic coast Brazil. It has the following geographical coordinates:

• 22054’ S;
• 43011’ W.

Founded at the entrance to Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro gradually expanded its borders. It is oriented in a southerly direction. The terrain is heterogeneous. The north is dominated by plains and gentle hills. In the central part more mountains and the rocks that frame sandy beaches south.

The proximity to the equator smoothes out seasonal temperature fluctuations. The air in the city warms up to +22…+28°C. The driest and coolest months are June to October, but rain occurs regularly throughout the year. The average annual precipitation is 1170 mm. For tourists, Rio is more interesting in December-March, when the air and water temperatures become most comfortable.

Population

Rio de Janeiro has a high population density. More than 6.5 million inhabitants live on an area of ​​1.26 thousand km², which is not surprising, because even before 1960 the city was the capital of Brazil. And today many flock here in search of better life. On the downside, crime has increased, especially in poor slums, where tourists are asked to visit with caution.

The city is a mixture of different peoples and races, so discrimination on these grounds will not be found here. For the most part, residents are very smiling and hospitable, always ready to help. The main religion is Catholicism, which is often mixed with local traditions as well as African beliefs.

Kitchen

The cuisine in Rio de Janeiro is a combination of the culinary traditions of the Arabs, European settlers and local Indian residents. To feel local flavor, it's worth ordering feijoada. This hearty dish is prepared from smoked meats, dried meat, beans and generously seasoned with spices. Each cook adds something of his own to the recipe, so feijoada will differ from place to place.

The highlight of Rio is Rodizio. These are meat restaurants where you charge an entrance fee, after which you can enjoy salads and main courses for free. Some establishments allow you to take breaks between meals and even walks in the fresh air. Drinks and desserts are billed separately.

A popular local drink is the caipirinha. It can be ordered both in an expensive restaurant and in a street eatery. For preparation, use cane vodka (cachaça), lemon, lime, ice and cane sugar. The cocktail turns out to be very pleasant and refreshing, but quickly gets you drunk.

And, of course, you cannot visit the birthplace of coffee and not enjoy the numerous varieties of this invigorating drink.

Attractions

It’s hard to imagine as many attractions as there are in Rio de Janeiro. That's why excursion program should be thought out in advance. We will list only a small but most interesting part of the attractions. For convenience, they are grouped by topic.

Natural parks

Even the streets of the city are distinguished by lush vegetation, not to mention the parks and reserves that are scattered throughout Rio. To get acquainted with the unusual flora of Brazil in a small area, you should go to the Botanical Garden. It is divided into thematic sectors, through which there are convenient paths. Visitors alternate between fields of orchids, cacti or water lilies. Ubiquitous monkeys scurry through the dense vegetation and flocks of brightly colored birds flutter.

Many tourists are attracted by the beauty and historical significance of the palace and park complex of Quinta da Boa Vista. At the beginning of the 19th century, the property belonged to the imperial family, which abandoned it after Brazil gained independence. On the territory there is a park, a zoo and a palace, within the walls of which he settled National Museum.

At the Rio de Janeiro Zoo, there are more than 350 species of representatives of the local fauna, as well as those arriving from other countries, on the territory of the complex. The zoo area is small, but very green and well-groomed.
You can enjoy a walk and explore the features of landscape design in the parks:

• Tijuca;
• Lage;
• Flamengo.

These green islands are equipped with jogging and cycling paths, as well as other necessary recreational infrastructure. And to admire and capture the most beautiful panoramas of the city, you should climb observation deck at the statue of Christ on Mount Corcovado or at the famous Sugar Loaf.

Religious monuments

The most famous landmark not only of Rio, but also of Brazil can be called the statue of Christ the Redeemer, which guards the city from the top of Mount Corcovado. The height of the structure is 38 m, and the arm span reaches 30 m.

Get acquainted with temple architecture and better understand the importance of religion for local residents you can visit the following attractions:

• Church of Candelaria in honor of Our Lady;
• Monastery of Sao Bento;
• Cathedral of San Sebastian.

Architectural landmarks

The colonial era architecture in Rio de Janeiro is no less interesting. The pearl of Piazza Floriano is the Municipal Theater, replicating the architecture of the Paris Opera. In addition to its beautiful façade, the theater amazes with its rich interior decoration. It still hosts performances to this day.

The largest collection of literature in the whole South America located in the National Library. Much of it is included in the UNESCO heritage list. The majestic building was built at the beginning of the 19th century.

The city has several picturesque palaces that attract tourists:

1. Tiradentes. State meeting place. The palace is distinguished by its monumentality, high columns and a huge glass dome.
2. The Imperial Palace is an ancient snow-white building with rich history. It was here that the law abolishing slavery was signed.
3. The castle on the island of Ilha Fiscal resembles a fairytale pearl. Its walls are painted in emerald tones and are richly decorated. In the 19th century the customs office was located here, and today there is a naval museum.

Beaches of Rio de Janeiro

A visit to Rio is impossible without relaxing on the beach. This kind of relaxation involves more than just lying on the sand or swimming in the noisy ocean waters. By the way, they can be very insidious, which is why lifeguards are constantly on duty on the shore. The beach is a meeting place and a center of youth entertainment. Nearby there are hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and discos. open air. Carnival processions and mass New Year celebrations take place here. The most popular beaches are:

• Copacabana;
• Ipanema;
• Leblond;
• Flamengo;
• Barra di Tijuca.

How to get there?

Located in Rio international Airport, which receives flights from various countries. Considering the flight distance, it is impossible to find a direct flight from Russia. Most companies offer connections in Paris or Amsterdam. Citizens of the Russian Federation can stay in Brazil without a visa for 90 days.

Many Russian-speaking people, hearing the name Rio de Janeiro, they immediately remember the Great Combinator, whose crystal dream was this city. Remember, Ostap Bender, performed by Andrei Mironov in the film “The Twelve Chairs,” sang:

"Trust the tramp and the poet
There is a city of my happy dreams in the world,
Don’t say he doesn’t exist!”

Today's Rio de Janeiro in all respects resembles the “city of happy dreams.” Ostap read in the Small Soviet Encyclopedia about the amazing bay, rich shops, magnificent buildings, coffee exports, mulattoes...

“Just imagine Shura, 1.5 million people, and everyone in white pants!”

That's right, in the last 75 years alone, Rio's population has grown to 6.4 million inhabitants, of which only a few can be seen in white pants.

Photo gallery hasn't opened? Go to the site version.

Rio de Janeiro - City of Happy Dreams

Rio de Janeiro(port. Rio de Janeiro) or simply Rio - the capital and former capital(1764-1960), a center of tourism, one of the largest and most visited cities in the entire country. It is considered a real “pearl” of Brazil, located on the Atlantic coast in one of the most magnificent bays on the planet. , among the green slopes of the mountains and many kilometers of beaches, gives a special uniqueness and a certain charm. The city also attracts the attention of tourists from all over the planet with its annual carnivals, incendiary sambo and one of the 7 new wonders of the world - famous throughout the world.

No wonder the Brazilians claim that God created the world in 6 days, on the seventh day the Creator created Rio de Janeiro!

Beautiful Rio de Janeiro from a bird's eye view

Its name translates as "January River". The area is 1260 km², the population is about 6.4 million people, making it the second most populous and largest city in Brazil, after.

Did you know that the city was discovered and named by the famous Italian navigator?

Due to its beauty, Rio is also sometimes called Cidade maravillosa, which means “Amazing City”. And the locals like to call themselves carioca.

A little history

The area where the city is located was discovered on January 1, 1502 by a navigator from Portugal Gaspar de Lemos decided that this was the mouth of the river. This is where the name Rio de Janeiro comes from, literally “January River” in Portuguese. The city itself was founded 63 years later as a fortification for defense against hostile Indian tribes and French and Spanish pirates.

In 1555, the territory in the Guanabara Bay region was occupied by the French, who managed to establish contact with the local indigenous tribes. The French intended to establish their colony here under the name " French Antarctica"(French France Antarctique).

In order to prevent occupation by France, in 1565 the Portuguese royal house sent an army here under the command of an officer, who in March 1565 laid down the south coast Bay city of Rio de Janeiro and, together with his army, waged a fierce war for 2 years with an alliance of French colonists and local Indians. In 1567, in one of the battles, he was wounded in the eye by a poisonous Indian arrow and died a month later. However, he completed his mission: the French were defeated and expelled from these lands.

By the beginning of the 17th century, with the discovery of gold and diamond deposits in Brazil, mountains of gold and diamonds were exported to Portugal through the city port of Rio, which became Brazil's largest export hub. The rapid economic growth of the region contributed not only to its active settlement by Portuguese immigrants, but also to the importation of large numbers of African slaves for hard labor on sugar and coffee plantations.

From 1763 to 1815 Rio was the capital of all South American colonies of Portugal (all of colonial Brazil).

In 1808, after the capture of the Iberian Peninsula by Napoleon Bonaparte, the entire Portuguese royal family, taking with them the entire treasury of the Portuguese crown and several hundred noble nobles, fled to Brazil and settled in their residence in Rio. The arrival of the royal family greatly influenced the development of the city, both infrastructural and cultural. Rio has started to open up a large number of hospitals, educational institutions, churches, early bank branches, etc. Later (Jardim Botânico), the Royal Library (nowadays), the Royal Military Academy, etc. were built.

This was followed by a process of cultural improvement of the region, which was influenced by the arrival of a large number of European artists and architects hired to shape the appearance of Rio. At the same time, the Royal School of Sciences, Arts and Crafts was opened.

In 1960, an artificially constructed symbolic city became the capital of Brazil, and Rio de Janeiro acquired state status.

general information

Officially, the city is divided into 34 districts and 160 municipalities. Local residents unofficially divide it into 4 parts:

Centro (Centro) or Central Historical Zone - financial and business center Rio. It is here that the fashionable areas of Santa Teresa and Lapa, the famous Sambadromo, as well as many buildings of historical significance are located:, etc.

Zona Sul (Zona Sul) or Southern zone - this includes the main tourist areas, such as Ipanema, Copacabana, Flamengo, and Leblon. Here is part of the bohemian quarters and many of the main tourist sites: with the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf and.

Zona Norte (Zona Norte) or Northern Zone - almost all major sports stadiums are concentrated here, led by the giant football stadium, which is one of the largest in the world, accommodating up to 95,000 spectators. Local residents often call the Maracana nothing less than the temple of the second (after Catholicism) Brazilian religion - football.

Zona Oeste or Western Zone - the area furthest from the center, located in the southwest. Basically, there are poor neighborhoods and huge favelas. This also includes the area of ​​Barra da Tijuca, with its longest beach of 18 kilometers.

Evening Rio

Recently, very fashionable, exciting and not so expensive solution becomes an order for excursions from . What is very important, our Russian-speaking residents!

Weather and climate in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro has a tropical climate influenced by the nearby Atlantic Ocean. It is characterized by mild winters, sultry hot summers and a fairly long period of heavy rains, which often cause floods and mudslides in the city.

The average annual temperature is about +27°C, air humidity is about 90% almost all year round. From May to September (winter) the sun is almost always shining here. Most low level temperatures during this period can drop to a maximum of +18°C. It's funny that the Cariocas (locals) find this temperature insanely cold. In November-March (summer), the climate becomes less predictable: many hot sunny days, followed by torrential downpours and tropical heat up to +30-40°C.

The coldest and wettest month is July, so going here in July is not exactly a good move. The hottest month is February. In general, any month can be suitable for relaxing on the beach, except July, because... water temperature all year round does not fall below +20°C. The average annual temperature is also very favorable for have a wonderful holiday throughout the year - an average of +23°C.

Sights of Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is known to tourists from all over the world for its many breathtaking landscapes and attractions.

The main calling card and symbol of Rio de Janeiro and all of Brazil as a whole is the famous one, erected at an altitude of more than 700 meters above sea level, on the top of Mount Corcovado. Christ rises with his arms spread wide, as if hovering over the city, protecting and blessing it from troubles. The giant sculpture was made in the capital of France - Paris, after which it was specially delivered here. In 1931, the statue was inaugurated and dedicated.

Statue of Christ the Redeemer

Another important symbol is the crystalline 395-meter peak - (port. Pão de Açúcar), which rises at the very entrance to Guanabara Bay, welcoming ships entering it. They say what it is interesting name the mountain received due to its shape, reminiscent of the outline of a cone, similar in shape to the containers in which Portuguese sailors transported sugar. Such containers were called Sugar Loaves, hence the name. Sugarloaf is one of the most interesting places to visit in Rio, with stunning views of the bay and city.

Rio de Janeiro is rich in many architectural monuments: ancient monasteries (San Antonio, San Bento and the Capuchin Order) and various colonial churches.

The embankments and streets boast a lush abundance of equatorial vegetation: graceful evergreen trees and a huge variety of exotic flowers. There are also many parks and an avenue of palm trees, and the Tijuca National Park, which includes the peak of Mount Corcovado, is the largest urban forest on the planet.

Rio is also the cultural capital of Brazil. There are many libraries here (the National Library alone has more than 2 million rare manuscripts and books), museums, galleries and theaters. But one of the main cultural attractions is world famous. It boasts several dozen samba schools, whose graduates annually organize colorful processions at the carnival, which take place through the streets and at the local sambodrome.

Transport

Almost all types are presented here public transport, except trolleybuses: buses, trams, minibuses, taxis, etc.

The main city transport is buses of various models, new, comfortable and always white, with a black coat of arms. It is worth noting that buses are the most dangerous thing on the roads of Rio; their speeds are so high that Rubens Barrichello would be jealous. The fact is that bus “drivers” here receive a piece-rate salary (for the number of kilometers driven per day), everyone tries to run as much as possible, hence the breakneck speed.

Although this has its advantages, for example, thanks to separate bus lanes and high speeds, you can get there by bus many times faster than by taxi or your own car. Runs about 450 bus routes, which are capable of transporting more than 4 million passengers per day. Buses stop on request both for boarding (both at stops and between them, if you raise your hand) and for disembarking.

It should be borne in mind that yellow seats on Brazilian buses are intended for the disabled, the elderly and passengers with children.

Also a popular form of public transport is. There are well-developed taxi networks (yellow cars with taximeters, of course) and several branches of the suburban railway.

Bicycle paths are widespread, running next to beaches and parks, with a total length of more than 160 km and 60 rental points scattered throughout the city, where every tourist can rent a bicycle.

Beaches of Rio de Janeiro

For locals, beaches are much more than just a strip of sand where you can swim in the ocean and soak up the sun. Many people come here to meet people, chat with friends, play sports or just sit on the benches and admire the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean.

Almost all beaches are characterized by fairly strong surf. And for Ipanema there are also dangerous coastal currents that can easily carry a person into open ocean, because no one here risks sailing far from the shore.

Ipanema Beach, Rio

Although, on local beaches Teams of professional rescuers work quite efficiently, and they even have rescue helicopters that can pull people out of the water using special nets.

Scheme of Rio and its beaches

The safest beaches for swimming are those located in Guanabara Bay. One of them is Flamengo. The beaches in the bay are quite narrow, and big waves practically never happens there, but they are no different clean water like ocean ones.

The longest beach in Rio de Janeiro is the beach.

Safety. but on the other hand

Like all major cities, Rio has its dark sides. From a security point of view, it has long been labeled as a criminal city - foreign tourists have more than once become victims of robberies and attacks here. Especially during the carnival. A lot of scary stories can be heard on this matter.

Which is not at all surprising, since in this “city of dreams” prestigious areas are located next to disadvantaged criminal areas - giant slums located on the hillsides.

Rio de Janeiro's favelas are home to almost a quarter of the city's population.

It’s better not to go here, it’s not worth the risk, but if the desire to look at the “underside of life” is so great, then it is strongly recommended to order one of special tours through the favelas, which are provided by many local travel agencies. Travel agencies donate part of the profits to the criminal gangs of these favelas, which is why such excursions, although not very cheap, are safe.

Before the 2014 FIFA World Cup, city authorities cleared out a number of criminal slums and also took full control of tourist areas. Now the local police pay great attention to security and maintaining order, all these measures have significantly improved the situation on the streets.

However, despite this, when coming to Rio, you need to constantly be on alert.

Attractions

Guide

Rio de Janeiro is the former capital and most visited city in Brazil. When Rio lost its status as the Brazilian capital in 1960, it by no means lost the sympathy of Brazilians and millions of tourists from all over the world. The name Rio de Janeiro means "January River". Founded in 1502 by the Portuguese, Rio de Janeiro has been the beauty capital and tourism center of South America for 4 centuries. “God created the world in six days, and on the seventh day he created Rio de Janeiro” - this is how Brazilians lovingly say about their fabulously beautiful city.

The business card of Rio de Janeiro and its symbol - giant statue Christ, which was erected on the very high peak Rio - Corcovado at an altitude of about 704 meters. Christ stands with his arms spread wide, and seems to be hovering over the city, blessing and protecting it. The statue was made in Paris, and then delivered to Rio, and on October 12, 1931, its grand opening and consecration took place.

Rio de Janeiro can be roughly divided into Old city, New and suburbs. In the Old Town there is a customs house with docks, an arsenal, a stock exchange, the National Academy of Arts, the city hall, museums and almost all the theaters. In the New Town there is a mint, a prison, the main station and the Invalides.

Another important symbol of Rio is the famous crystalline peak - Pan do Assucar (translated as Sugarloaf), which is located at the entrance to Guanabara Bay. Its height is 395 meters. It is believed that it got its name due to its shape, reminiscent of the conical outlines of the ancient packaging of “sugar loaves”. According to one version, the origin of the name Pan de Asugar comes from the Indian words "paunh-acuqua", which means "high hill".

Outstanding architectural monuments The city contains colonial churches, the monasteries of San Bento, San Antonio and the Capuchin Order, the former imperial residence. The Church of Our Lady of Lampedosa is named after the island of Lampedosa in the Mediterranean Sea, where the apparition of the Virgin Mary took place. It was built in 1929 on the site of the original 18th century building in a neoclassical style influenced by the Mexican school of architecture. The main attraction of the Church of St. Lucia (1732) is a natural fountain, the water of which is considered healing.

The streets and embankments of Rio de Janeiro are literally buried in lush equatorial vegetation - giant evergreen trees, slender palm trees with graceful crowns and a huge number of exotic flowers. However, the city has a botanical garden and many parks. IN botanical garden, which was founded back in 1808 and which is one of the best in the world, has collected more than 7,000 species of plants from all over the world. There is also the famous alley of palm trees and a collection of exotic animals and birds. National Park Tijuca, which includes the Corcovado summit, is the world's largest urban forest. Here you will definitely see monkeys. In one of the outskirts there is a zoological garden.

Rio de Janeiro is also the cultural capital of the country. The National Library alone has two million rare books and manuscripts. The National Museum of Fine Arts presents an excellent collection of more than 800 paintings.

And finally, Rio is also a football “capital” with one of the world’s largest stadiums, the Maracanã, which was built for the 1950 FIFA World Cup.

Counts top place for relaxation, and it has become so since the time when Brigitte Bardot and Madonna “hanged out” there. In general, all bohemians strive to visit there. Don't despair for ordinary people the entrance there is also open. I'm not talking about the luxurious hotels of Copacabana and the climb to the world famous statue of Christ the Savior, there are a sufficient number of other, no less luxurious places and attractions that you can visit in this delightful city ​​– Rio de Janeiro. So, let's go.

To experience the atmosphere of Rio de Janeiro myself, I bought tickets through aviasales service, and went on a journey to the land of carnival and eternal celebration. Despite the fact that Brazil offers various tours, I still decided to go to this wonderful place on my own. And having bought flights to Rio de Janeiro, I flew off to meet adventures.

Yacht tour to Guanabara Bay

No need for your own yacht to visit this beautiful city. But the holiday in Rio itself provides you with many opportunities. So a short sailboat excursion to Guanabara Bay, taking into account the relatively low prices drinks from the bar will be a great way to spend the whole evening.

The feeling of a tropical breeze and luxurious views on the horizon will make you feel like the same Madonna. Such excursions also include short stops at some small islands in the bay, diving and visiting wild beaches. In general, you will be provided with an experience of a lifetime from a two to three hour trip.

Visit Buzios

Ten pages are probably not enough to describe all the delights and attractions this small town not far from . Let's return again to Brigitte Bardot, who in her youth, hiding from the paparazzi, went to what was then a small fishing village for the purpose of a calm, quiet holiday. It was her presence that helped turn that village into one of the most sought-after places in the entire Brazil.

You can still meet international stars there in a simple T-shirt and shorts, drinking beer and basking in the warm sun. And believe me, you can easily stay in a regular hotel and visit a regular restaurant here for mere mortals like me.

Beaches of Ipanema

For many years, the famous Copacabana district was considered the most fashionable holiday destination in all of Rio, but for those who want a more relaxed leisure time without large parties and 24-hour buzz, we can suggest heading further west to the Ipanema district. Or just book a tour of Rio, then you can visit a lot wonderful places. And the prices for tours are, in principle, reasonable.

My journey here began with a visit to a large hippie market for which the word “legality” does not exist. Believe me, here you can buy everything to go to nirvana or meet Bob Marley.

In addition, this region is known for cheap jewelry. For example, diamond jewelry is sold on the beaches here, just like the same bakery products here. The sunset deserves special attention; it is beautiful enough to watch sober, but more romantic with a Caipirinha in hand.

Drink tea at Copacabana Palace

Copacabana Palace is considered the place where all the famous people of our generation have visited. But to be honest, the Queen herself rested here. The hotel itself opened its doors back in 1923 and was a special “dacha” for the royal family and all the cream of society.

But, despite the expensive hotel rooms, here you can just sit on the terrace, drinking tea with a national dessert, and feeling on top of the world. Several hundred photos will definitely decorate your album.

Dinner at Satyricon

If you're looking for something more substantial than afternoon tea, I can recommend Satyricona in Ipanema. This classic Italian seafood restaurant is frequented by Madonna when she is in Rio de Janeiro and the great king of football - Cristiano Ronaldo (this guy, judging by his reviews of Rio, visited all the local establishments).

This, of course, is not the cheapest establishment in the city, but the service here is appropriate, therefore, this place can be used to spend time as last evening in Rio de Janeiro.

Climbing Mount Christ the Savior

No visit to Rio would be complete without visiting one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Christ the Savior, or as it is called here - Cristo Retendor, is considered the largest art-decorated statue in the world. Christ statue located on the peak of Mount Corcovado in national park Tijuca Forest, overlooking the entire city. This statue became an icon not only for Rio, but for all of Brazil.

A short story about Copacabana deserves special attention. Copacabana Beach today is a very visited place in, the most popular Brazil, and one of famous beaches in the world.

When foreigners think of Rio de Janeiro or Brazil, Copacabana beach immediately pops up in their minds (and only then, of course, samba, football, beautiful women and their characteristic carnivals pop up, Olympic Games 2016, the statue of Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf and so on).

Talking about the best time of year to spend a few days on Copacabana Beach

Copacabana Beach is beautiful all year round, since the weather in Rio de Janeiro from January to December differs only by two to three degrees. During the winter months (don't be alarmed that these are July, August and September) the temperature here averages 20-22 °C, while the water temperature drops to about twenty degrees.

This time can be considered full time velvet season. In addition, this temperature stays here around the clock, and you will not feel the difference if you go to the beach at 12 noon and at 2 am. And you don’t have to worry about all sorts of natural disasters such as hurricanes, cyclones or tsunamis - we’ve never even heard of such things here.

Copacabana itself in Rio de Janeiro is incredibly crowded with tourists at any time of the year, not only during the day, but also at night. Let me give you the numbers: 100 hotels per square kilometer, more than 1 million tourists per season, more than 20 carnival days a month and long weekends on holidays, when people from all over Brazil come there. Look for yourself how many hotels there are here

This abundance is due to the fact that it has quite decent prices for tours, and besides, there are many different beautiful places, huge beaches and delicious national dishes.

Depending on your income, you can offer several hotels in different price categories. Naturally, it is considered the most famous and cool hotel, and in general no one argues with this. Cheaper hotels are in the western part of the city, closer to Ipanema.

Some of the cheapest places to stay are Windsor Palace and Atlantic Copacabana - mere mortals or those who are too lazy to spend money on more expensive hotels relax here.

The highlight of Copacabana is definitely its beach. In addition, I recommend visiting the huge promenade in Rio de Janeiro with dozens of cafes offering Caipirinhas of all colors and varieties.

For those who don’t know, this is the national Brazilian cocktail. In addition, among the views of Copacabana, we can also recommend the Fort of the same name, which is a must-visit place when staying here.

It is worth noting that bicycles are available for rent here, so for a reasonable fee you can travel not only all of Copacabana, but also all of Ipanema.

Is it expensive to visit Copacabana?

Copacabana is not the most expensive area in Rio de Janeiro. However, Rio de Janeiro itself is one of the most expensive cities in South America, and this is felt regardless of the area in which you holiday.

In fact, prices here are rising steadily every year. Are you planning budget trip? Then visit Rio de Janeiro off-season while staying in Ipanema in no time.

Well, a few final tips from me

1) Don't spend too much money on airport transfers. I recommend that you immediately think about the route from the airport to your place of residence, since local bigwigs here can drive up prices so much that you could live here for two days, and you won’t even think that it’s possible to find cheaper. Most cheap way to get to the other end of the city is, naturally, a bus. The most expensive bus fare is $4. But even if you don’t have the opportunity to go by this type of transport, order a taxi directly from your hotel, in any case it will be easier.

Of course, the favelas and extreme poverty in some indigenous areas of the Amazon prove otherwise, but it's worth bearing in mind that Brazil has already eclipsed the UK as the world's sixth-largest economy. True, the prices here are appropriate; the visa fee alone is $140.

3) Try to learn at least a little Spanish

Take with you not only a Spanish phrasebook, but also a Portuguese one. A huge number of different diasporas from other countries in South America live here, which naturally affects the local dialect. I’ll give you the simplest example: in one store you can buy yourself a chocolate bar, and in another they will look at you with wide eyes and give you a bottle of Brahma instead of the desired product. It’s good to have a choice of where to shop or go out to dinner, but you won’t always have it.

4) Realistically assess the possible risks of staying in Rio

For many years, Rio was one of the most dangerous cities in South America, however, this fact has never stopped tourists from visiting it. In general, you don’t have to worry about street thefts or possible violence from locals. This is absolutely not true.

I don’t argue, the city has become much safer than before, and this parameter is growing every year, still for the sake of tourists. Even excursions to favelas have now become available, but this does not mean that crimes are not committed in this city. Of course, you don’t need to be paranoid, but still don’t forget about the rules for being in big city I personally recommend it. Be careful when leaving valuables at home, it is better to remove them from a visible place, use taxi services at night, and, of course, trust your intuition.

Have a good time and try not to spend too much