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Rio De Janeiro Maps & Attractions Guide
Rio De Janeiro maps & Attractions - Things to do
in Rio De Janeiro
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Rio De Janeiro
Attractions - Things to do
1. Corcovado
www.bondinho.com.br |
What is it? The distinctive statue of Christ the
Redeemer, arms spread to welcome the world, is one of the world's
best-known monuments. It rests on top of Rio de Janeiro's Corcovado
mountain, 2,330ft (710m) above the beaches below, and is accessed
via a miniature train that runs from the Cosme Vehlo District
through the Atlantic rainforest to the foot of the statue. The
train ride offers stunning vistas of Rio, and the view from the
summit is breathtaking. Spread out beneath the statue is the Tijuca
Forest, resplendent with attractions to enchant visitors in the
cool of the rainforest among natural pools and waterfalls. There is
for example the Mayrink chapel which features murals painted by
Candido Portinari, one of Brazil's best known modern artists, and
the Museu do Acude, housing colonial furniture and a collection of
china from the East India Company.
Hours of Operation: Daily 8am to 6pm
Phone:(21) 2546 8400 |
2. Sugar Loaf
Av. Pasteur 520
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What is it? The summit of Rio's unique 887ft high (270m)
belvedere, named Sugar Loaf because of its resemblance to the
loaves of sugar used by the Portuguese colonists, can be reached by
a two-stage cable car ride. The first stage takes visitors up 550ft
(168m) to the Morro da Urca, where there is a restaurant,
amphitheatre, heliport and spectacular view of the Yacht Club and
Botafogo Bay. The second stage takes one the rest of the way to the
summit for a panoramic view of the city, and the whole of
Copacabana beach.
Hours of Operation: Daily 8am to 10pm
Phone:(21) 2546 8400 |
3. Botanical Gardens
Rua Jardim Botânico
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What is it? Rio's Botanical Gardens were created in 1808
by the Prince Regent of Portugal as a temporary site for
acclimatising imported plants. Today it is home to some 2,600
species of plant life, particularly bromeliads and orchids. Colour
is added to the botanical treasures by a wealth of wildlife, such
as Toucans, Tanagers, Marmoset monkeys and brilliantly-coloured
butterflies.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Sunday 8am to 5pm
Phone:(21) 2294 9349 |
4. Ipanema
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What is it? Immortalised in a popular song, 'The girl
from Ipanema', this part of Rio offers not only its legendary
beach, but numerous excellent hotels, bustling nightlife,
sophisticated shopping opportunities and quality restaurants, all
within walking distance of each other. Ipanema (the name,
incongruously, means 'bad water') is famous for setting fashion
trends, particularly in the line of skimpy swimwear, and fashion
fundis should look out for the famous bikini boutiques like
Salinas, Blue
Man and Bum-Bum.
Also do not miss exploring the Rua Garcia D'Avila to shop for
designer fashion, jewellery and furniture. Visit the Amsterdam
Sauer Museum of Gems here for a workshop tour. There are numerous
other streets in Ipanema to explore as well, including the
attractive commercial street Visconde de Piraja that is lined with
speciality shops, bars, restaurants and some of Rio's best
boutiques. Visit the hippie fair at General Osorio Square on
Sundays for wooden sculptures, handcrafts, exotic musical
instruments and artworks.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
5. Copacabana
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What is it? This famous Rio beach neighbourhood was just
a small fishing village until a new highway changed the face of it
sometime in the 1900s. The Copacabana Palace Hotel first opened its
doors in 1923, and since then the area mushroomed with Neoclassical
and Art Nouveau skyscrapers, penthouses and apartments. Visitors
still flock, as they have always done, to the glamorous Palace
Hotel, the place to be seen. Sometimes the visit is only to have
tea or a meal at the famed Cipriani restaurant. The beach itself
has white sand and calm water and is festooned with kiosks. It is a
popular spot for beach sports like soccer and volleyball, and a
good place to sunbathe. Copacabana beach is particularly popular on
New Year's. According to tradition, visitors dress in white and
congregate here to celebrate in their droves, counting more than
two million people during this time.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
6. Buzios
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What is it? Once the preserve of pirates and slave
traders, the peninsula of Buzios, 105 miles (169km) north east of
Rio, is today the haunt of the rich and famous who flock to the
city (once a fishing village) to enjoy the 20 or so beaches in the
vicinity. The peninsula was popularised by legendary movie star
Brigitte Bardot in the 1960s, and her statue still graces the main
street of Buzios, the Rua des Pedras. The peninsula is a
sophisticated beach resort with a very active night life and fine
restaurants. The west coast beaches offer calm, clear waters while
the east coast ones, facing the open sea, are a little wilder and
draw the surfers and water sports enthusiasts. Among the most
popular beaches are Azeda Beach, Joao Fernandinho Beach with
several bars and known for its seafood, Ferradura Beach, and Geriba
beach, popular for surfing.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
7. Iguaçu Falls
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What is it? The Rio Iguaçu arises in the coastal
mountains of Paraná and Santa Catarina and snakes west
for 370 miles (600km) before it widens majestically and sweeps
around a magnificent jungle stage, plunging and crashing in tiered
falls at the border with Argentina and Paraguay. The Foz do Iguaçu
(Iguaçu Falls) are over two miles (three km) wide and 262ft (80m)
high and their beauty is unsurpassed. Their name, fittingly, comes
from the Guarani Indian word meaning 'great waters'. The deep
flowing waters of the river tumble down 275 falls (almost twice the
height of Niagara Falls) the most famous of which is Devils Throat
which, on the border with Argentina, drops 230ft (70m). As well as
taking in the stunning views, visitors can enjoy kayaking and other
watersports in the river. The best time of year to visit is August
to November, when there is least risk of flood waters hindering the
approach to the catwalks. The falls are surrounded by the Iguaçu
National Park, a huge sub-tropical rainforest covering 135,000
acres that is home to thousands of different species of flora and
birds including parrots and hummingbirds.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
Rio De Janeiro Holidays guide
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Transport -Although a large and sprawling city, the
neighbourhoods most frequented by visitors are easy to get around
in.
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