Rio de Janeiro also called Ciudad de Maravilla is the second biggest city in Brazil and the third largest city in the South America. Its breathtaking beaches on the South Atlantic Coast, amazing parties with taste of caipirinia will stay in you mind forever. This city is just unique with plenty of culture, amazing culinary and great music.
In Brazil, I visited only Rio de Janeiro so far but I recognized it as one the best places I have been to and also I am searching for an ocasion to go back. There are few things that stayed in my mind forever and are unreplacable with any other south american cities, see below.
WHAT TO VISIT?
Probably the first thing that you will visit is famous and marvellous Copacabana and Ipanema beach. After a few minutes of laying down there you will realize that on the beach locals are selling each and every taste of Brazil as caipirinas, coconut juice, sea food, stake prepared just in front of you or brand new dress ready for the tonight´s party at Lappa discrict. Isn´t it magnificent?
At the beginning it was funny, nevertheless after some time you get tired of sellers that are trying to sell you things every single minute. After all you will still love Copacabana and Ipanema as I do…
- ESCALERA DE SELARÓN, must see place in Rio de Janeiro
This place is well known for Brasilians and every foreign tourist that visits Rio de Janeiro. Salarón stairs art became internationally recognised and was made by Chilean artist Jorge Selarón who claimed it as ´´my tribute to the Brazilian people´´. I visited this place just during the night but still I was completely impressed by the colours of the ceramics. There are 215 steps measuring 125 metres long which are covered in over 2000 tiles collected from over 60 countries around the world. It is real spectaculous and it is just next to Lappa discrict, the place where you will be spending evenings and nights parting and dancing Brazilian Samba. Visiting this art is completely for free.
- EL CRISTO REDENTOR DEL CORCOVADO
While taking this tour or going by yourself, just make sure that the weather is sunny without clouds so then you can enjoy incredible city views. The statue of El Cristo is a symbol of Christianity across the World. It not only represents both Rio de Janeiro and Brazil but also it is listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The statue is located at the peak of Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park on the 700 metres. Standing there and enjoying the most incredibles views of the city Rio de Janeiro will definitely stay in your mind forever.
How to get there?
There are various possibilites of getting there. The most comon is taking a train´´Tren del Corcovado´´ It goes every day from 8AM to 19PM. The train leaves every 20/30minutes from the Estación de Cosme Velho Train Station.
Prices
In the price of the return train ticket, the Cristo Redentor entrance is included. These are the fees:
- Adults – high season R$ 68,00 (20,96 Usd)
- Adults – low season R$ 56,00 (17,56 Usd)
- Children (from 6 to 11years old) – both high and low season R$ 44,00 (13,56 Usd)
- PAN DE AZÚCAR
Another important spot for tourist and travellers that you can´t miss in Rio de Janeiro, is Pan de Azúcar and famous telefericos called ´´bondinhos´´ with panoramic view of the city. It is not only the major attraction for travellers now but also it is a historic place where, at its feet, the city of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro was founded 1 of March in 1565 by the Portuguese Estácio de Sá. On the top of the hill, you will have unforgettable experience of admiring the city of Rio de Janeiro.
Opening hours:
Cable car: 8:00AM to 21:00PM (ticket box only until 19:50PM). The cable car goes every 20 minutes.
- Last climb of the Cable Car: 20:00PM into Morro de Urca and 20:20PM into Pan de Azúcar
- Last descent of the Cable Car: 20:40 from Pan de Azúcar and 21:00 from Urca.
Prices of entrance to Pan de Azúcar:
- General price R$62
- People between 6 y 21 years old and seniors (always showing ID) pay R$31
- Children under 6 enter for free.
The entrance includes return ticket.
WHERE TO STAY?
Copacabana is the best place to stay in Rio de Janeiro. There are plenty of different kind of hotels, hostels, Air B & B, everyone will find something for it budget. Staying in Rio de Janeiro is not cheap, but affordable.
WHERE TO PARTY?
The best party in Rio de Janeiro and probably one of the best in your life you will have in Lapa. The most famous district where the variety of cultures is imcoparable to any other in the World. I called it ´´street party of whole world ´´ with every possible kind of music as Samba Reggae, Rock or Funk Brasileño.
WHAT TO EAT?
Variety of carbohydrates on one plate is a typical food that you will eat in Rio. Feujada or black beans as traditional Brazilian food will definitely give company to rice, meat of fired fish on your plate. I was constantly wondering, how it is possible to eat every day fried food and not to be fat? Well, once arriving to Rio, you will notice that Cariocas (locals from Rio de Janeiro) are obsessed about taking care of their bodies. Runners, Surfers or open beach gym full of people is very common to see every day. That is how they loose calories and get fit. Through variety of Brazilian food, you can´t miss trying feijoada, beijinho de Coco, bauru, pao de queijo, brigadeiro, coxinhas or acai berries.
COCONUT JUICE IN RIO DE JANEIRO
Being in Rio and not to try Coconut fresh juice is almost a sin. On every corner of Copacabana you will see locals selling cooling juice that definitely will help you to bite hot weather.
ACAI ONLY IN BRASIL
These berries are directly from the Brazilian Amazon. For centuries açaí berries were consumed exclusively in the rainforests of the South America, and were essential nutrient for the indigenous diet. Nowadays, the nutritional properties of açaí berries are used as a natural medicine for treating digestive ailments and skin diseases. This fruit is very popular for Brazil and you can get a juice or an ice-cream with açaí everywhere in Rio de Janeiro. From my person experience, açaí ice-cream with strawberries and bananas was the best one I had in my live. Don´t forget to try it!
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2 myśli w temacie “Rio de Janeiro”