Destination Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Things To See  & Do...

Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer statue)
The most memorable attraction in Rio de Janeiro, standing over Rio on top of Corcovado
mountain.  From there you can see all of Rio-Guanabara Bay, Yacht Club, Sugar Loaf, the south
zone with the Jockey Club, Botanical Gardens, and the Atlantic Ocean and beaches.
R$15 for everyone over seven years old of age.
513 Rua Cosme Velho (Cosme Velho).
Tel (21) 558-1329

Tijuca National Park and Tijuca Forest
Rio's largest park is the Tijuca National Park, covering 3,300 hectares, and including Tijuca
Forest. The Park is the largest urban forest in the world. As you look up at the Corcovado from
the Lagoa, the mass of greenery clinging to the edge of the mountain and stretching miles to
your left, is the Tijuca National Park. Roads run through the entire length of the park allowing
visitors to enjoy its many natural wonders, and at the weekend some of the routes become
pedestrian only. The most well known part of the park is the Tijuca Forest which is reached from
Alto da Boa Vista, accessible from all parts of the city. Address:
Praça Afonso Viseu - Alto da Boa Vista

Sugar Loaf
The second most sought-after landmark in Rio de Janeiro, a huge granite rock rising form the
entrance to the bay, reached by cable car. The cable cars is open daily from 8 A.M. to 10 P.M.
R$15.50 for adults and R$7.75 for children.
520 Avenida Pasteur (Praia Vermelha)
Tel. (21)541-3737

Botanical Garden
The 340 acres containing trees and plants from around the world and Brazil. When you are in
the center of the gardens, look up, you will see Corcovado mountain.
The Botanical Gardens open daily from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M.
The main entrance is located at 1008 Rua Jardim Botanico.

Arcos da Lapa e Santa Tereza - Lapa Arches and Santa Tereza
Located in the Largo da Lapa Square,the center of Rio’s turn-of-the-century nightlife, the Lapa
Arches hold their place in history as the most monumental work undertaken in colonial Rio.
This magnificent structure contains 42 arches in two tiers. Originally built as an aqueduct to
supply the city with water, today they carry another outstanding attraction: the scenic
tramlines linking the Carioca Station downtown to the picturesque Santa Teresa district, a
vibrant artistic community, with a great range of bars, restaurants, museums, cultural centers
and artist’s studios.

Teatro Municipal - Municipal Theatre
Designed and built by A. Guilbert and Francisco de Oliveira Passos, the theatre was inaugurated
on July 14, 1909. The main murals are by Eliseu Visconti - the ceiling and back drop - by
Rodolfo Amoedo. Mosaics are by Henrique Bernadelli. Address: Pça. Floriano, s/nº - Downtown -
Phone: (55 21) 2544-2900 - Guided visit: Mon/Tue and Thu/Fri , 9am - 4pm.

WJ Reader Travel Tips:

Rio is expensive. We stayed at the Mellow Yellow hostel in Copacabana and it was pretty nice. I'm
not a party hostel fan but it was nice for one of those.  Accommodation was pretty expensive
everywhere near the beaches. The best bet is to find an apartment to rent.   By Jean in USA.

As for stuff to do, well Rio is all about relaxing. I'm not a beach person but Ipanema and Copa are
very interesting. You can entertain yourself just people watching. The Christ the redeemer
statue is touristy but the view is unreal. I went to the Lupa (possibly sic) street party and it was
nuts. You will have no trouble entertaining yourself in Rio.  By Pat in England.

You should definitely take a trip up to see Christ the Redeemer - greats views, but try to go when
its a bit quiet- its manic at some points in the day.  The Sugar Loaf Mountain is also worth a look
- time it for sunset, the views again are awesome.  Lapa street party on a Friday is also good, but
you should definitely make sure you go on one of the Favela trips - a real eye opener!  Apparently
the Favela funk parties are also really good.  By Emily in Melbourne, Australia.

I also stayed in Mellow Yellow, which is cool, but don't expect too much sleep, absolute hedonism.  
If you'd prefer to chill (or recover) I also stayed at Che Logarto in Ipanema - really clean, but
quiet- the staff are awesome though!   By Tanis in NYC, USA.


Read this travel tale: Dining in Rio de Janeiro by Angela Corrias.



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