With its 435 years of live history, Rio de Janeiro, beyond its prodigal nature, has also its charming people - hospitable and happy - that enjoys good food, the informal chit-chat in the "barzinhos" (street bars), music, carnival and others traditional events of popular culture.
Sugar Loaf, Corcovado and Carnival are the most familiar images of the Rio de Janeiro's tourism, but the Marvellous City has more than that. Its cultural tourism (museums, monuments and historical constructions), architectonical tourism (with buildings of all the styles) and ecotourism (squares, parks and gardens that includes the Botanical Garden and the biggest urban forest in the world: the Tijuca National Park). Also has a wide range of hotels and restaurants that includes hotels, inns, motels, bars, snack-bars, regional and international cuisine.
In its urban arquitecture, Rio offers some patrimonial spots of high cultural and historical value. Soccer fans must visit the Maracanã, one of the largest soccer stadiums in the world, during a championship game when the enthusiastic crowds are as much an atraction as the game itself.
TOURS
SUGAR LOAF AND CITY TOUR
Daily at 9:00
A.M. and 02:00 P.M. Approximate duration: 4 hours.
A ride along the beaches: Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon. The Rodrigo de Freitas Lake and the Maracanã Stadium. Visit to the Cathedral, Flamengo Park and World War II Memorial. The gran-finale is with the Sugar Loaf.
PETRÓPOLIS IMPERIAL TOUR
Daily, except
Mondays. Approximate duration: 5 hours.
A ride to Petrópolis. Visit the ancient cathedral and Dom Pedro II Summer Palace, nowadays its a museum with pieces from the days of the empire.
CORCOVADO, TIJUCA FOREST AND BEACHES
Dailly at
9:00 A.M. and 02:00 P.M. Approximate duration: 4 hours.
Drive along the Rodrigo de Freitas Lake. Continue to Corcovado aboard a train through the forest up to the Christ the Redeemer. Return by the São Conrado, Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana beaches.
TIJUCA FOREST JEEP TOUR
Dailly at
8:30 A.M. and 01:30 P.M. Approximate duration: 4 hours.
Jeep ride. Stops: Cachoeira dos Macacos, "Vista Chinesa" (Chinese View); "Cascatinha" (Small Fall) and at the "Capela Mayrink" (Mayrink Chapel). Includes 1 hour and a half of trekking. Return through the "Açude da Solidão" (Loneliness Dam).
RIO BY NIGHT
Daily
at 07:30 P.M. Approximate duration: 5 hours. (Dinner included)
Dinner at a steak-house. After, the ride continues to a Rio de Janeiro samba show house. This is a typical Carioca night to enjoy foods, drinks, colorful costumes and the samba.
TROPICAL ISLANDS
Dailly
at 8:30 A.M. Approximate duration: 10 hours. (Lunch included)
Continue through the coastal road Rio-Santos to Itacuruçá. Transfer to a scooner. A well-stocked bar is available. Stop for swimming and water sports, and a delicious lunch under the palm trees.
CORCOVADO/SUGAR LOAFA FULL DAY EXCURSION
Daily
at 9:00 A.M. Approximate duration: 8 hours. (Steak-house lunch
included)
Morning - Corcovado and beaches. Afternoon - Sugar Loaf and city.
HIPPIE FAIR
Sundays from
8:00 A.M. to 06:00 P.M .
Fair with all kinds of leather, wood and metal handcrafts, as well as popular art works on display. The visit may be organized with transportation and guide.
CARNIVAL
The carioca Carnival, worldwide known, has its climax at the Samba Stage Carnival Parades, popularly known as Sambódromo. Officially, the Carnival is scheduled to run form Saturday to ash Wednesday at mid-day. The main Carnaval Parade happens at the Sundays and at the Monday.
Rio's Carnival Balls are costume parties which start around 11 P.M. and carry on until 5 A.M. or later. Every club or suitable hall holds a Carnival ball.
The street Carnival is one of the most traditional aspects of Carnival. Its is a more impulsive fun and democratic, it attracts the rich and the poor, the young and the old, the Brazilians and the foreign visitors.
