Travel Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro. Where to begin? This huge city has towering beachfront condos with a backdrop of some of Brazil's largest favelas (slums). You could spend months here and still not see everything there is to see. From beautiful beaches - full of even more beautiful people - to towering panoramic peaks, Rio is one of those places you love and hate at the same time.

Here is a rundown of the beaches in Rio city:
Copacabana – Rio’s most beautiful beach with a mix of middle class Cariocas and tourists, Copacabana can be a bit chaotic, but it is still damn nice for a city beach.
Ipanema & Leblon – Although they really are the same beach, the postos (posts) separate the long beach into two. Posto 9 is where Brazil’s rich and beautiful tend to congregate. Between posto 8 and 9 is generally a gay hangout, while posto 8 is a favorite of favela kids.
Arpoador is Rio’s most popular surf spot.

Must see sights:

Pão de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf) – The view from the top of Pão de Açúcar makes you appreciate just how beautiful Rio is. Obviously, try to go up on a clear day, but you might also think about going up to watch the sun set over the city. Most tourists arrive between 10am-11am and 2pm-3pm, these times should be avoided unless you like flying through the air in a box on a string body to body with other sweaty tourists.
Pão de Açúcar is actually two sets of cable cars. The first ascends 220m to Morro de Urca where you will already have spectacular views. There is also a small restaurant perfect to grab a snack and a Guarana soda to enjoy the view. The second cable car goes up to Pão de Açúcar. Once at the top there is a sprawling view of Rio, where the Christ, Copacabana, and Rio’s surrounding suburbs come into view.

Corcovado or Cristo Redentor (The Christ) – The Mountain that the Christ looks from rises 710m above Rio. At night, the brightly lit, 38m-high redeemer’s open arms are visible from almost anywhere in Rio. The view from the top is another spectacular 360-view of Rio.
To get here you can take a taxi, usually R$60 for return trips with waiting time. The best way to get there, in my opinion, is to take the cog train, winding its way up through dense greenery. Sit on the right side for the beast views. And be sure to go up on a clear day – people don’t seem to appreciate photos of fog as much as the welcoming, open armed Christ.

A walking tour of downtown Rio is also something that can be done to pass the day, especially days when there is cloud cover over Sugar Loaf and the Christ.

If you are a soccer fan then a trip to Maracana Stadium is a must. Although any soccer match is great to see, consider going to a rivalry game between the many local teams, such a Flamengo vs. Botafogo. But beware that high adrenaline games can easily escalate into violence – just remember not to be or do stupid things.

There is also, hiking, climbing, hang-gliding, surfing, biking, and diving. It really is impossible to be bored here.

If you want an escape from the city of Rio, head over the bridge and into Niteroi. They say the best thing about Niteroi is the view of Rio across the bay. You can also take an enjoyable ferry ride there. This side of the bay also has some immaculate beaches and world-class surfing. Sleeping here is also cheaper, less noisy, and more removed from the hustle and bustle of Rio.

Where to Stay:

Rio de Janeiro Bus Routes: