Rio de Janeiro

Eco-friendly travel guide to Rio de Janeiro advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

View of Rio de Janeiro

Air quality: 3 / 5

Exploring by foot: 3.5 / 5

Exploring by bicycle: 3.5 / 5

Public transportation: 4 / 5

Parks: 4 / 5

Outdoor activities: 4 / 5

Locals' English level: 2.5 / 5

Safety: 2.5 / 5

Accommodation: US$10 - $1000

Budget per day: US$30 - $1500

Responsible Travel

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most popular tourist destinations across the globe. The city may not be the capital of the country but it often attracts more tourists who visit the country. It is, however, the capital of the state which it shares its name with. The city is home to over 13 million people and this makes it the second most populous metropolitan region in the country. The city is a major urban centre and it is the seat of all developmental and tourism activities that take place. It is home to some of the largest and most iconic football stadiums in the world, these have hosted games of the 1950 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the city is also home to global attractions such as Christ the Redeemer which also serves to be one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Rio de Janeiro has some of the most popular and the most scenic beaches in the world, which see the carnivals pass by the city while celebrations continue right on the sands. The city is also a massive hub for all the oil and mining based activities of Brazil since Rio de Janeiro is home to Vale and Petrobras, both of which are the largest oil and mining conglomerates in the nation respectively. The city is also a solid hub for all the telecommunication activities that keep Brazil running. Thus, as a tourist, keeping in mind all of the above industrial and tourism-based activities it is not hard to imagine the pressure the local resources are under especially when the 13 million-strong population is also taken into account. While visiting the city there is an absolute necessity to fulfil your civic and environmental duties as a good tourist to fully qualify as a ‘responsible tourist”. Given in this section of the article are a few basic approaches that you must adopt to ensure that your trip is a nearly perfect eco-friendly one.

A basic bit of careful researching needs you to careful live for your target so that you utilise the neighbourhood resources in the best manner and one such course for you to do that as an explorer in the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro is to stay in an eco-friendly hotel or any green lodging. This will help you in ensuring that you decrease your impact on the city, it's air and it's resources. While picking a respectable green housing will give you all the solaces and amenities that a 4 or 5-star hotel offers, it shall simply be in a generously more practical manner. In like manner, endeavour to investigate local food at key bistros and restaurants to devour the supreme Brazilian cooking. Avoid inexpensive fast food that is generic to all nations. The local gems including the bistros, coffeehouses, pubs and even food trucks will serve you irrefutably the most certifiable Brazilian dishes and essentially more in terms of an experience. In case you expect to set up your own local feast by cooking a few dishes, then you can be guaranteed that you get shall get the best fixings from local food markets and not supermarkets and hypermarkets. The freshest produce including vegetables, fish, and a wide degree of meats will be found at these business sectors, they will be assessed appropriately by the locals also and for the most part, serve to be the differentiation between a basic Brazilian dish and an artful culmination.

The neighbourhood markets are known to be a rarely explored zone, here you will find everything from antiques to unpretentiously crafted items that reflect the fine Brazilian craftsmanship. Moreover, this will help the nearby economy in an essential way as you will put money directly into the pockets of the craftsmen and possibly leap out the vendors. This will furthermore engage you to help these little affiliations that don't work out of insatiable greed and utilise the city's assets cautiously.

All in all, give a brave exertion and use public transportation as much as could sensibly be named as ordinary. There are a particularly huge number of decisions and the comfort of a private vehicle or a taxi is unquestionably furthermore overwhelming, it is proposed that you use the buses, and the other eco-friendly means of transport such as cycles, these are economical, eco-friendly, and they, in reality, help you with reducing your carbon impression. Similarly, Rio de Janeiro is a city with a wide assortment of decisions for transport and strolling around. It will nearly serve to be a superb experience as you can avoid the rush and move at your own discretion.

Air Quality and Pollution

The city exhibits a tropical savanna type of climate that intently serves to be resembling a tropical monsoon type and it is regularly portrayed by significant stretches of incessant downpour during the months of December to March. The city encounters blistering, sticky summers, and warm, bright winters. In inland regions of the city, temperatures over 40-degree centigrades are normal throughout the late spring, however seldom for significant stretches, while daily high temperatures over 27-degree centigrades can happen consistently. Along the coast, the breeze, blowing inland and seaward, directs the temperature. In view of its geographic circumstance, the city is regularly reached by chilly winds progressing from Antarctica, particularly during harvest time and winter, causing successive climate changes. In summer there can be solid downpours, which have, on certain events, incited calamitous landslides and floods too. The higher altitude territories register more prominent precipitation since they establish a hindrance to the damp breeze that comes from the Atlantic. The city has had uncommon snowfall before. A few zones inside Rio de Janeiro state sporadically experience hailstorms, with the pellets of ice prominently called Granizo locally. Thus as a visiting tourist, you are recommended to closely keep a track of the local weather before heading to Rio de Janeiro. The light clothing including the shorts, tank tops, vests, bikinis, trunks, sunscreen lotion and sunglasses are staples in every traveller's bag but the winter clothing or rain protection gear depends upon your season of visit.

The air quality in Rio de Janeiro is undoubtedly poor, the city is a major hub for all sorts of industrial activities and it is extremely common for the city’s inhabitants to experience an Air Quality Index rating of over 100. While this may seem catastrophically disastrous for many living in European nations, it is just an uncontrollable aspect of a polluted day for the people in the city. The major pollutant in Rio de Janeiro is PM 2.5, closely followed by PM 10. Thus, all tourists headed to the city need to take extra precaution especially if they suffer from pre-existing illnesses related to breathing. Those who have been prescribed medicines by their physicians should continue to take them without fail while touring the city. In addition to this, the tourists must also take further precautionary measures which include wearing masks and protective gear while roaming around the busy streets of Rio de Janeiro. However, there is a much-needed respite for the city when it rains and the air quality improves drastically then. Tourists can, however, enjoy the beaches in the city without any issues as the air is much cleaner there and damage to young individuals and babies is only possible when they are exposed to the pollution for years altogether. Thus, tourists need not worry too much while stepping out in Rio de Janeiro with their families either.

Respect the Culture

Going to any foreign nation whose culture you are alien to seems like an intimidating task more often than not. Especially if you are a tourist headed to the culturally rich and vibrant global city of Rio de Janeiro. The city is renowned for the diversity and lavish heritage it boasts of. As a tourist, though the locals might cut you some slack for some social faux pas, things would be better if you were familiar with the local etiquettes and customs to avoid unknowingly rubbing the people the wrong way and win their heart over by showing some respect. Hence, given in this section of the article are a few tips and tricks for the same.

Brazilian culture will in general be delineated by very particular socio-economical gatherings frequently identified with one's nationality. The overall example has seen those of darker skin to be all the more financially and socially burdened. In the interim, those of lighter complexion, ordinarily of European legacy, will, in general, be essential for the upper financial classes. Connections between social classes are normally temporary, happening for the most part through work environments, for example, a financial specialist associating with a house cleaner or driver.

A collectivistic demeanour and feeling of fortitude are normal for some Brazilian individuals. There is regularly a feeling of pride in their capacity to cooperate to shape their lived encounters as opposed to latently acknowledge business as usual. Another focal part of Brazilian culture is its 'soul' that shows through the outflow of specific feelings. 'Saudade' is a term that alludes to a mix of yearning, wistfulness and despairing. It mirrors the longing for a person or thing that is far away or impossible, just as thinking back about ancient history

Have the ability to be open and warm. This will help make a more grounded dynamic, as Brazilians will in general associate in a kind way. When conversing with a Brazilian partner, ask into the prosperity of their family, mate, youngsters, and so forth Everyday life is extensively critical to Brazilians. Show empathy for individuals' issues and needs. It exhibits a feeling of thought and warmth that is probably going to be extremely valued by your Brazilian friend. Take part in conversations on points, for example, football and the characteristic scenes of Brazil. These are welcome subjects of discussion. Be available to solicitations to participate in social exercises, for example, a round of football. It is an extraordinary method to connect with others and to construct more grounded connections.

The reason for supper solicitations or gatherings is fundamentally for mingling. Thus, individuals are not typically rushed to leave. Such solicitations generally incorporate time for talking previously, during and after dinner. Ordinarily, visitors won't leave before dessert and a cafezinho have been served. Since Brazilians are for the most part agreeable, the decorum for visiting their house is very easygoing and loose. Brazilians will in general completion all the food they put on their plate. Taking more food than one can eat and leaving incomplete food on one's plate is viewed as rude, recommending that the individual didn't appreciate the food. Whenever welcomed into a Brazilian home, bringing roses or a little present for the lady is a decent offer of appreciation. A present for the host's youngsters will likewise be extraordinarily refreshing.

Abstain from talking about or discussing governmental issues, neediness or religion. While these points are not a taboo, not every person is available to talking about them. Additionally, in the event that it comes up as a subject of discussion, try not to communicate sentiments as an evaluate. Despite the fact that Brazilians might be incredulous of their administration and cultural structure, analysis from an outsider might be deciphered as an affront. Try not to brag about your riches, class or progressive system. Brazilians like a feeling of modesty. Try not to allude to Brazilians as 'Latin Americans'. Normally, 'Latin America' is thought to allude to those nations that have associations with Spain. Try not to be outraged on the off chance that you are known as a 'gringo'. This term is, for the most part, utilised not as an affront, but rather as a moniker towards outsiders or unfamiliar things as a rule, paying little heed to what they look like.

By following most of the above, you shall be able to perfectly communicate your good intentions to any local Brazilian in the city of Rio de Janeiro, this shall not only help you win over the locals comprehensively but it shall also speak volumes about the kind of upbringing and culture that the people of your country tend to have, so think of yourself as a responsible ambassador of your nation.

Top 10 Places to Visit

Rio de Janeiro is an impressive place to visit and knowing about its rich history, culture, and heritage, one can be assured of having a long list of places to visit while in the city. Hence, given below are the top 10 places to visit in Rio de Janeiro:

Catedral de São Sebastião: Designed by Edgar Fonseca, the famed architect of who planned Rio's new church building, took his motivation from Mayan pyramids, deciphering their taking off structures in a cutting edge setting. Worked somewhere in the range of 1964 and 1979 and frequently alluded to as the New Cathedral to recognise it from its nearby archetype, Nossa Senhora do Carmo, the congregation seats almost five-thousand people. Four stained glass windows rise sixty-four meters from the floor to light the inside with splendidly shaded sunlight. Around evening time, the congregation is lit from the inside, a brilliant attraction point in the horizon.

Monte do Carmo and Nossa Senhora do Carmo: The ward church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo was the Capela Real (Royal Chapel) from 1808 to 1889 and the house of prayer until the advanced one supplanted it in 1976. Associated with it by a section is a subsequent Carmelite church, Monte do Carmo, started in 1755. Features are its Baroque façade, stone entryway, and the white and gold cutting by Mestre Valentim in the Chapel of the Novitiate. The 1761 previous house of God is lavishly enriched with cutting and has a silver high special stepped area. In a side road is the house of prayer of Nossa Senhora do Cabo da Boa Esperança (Our Lady of the Cape of Good Hope), the last enduring road rhetoric in the city.

Quinta da Boa Vista: The nurseries, estates, and majestic castles of São Cristóvão are currently recreational areas and galleries, the first is Quinta da Boa Vista. From 1808 to 1889, the castle was the home of the regal and the supreme family and was later adjusted and modified as the Palácio de São Cristóvão. It houses the National Museum, which has the biggest zoological, organic, ethnographic, and antiquarianism assortments in the nation, adding up to in excess of 1,000,000 items. In the broad park are gardens with lakes, forests, and gives in, which you can reach by means of a little railroad. Likewise inside the recreation centre is a zoo with in excess of 2,000 types of animals, flying creatures, and reptiles from Brazil and around the globe.

Teatro Municipal: The stupendous Municipal Theatre, constructed in the mid-twentieth century, was lead by the Paris Opera of Charles Garnier, and its inside is considerably more elaborate and rich than the sensational transcended façade. Features are the figures by Henrique Bernardelli and works of art by Rodolfo Amoedo and Eliseu Visconti, just as the drop blind, the proscenium frieze, and the roofs. There are guided visits, some in English, or you can go to old-style shows and expressive ballet dance exhibitions here.

São Francisco da Penitência: The Igreja da Ordem Terceira de São Francisco da Penitência is isolated into three areas with discrete doors, and the straightforward façade of this church gives a false representation of the wealth inside. The inside, which was started in 1657 and finished in 1773, is a mob of plated wood cutting. Among the individuals who added to the beautification of the inside were Manuel and Francisco Xavier de Brito, two driving Portuguese artists and woodcarvers. They had fundamentally the same as styles, known as Brito, utilizing enhancing structures that affected Aleijadinho and different bosses of Brazilian Baroque. The roof of the ensemble has the soonest optical illusion painting in Brazil, finished in 1736, crafted by Caetano da Costa Coelho, who later painted the roof of the nave in a similar style.

São Bento: Over the slope simply on top of the harbour are the church and cloister of São Bento, one of the best Benedictine buildings in Brazil. The first 1617 church was without passageways until it was augmented in the second 50% of the seventeenth century by the expansion of eight side houses of prayer. The best specialists of the Benedictine request were associated with brightening the inside. The rich cutting that covers the dividers and roof was predominantly crafted by a priest named Domingos da Conceição, who was likewise liable for the figures of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica on the high special stepped area. The ensemble sanctuary has silver work by Mestre Valentim and 14 compositions by Ricardo do Pilar, a priest who was the principal Benedictine painter of provincial Brazil. His work of art, Senhor dos Martírios (Christ of the Passion), is in the sacristy of the religious community.
Santa Tereza: A region of steep, calm roads and hundred-year-old houses, Santa Tereza is Rio's most climatic area. Its bistros and cafés are top picks of specialists and savvy people who add to the Bohemian air. Despite the fact that its most prominent charms are discovered simply meandering its roads, which regularly open out onto delightful perspectives, there are a few attractions and activities, among them the church and community of Santa Tereza, dating to 1720. The Museu Chácara do Céu has a workmanship assortment of basically present-day works, including those by Picasso, Miró, and Matisse, just as Chinese model from the seventeenth through nineteenth hundreds of years. The contiguous Parque das Ruínas is the shell of a socialite's house that fell into dilapidation and has become a living piece of workmanship, music and showcasing scene.

Escadaria Selarón : At the edge of Santa Tereza, where it joins the Lapa area, is one of Rio's freshest vacation spots, the Escadaria Selarón. From 1990 until his demise in 2013, The craftsman Jorge Selarón who was born in Chile covered a long trip of steps before his home with mosaics made of tiles, earthenware, and mirrors, numerous in blue, green, and yellow - shades of the Brazilian banner. Selarón started by utilising broken tiles that he rescued from building locales and tear-downs of old structures, yet as his means drew the consideration of vacationers, individuals started bringing him earthenware and tiles from everywhere the world. Presently pieces from in excess of 60 nations are spoken to in the 250 stages, which cover 125 meters of steps. The steps are a mainstream filming area nowadays.

Largo do Boticário: It is one of Rio's most beautiful squares, encircled by frontier-style houses. From the pagoda-style structure at Morro da Vista Chinesa, 380 meters over the shore, are perspectives on the Municipal Park, the Botanic Garden, and an extended length of the south coast. There are more perspectives from Mirante Dona Marta, a perspective on a prod of rock above Botafogo Bay. A few cascades drop from the woodland springs, including the 30-meter Cascatinha Taunay. Set in broad nurseries close to the recreation centre is the Museu do Açude, with the important porcelain assortments of the West India Company; old perspectives on Rio de Janeiro by Brazilian and unfamiliar craftsmen; and azulejos, customary Portuguese tiles from the seventeenth through nineteenth hundreds of years.

Carnaval: Rio de Janeiro is known to most people across the globe because of two reasons and one of them is the annual carnival that takes place here and is ever so often portrayed in media and various forms of pop culture. One of the world's most renowned pre-Lenten festivals happens each winter season in Rio de Janeiro. The festivals start not long after New Year, yet the vigour and large numbers of spectators arrive at its staggering peak in the four days before Ash Wednesday, pulling in countless onlookers to its road marches, samba gatherings, and shows. Other Brazilian urban communities observe Carnaval; it is likewise a significant vacationer occasion in Bahia and Recife, however, Rio's is the most extravagant. The most terrific occasions are the processions of the samba schools, which are held in an exceptional scene planned by prestigious Brazilian designer Oscar Niemeyer. The Sambódromo is a long motorcade course lined by arena style boxes planned so that up to 50,000 onlookers can watch the processions of splendidly costumed artists as they contend.

Monte do Carmo and Nossa Senhora do Carmo

Explore

Rio de Janeiro is one of the biggest cities of the country, it is a very popular tourist destination in the world. You shall find that most of the tourists who are visiting the country often begin their journey by landing in the city itself. Rio de Janeiro is the primary attraction in the country and without a doubt it also is one of the most exciting places for tourists offering a wide variety of attractions to explore. Given in the sections below are a few such well-known attractions, so schedule your visits well enough, to ensure that you make the most of your stay in Rio de Janeiro.

City Parks

Rio de Janeiro is a city which has quite a few beautiful parks and these serve to be perfect place for a quiet day, sometime off work, and even a good place to spend some time connecting with nature or indulge in sporting related activities. Given in this section of the article are a couple of the most prominent parks in the city of Rio de Janeiro:

Flamengo Park: It is the ideal kick-back-and-loosen up sort of park. The park neglects Guanabara Bay and furnishes a view that comes total with Sugarloaf Mountain in the horizon before the water extends over towards Niteroi. The park is a local hotspot for sports, being similarly normal of seeing individuals strolling along gradually on their pushbikes. The youthful group typically skateboards or slacklines, or simply lounges around drinking and appreciating the safe house from the palms. The park is directly close to a beach so soak up the sunshine, take a plunge in the sea and discover a palm in the park to sit under and chill.

Parque Lage: A dazzling house settled in the backwoods nearly appears to be a scene from Indiana Jones with its intriguing looks and dreamlike environment. Parque Lage is presently a craftsmanship school, yet is available to the general population for guests to come in, like the understudies' works of art and appreciate an espresso or light lunch at its bistro. The previous chateau is set in perhaps the most dazzling grounds in Rio, a tremendous park loaded with vegetation from the Tijuca rainforest and occupant untamed life, for example, brilliant winged animals and curious monkeys. Take a meander through the tight, twisting ways with no arrangement and appreciate the characteristic settings around you. Stop at the inlet in the centre; inside is an aquarium that features a portion of Brazil's strange yet magnificent river life, including piranhas.

Flamengo Park

National Parks

After enjoying the serenity of the city parks, the tourists who are visiting Rio de Janeiro can amp up the adventure by heading to some of the most prominent National Parks situated in and around. These are starkly different from the city parks as they give tourists an opportunity to completely dive into nature and admire the flora and fauna that is signature to the lands of Brazil. Hence, listed below are a couple of national parks that you must visit when you are in Rio de Janeiro:

Tijuca park: It is the most exceptional park in Rio. The reality it's the biggest metropolitan woods on the planet is sufficiently noteworthy, yet it's additionally the home to a few unfathomable focal points, for example, Vista Chinesa, Corcovado (the heap of Christ the Redeemer), Pedra da Gavea, Pico da Tijuca (the biggest top in Rio) and various lovely cascades. Quite possibly the most available cascades is Cachoeiro do Horto that is only a short path away from the primary street that breezes through the woods and is adequately little to wash under. The woodland is consistently home to fauna and vegetation that is remarkable to this rainforest and is confronting danger; an outing with a trustworthy local escort is prescribed to guarantee you can encounter the best of what these backwoods has to bring to the table while securing its touchy untamed life. One of the world's biggest timberlands inside a city was planted in the later parts of the 1850s had been annihilated by espresso ranches, to shield the springs that provided Rio de Janeiro's water. The majority of the trees are local species and give natural surroundings to Capuchin monkeys, hawks, quatis (Brazilian raccoon), bright toucans, splendid blue butterflies, numerous different types of untamed life, which you may spot while investigating its paths.

The Botanical Gardens: Located in the Jardim Botanico neighbourhood of Rio saves a portion of Brazil's most significant plant species, some of which are jeopardized. The park's rich variety is spread all through a zone of 1.5 squared kilometres and concentrates more than six and a half thousand types of plants, just as gives homes to more than almost one hundred and fifty types of winged animals, including a particular kind of toucan. Make certain to stroll along the Avenue of Royal Palms, a long way where a line of one hundred and thirty-four palms remains to consideration along the edge of the path. Features are the Orchidarium, an iron-and-glass nursery worked during the 1930s and loaded up with in excess of 2,000 types of orchids, and the Japanese Gardens with their cherry trees, wooden bridges, koi ponds, and Bonsai. Try not to miss the tangible nursery which mesmerised your sense of smell and contact as opposed to simply seeing. A Sensory Garden of fragrant plants and spices is endorsed in Braille. The nursery, which is a UNESCO biosphere save, contains in excess of 8,000 types of vegetation and the fowls and creatures that make this their living space, including Marmoset monkeys and toucans. You can stroll through the nurseries, under the taking off imperial palms and pau-brasil trees, or ride through on an electric truck visit.

Tijuca park

Beaches

Rio de Janeiro's renowned, energetic beaches are directly close to Rio's well known areas, while others are ideal for a confined escape. We gather together seven of Rio's most shocking beaches, recorded arranged by east to west along its shoreline. Given below are some of the most popular beaches of the city:

Praia de Grumari: Settled in the wild and flourishing Atlantic Forest, it's generally very simple to envision being back in time in this untainted characteristic retreat where the bow of the sandy beach is outlined by wild lines of approaching trees. Families will in general support this beach for its quiet waters and a lot of room for youngsters and youthful toddlers; nonetheless, it is an ideal safe-haven for anybody needing to remove a break and unwind from the city. Shops and beach merchants are difficult to find, so ensure you bring food, drinks, and different arrangements.

Praia de Abricó: It is one of those beaches which is nearly impossible to get to for those without any kind of private four wheeler transport and it is covered by thick vegetation and huge rocks, it's not hard to perceive any reason why Praia de Abricó has become Rio de Janeiro's just nudist beach. The beach was authoritatively proclaimed a nudist beach during the 1990s, and from that point forward, stands have sprung up giving beach bites and cooling beverages to the expanding number of nudist beachgoers. The beach is controlled by the ANABRICO (The Naturist Association of Abricó), which set top-notch of rules of lead at the beach entrance; they likewise keep watch of the beach to guarantee the security of nudists and to look after harmony. Don't hesitate to participate in a round of volley, and simply make sure to take the sun cream.

Prainha: Wide waves with statures of up to three meters make Prainha a sweet spot for the further developed surfers who show up at the beginning of the day and possibly leave when either the waves evaporate, or the sun goes down. In any case, it likewise draws in the beachgoers who are upbeat relaxing on white sands with clear waters and a strikingly extensive horizon. Prainha sits at the edge of the Atlantic Forest which harbours unimaginable organic variety comparable to the Amazon and is viewed as a natural reserve that is furiously patrolled by activists and other vested parties.

Praia do Arpoador: Arpoador is wrapped up at the furthest corner of Ipanema Beach, and its moving waves make it ideal for apprentice and experienced surfers the same. There are many beach booths that offer surf exercises, with most of the educators communicating in English and tolerant and inviting in evident Brazilian style. It's an ideal method to grasp the Carioca way of life. This beach is renowned for its stupendous dusks, so sit down among the other beachgoers on Arpoador Rock and make a point to participate with the brought together cheers and applauds as the remainder of the sun's beams vanish behind the rugged pinnacles of the Dois Irmãos.

Copacabana: Being one of the world's wildly pursued beaches implies the Copacabana is crammed with lodgings, cafés and beach-side stands to take into account the yearly mass influx of sightseers rushing in. Ends of the week can become busy on radiant days, and local guests and vacationers frequently wind up bumping for space at peak season. In any case, the enthusiastic climate is infectious, and with different live samba acts playing on Copacabana's wave-designed promenade, this beach carries life and music to every one of its guests. Sports along the eight-kilometre stretch are a perpetual installation with football, volley, surfing and beach tennis being the most mainstream among locals.

Praia Vermelha: With Pão de Açúcar, also known as Sugarloaf, as its background scenery and Morro da Urca next to it, this beach overflows with fascinating excellence with a lot of palms and other intriguing vegetation blooming and nurturing around. This bright beach is little and has less crowds at this point, thus it never turns out to be excessively packed. Encompassing rough stages and buckles transform the sea into a narrows, making it well known for kayaking and stand-up surf rowing on account of its quiet and tranquil waters. Others are upbeat just to snatch a cool coconut to drink and take in the view.

Praia de Grumari

Landmarks

With tremendous historical significance and an extremely rich heritage and culture, the city of Rio de Janeiro does have a lot of globally renowned landmarks to offer to the tourists who are visiting. Given below are the cream of the crop landmarks that every tourist must visit on their trip to this lively city:

Cristo Redentor: The monstrously huge sculpture of Christ sitting above the city from the 709-meter culmination of Corcovado is nearly as generally perceived an image of Rio as the particular shape of Sugarloaf. The world-acclaimed milestone was raised somewhere in the range of 1922 and 1931, financed for the most part by commitments from Brazilian Catholics. The Art Deco sculpture was made by Polish-French stone worker Paul Landowski and worked by the Brazilian specialist Heitor da Silva Costa, as a team with the French designer Albert Caquot. Made of fortified cement and soapstone, the figure itself is 30 meters tall with arms extending 28 meters; it weighs 635 metric tons. Inside its eight-meter-high base is a house of prayer, where it's normal to discover baptism ceremonies and marriage ceremonies occurring.

Maracanã: An absolute necessity for football fans when a game is planned, Brazil's biggest arena was home to the opening and shutting functions of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. It was totally remodelled for the FIFA World Cup 2014 and holds in excess of 78,000 fans. The arena is utilised for matches between Rio's significant football clubs, the Flamengo, Botafogo, Fluminense, and Vasco da Gama, also it is used for shows of popular singers. The concise visit would hold any importance with energetic fans, yet others should give it a miss. The shore of Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, close to Copacabana and Ipanema, where numerous other Olympic occasions occurred, is lined by parks and sports clubs, and its waters are famous for regattas and other water sports.

Sugarloaf: One of Rio de Janeiro's most popular attractions is the stone pinnacle of Sugarloaf, transcending 394 meters over the harbour. It sits on a state of land that tasks out into the sound and folds over its harbour and is associated with the city by a low portion of land. You can take a streetcar from Praça General Tibúrcio to the highest point of the Morro da Urca, a lower top from which a second cableway races to the culmination of the Sugarloaf. From here, you can see the whole rocky coast that rings the sound and its islands. Beneath, the 100-meter Praia da Urca beach is close to the area of Rio's unique core, between the Morro Cara de Cão and the Sugarloaf. On Cara de Cão are three posts of which the sixteenth century, star-moulded Fort São João is available to people in general.

Cristo Redentor

Museums

While most of the various sights and attractions around the popular parts of Ro de Janeiro do reflect upon the rich heritage and culture of the city, they do only provide a shallow view and if one wishes to delve in deeper, they can certainly

National Museum of Fine Arts: It is an excellent museum that holds quite possibly the most significant and complete assortments of Brazilian art in Brazil, with a sum of around twenty-thousand distinct types of painting, models and prints out there for anyone to see. Brazilian paintings and models from the 19th century make up the greater part of the assortment, while more modest presentations are committed to Brazilian indigenous art and African art.

Museu da Republica: It was previously the government house through the years 1897 to 1960. These days, its accentuation lies in educating guests about Brazilian political history through presentations, art and film. Furthermore, there are likewise different presentations with narratives, movies and discussions that are animating and instructive.

National History Museum: It is quite possibly the most conspicuous of its sort in Brazil. With gigantic documents that length across two tremendous structures, huge presentations are out in plain view with around three hundred and fifty thousand unique artefacts. Notwithstanding lasting shows, the museum educates while engaging with new and impermanent presentations, as well. This one is an absolute necessity visit for history buffs all over.

Museum of Telecommunications: It investigates the different methods of human interchanges through advanced presentations, pictures and intelligent showcases. More than a few stories, it unfurls correspondences of the past, present and fiddles with the future prospects. Given the museum's little size, guests can see and do everything inside a brief timeframe; be that as it may, the involved methodology of the showcases and a higher up bistro makes it a pleasant method to go through an hour or two.

Museum of the Indian: It is little yet enlightening, permitting guests to investigate the different native societies all through Brazil. This museum investigates how parts of the cutting edge culture have created from the native social orders and how their traditions are reflected in contemporary life, making it a noteworthy display into Brazil's general public and culture.

Museum of Tomorrow: It has immediately transformed into one of the city's go-to attractions. Portrayed by a fairly capturing natural structure with a prolonged rooftop sticking out over Praca Maua, this science museum centres around manageability through thoughts instead of items. The fundamental presentation space is to a great extent computerised and drives guests down a lobby that investigates our origins and likely future. One of Rio's most illuminating museums, the Museu de Amanhã comes strongly suggested.

Museu da Republica

Eat

Some of the most common and popular dishes of Brazilian cuisine can be found in its most authentic form in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Given below is a list of these amazing dishes that you must try on your trip to the city:

Brigadeiro
Coxinha de Galinha
Pão de queijo with Requeijao
Churrascaria
Feijoada
Empada

Traditional Local Restaurants

Being the hottest tourist destination in the country, Rio de Janeiro does have plenty of restaurants that serve authentic Brazilian cuisine and these shall help you truly get a glimpse into the local culture. Given below is a list of options for you that you can choose from to enjoy a great meal:

Sud O Passaro Verde
Lasai
Satyricon
Fogo de Chão
Aprazível
Estrelas da Babilonia
Olympe
Confeitaria Colombo
Braseiro
Feira Nordestina
Oro

Vegetarian and Vegan

Despite being a meat-loving city, it is also a major global city and this has ensured that the city evolves with time and takes into consideration the choices of every individual. This has led to the rise of vegan and vegetarian restaurants here and as an eco-friendly tourist, you shall have plenty of options to consider from, a few of which are listed below:

Magna Cozinha Vegana
Tempeh
Vida Bistro
Org Bistro
Be Vegan
Refeitorio Organico
Spazziano
Casa Hoba
Teva

Street Food

Brisk, fresh, and nutritious are the characteristics of food in Rio de Janeiro, at least in most cases, for a significant portion of the time. Part of the best food around the city is found in either handcarts or corner lunch rooms and reach from a definitive post-exercise nibble to a southern style heap of deviousness. However, everybody merits a treat in some cases, particularly one who is looking to uncover the genuine taste of Rio de Janeiro. Given below are some of the most popular street food dishes of Rio de Janeiro:

Chicken hearts
Popcorn
Fried sardines with lime
Feijoada
Pastel
Tapioca
Açai

Drink

The people of Brazil are renowned across the globe for their undying party spirit and keeping up with much of that, the drinks that you can enjoy in a party destination such as Rio de Janeiro shall certainly surpass all expectations and get you right into the mood with the perfect blend of flavours and spirits, so given below are a few such popular drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, that you must try on your visit to the city:

Cajuína
Xiboquinha
Chimarrão
Tererê
Guaraná
Caldo de Cana
Caipirinha
Cachaça
Vitamina

Tap-water

There isn’t a lot of scientific data available in public domain about the exact status of tap water quality in Rio de Janeiro, however, the water is known to be generally safe for consumption. The local people seldom have any issues and they often advocate tap water to the tourists as well. However, the filtration processes adopted here are known to be widely different and as a result of this, the taste is quite different, this does put off a few tourists, so if you want to avoid unusual taste and be assured of the quality, then it is recommended that you stick to bottled mineral water.

Organic Cafés

Organic cafes are becoming increasingly popular globally, especially amongst eco-friendly crusaders, as it not only provides a wholesome meal but also ensures minimum wastage and maximum use of the ingredients. Hence, to help you make an informed dining choice, given below are some of the most popular organic cafes that you can visit:

Verdin
Vegecoop
Dona Vegana
Vegetariano Social Clube
Prana
Reino Vegetal

Breweries

The sun shining brightly on Rio de Janeiro and its sandy beaches with the magnificent sea around does make it one of the most ideal places in the world to laze around with a pint of beer. The local people have always loved their brews but in the past few decades they have developed a special liking for fresh brews and some of the popular breweries in town to enjoy a few pints are:

Jeffrey
Buda Beer
RockBird
2cabeças
3 Cariocas
Three Monkeys
Hocus Pocus

Activities

When you visit a destination such as Rio de Janeiro, you shall never fall short of any kind of activities to indulge in. Right from running or lounging on the beaches to swimming in the ocean or even partaking in the various water-sports such as parasailing, boating, jet-skiing, surfing, and much more. Tourists could also go for hiking or simply pull out their cameras and walk into the botanical gardens or forests around to snap the shrubbery, trees, and exotic birds. Those who are completely into sports could simply meet a few friendly locals and play some football to strike an effortless connection.

Yoga and Retreats

Yoga is a way of life that has been adopted all across the globe and even in Rio de Janeiro you shall find a great opportunity to indulge in some yoga especially with some suitable company at some of the following yoga studios:

The Museum of Yoga
Yoga Svadharma
Hot Yoga One
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
Shiva Shankara Yoga Center

Accommodation

While visiting Rio de Janeiro, the last thing that a tourist needs to worry about is accommodation. The city offers a wide variety of places to live in right from budget hotels, to hostels, homestays, resorts, five-star hotels, villas and so on. Depending upon your budget and necessities, pick any kind of accommodation that appeals to you. Given in the sections below are the different kinds of accommodation worth considering to stay in while you’re visiting Rio de Janeiro.

Green Hotels

There are a good number of eco-friendly hotels in the city of Rio de Janeiro and they shall all cater to the wants of every tourist. They avoid/minimise the use of plastics, they ensure no wastage of of resources, they use appropriate methods of recycling, and always have efficient appliances, some of the best hotels to consider in the city are:

Arena Copacabana
Belmond Copacabana Palace
Arena Ipanema
Pestana Rio Atlȃntica

Hostels and Guest Houses

Hostels are always a great choice for most travellers who are looking to explore a city on a budget. The extra benefit here is that many of the hostels are known to be quite eco-friendly, they have great views, they are economical and they help a single tourist expand his/her social circle in a relatively safe environment as well, thus the best hostels in Rio de Janeiro are:

Books Hostel
Pura Vida
Lemon Spirit Hostel
Bonita Ipanema
Che Lagarto Suite Copacabana Santa Clara
Mambembe Hostel
Selina Rio
Aquarela do Leme
Che Lagarto Hostel Ipanema
Discovery Hostel

Apartments

Rio de Janeiro is a nearly perfect destination to rent and live in an apartment on the off chance that you are visiting the city for a long span of time or in the event that you are wanting to go there with a couple of companions or associates and don't wish to overpay at hotels and be limited by their constraints. Airbnb and other such sites are amazingly mainstream and you can search these for appropriate apartments to lease, it is respectably protected and solid in the event that you book through reliable sites and applications.

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing in Rio de Janeiro is a typical practice and as a traveller you also could consider it on the off chance that you are voyaging alone. The famous sites have thousands of postings and you can locate an appropriate host contingent upon your necessities. There may be a little monetary exchange required for fundamental necessities however that shouldn't be an issue. In the event that you are permitted to remain for nothing by your host, you can give back in kind with a little blessing or by purchasing a supper while assisting with the house errands sometimes. However, safety might be an issue so pick your accommodation and host after due consideration and checks.

Camping

Camping is decently popular in and around Brazil however most of the local people do not head to the wilderness for a camping experience rather much of it is executed on secluded sandy beaches where they can party and skinny dip in the ocean as well.

How to Get There

Travelling to the city of Rio de Janeiro is quite easy as the city is a major global destination with great connectivity overall. The different ways by which you can travel to the city are listed in the sections below.

Air

The city is served by the Galeão - Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport which handles both the international and domestic loads and is just 12 miles away from the city centre. Additionally, it is well connected to the city by almost all forms of local transportation.

Rio de Janeiro–Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (also known as Galeão International Airport)

Bus

Travelling to the city via buses is a great option worth considering as you have a host of options including premium buses, private buses, and regular municipal run buses as well. The city is well connected with most major cities and town in the entire country.

TransOeste Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

Train

Reaching Rio de Janeiro via trains is not a feasible option as even the majestic Central Station only caters to domestic journeys and travels.

Train of Rio de Janeiro Metro

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking to Rio de Janeiro is a means of transport that one can certainly consider but the risks attached are considerable as many of the local people are known to target gringos and looting is common, so it is best avoided unless you are well connected with local friends.

Others

Beyond the above listed means of transport it is recommended that tourists reach Rio de Janeiro via private vehicles or rental cabs.

Moving Around

Moving around a large city such as Rio de Janeiro can not only be confusing but also difficult, given below are the different options available to you as a tourist.

Walk

Walking around Rio de Janeiro is possibly one of the best ways to explore the city, not only is it entertaining and enjoyable, it also allows you to explore at your own pace but the major issue is safety as certain parts of the city are unreliable and you will have to stay extra vigilant post sunset.

Bicycle

Cycling around Rio de Janeiro is extremely fun and eco-friendly. It is always suggested that you find a partner to execute the cycling plans as it doesn’t make the whole day monotonous. Cycle lanes are well structures and are spread 400 kilometres around the city.

Electronic Vehicles

Electric vehicles have slowly made their way to Brazil and Rio de Janeiro being on one of the key markets you can see a few plying on the roads but these cannot be easily found on rent and neither is the charging infrastructure adequate.

Public Bus

Buses are as yet the least expensive and most advantageous approach to get around the city because of the high frequencies and recurrence of lines going through the region. There are assigned bus paths on many roads that make travel times more limited. For the gutsy or spending voyager, it merits asking your inn or lodging representatives how to explore the framework or which courses to take to show up at explicit areas.

Tram, Train and Subway

In Rio de Janeiro you have everything from trams to trains and even a subway system. Thus, depending upon your time and destination, choose the most suitable mode of transport to explore the city.

Sustainable Shopping

Sustainable shopping is a vital bit of each eco-obliging explorers' excursion and even more so when you are visiting a city like Rio de Janeiro. This is basic as you can clearly add to the more humble economy and that too with no additional monetary help by just purchasing from small stores and helping the local community.

Food Markets

For the freshest of local produce in Rio de Janeiro, head to the food markets listed below:

Hortifruti e Food Service
Carioca Fruit
Municipal Market RJ - CADEG
Veggienopote

Flea Markets

To pick up local craftsmanship and rare items at a bargain, head to the following flea markets in Rio de Janeiro:

Feira do Lavradio
Mercado uruguaiana
Feira Hippie de Ipanema
Market Carlão

Second Hand Stores

To purchase some worthy second hand goods in Rio de Janeiro, it is suggested that you head to the following stores:

Fast Fashion
Brechó o Cacareco
Brechiceatelie
Mining Carioca Flea

Eco-Fashion

The local fashion trends in Brazil do incorporate a few indigenous methods of weaving and dyeing, these are truly eco-friendly and the brands that empower such crafts can be considered as eco-fashion brands worthy to shop from.

Recycling

Recycling in Rio de Janeiro is known to be extremely poor as the city does not even come close to the needed standards. Most plastics are never recycled and are dumped into landfills or burnt at times as well.

Waste

Garbage collection in hotels and posh neighbourhoods in Rio de Janeiro is exceptional but otherwise for most parts of the city especially the favelas, the waste isn’t even segregated and this not only creates a challenge for composting and recycling but also eventually harms the environment.

Work and Study Abroad

Working and studying in Rio de Janeiro is a dream for many, especially in South America as people flock from different countries looking for opportunities.

Exchange Student

Exchange students can often be seen in Rio de Janeiro, much of this is attributed to the good quality of life, government and university aid provided, and the high level of education available here.

Au Pair

With many rich expats living in town, there are plenty of Au Pair openings as many do not trust the locals living around them. All you have to do is look for the right opportunity and grab it.

Volunteering

Volunteering is the perfect way of giving back to society without using money. If you wish to do so in Rio de Janeiro, you shall have plenty of opportunities as the city struggles on various fronts right from cleanliness, to drug and alcohol rehabilitation, sexual awareness and much more.