The International Gateways
to Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
Known as the cidade maravilhosa (the marvelous city), Rio
has one of the most beautiful settings in the world. The city’s
spectacular harbor is dominated by the famous rocky outcrop, Pão
de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf), and, further up, the Corcovado (Hunchback)
peak, rising 709m (2326ft) above the Baía de Guanabara and
providing the focal point for the classic Rio skyline. The
Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) statue stands on top of
Corcovado. Pão
de Açúcar can be reached
by two cable cars
ascending 396m (1300ft) above Rio and the Baía de Guanabara (one
leaves approximately every 30 minutes). Flocks of tourists
arriving by tour buses can sometimes spoil the view, so visitors
should avoid the busiest times (between 1000-1100 and
1400-1500). The Corcovado peak is located within the Parque
Nacional da Tijuca, and is accessible by cog train (leaving from
the Rua Cosme Velho). From the top there are magnificent views
of Rio. Taxis also take visitors up to the peak and driving
there will take up to an hour.
Rio’s other landmarks are its
numerous beaches, most notably the infamous Copacabana and
Ipanema. Beach life is a ritual in Brazil and different beach
sections reflect different ways of life and fashions. The Girl
from Ipanema beach is particularly popular with young people and
is located at Posto Nine in Ipanema. Owing to strong waves and
undertows, swimming off Ipanema can be dangerous. Rio’s other
main beaches include Arpoador, Barra da Tijuca, Botafogo,
Flamengo, Leblon, Leme, Pepino and Vidigal.
Rio has many interesting museums, including the Museu Histórico
Nacional, located in the São Tiago Fortress. The Museu de Arte
Moderna do Rio de Janeiro contains Brazil’s most important
collection of modern art. The Museu de Arte Contemporânea de
Niterói, designed by famous architect Oscar Niemeyer and
overlooking Boa Viagem beach, showcases contemporary Brazilian
art. The Museu do Folclore Edison Carneiro displays folk art and
art naif. The Museu do Índio contains some 14,000 objects made
by Brazilian Indians and is one of the nation’s most important
Indian heritage museums. The Museu da República is set in the
well-restored Palácio do Catete and reveals a fascinating
insight into Brazilian history.
Activities
Carnaval and music
four days in the South, to two weeks in northern cities such as
Salvador and Recife. Brazilians themselves remark that the Recife
and Olinda celebrations are the most distinctive but it is cities
like Rio or Salvador that receive the most foreign visitors.
However in every town and village in Brazil, Carnaval is a time to
celebrate and the visitor will see processions and blocos
every region during Carnaval time.
Accommodation is traditionally prepaid in four- or five-day blocks
and overland travel during Carnaval is notoriously difficult,
although always entertaining!
Music: Brazil is the perfect place to sample the samba, bossa nova
or lambada and the major cities, particularly Rio de Janeiro, are
full of cafes with live music and dancing. Gefieiras are
samba parlours where visitors can either watch or join in. In Rio,
many gefieiras are located on the south side. The Copacabana
beach, where parties are staged nearly 24 hours a day, is also a
good location for sampling some Latin American entertainment. An
exciting way to experience the genuine samba is by attending a
rehearsal at the escolas de samba (samba schools), which
open their doors to visitors a couple of months before the
beginning of Rio de Janeiro’s carneval. Bandas, the
non-professional equivalent of the samba schools, are also a good
place to practice. Tickets for the carnival go on sale two weeks
before the beginning. The best costumes and most spectacular samba
parades can be seen at the Sambódromo (Sambadrome), a
stadium on Rua Marquês de Sapucaí, where 14 samba schools parade
on Carnival Sunday and Monday; the parades go on for 24 hours and
tickets should be bought well in advance. It is possible for
visitors to take part in a parade. One week of preparation should
be allowed and hotels can often make all the necessary
arrangements. During carnival, foreign visitors should be alert to
pickpockets and not carry more money than needed.
Football
A good way to experience the Brazilian Maracana Stadium,
the largest in the world.
Hiking and climbing
The best time for hiking and climbing is from April to October.
Rio de Janeiro is the center of Brazilian rock climbing: over 300
climbs can be reached within 40 minutes from the city center.
There are many great hiking trails in the national parks and along
the coastline. The Iguaçu Falls on the Parana River near
the junction of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay is one of the world’s
greatest waterfalls, with 275 cataracts. Boat trips to the falls
from Rio are available and take two days. Good aerial views can be
enjoyed from a helicopter tour of the falls that can be booked on
location.
| |
 |
| |
|
Copacabana beach - Rio de Janeiro |
Watersports
Brazil is one of the world’s top surfing destinations. The best
places to surf in Brazil include Joaquina Beach (near
Florianópolis in Santa Catarina state, which hosts the annual
Brazilian surfing championships); Saquarema (in Rio state);
Búzios (a chic resort area on the Cabio Frio Peninsula);
Itacoatiara; and a string of beaches near Rio de Janeiro.
There are hundreds of beaches along the coastline suitable for
many types of watersports, some of the best being at Buzios;
Angra (on the Costa Verde, which is fairly uncrowded, with
access to hundreds of offshore islands); Fortaleza;
Niteroi (near Rio, with three good beaches); and Itamaraca
Island (north of Recife). Diving can be practiced in
Fernando de Noronha (a small archipelago off Brazil’s north
eastern coast in Pernambuco state, where a strict environmental
protection program allows a maximum of 420 visitors at a time);
Angra dos Reis (a seaside village in Rio de Janeiro state,
part of Ilha Grande Bay, with possible diving trips to 300
surrounding islands); Bonito (located in the fairly
untouched and undeveloped Panatal region); Recife (the
‘birthplace’ of Brazil, offering excellent diving in the vicinity);
and Parcel Manoel Luís. Diving clubs are located all along
the coastline. For further information, contact the Brazilian
Tourist Board (see above).
Golf
Rio de Janeiro’s spectacular location makes for a number of
dazzling golf courses. The Gávea Golf & Country Club,
located beneath the massive Gávea rock and next to São Conrado
beach, has an 18-hole course; non-members are not allowed at
Itanhangá Golf Club has a 9- and an 18-hole course, located
near Barra da Tijuca beach.
