There is arguably no city on the planet quite as spectacular and eye-catching as Rio de Janeiro. Stunning location and setting, wonderful scenic views, world famous attractions and beaches, Rio has everything you could want in a city. With its name meaning ‘River of January’, the city is also Brazil’s second largest, after Sao Paulo. Rio de Janeiro is however most famous for its wild and wonderful Rio Carnival, one of the greatest parties on Earth. 

See:

• Voted one of the ‘New 7 Wonders of the World’, Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) is one of the most visited attractions in Rio de Janeiro. The famous statue stands tall at the peak of the Corcovado Mountain and overlooks the entire city as a symbol of Christianity.
• Sugarloaf Mountain – this peak is situated in Guanabara Bay and rises about 400 metres above sea level. See the many rock climbers that take on the challenge of climbing this popular mountain.  
• Copacabana – one of the most popular parts of Rio, the beach is world famous and home to many music festivals and events.
• See some of the many parks and squares located all around the city, most notably Flamengo Park, Tijuca Forest, and the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Gardens.

Experience:

• The large scale party that is ‘Rio Carnival’. This massive event occurs around February each year.
• Take the cable car ride from Sugarloaf Mountain and enjoy spectacular views over the city.
• A visit to some of the best and well known beaches in Rio, including the famous Copacabana, Ipanema, Barra da Tijuca, and Leblon.

Secrets of the City:

• One of the best ways to explore Rio is by foot. This way you can get a great taste of what the city is all about and mix in with the locals and tourists.
• Go to the historical Forte de Copacabana where you are able to take classical shots of the stunning Copacabana beach, as well as Ipanema and Leblon.