Run Away to Rio De JanEIro with me

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​    I went to Rio de Janeiro in September of 2013 and this is my experience.  If I were to describe Rio de Janeiro in one word it would be culture.  The Portuguese settled in this area in January of 1502.  The name Rio de Janeiro means River of January. Rio like many other cities has had its ups and downs throughout its economic history. It has gone from being an agricultural economy in the 18th century to moving into an industrial economy at the end of World War II.  Rio, up until the 1960’s was the capital of Brazil until it eventually ended up in Sao Paolo.
     Not only are there beautiful landscapes to see in Rio but the people are also beautiful.  The range of cultures found here spans from the Indigenous, Portuguese, Africans, Spaniards, Germans, Italians, and the Japanese.  After World War II, the city was overflowing with people looking for refuge and a new start at life.  Hence, the overwhelming diversity that you will see in this city as you stroll along places such as Copacabana and Santa Teresa.
     The beautiful landscape of Rio was a major draw on my heart strings.  The city not only borders the Atlantic Ocean but also consists of bays, lagoons, and the river Cabuçu (or Piraquê).  The mountains and forest is a perfect backdrop while staring at the rich water ways of Rio.  Rio is settled in the Tijuca Forest which is the largest urban forest in the world (1). Also, Rio is covered with many islands that you may visit via the Atlantic Ocean or its many bays.  The average temperature for Rio throughout the year goes from a high of 84.2 F (29 C) and low of 62.6 F (17 C). 
     Listed below are my top favorite destinations to visit in this remarkable city. 

1. Jardim Botânico- the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden.  This place is a must see.  It was founded in 1808 by Prince D. João who believed that it was important to have a place that acclimatize plant species from places all over the world.  It is regarded as an important research center in the world with its wide range of diversity of botanical species.  There are over 900 species of palm trees, 140 species of birds, and over 6,000 species of trees and plants.  This place is so beautiful that even the best picture cannot capture its beauty, peacefulness and amazement that this garden holds. Check out this website for more information to visit: http://jbrj.gov.br/
2. Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro – opera house in Centro.  This architectural wonder is absolutely stunning.  Since opening in 1909, it has been noted as being one of the main show houses of Brazil and Latin America (2).  The theatre has an array of shows showcasing opera, dance and other musical genres.  If you are unable to see a show, please stop by and tour the facility.  It holds many beautiful art and furniture pieces as you wonder the magnificent halls.  The staircases and chandeliers are also worth noting to take a moment.  The grand staircase is made out of onyx, bronze and gold crystals.  The entrance fee for when we visited was less than $10.00 but please note prices do change with time.  We purchased tickets at the theatre at the booking office.  When you are exiting the theatre, take time to walk around Centro and check out some local businesses for food and shopping.  Praça Passeio Público is a nice park to have lunch and relax.
3. Cristo Redentor - Christ the Redeemer statue.  This statue is situated 2,310 feet above the city and showcases breathtaking views of the city.  When you arrive at the Corcovado train station (we took a taxi), you can purchase your admission there (roughly $15 per person) and you will board a train to take you up Mount Corcovado to see this amazing wonder.  Once you embark the train, there are stairs and walk paths to guide you the rest of the way.  There are elevators for those that cannot make the rest of the climb.  Please note that you will encounter many people and a few furry friends as well.  I would suggest designating a few hours from start to finish here.  Once you make it to the top, there will be many people just below the statue trying to take pictures.  You will be able to get your shot but that area will be the most populated.  There are many other viewpoints around the statue to revel in the sheer vastness of the statue but also the beauty of the city below.  Please view these article for the history of this amazing statue and how to get there:
   • https://www.thoughtco.com/reasons-why-christ-the-redeemer-statue-is-so-popular-4123653 
   • https://freewalkertours.com/how-to-get-to-christ-the-redeemer/
4. Sugarloaf Mountain.  This iconic mountain is a must see.  My boyfriend (now husband) and I visited both the Christ Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf in the same day. They are not too far from each other.  If you decide to do both in the same day, it will take up the majority of your day but well worth it.  We took a taxi to the Praia Vermelha station and purchased a cable car ticket there (roughly $22 per person).  They do have tickets for VIP, history and ecological tours as well which range from $31 to $40 per person. After stepping off the cable car, the city views are all around you.  We went as the sun was going down and for me, it was perfect.  We had a glass of wine and watched as the sun departed. Please note that there are restaurants on top of the mountain and special events hosted such as shows and cultured events that you can purchase tickets for.  Please check out this website for ticket and event information:  https://www.bondinho.com.br/
5. Favela Tour Rocinha and Vila Canoas.  After landing in Rio and enjoying the city for a couple of days, we were overwhelmed by the vastness of the colorful buildings up against the mountainside.  We found out that those buildings were a part of what is known as a favela.  A favela is defined as Brazilian shack or shanty town, a slum.  With receiving this knowledge of favelas; we booked a tour to educate ourselves on favelas.  We booked through Marcelo Armstrong which I found on Trip Advisor.  We bought our tickets online and they picked us up by van at our hotel.  The tickets were roughly $30 per person and they offered a morning and afternoon tour.  We visited a school and walked through parts of the favela as a group.  There were about 10 of us.  The favelas have a history of violence and drug lords but on this tour, we were educated on how there were those that live there and that they were trying to change that narrative.  We did get to stop and chat with some locals at an outdoor bar while drinking a Skol (Brazilian beer) which was enlightening.  Once our 3 hour tour was over, the van took us back to our hotel.  I felt that it was important to see all of Rio, not just the fun pretty parts.  The favela tour was very insightful.  While it did showcase poverty, it also showed the rise of people that will not settle for it.  I was humbled and grateful for the experience.  If you would like to experience a tour, please visit: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g303506-d1637149-Reviews-Favela_Tour_Marcelo_Armstrong-Rio_de_Janeiro_State_of_Rio_de_Janeiro.html
6. Beaches - Copacabana and Ipanema.  How can you talk about Rio without mentioning Copacabana and Ipanema?  You should not and I will not.  I absolutely enjoyed walking along these two beaches while sipping on a Caipirinha (Brazil’s national cocktail) out of a coconut shell.  There are little bars and concessions on the beaches to order drinks and food.  Another tasty treat is a Brazilian tapioca flour crepe.  I found this gem of a snack out of a trolley cart.  You can fill it with meats, cheeses, etc. and it will not disappoint.   While the drinks and snacks are wonderful, the views of the water and the mountains leave you mesmerized.  When we visited, Avenida Atlântica (the main avenue of Copacabana) was partly closed for walkers, joggers, bans playing, shopping and more.  I was able to buy some handmade dresses and jewelry for a great price. 

     For transportation, we traveled by taxi (Uber was not available here until 2014), the city bus and good old fashioned walking.  We felt safe but you should do what is best for you.  While traveling in a foreign place, you need to trust your gut always.  For currency, you can ask your local bank for Brazilian Real or you can purchase Real at the airport.  Please note that if you want to get it from your bank, please call them a few days before your trip so that they can have the currency on hand for you.  For accommodations, we stayed at a hotel in Copacabana on Avenida Atlântica.  I would recommend staying in this area due to its proximity to the beaches, restaurants and it is close to all of the major destinations spots. 
    Although there are many other sights to see in Rio, these are my top favorites.  I picked these places because it played heavily on these senses: sight, hear, and taste.  Your eyes will be mesmerized by all the beauty of nature, you ears will be filled with cheerful Brazilian music and multiple languages, and your taste buds will thank you for the array of cuisines that you can sink your teeth into.  I highly recommend visiting and enjoying the culture that is uniquely Rio de Janeiro.
 
 
 
NOTE: This website has a multitude of things to see, eat and hear in Rio De Janeiro.  It’s worth taking a look at:  http://visit.rio/en/about-rio/
 
(1) https://www.riodejaneiro.com/v/geography/
(2) http://visit.rio/en/que_fazer/municipaltheater/
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Please feel free to comment below if you have any questions on Rio and/or have visited and would like to share some tips.  

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