Rio de Janeiro is synonymous with its glitzy carnival, the Corcovado Christ statue, Sugarloaf Mountain and the "itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny" bikinis littering the beach at Ipanema. Brazil's lively cultural capital nestles between the sea and the mountains, and is home to Tijuca Forest, the world's biggest urban forest, which was completely replanted during the late 19th century. The city is the capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro, encompassing most of Brazil's major tourist attractions.
Tourists booking flights to Rio are advised to bring their open minds and attitudes. Temptation runs rapid in Rio -- if the samba doesn't seduce you, the people will. The city moves to the music of the choro, samba and bossa nova, all of which form the principal source of Brazilian national culture. Rio's infamous annual carnival is a wild, colorful and hedonistic affair that draws together both rich and poor, who flood the streets for the world's largest samba parade on the Sambodromo.
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If you like the heat you will love Rio de Janeiro where the temperature rarely drops below 68 degrees (F). Rio has a classical tropical climate. December to March is summer, and it is very humid with temperatures topping 100 degrees. December has the most rain and July and August the least. Winter is short, lasting only from June to September. Daytime temperatures in winter are in the 70s and 80s the nights are cooler.
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Peak Season:
Carnival, usually in February, is “the” time to come to Rio. To take in some sights and museums, you will need to arrive a few days before the party starts and linger a few days after. Flights to Rio and hotel prices are higher during Carnival. Book your hotel and Rio de Janeiro flight at least a year in advance.
Another grand party is New Year’s Eve, called Reveillon. Millions pack the beach for the all-night celebration, music, and fireworks.
Off Season:
The city is less crowded and prices are a bit lower in winter, from May to October, with the exception of Reveillon.
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An airport bus leaves regularly for the major hotels along the beach road. Taxis are available outside the terminal; visitors are advised to buy prepaid taxi vouchers at the Rio Tourism Authority desk; they are usually a little bit more expensive but give you peace of mind. Public buses are also available.
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Rio de Janeiro’s subway system is air conditioned, faster, and cheaper than buses, but the subway’s coverage is limited. The bus network is comprehensive and can take you any where. However, the drivers do not speak English, so you need to speak enough Portuguese to ask for directions. Buses are also the scene of many robberies and are not safe at night.
The privately run Fresco buses run between the beaches, downtown, and Rio's airports. These buses stop at regular bus stops and can be flagged down wherever you see them. There is also minivan service along the beach front avenues.
When traveling at night, take a taxi. Taxis are plentiful and you can usually flag one down. Radio taxis and cab companies that serve hotels charge more but are reliable and usually air-conditioned. Most carioca cabbies are pleasant, but either negotiate a fare with the driver or make sure the meter is running. Few cab drivers speak English.
If you decide to drive, keep the car doors locked and stay alert. Rio has frequent traffic jams, streets are not well marked, red lights are often ignored at night, and parking is problem.
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- Take a cable-car ride up Sugarloaf Mountain. The journey to the top is done in two stages. The first cable car climbs more than 700 feet up Urca Hill. Then, on another cable car, tourists travel 1300 feet to the summit from which there are wonderful views of Copacabana beach and over the city.
- The world-famous statue of Christ the Redeemer is 125 feet high and stands at the peak of the mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park.
- The botanical gardens are home to about 2,600 species of plant life. The gardens were created by the Prince Regent of Portugal in 1808 as a temporary home for imported plants while they were being acclimatized. There are animals too such as toucans, tanagers, marmoset monkeys and exotic butterflies.
- World-famous beaches include Copacabana, where Rio's New Year's celebrations take place, and Ipanema, famous in the song The Girl from Ipanema.
- For retail therapy, check out the upmarket Rua Garcia D'Avila or for budget-conscious travelers, the hippie fair at Praça General Osorio is a good place to pick up souvenirs such as wooden sculptures, leather goods and artworks.
- The Museu Nacional de Belas Artes was inspired by the Louvre. It dates from 1908 and is Rio de Janeiro’s main fine arts museum. It displays artifacts from the 19th century to today from several famous Brazilian artists including Victor Meirelles, Pedro Americo and Candido Portinari as well as foreign and contemporary artists.
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