My First Time in Rio de Janeiro
Description:
From tourist board images of bronzed Brazilian beauties and palm-fringed beaches to media horror stories about drug gangs and crime-ravaged slums, it's hard to arrive in Rio without preconceptions. But cast aside whatever images you have in your head, and come to Rio expecting the unexpected.
The sights are more stunning, the beaches more beautiful and the culture more colorful than anything you could imagine. At the same time, the sense of social inequality is overwhelming, and it is important to keep your wits about you in order to avoid the kind of petty theft that is sadly inevitable in such a divided society. Be cautious but don't be paranoid, and above all be prepared to have the time of your life in one of the most exciting cities on the planet.
The sights are more stunning, the beaches more beautiful and the culture more colorful than anything you could imagine. At the same time, the sense of social inequality is overwhelming, and it is important to keep your wits about you in order to avoid the kind of petty theft that is sadly inevitable in such a divided society. Be cautious but don't be paranoid, and above all be prepared to have the time of your life in one of the most exciting cities on the planet.
Author: Lucy
Day 1 - Rio de Janeiro
When the sun shines, Rio really dazzles. Crashing waves, white sands and an endless parade of bronzed bodies can make it difficult to leave the beach, but it's well worth dragging yourself away from the sun lounger long enough to take in legendary sights such as Sugar Loaf mountain and the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer. Don't shy away from 'touristy' spots - these places attract hordes of visitors for very good reason.
1
Copacabana Beach
Location:
view in google mapsAvenida Atlantica and Xavier da Silveira
22010-000 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
+55 21 2542 80802
Pão de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf)
Location:
view in google mapsPraia Vermelha
Urca
22290-270 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
+55 21 2461 27002
Terra Encantada
Location:
view in google mapsAvenue Ayrton Senna, 2800
Barra da Tijuca
22775-001 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
+55 21 2421 94663
Corcovado Mountain and Christ the Redeemer Statue
Location:
view in google mapsRua Cosme Velho 513
22241-090 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
+55 21 558 13294
Ipanema
Location:
Rio de Janeiro, BrazilPhone:
+55 21 2217 7575 (Tourist Information)5
Lagoa
Location:
view in google mapsAvenida Epitácio Pessoa
Lagoa
22471-001 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
+55 21 25447992 (Tourist information)6
Parque do Flamengo
Location:
view in google mapsFlamengo
20021-140 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
7
Orla Marítima
Location:
view in google mapsLeme até Barra da Tijuca
22010-000 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
8
Museu de Arte Contemporanea de Niteroi
Location:
view in google mapsMiranda da Boa Viagem
Niterói
24210-390 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
21 2620 24009
Arcos da Lapa
Location:
view in google mapsRua dos Arcos
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
+55 21 25447992 (Tourist information)10
Maracanã Stadium
Location:
view in google mapsRua Profesor Eurico Rabelo s/n
São Cristovão
20271-150 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
+55 21 2264 9962Day 2 - Rio de Janeiro
With dining opportunities to suit every taste and budget, there's no need for anyone to go hungry in Rio de Janeiro. Carnivorous types shouldn't miss the opportunity to stuff themselves silly at an all-you-can-eat churrascaria (barbecue restaurant), while vegetarians are well catered for at the city's many pay-by-weight buffet lunch spots. Fresh tropical juices can be found on every street corner, and are absolutely delicious. Rice and beans are a staple part of almost any traditional meal, usually accompanied by fish, chicken or meat; while queijo coalho - grilled white cheese, similar to halloumi, is a lipsmackingly tasty meat-free option.
1
Espirito Santa
Location:
view in google mapsRua Almirante Alexandrino, 264
Santa Teresa
20241-260 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
55 21 2508 70952
Amarelinho
Location:
view in google mapsPraca Floriano 55-a
Cinelandia
24001-970 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
55 21 2240 84343
Porcão
Location:
view in google mapsRua Barão da Torre, 218
22411-000 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
55 21 3389 89894
Confeitaria Colombo
Location:
view in google mapsRua Gonçalves Dias, 32
Centro
20071-000 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
55 21 223223005
Bar do Arnaudo
Location:
view in google mapsRua Almirante Alexandrino 316, loja B
20441-260 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
55 21 2252 7246Day 3 - Rio de Janeiro
The home of samba and carnival, Rio's nightlife is famously lively. But while there's plenty of party action to be found once the sun sets, it's important to know where to look. Copacabana is the home of many slightly seedy bars and strip clubs, while Ipanema, Leblon and Barra da Tijuca are the places to head for sleek and chic bars and clubs filled with Rio's beautiful people. For samba clubs, down-and-dirty funk music and a lively (and more than a little lecherous) street party, head to the downtown district of Lapa. The bohemian hillside neighborhood of Santa Teresa, meanwhile, is home to some of the city's most relaxed and welcoming bars and restaurants. While buses are reliable and reasonably safe, visitors who don't know their way around the city would be wise to take pre-booked taxis at night.
1
Garota de Ipanema
Location:
view in google mapsRua Vinicius de Morais, 49-A
Ipanema
22411-010 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
55 21 2523 37872
Academia da Cachaca
Location:
view in google maps26 Rua Conde de Bernadotte Leblon
Leblon
22430-200 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
55 21 2529 26803
Simplesmente
Location:
view in google maps115 Rua Paschoal Carlos Magno
20240-290 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
55 21 9781 24514
Lapa Street Party
Location:
view in google mapsRua da Lapa
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
5
Rio Scenarium
Location:
view in google mapsRua do Lavradio 20
Centro Antigo
20230-070 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
55 21 3147 9005Day 4 - Rio de Janeiro
Rio may be famous worldwide for its beaches, but there's more to the city than sun, sea and sand. The city centre and its environs are less visited by tourists than the beach zones, but are home to some fine colonial architecture, lively nightlife and some excellent street markets. Hop on the metro to Carioca or Cinelandia and head to the historic center of the city, and don't miss the bone-rattling tram ride up to beautiful, bohemian Santa Teresa.
1
Bonde de Santa Teresa
Location:
view in google mapsRua Professor Lélio Gama, 65
Centro
20031-080 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
+55 21 222 1003 / +55 21 242 23542
Avenida Rio Branco
Location:
view in google mapsEntre Praça Mauá e Avenida Beira Mar
(Centro)
20083-240 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
3
Rua do Lavradio
Location:
view in google mapsRua do Lavradio
Lapa
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
4
Feira do Rio Antigo
Location:
view in google mapsRua do Lavradio
Lapa
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
5
Escadaria Selarón
Location:
view in google mapsEscadaria do Convento de Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa
20241-130 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
