Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide
Travel guide to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with comprehensive information about events, shopping, and major Rio de Janeiro sporting events to help you enjoy your visit more.
Rio de Janeiro Overview
Rio is recognised as being one of the most beautiful cities in the world and a place that offers so much that even the most experienced traveller will be amazed when they first see it.
Having a population of over 6 million it is the second largest city in Brazil behind Sao Paulo and was the country's capital city until 1960, when the newly created Brasilia took that mantle.
As with most places in South America, and especially the larger cities, safety can be an issue here simply because of the gulf between the haves and have nots. The usual advice applies - don't go off the beaten track after dark, don't wear obviously valuable item such as jewellery and watches and be aware of the surroundings.
Having said that Rio de Janeiro can be an absolute delight. With friendly local people, glorious beaches and an array of natural and man made sights that take the breath away, who could fail to be awed by this wondrous place?
To see the passion that flows within the people of this city there are two things that should not be missed. The first is Carnival in February, where the most extravagant costumes and rhythms are on show in the streets and at the Sambodromo. If you have ever seen images of a Brazilian festival or street procession then it will have been from here. The costumes themselves can vary from the most complex and ornate to the almost non existent, but all look wonderful. The second thing not to be missed is a football match at the Maracana Stadium. The Brazilians absolutely love football, and to be at a match here is to feel the most intense emotions and passions.
Top Rio de Janeiro Attractions
There is no end to the list of truly amazing attractions here in Rio. From Corcovado mountain dominating the skyline with the statue of Christ atop it to Sugar Loaf and the Copacabana and Ipanema beaches with the beautiful people doing what they do best. These are just the tip of what Rio has to offer, all of it being truly awe inspiring.
Shopping in Rio de Janeiro
Shopping in Rio is a very different experience, with the South American culture taking precedence over the more westernised styles. Rio is home to many different markets, each of interest to different parts of the population. The Ipanema Hippy Market for example or the Babilonia Feira Hype Market where the young trendy people can be found. The designer stores are also here but the more specialised outlets do seem to be the more popular ones.
Rio de Janeiro Sporting Events
In Brazil, and Rio in particular there is only one sport that really stirs the passions of everyone here, and that is the beautiful game - football. Part religion, part escape, part tribal it is the route to everything as far as the infatuated spectators are concerned. The Maracana Stadium is being refurbished currently but it is normally the home ground for the four Rio club sides - Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafogo and Vasco de Gama. The biggest event in Rio's footballing calendar is the Flamengo versus Fluminense game, a local derby unlike any other in the world.
