Things to do in Rio De Janeiro
Visitors coming to Rio de Janeiro for the first time will not be short on things to do. The magical vibrancy of the city means that a good time can be had just wandering around the city's streets or enjoying the miles of wonderful coastline that Rio benefits from. However, there are also a huge variety of things to see and do, meaning you have to pick your options carefully if time is short.
Rio is justifiably famous for its enormous statue of Christ the Redeemer. This 38 metre-high statue on Corcovado Mountain in Tijuca Forest National Park is well worth the drive or the journey on the Corcovado Rack Railway. The view of the city from the platform is as awe-inspiring as the statue itself. The park is just 15 minutes' drive from central Rio and its 120 square kilometres of tropical jungle is all that is left of the once expansive Atlantic rainforest, so enjoy it!
You are unlikely to require much encouragement to head to one or more of Rio's various beaches, as needless to say, they are stunning. Rio's beaches have almost formed their own culture and they will likely be busy and wild, but always entertaining and glorious. Take your pick of the miles of coastline and do your best to blend in with the locals.
Then, of course, there is the world famous carnival that takes place in the city's streets every February to enjoy. The sheer size and excitement of the event cannot be overemphasised and those who like to get their eight hours' of sleep at night would be well advised to stay clear of the city while the many days of celebrating, dancing and singing take place.
The Pao de Acucar or Sugar Loaf Mountain is stunning and offers incredible views of the city below. There are two ways up the 396 metre-high vantage point; in a cable car or via guided climbing tour. The mountain is busiest between 10:00 to 11:00 and 14:00 to 15:00 when the tourist buses pull up.
The Catedral Metropolitana is cavernous and will excite fans of modern ecclesiastical architecture. The cathedral was inaugurated in 1976 after over a decade of construction and offers superb sculptures, murals and carvings.
Those interested in learning about Brazilian folk art should head to the Museu de Folclorico Edson Carneiro. The museum's 1,400 pieces serve as a superb introduction to the genre, with particular emphasis on items from the north-east of the country.
The planetarium is another popular attraction, particularly on rainy days. The museum has a variety of changing exhibitions although the highlights of a visit are the two large domes capable of projecting over 6,000 stars on to its walls.
Finally, for a real flavour of Brazilian passion away from carnival time, head to the Maracana and watch a football match. This 100,000-seat stadium is home to Rio's Flamengo, Botafogo and Fluminense clubs so there should always be a game on during the long season. Tickets are cheap and generally easily available.
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Things to do
