"Tudo Beim?" Rio de Janeiro by Ramonq

Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide: 3,628 reviews and 6,543 photos

Loafing around Sugar Loaf - Rio de Janeiro
Loafing around Sugar Loaf
The Carioca touch

click: Ipanema song

Rio de Janeiro, or more popularly known as "Rio", is one of my favourite cities in the world. Despite the highly-visible poverty precariously hanging on the cliffs above Rio, this city is very likeable and definitely has a charming character that's etched on most Cariocas' (natives of Rio) faces. Maybe its because of the Carioca's attitude to life which is quite infectious. The sun-drenched tanned faces normally carry a smile or two. Even in difficult times, they know how to party and not to take life too seriously. The name Rio de Janeiro sounds appealing too. I like the way the Cariocas speak their certain brand of Portuguese. Musical and comforting. Places in Rio often sound very enticing....Copacobana, Ipanema, Barra de Tijuca, Corcovado, Pao de Azucar, the names just ooze sensuality; and wait when the Cariocas pronounce them!

Rio de Janeiro which means "River of January" is not located on a riverside at all. The early settlers thought the scenic rocky bay and coves were part of a river and hence named it on the month they first saw it. I have been to Cape Town, Hong Kong, and San Francisco, but nothing beats Rio's unusual rocky mountains and beautiful coves.

Cristo Redentor
Corcovado - Rio de Janeiro

Corcovado

For me, the Cristo Redentor symbolises Rio. I really like the serene and imposing monument of Christ the Redeemer towering over this beautiful city with His arms outstretched as if welcoming anyone who visits this city. I think the statue succinctly represents the people of Rio de Janeiro, friendly and welcoming. Mostly financed through church donations across Catholic Brazil and even the Vatican, the 30 metre high statue became a reality and was inaugurated in 1932. At night, the statue is lit up and can be viewed from many angles across the city. Like the statue, nightlife in Rio can be mesmerising too.

Greater Rio

Rio de Janeiro has grown in all directions from the Centro. The Centro itself is an interesting place to visit. Colonial Portuguese buildings and futuristic 1960's style highrise buildings jostle for attention as one walks on pedestrianised mosaic-paved streets (so typically Brazilian).

Some of the suburbs of Rio have distinct characters of their own. The picturesque inner suburbs of Santa Teresa located high above Rio is quite a contrast to the modern city with its narrow streets and stately colonial houses looking down on the modern city below. Flamengo and Botafogo are interesting inland suburbs that used to be residential district of Rio's elite. These suburbs now have bars and clubs, frequented by Cariocas. Then there are the favelas, or slums, which, some, have become tourist spots in themselves. These favelas, located on the hills above the city, have afforded themselves some of the most marvelous views of Rio!

Beaches
Beaches - Rio de Janeiro

Of course Rio is known for its long white-sand beaches. The most famous ones are Ipanema and Copacobana. Many songs have been written about these 2 beaches that they have become legendary. Hugging the Atlantic Ocean, Ipanema and Copacabana beaches give Cariocas some breathing space from the smog and also a chance to flaunt their happy-go-lucky lifestyle. Ipanema , the more upmarket of the twin beaches, has swanky shops and restaurants among the long string of medium-rise buildings a stone throw away from the beach. Copacabana is more streetwise yet laid back and has a reputation for some edgy sleazy nightlife.

The beaches of Rio have been the focal point where tourists and locals congregate to enjoy la dolce-vita. Rio has expanded further south and Barra de Tijuca is gaining a lot of popularity for many well-off residents.

Party City

Rio de Janeiro is legendary for its relaxed party atmosphere and the Cariocas certainly know how to live it up. One of the greatest party in the world is held here a few weeks before Lenten season. It's called the Mardi Gras or the Rio Carnivale. Months of frenetic preparation for this weeklong event culminate in the explosion of colours and sounds through outlandish fashion and rythmic samba music. Its actually one big competition on which samba school has the best and most outlandish presentation.

The Carnival is the ultimate Rio expression of hedonism and happy-go-lucky approach to life. When life can be tough, why bother moping and finger-pointing, when you can just easily dance your troubles away. That's why I like this city very much.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Marvelous sceneries
  • Cons:Economic disparity
  • In a nutshell:Carnival atmosphere
  • Intro Updated Mar 19, 2004
  • Add to Trip Planner (?)
  • Report Abuse

Reviews (6)

Arrive Rio by air and make... - Rio de Janeiro Arrive Rio by air and make... Transportation (1)

Arrive Rio by air and make sure you get a window seat. It's absolutely fantastic seeing the mountains and forests below... more travel advice

It's advisable to watch a... - Rio de Janeiro It's advisable to watch a... Off The Beaten Path (1)

It's advisable to watch a soccer or 'futbol' match at Maracana. It's an eye-opener to see Cariocas behaving badly. Here... more travel advice

Stroll on both Copacobana and... - Rio de Janeiro Stroll on both Copacobana and... Favorites (1)

Stroll on both Copacobana and Ipanema Beach on a weekend. This is where every Carioca goes to destress from everday... more travel advice

Cristo Redentor at Corcovado - Rio de Janeiro Cristo Redentor at Corcovado Things to Do (1)

Jaw-dropping view of Rio de Janeiro. The thoroughly modern city is surrounded by rocky mountains and white sand beaches.... more travel advice

Comments (8)

Ramonq's Related Pages

Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide

 
Explore the World
Travel Destinations
Ramonq's Profile Photo

Ramonq

“If your feet itch, scratch them!”

Online Now

Male

Top 5,000 Travel Writer
Member Rank:
0 1 4 0 5
Forum Rank:
0 1 6 8 9

Badges & Stats in Rio de Janeiro

  • 6 Reviews
  • 7 Photos
  • 1 Forum posts
  • 10 Comments
  • 3,708PageViews
  • See All Stats
  • See All Badges (9)

Have you been to Rio de Janeiro?

  Share Your Travels  

Latest Activity in Rio de Janeiro

Photos in Rio de Janeiro

See All Photos (7)

Top 10 Pages

See All Travel Pages (267)

Friends

No friends yet.

Travel Interests

See All Travel Interests (5)

Latest Rio de Janeiro hotel reviews

Iberostar Copacabana Hotel
137 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 21, 2013
Caesar Park Rio de Janeiro Ipanema
181 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013
Copacabana Palace
473 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 20, 2013
Plaza Copacabana
104 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 20, 2013
Excelsior Copacabana Hotel Rio De Janeiro
236 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 6, 2013
Ducasse Rio Hotel
11 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Aug 11, 2011
Gloria Hotel
21 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 26, 2010
Copa Sul Hotel
44 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 29, 2013
Best Western Rio Copa Hotel
72 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 16, 2013
Hotel Itajuba
7 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Feb 22, 2013
Hotel Ipanema Inn
91 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 22, 2013
Best Western Sol Ipanema Hotel
235 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 21, 2013
Hotel Pousada Galeao
7 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Feb 19, 2012
Luxor Aeroporto Hotel Rio De Janeiro
53 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 25, 2013
Royal Rio Palace
56 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013