"Rio's State" Top 5 Page for this destination Estado do Rio de Janeiro by Alless

Estado do Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide: 4,566 reviews and 9,051 photos

Rio de Janeiro is the most well known tourist site in Brazil. Its image is closely associated to the Sugar Loaf Mountain, the Corcovado Mountain, to football, to carnival and to spontaneous and joyful people. The city of Rio de Janeiro is the capital of the State of Rio de Janeiro - an exuberant state that captivates for its natural beauty, its privileged geography and the way of life of its inhabitants who, as few other people, find a good balance in the art of working and living in an intensive and informal way.
The state of Rio de Janeiro is abundant in natural beauty and resources, with a wide variety of climatic and environmental conditions. Brazil's largest area of preserved Atlantic Forest is here. The world's greater urban Forest - Tijuca Forest - lies in the heart of the city of Rio de Janeiro. And there are beaches, lagoons, mountains, rivers and forests.

Rio's natural exuberance is by itself inviting enough. From Copacabana to Ipanema beaches - world famous - to the pristine beaches of Ilha Grande in Angra dos Reis. From the Botanical Gardens with century-old palms to the diversity of Itatiaia National Park and old coffee plantations of the mid-Paraiba Valley.

From the rich and busy culture of downtown Rio to the serene streets of historic Paraty - world renowned for its cultural heritage. From the shimmering Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon to the chic beaches of Búzios.

From the contagious heat of the city of Rio de Janeiro to the mild climate of the cozy towns in the mountains.

The business tourist will find here the best tourist infrastructure in Latin America, with sophisticated hotels and quick access to RioCentro, South America's largest convention center.

Besides the capital of the state, many other areas keep the same kind of charming atmosphere. The coastline is among the most beautiful in Brazil, with its bays, inlets and beaches of many different kinds. They run from Costa do Sol, north of the city of Rio de Janeiro, to Costa Verde, south of the capital. In the interior, among the exuberance of the forest, lies the mountain region with the towns of Teresópolis, Nova Friburgo and one of the most important monument-cities in the country, Petrópolis, where during the XIX century the royal family had its summer and leisure refuge. Another mountain area is the Itatiaia region, seat of the first National Park created in Brazil, in 1937, with the highest peak in the state, Pico das Agulhas Negras, with 2.787 meters high.

RJ's State Flag

The State of Rio de Janeiro is situated in the South-eastern region of Brazil and is just above the Tropic of Capricorne. At the same latitude as Antofogasta (Chili), Windhoek (Namibia), Tansvaal (South Africa), Rockhmpton (north Australia) and the south of Nouméa (New Caledonia, a French Territory in South Pacific region).

Rio's main view

Rio de Janeiro is the name of the State and of its capital, globally famous and the most important Gate of Entrance of Brazil.

The city disperses between the sea and the mountains being known as the "Wonderful City". This beauty extends for whole the State.

In Costa Verde, to the south, countless beaches exist at places like Mangaratiba, Itacuruçá (starting point of the saveiros for the Island of Jaguanum) and in the cities of Angra dos Reis and Parati.

In Costa do Sol, in the north direction, beautiful beaches are found in the coastal cities of Itaipu, Itaipuaçu, Maricá, Saquarema, Araruama, Cabo Frio, Búzios, Arraial do Cabo and many other.

In the mountainous area, the State of Rio offers summer stays summer like Itaipava, Petrópolis, Teresópolis, Friburgo, very close of the capital.

In the Itatiaia National Park area, the cities of Itatiaia, Penedo and Viscount of Maua possess hotels with Finnish sauna followed by waterfall bath.

Conservatória, place now very appreciated by the peacefulness and for the seresteiros that enchant the moonfull nights, is located in an area, close to Valença.

Useful links:
Turismo - RJ,site in portuguese

Pros and Cons

In a nutshell:much more than just Rio city !!!

Intro Updated Mar 4, 2008
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Reviews (5)

Parati Things to Do (5)

The small coastal village of Parati is a virtual museum within a tropical paradise. It is located 125 miles southeast of... more travel advice

The God's Finger - Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Teresópolis Things to Do (5)

Teresopolis is Located in the cool Rio de Janeiro mountains overlooking the bay of Rio de Janeiro and set amidst... more travel advice

Rio de Janeiro Things to Do (5)

Rio de Janeiro was discovered January 1, 1502 by the Portuguese, hence the name River of January. Rio with over... more travel advice

Buzios Things to Do (5)

Just 105 miles from Rio de Janeiro, a pleasant 2-hour trip takes you to the peninsula of Buzios, whose more than 20... more travel advice

Comments (20)

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jwilliams2005 Oct 24, 2006 at 3:48 PM

Thanks for the great information. I do consider myself to be a discerning travler and contemplating moving to Brazil, becasue of it's splendor and gracious people. Fantastic picture !
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LOHRER Mar 13, 2006 at 1:00 PM

outstanding scenery
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chiara76 Sep 12, 2004 at 2:26 AM

Hi there, such a great page with great pictures. As I am interested in your country I had a lot of joy reading it. Good job! Greetings from Poland.
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Pierangelo Aug 18, 2004 at 10:40 AM

Muito bom, parabensc...
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Jim_Eliason Jul 24, 2004 at 5:12 AM

great tips!
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mfc10 May 27, 2004 at 10:07 AM

Hi Ale! Thanks for more precious tips on your beautiful country! :)
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unravelau Apr 1, 2004 at 7:30 AM

Had never thought of the meaning of Rio de Janeiro......but now that I have, I will never forget. Thank you for a great page.
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awayhome Feb 26, 2004 at 10:40 PM

an amazing page!!! there look so beautiful, happy travel:-))
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acemj Dec 27, 2003 at 3:29 PM

There's so much more that I didn't see!!! I hope you had a Merry Christmas and that 2004 is your best year!!
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Mazely Dec 5, 2003 at 3:53 AM

What a difficult thing to find: a pic of Paraty with clouds. From the best angle: from the sea, a landscape of the shore, including Santa Rita barroc church! Great picture!