The City that Never Sleeps

In the city of Rio de Janeiro you’ll witness some of the most scenic urban cityscape vistas on earth - the unique landscape around Sugarloaf Mountain, Corcovado – Christ the Redeemer, Ipanema and Copcabana offer you vivid panoramic views of Rio de Janeiro that are simply unparalleled and majestic in stature.

Once the capital of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is where sparkling waters, beautiful people, and historic neighborhoods and museums combine with the rich sounds of Samba and a thriving nightlife to give this Brazilian city its reputation as one of the most striking in the world.

The Cidade Maravihosa (Marvelous City), as Brazilians call it, displays a unique blend of contrasts: a bustling metropolis amidst beautiful mountain ranges, rain forests and wetlands, tremendous wealth amidst crushing poverty, old traditions juxtaposed with desires for modernity. All of the thriving life and diversity of Rio de Janeiro is showcased between the outstretched arms of Cristo Redentor, the statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain also provides some of Rio's greatest views.

Rio de Janeiro is usually divided into three zones: the North (Zona Norta), the South (Zona Sul) and the Center (Centro). The North is the least interesting, and not to be wandered into at night. The South contains the beautiful beach areas of Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Leme, Loigoa and Sao Conrado. The Center holds the majority of the city's highlights, and stretches from the Morro de Sao Bento in the North to the monuments of the fallen soldiers of World War II in the South.

The beaches in Rio face the Atlantic Ocean, thus providing bigger waves and cleaner waters. Surfers and boogie boarders are welcome at one of the many beaches, and sailing is highly recommended. The Copacabana beach area - which also boasts some of the best hotels - has easy access via the Metro to the city center. Ipanema is an urbanized beach where the bikinis are teeny-weenie and street vendors line the streets selling all kinds of local artistry and crafts. Ironically, these two world famous beach communities are actually side by side neighbors – with each beach having its own distinct personality.   

Restaurant and dining choices are endless, for the Cariocas love to eat out, savoring the taste and the ambiance of every meal with no rushing or worrying. The generic food choices consist of pasta, seafood, beef and chicken, yet they are combined with local tastes and flavors. Street vending is also usually safe, not to mention a delicious and inexpensive source to many food choices.

The climax of the party scene is the famous Carnival, one of the greatest parties in the world. Carnival is 4 days long and attracts thousands of people, all of whom heartily enjoy unique Samba dancing and an abundance of food and drink. Another major celebration is during New Years in Rio in which millions pack the beaches for an all night festival that is treasured for its beautiful display of fireworks that light up the Copacabana beach.

Architecturally, Rio is quite diverse and offers a number of interesting contrasts. Some buildings and monuments have stood strong and proud through several centuries, while others attempt to take on the modern, sleek looks of other contemporary cities. There are also many churches worth exploring, such as the Nossa Senhora de Candeleria.

The downtown neighborhood of Centro, along with most of Rio, offers great deals for shopping. There are enthusiastic street vendors everywhere, and street markets that sell crafts ranging from the most typical tourist merchandise to beautiful locally designed jewelry and musical instruments, such as the berimbau.

A great fair in Rio de Janeiro is called Fairarte, located on Rio's most historic square Praca XV, is a craft market and boasts artists showing off their work: ceramics, glass, leather works and silver; along with colorful food and drinks.

We also offer a special Afro-Brazilian Heritage Tour - Visiting an Afro-Brazilian museum, church, cemetery, and a historical neighborhood, you will get a more introspective view of Colonial Rio. History shows a long time of oppression, but also a strong cultural resistance by the African descendants and their rich cultural heritage that has stood the test of time.

Our optional excursion options in Rio de Janeiro include our Favela Tour – This unique view of Rio’s urban undercurrent society reveals the way of life of around 30% of Rio’s population. It changes the general idea that favelas are simply no-go areas dominated by criminals only, and opens a new perspective of Rio society. It is a tour to understand the city, its contrasts and paradoxes.

Another popular side excursion is our Niterói Tour where we’ll get you across the Guanabara Bay by the Rio-Niterói Bridge. In Niterói you visit the oldest fortress of South America: “Santa Cruz” and the Contemporary Art Museum constructed by the famous architect Oscar Niemeyer and considered as one of the seven wonders of the modern architecture worldwide. We return by a traditional old ferry.

Don’t forget when we’re in Rio de Janeiro there are many other travel options available to us - there is the resort beach town of Buzios, located near Copacabana in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Once in Rio de Janeiro we’ll also be close to The Petrópolis and Iguazu Falls which ranks just behind the mighty Brazilian Amazon region, as Brazil’s second greatest natural wonder.

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