Rio de Janeiro Travel
Rising above the Salar de Uyuni, Tunupa volcano affords otherworldly views of the shimmering salt flats below.
Rio de Janeiro is a heady, exotic cocktail of samba music, street parties, staggering scenery and blonde beaches; as addictive as it is chaotic and as beautiful as it is complex. Any trip to Brazil is enriched after a few days spent in Rio, getting a taste for its nightlife, landscapes and carefree spirit.
Nothing can prepare you for the marvellous mayhem of Rio de Janeiro, lovingly nicknamed the ‘Wonderful City’ for both its well-known and surprising gems. The first thing that hits you is that spellbinding setting, a city ringed by sapphire seas, backed by undulating peaks that crash down into the water, and painted in swathes of golden beaches. No doubt you’ll already have heard of the iconic Art Deco statue, Christ the Redeemer, and perhaps the Sugarloaf Mountain that stars on many a Brazilian postcard. But what the pictures don’t show is the contagious energy of Cariocas (Rio locals) and the sound of music that fills the air on many a street corner.
Partying is a way of life here in Rio, and no doubt you will experience it in some way or another, whether by joining in on one of the epic festivals (Carnaval, Reveillon and Festas Juninas, among others), or by muddling in with Cariocas on a night out in Lapa to watch live samba, reggae, jazz, forró and more – you can’t help but get those hips moving! By day, zip up to the top of Mount Corcovado or the Sugarloaf for stunning panoramas, watch one of the legendary Flamengo football matches, or just take it all in from the hip beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. Rio will soon have you hooked.
Rio by night
Get in the party mood by delving into the Lapa neighbourhood of Rio, where music bars are aplenty. Try some local street food, sip sweet caipirinhas and watch live samba, reggae, rock and more, in some of the coolest clubs and hangouts in the city.
Sugarloaf Mountain
Take two cable cars up to the summit of this cone-shaped peak to revel in the sight of Rio de Janeiro from above, and feel on top of the world. The views are simply breathtaking, looking back over the city and surrounding waters, not to mention Christ the Redeemer standing tall on the other side.
Sail to the islands of Angra dos Reis
Leave the city behind and make for the blissful islands on Brazil’s southern coast, a turquoise and emerald haven of lush rainforest and sparkling seas. The Angra dos Reis Islands include Ilha Grande, the largest and most biodiverse of all, and the Lagoa Azul, where stopping for a swim is the order of the day.