A holiday destination which you may not have considered is Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, a city which has gained iconic status and the central location of both the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. These events have shone a light on this incredible city and they have also helped to boost the city’s appeal for tourists. Many think that these South American destinations are either too far away or too expensive to get to but in the case of Rio de Janeiro that is not always the case and there are often some great deals for flights to the Brazilian city. Check out flight prices on JustFly to get the best rates for flights around the world, including Rio.
If you do make it to Rio then you are going to be in for the most memorable holiday experience and there is just so much packed into this city which you can do, see and experience, and here are just 5 of those awesome activities which you have to indulge in.
Favela Visit
To give you the simple version of events, as Rio became more and more popular both domestic and foreign investors drove the price of property up and purchased a huge amount of land and properties from the locals. Unwilling to leave after being priced out these locals decided to build their own towns called favelas, which adorn the hills of the city. Notoriously these are dangerous areas but many of them have now been pacified and you can visit them. Contrary to what many say, this is not a tourist activity which gives you the ‘human zoo’ experience, at least not if you treat it in the right way. The truth is that the beating heart of Rio culture can be found in these favelas and it makes for a fascinating experience. One favela which has been pacified is Santa Marta, the location used for Michael Jackson’s ‘They Don’t Really Care About Us’ video, they even put a statue of him.
Christ the Redeemer
The statue of Christ on the Corcovado Mountain looms over the city with watchful eyes, and you simply cannot fail to see it during your time here. This is also one of the 7 Wonders of the World which makes the visit even more special. Once you arrive at the bottom of the mountain you will take a mountain railway up to the summit, where you will be able to take the standard ‘Christ-Pose’ photo at the top.
Beaches
When we talk about the beaches in Rio we are not just talking about any beaches, but arguably two of the world’s most famous in Copacabana and Ipanema. These beaches are just meters apart and this is where the city really comes to life. Both beaches are situated in central Rio and you can sunbathe, swim, people-watch, exercise, enjoy a cold fresh coconut and just watch the world sail by from two of the most stunning beaches in the world, which offer some of the most amazing views of this glorious city.
Lapa Steps
Many say that the Lapa neighborhood is the home of Samba and whilst on an evening it can feel a little raw and edgy, during the day you can see it in all of its splendor. One location you have to visit in Lapa is the famous steps which were designed by Escaderia Selaron, who owned the house at the top of the steps. As he laid more and more tiles the piece of colorful work began to take shape, and these 215 steps are now a city landmark.
Sugarloaf
As you look out from the Rio bay you cannot help but notice the mountain to your right, which is quaintly named the Sugarloaf Mountain. This mountain is 396 meters high and it is a key part of the Rio skyline. You can either walk up to the top of the mountain or take two cable car journeys up to its peak, where you can enjoy one of the best vistas of the city that you are ever likely to get. If you want to really add some excitement to this activity then time it so that you can watch sunrise from this perfect vantage spot, a really amazing experience.
Rio de Janeiro is an exceptional holiday destination and whether you are traveling with friends, alone, with your partner or with kids, there is plenty here to keep everyone happy.
