RIO
DE JANEIRO
Services
| Maps | Carnival |
New Year | Costa Verde | Búzios
| Tropical Islands | Paraty
The
cultural capital of Brazil.
Its breathtaking beauty has made it one of the most attractive cities in the world (see map). Its natural beauty spots - the Corcovado mountain with its statue of Christ the Redeemer; the Tijuca Forest and its tropical rain forest; the Sugar Loaf with its superb view of Rio; and so many others - as well as the lovely beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and São Conrado are perennial tourists attractions. And then there is the Rio Carnival, a unique and unforgettable ‘happening’ that falls in either late February or early March. That’s when the city dresses up and gets ready for a week of merry-making. Check out other maps of Rio at our map menu page.
And if visitors are unable to be in Rio during Carnival time, they can still get the feel of it, for the samba-schools rehearse throughout the year and their rehearsals are open to the public. Soccer fans must visit the Maracanã, one of the world’s largest soccer stadium, during a championship game when the enthusiastic crowds are as much an attraction as the game itself. An array of restaurants caters to the most discerning client, both on international and Brazilian cuisine. Not to be missed: ‘feijoada’ on Saturdays is a carioca must regardless of the time of the year. On Sundays, another must: the open-air handicraft fair on the General Osório Square in the Ipanema district.
SERVICES IN RIO
Optional Tours | Incentive Tours | Restaurants | Transportation
TRANSFER
From Galeão International Airport to hotels, or vice-versa without luggage.
| 1 PP | 2 PP | 3 PP | 4/6 PP | 7/10 PP |
| $ 93.50 | $ 46.80 | $ 38.50 | $ 28.80 | $ 17.10 |
SUGAR LOAF AND CITY TOUR
Daily at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Approximate duration: 4 hours. A ride along the world-famous beaches of Copacabana, lpanema, Leblon, circling the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and proceeding to the "Maracanã", one of the world's largest stadiums. Visit to the modern Cathedral in the city center, passing by the Flamengo Park and the World War II Memorial. The grand-finale of the tour: a thrilling cable-car ride to the top of the Sugar Loaf, 395 meters above the city, and a breathtaking view of Guanabara Bay.
| SIB | 2 PP | 3 PP | 4/6 PP | 7/10 PP |
| $ 42.10 | $ 62.80 | $ 41.90 | $ 35.30 | $ 20.70 |
PETRÓPOLIS IMPERIAL TOUR
Daily, except Mondays. Approximate duration: 5 hours. A short trip to the mountains, sub-tropical vegetation by the wayside. Arrival in Petrópolis, a typical small town with streets paved with cobblestones, horses-drawn buggies no different from those in use at the turn of the century. Excellent climate. A visit to the old cathedral and to the Summer Palace of Dom Pedro II, Brazil's last emperor. The palace is now a museum, housing a beautiful collection of the crown jewels, furniture, paintings and tapestries from the days of the Empire.
| 1 PP | 2 PP | 3 PP | 4/6 PP | 7/10 PP |
| $ 231.80 | $ 132.80 | $ 118.30 | $ 97.20 | $ 71.50 |
CORCOVADO, TIJUCA RAIN FOREST & BEACHES
Daily at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Approximate duration: 4 hours.
Scenic ride along Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. Crossing over to the traditional residential area of Cosme Velho, and disembarking at the Corcovado railroad station to take a train ride through lush forest up to the statue of Christ the Redeemer, which stands 38 meters high, and 710 meters above the city. Return via a panoramic road to the São Conrado, Leblon, lpanema and Copacabana beaches.
| 1 PP | 2 PP | 3 PP | 4/6 PP | 7/10 PP |
| $ 175.40 | $ 96.60 | $ 70.40 | $ 66.60 | $ 46.70 |
TIJUCA FOREST JEEP TOUR
Daily at 8:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Approximate duration: 4 hours.
Unforgettable convertible jeep ride through the lush Tijuca Rainforest, the largest urban forest in the world, stressing the striking contrast between the "stone" jungle of skyscrapers and the real tropical forest in the heart of the city. Stops are made at the "Cachoeira dos Macacos" (monkeys' waterfall) for a refreshing bath in clear waters, at the "Vista Chinesa" (Chinese View) lookout point for a breathtaking view of the city; at the "Cascatinha" (Small Waterfall) and at the "Capela Mayrink" (Mayrink Chapel) that houses beautiful "afrescos" of Candido Portinari, one of Brazil's Modern Art Painting Masters. The tour includes one and a half hour trekking through a forest trail, including an on site explanation about the ecosystem. Return through the "Açude da Solidão" (Loneliness Dam) towards São Conrado, passing by the beaches of Leblon, lpanema and Copacabana.
| 1 PP | 2 PP | 3 PP | 4/6 PP | 7/10 PP |
| $ 48.00 | $ 48.00 | $ 48.00 | $ 48.00 | $ 48.00 |
RIO BY NIGHT (Dinner included)
Daily at 7:30 PM. Approximate duration: 5 hours.
An enchanting ride through the city bathed in 'sparkling lights’. The first stop is at one of Rio's famous "Churrascarias", one of the highlights of eating out in Rio. The "Churrascaria" is a local steak-house, but very different from those found abroad. For a fixed, very reasonable price, several different types of meats are brought on skewers and cut in front of the client. Side dishes are abundant and varied ranging from fried bananas and palm hearts to green salads, French fries and rice. All in all, the barbecue dinner is part of the Brazilian Folklore and should definitely be experienced during a tour in Rio. After dinner, the tour will proceed to one of the famous samba show houses in Rio de Janeiro. This is the display of carnival throughout the year. Beautiful costumes, the rhythm of a typical "samba school", wonderful "mulatas", and the diverse richness of the Brazilian Folklore.
This is a typical Carioca evening to enjoy food, drinks, colorful costumes and the warm rhythm of the samba.
| 1 PP | 2 PP | 3 PP | 4/6 PP | 7/10 PP |
| $ 62.10 | $ 62.10 | $ 62.10 | $ 62.10 | $ 62.10 |
TROPICAL ISLANDS (Lunch included)
Daily at 8:30 AM. Approximate duration: 10 hours.
The tour starts with a ride along the Rio-Santos coastal highway as far as Itacuruçá, a fishing village. Transfer to a typical schooner, where the safety of passengers is fully taken care of. A well-stocked bar is available to quench the thirst during a cruise in still waters dotted with wooded islets. Stop for a swim and water sports, and a delicious lunch under palm trees.
| 1 PP | 2 PP | 3 PP | 4/6 PP | 7/10 PP |
| $ 57.90 | $ 57.90 | $ 57.90 | $ 57.90 | $ 57.90 |
CORCOVADO / SUGAR LOAF - A FULL DAY TOUR
Daily at 9:00 AM. Approximate duration:
8 hours.
AM - Corcovado and beaches.
PM - Sugar Loaf and city.
Lunch in barbecue restaurant is
included.
| 1 PP | 2 PP | 3 PP | 4/6 PP | 7/10 PP |
| $ 223.00 | $ 120.40 | $ 86.20 | $ 84.30 | $ 57.10 |
HIPPIE FAIR
Sundays from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
The Hippie Fair functions on Sundays at Ipanema's General Osório Square, with all sorts of handicraft of leather, wood and metal, as well as popular art works on display. Original inexpensive gifts can be found there. The visit may be organized with transportation and guide or suggested as an option, because it is located within walking distance from several of Rio's best hotels.
| 1 PP | 2 PP | 3 PP | 4/6 PP | 7/10 PP |
| $ 125.70 | $ 62.80 | $ 41.90 | $ 35.30 | $ 20.70 |
Búzios
(see maps), where summer is eternal, is a small
peninsula that attracts the most beautiful people in the world. It offers
twenty breathtaking white sand beaches, including Tartaruga,
dos Ossos and do Canto, Olho
de Boi, Geribá, João
Fernandes, Azeda, Ferradura and Ferradurinha,
among many others, an obligatory stopping place for sailing boats and young
people looking for fun in the sun. Quaint architecture,
old legends. Traditions of fishing and craftsmanship.
Exotic shops, cozy pubs and sophisticated restaurants. Romantic inns, ready
to put up tourists on overnight trips. Here, time stops.
| Transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Buzios (transfer only) | ||||
| 1 PP | 2 PP | 3 PP | 4/6 PP | 7/10 PP |
| $324.30 | $162.20 | $133.80 | $100.40 | $58.80 |
THE GREEN COAST (Angra dos Reis Region) - South Coast, 241 km
Along the Costa Verde, where the mountains kiss the sea, there are hundreds of islands, including Ilha Grande at the Restinga de Marambaia, which soften the seas for easy swimming and boating. The calm waters, coupled with the natural ports and coves allowed safe passage for Portuguese ships that came to Parati to transport sugar cane, and, later on, gold to Europe. It also protected pirates, who found a safe haven on Ilha Grande. There are beaches waiting to be explored, where the views are spectacular. The most famous spots are Angra dos Reis, Paraty (below), Itacuruçá and Ilha Grande. Resort hotels scattered along the coast, some of them only one and a half hour drive from Rio de Janeiro, make it perfect for a relaxing vacation after visiting bustling Rio.
| Transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Angra dos Reis (transfer only) | ||||
| 1 PP | 2 PP | 3 PP | 4/6 PP | 7/10 PP |
| $ 324.30 | $ 162.20 | $ 133.80 | $ 100.40 | $ 58.80 |
Visit the old colonial port of
Paraty, of the XVI century (see map),
from where gold was shipped to Portugal, a historically preserved town of
beautiful baroque architecture was considered a Historic Monument
of Brazil in 1966. Presently you go to Paraty in search not of gold but of
relaxing moments, beauty and serenity.
The bay of Paraty offers you a tropical forest, more than 60 islands, 300 beaches and unforgettable marine sceneries.
| Transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Paraty (transfer only) | ||||
| 1 PP | 2 PP | 3 PP | 4/6 PP | 7/10 PP |
| $ 395.20 | $ 197.60 | $ 151.90 | $ 113.90 | $ 67.00 |
CARNIVAL IN RIO
Brazil’s
Carnival is larger, liveier and more incredible than anything one can possibly
imagine.
Carnival is not an event designed to attract foreign tourist. It is a genuine national celebration.
Imagination is everything at Carnival and you can always find something to use. Costume does not have to be elaborated, you can pick up garlands of flowers and other accompaniments to help dress up your costume at every street corner.
Officially Carnival is scheduled to run from the Saturday before Ash Wednesday through to mid-day on Wednesday. The main Carnival Parade is Sunday and Monday
Rio's Carnival Balls are more elaborated costume parties which start around 11pm and carry on through until 5am or later. Every club or suitable hall holds a Carnival ball
Street Carnival, are one of the most traditional aspects of Carnival. It’s impulsive fun and the most democratic , it attracts the rich and the poor, the young and the old, the Brazilians and the foreign visitors
The Samba Academy is not a school where one goes to study. It’s a kind of association or club where samba lovers get together to sing and dance. Once a Year, during Carnival, wearing beautiful, colorful clothing, they organize the Carnival Parades, one of the greatest show on the earth, The Carnival Parade in Rio de Janeiro, it’s a competition, a story, an historic lesson, dance, song, movement, in fact the ultimate theater performed over two nights (Sunday and Monday), by more 50 thousand players. Each Academy brings together 1500 to 4000 dancers and singers as well as drummers and famous actors and other personalities who are part of the performance.
The Samba Academies perform their parade on the pavement of a "samba stage" affectionately called "Sambodromo" by local people. (Foreign visitors have two sectors at Sambodromo especially reserved for them - numbers 7 and 9, see the map).
NEW YEAR 2005 IN RIO
Don't miss the
new year's eve at Copacabana beach with splendid fireworks and religious
rituals gathering more than one million people every year.
December 31 is the night all ‘Cariocas’ (Rio natives) find their way to the beaches to honor ‘Iemanjá’, African deity of the waters. The religious rites include offerings thrown into the sea, a sight not to be missed. The city lights up at midnight offering an impressive spectacle and an unmatched experience.
Be sure to register in advance as the city's hotels are always booked fully,
many months prior to the event, receiving tourists from all over the world
for this stupendous experience.