Guide to Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro virtual tour
One of the brightest carnivals in the world is held here every year, a huge statue of Christ towers over the city, and it was also here that the great combinator Ostap Bender dreamed of coming. What else can surprise you in Rio?
One of the main highlights of Rio - the beaches. The most famous of them - Copacabana, worthy of attention are also Ipanema and Leblon (considered the best place for vacation with children). Optimal for swimming is the beach Urca, where there are practically no waves.
Families with children will be interested to visit the largest water park in Latin America Rio Water Planet, where there are 42 attractions for guests of all ages, get acquainted with the inhabitants of the Amazon jungle in the zoo and watch the stars in a real telescope in the planetarium.
Recommend visiting the Museum of Modern Art in Niteroi. Not only the collection (the second largest in Brazil) is worthy of attention, but also the building itself, which resembles a huge flying saucer. From here you can enjoy a magnificent view across the bay to Rio, the statue of Christ and Sugar Loaf Mountain.
Football fans should check out Maracana Stadium, the largest in Brazil (seating 78,838 people). It was built for the 1950 FIFA World Cup.
Photos of Rio de Janeiro
Tours to Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is not only Ostap Bender's crystal dream. But also any desperate traveler. Today, however, you don't have to get scammed to go on vacation to the famous Brazilian city. It's enough to browse through a couple or three hot deals to find the right tour.
When to vacation in Rio de Janeiro depends on how easily you can tolerate the tropical heat. November to March is the hottest period, with temperatures rarely dropping below 35°C.
The rest of the year is noticeably cooler, but it's still rarely below 21°C. It also rains a lot at this time of year. Consequently, you can find relatively inexpensive deals to Rio de Janeiro from April to October.
But whatever the weather in the city, it almost never prevents you from seeing the local sights: the Christ the Redeemer statue, Maracana Stadium, local museums and the botanical gardens.
Interesting places in Rio de Janeiro
To do more than just see the sights of Rio, but to learn all about them, it's worth signing up for a sightseeing tour. Helicopter tours are also interesting, with routes that fly over some of Rio's most beautiful spots. Shopping in Rio will be a bargain if you come here during the sales, the rest of the time you should buy only souvenirs. Fans of noisy party lovers will be pleased with nightclubs, where a wide variety of music is on offer.
Flight ticket prices
Direct and connecting flights to Rio de Janeiro are available from many European cities. You can fly from Warsaw, Bucharest, Munich, and Paris with layovers in Lisbon, Madrid, or São Paulo. Major airlines serving this route include TAP Air Portugal, Air France, Iberia, LATAM, Lufthansa, and KLM.
The average one-way ticket price from Prague or Rome starts from €750, while flights from Berlin and Barcelona can be found from €780. The best deals are usually available from May to September. If you want to travel comfortably and affordably, it’s best to plan your trip in advance and monitor airline discounts.
The best hotels in Rio de Janeiro
The highest housing prices are observed in February, when the traditional carnival takes place in Rio (at this time you can pay from 100 USD for a room in a hostel), and the lowest - in the rainy season. for a room in a hostel you can pay from 100 USD), and the lowest - in the rainy season. In other months renting an apartment for one will cost you from 60 USD, and a room in a 3* hotel - from 100 USD. a room in a 3* hotel - from 100 USD. In hotel 5* you can stay for about 200 USD per night. Economical tourists will find overnight accommodation in a hostel (in a common room for 6-10 people) for only 5 USD (this price, for example, in Rio Maravilha Hostel).
Travel budget
If budget is limited, don't plan a trip to Rio during Carnival (February through March), when the prices of almost everything go up. In other months, you can vacation here both modestly (staying in a hostel and eating in a café) and with royalty (renting a penthouse for several thousand dollars and visiting the best restaurants).
Airplane tickets are expensive, so you should buy them as early as possible and sign up for the airline's newsletter so you don't miss out on the lucrative seasonal deals.
| The budget for a trip to Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | from 1200 USD | Accomodation | from 5 USD per day |
| Average check in a restaurant | from 70 BRL (about 20 USD) | Transportation fare | from 4.1 BRL (about 1.15 USD) |
| Excursion | from 30 USD | ||
| Total: about 1450 USD for four days | |||
Rio de Janeiro Airport
Rio has two airports, Galeão (located on an island 20 km from the center) and Santos Dumont (located in the center), depending on the airline you choose, you can arrive at either one. Both airports are connected to the center by convenient transport links.
Transfer to Rio de Janeiro from the airport
To get to the center from any airport, you can take bus №2018, which stops at metro stations and beaches. It leaves every half hour between 05:30 and 22:30. A ticket costs 6 BRL and can be bought at the airport terminal.
Public transportation in Rio de Janeiro
The fastest form of transportation is the subway. There are only two branches in the city, and the carriages are air-conditioned. A ticket costs 4.1 BRL. Buses are also common, but there's a risk of traffic jams. Cabs are the safest way to get around.
Car rental in Rio de Janeiro
Renting a car in Rio costs from 100 BRL (about 28 USD). You can choose and book a car in advance (via an online service) and pick it up at the airport. There are offices in the city for big-name companies like Avis and Hertz, as well as Brazilian rental companies.
Security in Rio de Janeiro
Do not go into the northern part of the city, where the slums are. When going out, leave jewelry and documents at the hotel. Don't carry large amounts of cash, as most restaurants and major shopping centers accept cards.