The colourful, charismatic party capital of Latin America is one of the most vibrant places on earth. The city is watched over by Christ the Redeemer, sitting on top of the city’s landmark Corcovado Mountain. This historic city is known worldwide for its magnificent New Year firework display on Copacabana beach, its explosive carnival, colourful people, and outstanding natural landscape. If you love dancing, shopping, golf, exquisite cuisine or the thrill of fabulous water sports, you will not be disappointed by Rio de Janeiro.
Brazilian Real R$ = 100 centavos
Police: 190
Fire: 193
Ambulance: 192
O Globo
Jornal do Brasil
Jornal do Commercio
Jornal Copacabana
O Dia
Tribuna da Imprensa
Jornal da Barra
Shops are generally open from 9am-6pm during weekdays. Smaller shops, and those in tourist areas, often stay open later. Banks are open from 10am-6pm on weekdays.
11,8 million
Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau
Rua Guilhermina Guinle, 272 / 6º andar, Rio de Janeiro
Open: Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri 9am-6pm. Tue 9am-6.30pm
+55 21 55 2266 9750
The City
Rio de Janeiro, which translates to the River of January, sits on the Atlantic coast of Brazil and is the country's second largest city behind São Paulo. For over two centuries it was the bustling capital of Brazil, and even today it is one of the most important commercial and political centres in the country.
Cariocas' sense of fun is matched only by the spectacular natural environment Rio boasts. There are mountains, nature trails and forests including Floresta da Tijuca, the world’s largest urban forest. Its beaches are among the most beautiful in the world, and its waters are home to an abundance of marine life. Along with Copacabana in the heart of the city, popular beaches include Prainha and Grumari, the beaches of Búzios just along the coast, and the beaches of Piedade and Jurubaíba. Rio de Janeiro has famous landmarks too. Along with Christ the Redeemer, the massive statue of Jesus, there is Sugar Loaf Mountain, the iconic image of the Rio skyline.
The city also has many museums including the ‘living museums’ of Petrópolis and Parati, where visitors can see authentic architecture from the time Rio de Janeiro was founded, while sporting enthusiasts will be captivated by the Maracanã Stadium, one of the largest in the world.
Do & See
Rio de Janeiro’s attractions are diverse, from festivals and landmarks to forests and nature trails. As a throbbing metropolis, Rio de Janeiro is legendary. Not only does the city host its fabulously outrageous carnival every year, the liveliest and most colourful party in the world to which everyone is invited, but it is filled with dance, music, and the same passion every single day.
Christ the Redeemer
Sugar Loaf
Rio de Janeiro Carnival
Mirante Dona Marta
Rio Jazz Festival
The Beaches of Rio de Janeiro
The Marine State Park of Aventureiro
Favelas
Teatro Municipal
Escadaria Selarón
Sitio Roberto Burle Marx
Mangueira Samba School
Hang Gliding over Rio de Janeiro
National History Museum
Dining
Rio de Janeiro is a multi-cultural city which is reflected in its varied choice of restaurants. Whether you plan to eat traditional dishes like Feijoada, have a glass of Caipirinha, or prefer Mexican, Oriental, French, Italian or Middle Eastern cuisine, you will find a restaurant to suit your palate and budget.
Cais do Oriente
Amir
Fellini
Fazendola
Zot Gastrobar
Hachiko Contemporâneo
Braseiro da Gavea
Riso
Lagoon
ORO
Zaza Bistro Tropical
Olampe
Cafes
In a true Rio de Janeiro spirit, the city’s cafés are often elaborate venues with a wide range of beverages and pastries or light snacks on offer for you to enjoy.
Confeitaria Colombo
Café Hum
Da Casa da Tata
Talho Capixaba
Bars & Nightlife
Almost all areas of Rio de Janeiro have a lively nightlife scene with samba being the music of choice. If you add great restaurants and sunsets into the equation, such as those at Arraial do Cabo, then you have the ingredients for a perfect evening.
Casa Rosa
Zero Zero
Palaphita Kitch
Rio Scenarium
Jazz In Champanheria
Lapa 40 Graus
Bla Bla Champanheria
Alto Lapa
Clube dos Democraticos
Shopping
Shopping in Rio de Janeiro will be an experience. For top-notch clothes and accessories, head for the Rua Visconde de Pirajá which runs parallel to the beach in Ipanema. Another good street for shopping, especially for crafts, is the Feira de São Cristóvão in the north of the city.
A few of the greater shopping malls are The Fashion Mall in the Estrada da Gàvea and São Conrado that has nearly 150 upmarket shops plus restaurants and cinemas, while the Barra Shopping complex in Avenue das Americas, Barra da Tijuca is one of the city’s largest.
Shopping Streets
The Fashion Mall
Barra Shopping
Antiques
Búzios Speciality Shops
Shopping Village Mall
Shopping Leblon
Shopping Nova America
Essential Information
International Airport Galeão
Most flights arrive into Rio de Janeiro via International Airport Galeão. The airport is located on Governador Island, the largest one in Guanabara Bay, and is located around twenty kilometres from the city centre. The airport is served by a good road network, including the Linha Vermelha and Linha Amarela freeways and Avenida Brasil.
International Airport Galeão has a range of facilities including ATM's, bank, restaurants, telephones, parking and car hire offices.
There are four bus lines (2018, 2101, 2145 and 2918) that run to and from the city centre and Rio’s other airport, Santos Dumont Airport. The buses run every ten minutes and journey times can vary depending on the time of day, but allow at least 40 minutes.
For regular taxis there are two companies at the airport, Aerotaxi: +55 21 3398 3163 and Aerocoop: +55 21 3398 3691. There are also VIP taxis available.
Address: International Airport Galeão, Rio de Janeiro
Phone: +55 21 3398 5050
Website: www.aeroportogaleao.net
Santos Dumont Airport
Santos Dumont Airport is located eight kilometres downtown from Rio de Janeiro. It has a range of facilities, including ATM's, telephones and car hire offices.
There are two bus lines that operate from the airport. Number 2145 runs to Rio de Janeiro International Airport and 2018 runs to Rio de Janeiro International Airport and Alvorada.
There are also taxis and rental cars available.
Address: Santos Dumont Airport, Rio de Janeiro
Phone: +55 21 3814 7070
Website: www.aeroportosantosdumont.net
Public Transport
Getting around Rio de Janeiro is relatively straightforward. The city is divided into four zones: the South (Zona Sul), Centre (Centro), North (Zona Norte) and the West (Zona Oueste).
You can get around with metro and bus, ónibus, that are both very inexpensive ways to travel and you can also purchase a combination ticket. You can buy tickets and cards at all stations. Be careful of pickpockets during rush-hour!
Website: www.rio.com/practical-rio/buses-rio
More Information: www.metrorio.com.br
Ferries
Ferries run frequently between the mainland and some of the islands. They allow you to take bicycles on board if you wish to explore when you disembark.
Website: www.grupoccr.com.br/barcas
Taxi
Taxis can be seen everywhere and they are fairly priced, although always use those associated with an accredited company with an identification sticker in the window. Be sure it has a meter before you begin your journey, some drivers might quote you excessive rates at night-time. Taxis are usually found in the designated ranks outside the airport terminal and hotels, and are generally yellow or white coloured. If you feel unsure ask the hotel or restaurant to call you a taxi, that way you can be absolutely sure it is safe.
Nettaxi
+55 21 9136 9784
Aerocoop
+55 21 3078 5050
Aerotaxi
+55 21 2467 7408
Central Táxi
+55 21 2195 1000
Post
There are many post offices around the city in Rio de Janeiro. The name of the national post agency is Correios which means 'post office'. To locate a post office more easily, remember the blue and yellow colours of the post office sign.
Address: Av. Nossa Senhora de Copacabana 540, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Pharmacy
Rio de Janeiro has a number of pharmacies around the city. Large pharmacy chains to look for are Drogaria Pacheco, Droga Raia and Drogaria Pop.
Drogaria Pacheco in Copacabana:
Address: Av. Nossa Senhora de Copacabana 534, Rio de Janeiro
Phone: +55 21 3208 4600
Website: www.drogariaspacheco.com.br
Telephone
Country code: + 55
Area code: 21
Electricity
110V or 120V, AC, 60 Hz, European plugs with two circular pins or Japanese-style plugs with two perpendicular flat blades. Some hotels have 220V outlets.