Rio de Janeiro – the city’s name alone conjures up images of pristine beaches, lush forests and thrilling celebrations.
Sitting on top of the Corcovado Mountain, Christ the Redeemer watches over the two-faced party capital of Latin America, split between a bustling urban landscape and an outstanding natural environment. Rio is a city like no other, known worldwide for its magnificent New Year firework display on Copacabana beach, its explosive carnival, its joyful people and an exquisite multicultural cuisine.
Brazilian Real R$ = 100 centavos
Firefighters: 193
Ambulance: 192
Police: 190
Hospital de Ipanema: +55 21 3111 2334
Hospital Copa D'Or: +55 21 2545 3600
O Globo
Jornal do Brasil
Jornal do Commercio
Jornal Copacabana
O Dia
Tribuna da Imprensa
Jornal da Barra
Most shops and offices are generally open from 09:00 to 18:00h during weekdays and from 09:00 to 13:00h on Saturdays. Some of the main shopping centers stay open until 22h during the week and from 13h to 21h on Sundays: BarraShopping is one of them. Tourist areas are home to many small shops which often stay open longer. In case of a late-night hunger, corner shops are scattered everywhere in Rioa and open 24/7.
Banks are open from 10h-18h on weekdays.
11,8 million
Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau
Rua Guilhermina Guinle, 272 / 6ºth floor, Rio de Janeiro
Open: Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri 09h-18h. Tue 09h-18.30h
+55 21 55 2266 9750
rcvb@rcvb.com.br
Empresa de Turismo do Município do Rio de Janeiro - RIOTUR
Av. Princesa Isabel, 183 - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Open: Mon - Fri 09h-18h; Sat, Sun 09h-17h
+55 21 3111 2011
The City
Rio de Janeiro, which translates to "river of January", sits on the Atlantic coast of Brazil and is the country's second largest city just behind São Paulo. For over two centuries it was the bustling capital of Brazil and it is still, to this day, one of the most important commercial and political centers in the country.
Cariocas' sense of fun is matched only by the spectacular natural environment Rio boasts. The city is, indeed, surrounded by green hills, nature trails and large urban forests like Floresta da Tijuca. Its beaches are among the most beautiful in the world and its crystal-clear waters are home to an abundance of marine life. Besides the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, located in the heart of the city, other idyllic corners of the coast can be found in the nearby Búzios, at Barra da Tijuca, Prainha and Urca. Rio de Janeiro has famous landmarks too. Alongside the endless beaches and the massive statue of Christ the Redeemer, the city features the Sugar Loaf Mountain and the iconic favelas.
In addition to its many natural wonders, Rio is renowned for its fascinating and joyful culture, to be admired in its many museums and in its vibrant streets, always flooded with music, dances and celebrations.
Football is obviously an integral part of the local culture. Head to the Maracanã Stadium, home of the two main teams of the city, Flamengo and Fluminense, to live football as only the Carioca do.
Do & See
Visiting Rio feels like coming home. A home that looks different than usual, but where everyone can reunite with a part of themselves they didn't know it existed. Among the myriad of activities available, the places to be discovered and the people to meet, the throbbing Rio de Janeiro is able to satisfy everyone's needs and hopes, inadvertently providing a tailor-made experience.
Christ the Redeemer
Sugar Loaf
Rio de Janeiro Carnival
Mirante Dona Marta
Rio das Ostras Jazz & Blues
The Beaches of Rio de Janeiro
Aventureiro Sustainable Development Reserve
Favelas
Teatro Municipal
Escadaria Selarón
Sitio Roberto Burle Marx
Samba Schools
Hang Gliding over Rio de Janeiro
National History Museum
Dining
Rio's cultural diversity is reflected in the wide and heterogeneous range of restaurants spread throughout the city.
Whether you plan to satisfy you hunger with a hearty traditional meal of picanha and feijoada, tickle your taste buds with European delicacies or explore Middle Eastern cuisine, you will surely find a restaurant that suits your food preferences and budget.
Cais do Oriente
Amir
Fellini
Hachiko
Braseiro da Gavea
Riso Bistrô
Lagoon
Oro
Zaza Bistro Tropical
Olympe
Polis Sucos
Galeto 183
Org Bistrô
Quitéria Restaurante
Gurumê
Cafes
The cafés of Rio de Janeiro are part and parcel of the city's history and remarkable culture of hospitality.
Whether it is an elaborate nineteenth century venue or a small, trendy hangout, Rio's cafés will delight your taste buds with the typically light Brazilian breakfast, delicious freshly baked pastries and their coffee's intense aroma.
Confeitaria Colombo
Café Hum
Da Casa da Tata
Talho Capixaba
Sofa Cafe
Casa Cavé
Curto Café
Victoria Bakery
Folie à deux - café & bistrô
Confeitaria Kurt
Bars & Nightlife
Not many cities can stand up to Rio de Janeiro's lively nightlife scene. The city provides all kinds of entertainment, from sophisticated cocktail bars and fancy nightclubs, to nocturnal circus performances and underground samba shows. Find the place that suits you best and enjoy a night of unforgettable experiences.
Palaphita Kitch
Rio Scenarium
Bla Bla Champanheria
Alto Lapa
Clube dos Democraticos
Circo Voador
Fundição Progresso
Explorer Bar
Armazém São Thiago
Shopping
When it comes to shopping, Rio de Janeiro proves to have many opportunities. The city provides a dual shopping experience: modern and international in the big shopping malls, traditional and folkloric in the open-air markets and fairs around the city.
Shopping Streets
Feira do Rio Antigo
Shop in Búzios
Rio's shopping malls
Feira Hippie
Mercado Uruguaiana
Feria de Copacabana
Saara
Essential Information
International Airport Galeão
Most flights arrive into Rio de Janeiro via International Airport Galeão. The airport is on Governador Island, the largest one in Guanabara Bay, and is located around twenty kilometers from the city center. 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 ATMs, 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 center and Rio’s other airport, Santos Dumont Airport. The buses run every ten minutes and journey times, which usually take around 40 minutes. can vary depending on the time of day
For regular taxis there are two companies at the airport, Aerotaxi: +55 21 2467 1500 and Aerocoop: +55 21 3078 5050. There are also VIP taxis available.
Address: Av. Vinte de Janeiro, Ilha do Governador, Rio de Janeiro
Phone: +55 21 3004 6050
Website: www.riogaleao.com
Passport / Visa
Brasil can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Israel, UAE, South Africa and most countries in America.
Visitors coming from most South American countries can enter the country with an identity document instead of a passport. Venezuelan visitors, however, need a visa in case of stays longer than 60 days.
Visa-free entry for a period shorter than 30 days is granted to citizens of Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Singapore.
Nationals of Panama, Malaysia, Namibia, Guatemala, Bahamas and Barbados can enter the country visa-free for tourism purposes only.
Most of African countries' citizens must obtain a visa in advance.
If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country.
Best Time to Visit
Rio de Janeiro is characterized by hot, extremely humid summers and cool, cloudy winters; therefore, choosing the best period to visit the city depends mainly on individual preferences.
Summer is the best period for hot weather lovers and party people willing to tolerate high humidity and frequent rainfall. From November to February Rio's beaches are invaded by tourists, especially during the famous Carnival.
From March to May, the Fall season offers Rio's best weather: hot and humid but without the drawbacks of the summer. On the other hand, visiting Rio from June to August, during the cloudy Carioca winter, will allow you to avoid high temperatures, humidity and rainfall; during this season, probably the busiest of the year, accommodation prices tend to increase.
Santos Dumont Airport
Santos Dumont Airport, located eight kilometers downtown from Rio de Janeiro, operates only regional flights, connecting the main cities of the country. 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 number 2018 runs to Rio de Janeiro International Airport and Alvorada.
Taxis and rental cars are also available.
Address: Praça Sen. Salgado Filho, Centro, Rio de Janeiro
Phone: +55 21 3814 7070
Website: www.aeroportosantosdumont.net
Public Transport
Rio de Janeiro provides many different means of transportation to get around.
The subway is the easiest, fastest and safest among them. It is open from 05h to 24h from Monday to Saturday and from 07h to 23h on Sunday and consists in two lines (orange and green), linking all the main tourist spots of the city.
Buses are practical, convenient and, above all, needed to get to the many hilly areas of the city. Just remember to be careful of pickpockets during rush-hour! Night buses are also available.
Trams and trains' limited network makes them less useful to tourists. They are, however, used to reach few tourist areas such as Mount Corcovado or Santa Teresa neighborhood.
Website: www.rio.com/practical-rio/buses-rio
More Information: www.metrorio.com.br
Ferries
Ferries connect the mainland with some of the nearby islands. They are a good way to avoid the road traffic while enjoying the view of the city and its bays.
One of the most popular itinerary is the one going towards the tropical Paquetá Island, in the Guanabara Bay. Bicycles are allowed on board if you wish to explore when you disembark.
Website: www.grupoccr.com.br/barcas
Taxi
There are plenty of taxis in Rio. They are usually fairly priced, but you must beware of the unlicensed ones and use only those associated with an accredited company: yellow, identified by stickers on the window and fitted with meter.
Sometimes taking a taxi may not be the best option: Rio is characterized by a heavy urban traffic that may slow you down and make your rate increase significantly; on the other hand, during the night some drivers might quote you excessive rates.
Taxis are usually found in the designated ranks outside hotels and airport terminals. When in doubt, ask the hotel or restaurant to call you a taxi, drivers often barely speaks English.
Nettaxi
+55 21 99292/0947
Aerocoop
+55 21 3078 5050
Aerotaxi
+55 21 2467 1500
Central Táxi
+55 21 3878 8880
Post
There are many post offices around the city of Rio de Janeiro. The name of the national post agency is Correios, which literally means 'post office'. Post office branches are quite easy to locate thanks to their blue and yellow sign.
In Copacabana:
Rua 5 de Julho, 89, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Open: 09h-17h; Closed on Sunday
+55 21 2236 3774
In Centro:
Rusa Dom Manuel, Centro, Rio de Janeiro
Open: 09h-17h; Closed on Saturday and Sunday.
+55 21 2215 4133
Address: Rua 5 de Julho, 89, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Phone: +55 21 2236 3774
Website: www.correios.com.br
Pharmacy
Rio de Janeiro has a number of pharmacies around the city. Large pharmacy chains to look for are Drogaria Pacheco, Droga Raia, Drogaria Pop and Drogaria Venancio.
These chains can be easily found everywhere in Rio and are usually open from 7h to 23h.
The following pharmacies are open 24 hours a day:
Droga Raia
Av. Ataulfo de Paiva, 1282, Leblon, Rio de Janeiro
+55 21 2274 8023
Droga Raia
Av. Nossa Sra. de Copacabana, 919, Rio de Janeiro
+55 21 2548 0524
Address: Av. Ataulfo de Paiva, 1282, Leblon, Rio de Janeiro
Phone: +55 21 2274 8023
Website: www.drogaraia.com.br
Telephone
Country code: + 55
Area code: 21
Electricity
In Rio de Janeiro, plugs and sockets are of type N. The standard voltage is 110 / 120 V but many hotels also provide 220 V outlets. Standard frequency is 60 Hz.