Top 10 Activities

#1. Cristo Redentor – Christ the Redeemer
Each year more than 300,000 people visit the huge 120ft white statue of Christ the Redeemer. Standing at the peak of Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park, the statue overlooks the city with open arms.

#2. Copacabana
The Copacabana is perhaps one of the most famous beaches in the world. Enjoy one of the many restaurants, cafes, shops or bars along the beachfront or walk along the famous sidewalks. Be aware that the rip-tides and currents are deceptively strong along this gorgeous strip of beach, so take care when swimming.

#3. Pão de Acúcar – Sugar Loaf Mountain
The Sugar Loaf Mountain is one of Rio's most recognized landmarks. From the top of this 390ft granite mountain, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the city, the sea and the mountains. Take the cable car ride to the top.

#4. Carnaval
Carnaval is the largest event in Rio that draws crowds from around the world to enjoy it. Featuring street parties, parades, entertainment, music, dancing, food and much more, Carnaval is like one great big party. For four days and nights, Rio enjoys the self-indulgent exotic spectacle, with pounding samba rhythms permeating everything and dancers in traditional and non-traditional outfits and costumes. Many celebrations continue throughout the night and night clubs feature shows and even more entertainment when the sun goes down.

#5. Parque Nacional and Floresta da Tijuca (Tijuca National Park)
Tijuca National Park is the largest urban rainforest in the world. Explore the hiking trails and enjoy the spectacular views among the trees. You'll find a stunning waterfall nestled away in the rainforest as well as a small chapel in the park. If you're not up to hiking, then the jeep tour through the rainforest is a great way to see the Park.

#6. Ipanema Beach
The famous Ipanema Beach is a great spot for visitors to get a true sense of life in Rio. From chic boutiques and restaurants and luxurious apartments to stunning tropical urban beaches, Ipanema is a lovely beach with gorgeous sands and inviting warm water.

#7. Ilha Grande
Take a trip out to Ilha Grande and enjoy the un spoilt beauty of this tropical island off the coast of Rio. Spend some time hiking through the beautiful tropical rainforests or enjoying the pristine beaches. Grab your snorkel and experience the abundance of marine life beneath the clear blue waters or just laze on the beach.

#8. Estádio do Maracanã (Maracana)
Visit the world's biggest Soccer stadium and get a sense of just how popular the world's most popular football game really is. The open air stadium is beyond enormous with the capacity to seat almost 89,000 spectators the stadium has been known to hold almost 200,000 people.

#9. Feira de São Cristóvao and Hippie Fair
Rio has two fairs that run on weekends all year round. The Feira de São Cristóvao is held in Campo de São Cristóvao and the Hippie Fair is help in Praça General Osório in Ipanema. Both fairs offer tourists a great way to experience some of the most interesting aspects of Brazilian culture, including art, handcrafts, food and music.

#10. Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas
The Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (commonly called Lagoa) is a beautiful lagoon with a bike path running around it. It's also a great walking trail where visitors can enjoy the peace and beauty of this tropical lagoon at their leisure. The lagoon attracts a lot of visitors over Christmas as it has an enormous Christmas Tree built on a floating platform that moves around the lagoon.

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Brazilian Cuisine

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Best Time To Visit

Brazil is an ideal year-round destination, boasting a gorgeous tropical climate. Remember, Brazil is in the southern hemisphere, so when it's winter in the northern hemisphere, it's summer in Brazil.

This means Christmas is held in mid-summer and July is the middle of winter. Don't be fooled into thinking that Brazil has the same four distinct seasons though; there is only the rainy season through summer and the non-rainy season during the rest of the year.

The rainy season in summer tends to favor visitors with a shower that lasts an hour or so in the afternoon, although if you're heading towards the Amazon regions you could find the rainfall is significantly heavier.

When you're searching for the best Brazil travel deals, be sure to consider how the weather will affect your plans.

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Travel Shopping

The shopping in Rio de Janeiro is brilliant. There are so many markets, stalls, stores, shops, malls, plazas, boutiques and more to explore that you could easily spend days bargain hunting. You'll find plenty of high-end exclusive boutiques and chic fashion stores as well as rustic local markets, so it's all up to what your own preferences are.

From traditional handcrafts, local produce and art works to stunningly designed jewelry and brand name fashions, you'll find plenty of shopping here.

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Festival Events

New Year's Eve in Copacabana coincides with the Festa de Iemanjá, which is a festival honoring the Brazilian Sea Goddess. Revelers send out candle-boat offerings to the Goddess into the sea, which creates a twinkling seascape of fairy lights that stretch off into the night. New Year's festivities also include spectacular fireworks that light up the skies over Copacabana. As with everything in Brazil, the festivities are punctuated by music and plenty of dancing.

Carnaval is the most recognized festival in Brazil and is held in usually February or March each year. No matter where you go, you can hear a samba beat somewhere and you can be sure there are plenty of people shaking it in time to the hypnotic music. Carnaval hosts a massive carnival parade that begins on a Sunday night and ends on Monday morning. Carnival is also notorious for the many and varied balls, including gala balls, singles balls, gay balls and everything else you can think of all around the Copacabana Palace and beach.

There are plenty of Street festivals to enjoy if you prefer and incorporated into every aspect of the Rio carnival are dance and music.

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Basic Portuguese Phrases

Hello – olá

Goodbye – tchau (pronounced 'ciao')

Please – por favor

Do you speak English? – Fala inglês?

Thank you – Obrigado

Yes – sim – 

No – Não

How much is this? – Quanto custa isto?

Would you like to dance? – Você quer dançar?

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Explore Brazil

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