Rio Guide

Author: admin

  • Pedra da Gávea Trekking: Climb the biggest monolith on a coastline of the world

    Pedra da Gávea Trekking: Climb the biggest monolith on a coastline of the world

    Pedra da Gávea, meaning Topsail Rock, is the biggest monolith on a coastline of the world: 842 mt of granite above the sea level, in Tijuca Forest. It is a magnetic rock, surrounded by legends and having features of a human face. The trekking trail is on Estrada do Sorimã (Barra da Tijuca) and takes from 2 to 4 hours. It is simply outstanding and quite difficult: to reach the top of Pedra da Gávea you need to climb a wall of 30 mt, nearly vertical. But the view from the top is sublime: Tijuca rainforest, Corcovado, Pedra Bonita and Two Brothers Mountains, the Sugarloaf, the lagoon, the beaches and the islands, the ocean and the city of Rio all at a glance.

    The legend. “LAABHTEJBARRIZDABNAISINEOFRUZT” – this is the inscription carved in the rock. Which, in Phoenician, means “Here Badezir, King of Tyre, Jetbaal’s oldest son”. And this is really a mystery, because Phoenicians never came here! The inscription was not reported until the 1800s, but in the meanwhile it gave rise to many stories…

  • The Botanical Garden: Walk among tropical trees and orchids

    The Botanical Garden: Walk among tropical trees and orchids

    Rio Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico) is one of the biggest tropical gardens in the world. With more than 6.500 species of plants and 140 of birds, it is home to a huge biodiversity. Greenhouses and fountains, orchids and carnivorous plants embellish this wide nature reserve, created in 1808 by John VI of Portugal and opened to public in 1822. Jardim Botânico is located at the foot of Corcovado Mountain, close to Lagoa. It opens every day in daylight hours, except December 25th and the 1st of January.

    Jardim Botânico
    Rua Jardim Botânico 1008

  • Praia Vermelha (Red Beach): At the shadow of the Sugarloaf

    Praia Vermelha (Red Beach): At the shadow of the Sugarloaf

    With an unforgettable view of the Sugarloaf, Praia Vermelha is possibly the most idyllic beach of Rio. This tiny oasis of quietness and beauty , so called because it becomes flushed with red at sunsets, is located between Morro da Urca and Morro da Babilônia, in the very safe area of Urca. Being within Guanabara Bay, it is seldom crowded. The water is not the best, but the natural scenario is simply breathtaking. Avoid the bar and restaurant of the beach (low quality, high prices) and buy a coconut water at one of the kiosks. Then relax on the sand and just enjoy.

  • Walking around the Lagoon

    Walking around the Lagoon

    Walled in scenic mountains, connected to the Ocean, the natural saltwater lagoon Rodrigo de Freitas, just behind Ipanema, is one of the main attractions of Rio. Take a walk or a bike tour along the pedestrian path surrounding the lagoon (Avenida Epítassio Pessoa) on Sunday morning. You will see people running, skating, biking or having lunch at one of the restaurants around. If you happen to be here at Christmas time, don’t miss the huge floating Christmas Tree erected every year on a platform. Helicopter Tours also take off from Lagoa, near Parque dos Patins (Helisight – Phone: +55 21 2511 2141 / +55 21 2542 7935 / Website: www.helisight.com.br/home/).

  • Ipanema Beach: Enjoy the Sexiest Beach in the World

    Ipanema Beach: Enjoy the Sexiest Beach in the World

    Considered the sexiest beach in the world, Ipanema became popular thanks to the bossa nova song The Girl from Ipanema, by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes (1962). Delimited by the Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers Mountain) and Ponta Arpoador, the beach is divided into stretches of sand called Posto. Posto 9 (9th lifeguard tower) is the coolest and more attractive space, the one where you can admire the most beautiful bodies in Rio. People come here every day to hung out, play football, volleyball or footvolley (a freestyle mix of the two). Come here in day time, have a swim, rent a sun umbrella with deck chairs or drink a beer (you can buy one at one of the many kiosks along the beach). And don’t miss Ipanema during weekends, when the road along the beach (Avenida Vieira Souto) is closed to traffic: among skates, bikes and rollerblades, you will experience a primary side of Carioca lifestyle.

    Security tips: don’t leave your stuff unattended while you swim and don’t walk on the beach at night.

  • Paragliding: try the most adrenaline-pumping activity in town

    Paragliding: try the most adrenaline-pumping activity in town

    Free-flying over Rio can be addictive: almost 23.000 people jump into the void every year. Flights

    Paragliding flights take off from Pedra Bonita ramp, in Tijuca National Park (São Conrado). The instructor will be with you during the flight, that will last from 15 to 20 minutes for a coast of about 330 BR$ per person (an extra charge is due for pictures and videos).

    Useful Numbers

    Rio Handgliding
    Instructor Konrad Heilmann
    Phone 1: +55 21 9843 9006
    Phone 2: +55 21 2422 2411
    Email: konrad@globo.com
    Website: http://riohangliding.com/fly.htm

    Rio Adventures
    Phone 1: +55 21 2705-5747
    Phone 2: +55 21 8290-1980
    Phone 3: +55 21 7933-4162
    Phone 4: +55 21 7744-3674
    E-mail: info@rioadventures.com
    Website: http://paragliding.rioadventures.com/

    Paragliding instructor Eduardo Soares (Edu)
    Phone 1: +55 21 7843 3319
    Phone 2: +5521) 9814 6308
    Email: eduvoolivre@yahoo.com.br
    Website: www.rioturismoradical.com.br/paragliding.htm

    Sky Center
    Phone 1: +55 21 2437 4592
    Phone 2: +55 21 7817 3526
    Email: skycenter@skycenter.com.br
    Website: http://www.skycenter.com.br/

    You can also directly meet pilots on São Conrado beach

  • Tijuca Forest Hiking: Discover the biggest urban forest in the world

    Tijuca Forest Hiking: Discover the biggest urban forest in the world

    This is the biggest urban rainforest in the world, covering an area of about 32 km2 in Rio city center. Home to hundreds of species of plants and animals, this nature reserve is crossed by tens of jungle hiking trails, where you can see exotic trees, monkeys, lakes and waterfalls (the most impressive is the Cascatinha de Taunay). An easy path is the one to the Cachoeira das Almas (Waterfall of the Souls), where you can have an idyllic swim. Good hikers can climb up to Pico da Tijuca (1012 mt) and food lovers can enjoy a picnic in the park. Close to the entrance you can take also a jeap up to the top.

  • Lapa at night: Spend a wild night watching samba and drinking caipirinha

    Lapa at night: Spend a wild night watching samba and drinking caipirinha

    Looking for a place to spend a wild weekend in Rio? Lapa could be the answer. Traditionally home to samba music, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night Lapa becomes the temple of nightlife. Crowded of people and full of music, is a must to be for young people. Have a drink at one of the many restaurants on the streets or dance in a nightclub until dawn (the best is Rio Scenarium).

  • Have a walk in Centro (Downtown) among skyscrapers and colonial buildings

    Have a walk in Centro (Downtown) among skyscrapers and colonial buildings

    Inhabited since 1567, the historic center of Rio is today the business district of the city, a tropical New York with skyscrapers and period buildings, such as the Belle Époque Municipal Theatre and National Library, the National Museum of Fine Arts, Tiradentes Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral and Pedro Ernesto Palace. During the week this area is full of life, with good restaurants and shops. We suggest an immersive walk in the life of Downtown Rio, among deco buildings, historic churches and busy people.

    Safety tip: avoid Centro in weekends and at night, when offices are closed.

  • Arpoador at Sunset: Greet the sun setting over the marvelous city

    Arpoador at Sunset: Greet the sun setting over the marvelous city

    Ponta Arpoador is the cape dividing Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, a rocky headland where surfers play with big waves and people come to enjoy the view. From here the view on Ipanema beach and the Two Brothers Mountain is outstanding, especially at sunset, when the city colors in rose. Come here with a beer (Brahma is a typical one) and discover why Rio is called the marvelous city.