Brazil, Rio de janeiro

  Rio has long had the nickname "beautiful city". Megalopolis of the southern coast of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro and its 15 million inhabitants will welcome you with frenzy. Second largest city in the country behind Sao Paulo, Rio is world famous for its colorful carnival, the famous Copacabana beach, its daring bikinis, and the statue of Christ watching over the city.

TEMPERATURE:

  You can visit the country throughout the year: avoid being in Rio between December and February if you dread the suffocating atmosphere. Hot and humid city, Rio is the perfect example of a city with tropical climate. Summer is stifling, with temperatures frequently reaching 40 ° Celsius. In winter, the temperature is mild, although one can enjoy the beach without a problem. Generally, travelers prefer to discover Rio in winter, and that, because of the climate.

DO:

  Rio's party girl: do not go to Rio to rest! Indeed, Rio is known for its many fun activities: swimming at the beach, samba sessions, entrancing Carnival, soccer games and attractive restaurants make the cultural heart of Brazil. Beyond these few portraits of Rio, is a jovial and lively city that awaits you. In Rio, you will be spoiled for choice in shopping. In Rio you can move the way you want and your budget. A bicycle, bus, tram, metro, all options are possible to tour the city.

SEE:

  The beauty of this city and its surrounds is inexpressible. Rio, nicknamed the "Cidade maravilhosa" (the wonderful city) owes to its incredible splendor that reputation not deserved. Rio de Janeiro is well contrasted, however, from one neighborhood to another.

CORCOVADO:

  Located at the top of Corcovado (or "humpback"), over 700 meters high, the statue of Christ the Redeemer is certainly one of the most admired monuments in the world.

BREAD SUGAR:

  Its imposing height (400m alt.) And its special contours, the Sugarloaf is, like the Corcovado, a must-see tourist site that offers one of the best views of Rio. It is one of the symbols of Rio.

CREEK BOTAFOGO:

  The path along Botafogo Beach, opposite the cove of the same name offers one of the most appreciated by the cariocas views on the outlines of the hills of Urca and Sugar Loaf, located at the entrance of the Guanabara Bay.

IPANEMA:

  Meeting place in fashion Rio. Sophisticated, with an intense nightlife, the neighborhood is a successful blend of beach, cafes and shops. The beach is a permanent attraction. People are walking, there are the sports meet. The soul of Carioca there and you feel immediately feel ... Ipanema, birthplace of bossa nova.

THE BOTANICAL GARDEN:

  Each of the 141-hectare Botanical Garden hosts specimens of the Brazilian and global flora.

THE FAVELAS:

  For a comprehensive approach to Rio, a guided tour of the favelas, neighborhoods resulting from the chaotic expansion Rio experienced by the twentieth century, is required. The most extraordinary feature of the favelas is their proximity to neighborhoods of outrageous wealth.

LIVE:

  If it's party and fun that dominates the heart of the city, other neighborhoods experiencing poverty and violence. In the favelas, located on the hillside, illegal trade exacerbates poverty. Some favelas are more welcoming, however: it is an opportunity to discover typical dishes and a really exciting street life. Public hospitals are free, and emergency care is provided for free even if you are not Brazilian. The water quality varies and the water is generally unsuitable for consumption if it is not filtered beforehand.

ELECTRICITY:

  The voltage varies between provinces. It is therefore advisable to thoroughly check the voltage before connecting any device. Generally you will find 220V, 50Hz.

CHANGE:

  The Brazilian currency is the Real; you can change money or travelers checks from most banks or exchange houses "casas de cambio". The easiest currency to exchange is the US dollar and the Euro. You will find ATMs throughout the city (for your safety, distributors prefer indoors). Visa and Mastercard credit cards are accepted virtually everywhere, which is not the case of American Express. HSBC and Citibank, leading international banks, accept all types of ATM cards.

TIPS:

  In Brazil, most bars and restaurants, service (10%) is already included in the bill. Still, you can leave a tip if you are satisfied with the service. If the service is not included, leave a tip of 10-15% of the bill.