Rio de Janeiro is the second largest city in Brazil, but undoubtedly this is the most famous city in South America.
The population of the city agglomeration is more than 12 million people.
It is situated in the southern part of Brazil on the Atlantic coast, just next to the South Tropical Circle (the Tropic of Capricorn).
Because of this fact the climate of Rio de Janeiro is hot and humid with significant precipitations all year around (but more significant during the summer season, between November and April).
More from Brazil:- 23 Best Things to Do in Maceió (Brazil)
- 30 Best Things to Do in São Luís (Brazil)
- 34 Best Things to Do in Florianopolis and Santa Catarina Island (Brazil)
Best Time to Visit Rio de Janeiro
The European tourists that are planning to travel to Brazil, is better to visit this city in winter, because the summer heat and humidity can cause discomfort, especially to visitors from northern regions such as Scandinavia.
Weather
The combination of heat and humidity make the weather to be heavy and unbearable.
The average night temperature never drops under 18 °C.
The average daytime temperature is usually between 23 °C in winter and 30 °C in summer.
Of course with its 23 °C the winter in Rio is very nice.
The number of dry and cloudless days is bigger, but for all that heavy rains are absolutely possible.
Best Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro
The different parts of the city are surrounded by a beautiful tropical jungle.
The automobiles in the city use only ecological clean fuel and because of this fact the air in Rio is incredibly clean.
You can feel the fragrance of tropical trees, flowers and shrubs everywhere.
The first thing you notice when you leave the plane is the warm and humid tropical air.
Then you realize why the local people are not crazy about the hard work and physical pressure and prefer the slower pace of life.
The weather is so hot and humid that you are only able to think of a sea, sand, pleasant shadow and cooling drinks.
Most of the citizens of Rio de Janeiro, like to do just that.
The policy of most of the employers is to slack more time for Lunch to the employees.
So they can visit the beach every day for 1 – 2 hours or to enjoy their beautiful city with cooling drink in some restaurant near by the beach.
In the menu of the restaurants dominate salads and seafood.
Because of the hot tropical climate the consumption of alcohol is limited.
The locals and the tourists prefer to consume fresh juices that are so cheap and very healthy.
Don’t forget that Brazil produce large quantity of tropical fruits.
Best Places to Visit Rio de Janeiro
The city is incredibly picturesque.
In the middle of the city rise green mountains, covered by lush, tropical plant and the bay of Guanabara is so deep incise into the land, that when the Europeans had came, they named this place January river, because its similarity of river and you really have to look all area to make sure that this is not river.
One of the biggest landmarks of Rio de Janeiro is the statue of Jesus Christ that can be seen from all parts of the city.
The statue that is 38 meter high is situated on the top of the mountain of Corcovado.
Often is happens the mountain to be suddenly covered by clouds.
Then Corcovado seems spectral and mysterious.
The citizens of Rio de Janeiro feel themselves fortunate because Jesus, watch over them and they believe that He really protect them.
Not far of Corcovado is Maracana. For the football fans will be interesting to visit it.
Today Maracana is the ninth biggest stadium in the world. It can contain more than 103 thousand people.
Other world famous landmark of Rio de Janeiro is, of course, Copacabana.
This is one of the most famous beaches in the world. It is always full of people.
The waves are usually too huge for swimming, but perfect for surfing.
The sand is fine and golden. The promenade of Copacabana is model of healthy life stile.
People of all ages are dressed by light, sport, summer clothes – white trainers and bottle of mineral water in the hand.
This is their method to have well groomed appearance.
There are many skyscrapers on the coast of Copacabana.
It is prestigious to live in this part of the city and when go out on the terrace of your apartment to see one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Copacabana is not just beach. This is a life stile.
But Rio de Janeiro can offer many other beautiful places which you can visit.
Tijuca is impressive. This is one of the newest quarters in the city.
It is situated in the western part of Rio de Janeiro, on the Atlantic coast.
Every where around the coast have beautiful, luxury villas and sky scrapers.
The view is very important of no importance if for work or for living.
Tijuca is famous with its botanic gardens with the same name.
In this park you can see plant species, typical for all parts of Brazil, for example coco palms.
This garden is one of the most favourite places for the tourists.
This is one of the biggest city parks in the world. Its length is more than 10 km.
Besides beautiful park, Tijuca has one more advantage. Its coast line is more than 20 km long.
Every well off citizen of Rio de Janeiro wants to live in big, luxury villa with swimming pool in Tijuca.
The hotels and the villas are enveloped by lush, green, tropical plant.
In Tijuca the life is calm in comparison with the other dynamic parts of Rio de Janeiro.
The beach is less crowded than Ipanema and Copacabana.
When we talk about Rio de Janeiro we would be crazy if we don’t mention the Carnival of the Samba.
Each year since 1858 in February, Rio de Janeiro is organized the greatest Samba Carnival.
Then Samba Schools demonstrate everything that they are practiced all year.
The street which has to be passed by the Samba Schools is named Sambadrom.
In fact this is not exactly street, but concrete platform (1 km. long).
Every Samba School has few minutes for presenting.
This is one unbelievable and impressive mix of incredible suits, music and hot dances.
Rich and not so rich tourists from all over the world visit the carnival and leave the city rapturous.
It is hold every February since 1858.
Rich and not so rich tourists from all over the world visit the most exciting event in South America.
For the participants, the preparation for the performance is even more exciting than the carnival.
This event is chance for thousands of people to change their lives for better, because the biggest part of the participants of the carnival, are poor people, who want to do something about their future.
Among the famous Copacabana and Tijuca is situated one of the most sophisticated quarters in Rio de Janeiro – Ipanema.
It looks very picturesque.
The beach of Ipanema is not less beautiful than Copacabana.
Many people prefer Ipanema, because it is less crowded than Copacabana.
The promenade is ideal for walk or cup of coffee.
Rio de Janeiro is favourite of the follower of the healthy life stile.
Sea, green plant, palms and incredible relief can take your bread away.
When you see everything what is created by the nature you will understand why the citizens of this city usually say:”Rio de Janeiro is blessed”.
If we accept that the beauty is blessing, then with certainly there is no way tо not agree.
Interesting land mark for the tourist is the 9 km long bridge that cross the water sheet of the bay of Guanabara and connect Rio de Janeiro by Niteroi that is often considered as part of the city, but it is not.
The bridge offer you incredible panorama to the city of Rio.
You can see the silhouette of Corcovado.
In contrast to the other famous beaches, Botafogo is comparatively unknown and really uncrowded but is not less beautiful than Copacabana and Ipanema.
Its length is only 700m. The waters are calm as mirror. Botafogo offer astonishing view to this great city.
Safety in Rio de Janeiro
As well in Rio de Janeiro there is many thing to be seen, but don’t forget – Rio de Janeiro is a dangerous city with high level of criminality.
In reality Rio is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but this is not obstacle to be dangerous.
You have to be very careful, when you go for a walk.
Never bring with you too expensive objects and jewellery. It could be very risky.
When you arrive in Rio de Janeiro will be better to ask when and where you can go, as well as places which are not dangerous.
You have to know that will be good to keep away from some parts of the city.
But as all, the criminality is high everywhere.
In Rio de Janeiro there are some quarters that in this country are called Favela.
The biggest Favela in Brazil is situated on the slope of the mountain in the western part of Ipanema.
Its name is Rosana.
It has a great number of structures, most of them without electricity, fresh water and even windows.
This Favela is serious problem for the city.
This problem is shadow for the reputation of Rio de Janeiro.
If the urban authorities be able to find solution to this problem, this beautiful and picturesque city will be able to develop itself more quickly.
Interesting fact about Rio de Janeiro: Popular mean of movement in Rio de Janeiro is the using of helicopter.
It is used by the affluent members of the society, but for one so large and fragmented city as Rio, this is more necessary than luxury.
More from Brazil:
