Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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 exquisite multicultural cuisine.

Population:

6.748 million (2020)

Currency:

Brazilian Real R$ = 100 centavos

Emergency Numbers:

Firefighters: 193
Ambulance: 192
Police: 190
Hospital de Ipanema: +55 21 3111 2334
Hospital Copa D'Or: +55 21 2545 3600

Opening Hours:

Most shops and offices are generally open from 9:00 to 18:00 during weekdays and from 9:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays. Some of the main shopping centres stay open until 22:00 during the week and from 13:00 to 21:00 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 Rio and open 24/7.
Banks are open from 10:00 - 18:00 on weekdays.

Newspapers:

O Globo
Jornal do Brasil
Jornal do Commercio
Jornal Copacabana
O Dia
Tribuna da Imprensa
Jornal da Barra

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.

Dining

Rio's cultural diversity is reflected in the wide and heterogeneous range of restaurants spread throughout the city. Whether you plan to satisfy your 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.

Cafes

The cafes 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 cafes will delight your taste buds with the typically light Brazilian breakfast, delicious freshly baked pastries, and their coffee's intense aroma.