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Destinations-Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro

The Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City) as Rio de Janeiro is called is privileged with the world's most beautiful setting; the blue Atlantic ocean, the lake, green mountains, Pao de Azucar rising up steep from the see, the enormous bay, its beautiful sandy beaches and its tropical climate. Moreover the seven million Cariocas, as Rio 's inhabitants are called, created this amazing city. The locals pursue pleasure like no other people: beaches, samba, football and the local firewater, cachaza. Rio has its share of problems: a third of the people live in the favelas (shanty towns) that blanket many of the hillsides. Within these favelas, drug abuse and violence are endemic, and police corruption and brutality are commonplace. Rios reputation as a violent city caused a sharp reduction in tourism in the 1990s, but today travelers will find themselves at no more at risk than in most large cities in the world. The city is divided in a zona norte (northern zone) and a zona sul (southern zone); beaches and all tourist facilities, except for the international airport, are found in the southern zone.

ACCESS ROUTES
From Rio's international airport, direct flights depart daily to European and American cities, moreover there are frequent flights to virtually every Brazilian destination. The centrally located Santos Dumont airport serves as a base for Rios shuttle service with Sao Paulo and a couple of other main Brazilian capitals. From the bus station there are bus services to practically all over Brazil.
ACCOMMODATION
All sorts and types available. The highest concentration of accommodation is in Copacabana, Rio 's famous district with the world's most famous beach. More hotels are found in Ipanema, which is Rio 's richest and most chic beach district. Furthermore there are some good 3-star hotels in the residential neighborhoods of Flamenco and Gloria.
WHEN TO GO
All year. During carnival all rates go up, even taxis and coconut sellers raise their margins in that period.
HOW LONG
Spend at least a couple of days to be able to see Rios highlights and enjoy the city atmosphere.

Excursions

Tour of Pao de Azucar (Sugarloaf) and the City:

Tour of Sugarloaf

During this tour we will drive along the beaches to the Sugar Loaf cable car, ride first to the "Morro da Urca" mountain at 270m and then continue to the top of the Sugar Loaf Mountain, 395m above sea level. We will continue with a city tour, visiting among others the cathedral, the Samba Stadium (Sambodromo), the historical center and the Maracana football stadium.

Included: Transport, entrance fees, professional bilingual guide.
Time: 4 hours.
Type: this excursion can be booked as a private or group service.

Corcovado:

During this tour we will climb the 750 m high mountain peak with the statue of Christ; Rio 's most famous landmark. A train ride through the forest on the hills will lead you to the top of the Corcovado Mountain. From the top the views of Rio and its beaches are spectacular; one can even see the city of Niteroi on the other side of the Guanabara Bay . After descending by train, the tour continues through the "Rebouzas" tunnel passing the lake Rodrigo de Freitas, with fancy neighborhoods on its shores, to Barra da Tijuca, Rios most recent developed beach area and returning via the beaches of Sao Conrado, Vidigal, Leblon and Ipanema to Copacabana.

Included: Transport, entrance fee train ride Corcovado, professional bilingual guide.
Time: 4 hours.
Type: This excursion can be booked as a private or group service.

Corcovado

Sugarloaf and Corcovado:

Full day tour including the visits to the Corcovado and Sugar Loaf tours as described above.

Included: Transport, entrance fees, train ride up and down Corcovado, Sugar Loaf cable car, professional bilingual guide, and lunch.
Time: 8 hours.
Type: This excursion can be booked as a private or group service.

Sugarloaf and Corcovado

Petrópolis:

Visit the imperial city of Petrópolis, a lovely mountain retreat with a colonial, European flavor. The entire imperial court used to spend the summer here, to escape the sticky heat of Rio. The mountain drive to the city is spectacular. The highlight of the tour is the Imperial Summer Palace of D. Pedro II, which today is the Imperial Museum. Later you will visit the Cathedral where the tombs of the Emperor and his wife are housed, and then continue to the house of Santos Dumont, the world's first aviator and inventor of the watchband.

Included: Transport, entrance fee train ride Corcovado, professional bilingual guide.
Time: 4 hours.
Type: This excursion can be booked as a private or group service.

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