Visit Rio De Janeiro

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 230
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The Marvellous City is aptly named. There are few cities in the world that command a location quite as outstanding and awe-inspiring as Rio de Janeiro. From the beaches of Copacobana and Ipanema to the mountains of Sugar Loaf and Corcovado, this city is stunning.

The city may have a darker side, and is not short of a few problems, poverty, corruption and gang violence being the most infamous, but it remains appealing and endearing and highly addictive.

The skyline and beach setting together form one of the most iconic cityscapes in the world. The Christ the Redeemer statue noble stands shrouded in clouds on top of Corcovado. Sugar Loaf juts out into the bay breaking up miles of sandy beach between bohemian Botafogo and surf-friendly Copacobana. All the while, the multi-coloured favelas loom large in the background, where most of the city''s residents live in small brick and corrugated roofed houses.

Aside from visiting the sites mentioned already, a day at the beach at Ipanema should be on the cards. This, along with Leblon and Sao Conrado is the most chic and sophisticated beach. You don''t see street kids ...
... kicking a football here, but you will see statuesque, model-like women and men more muscled than Silvestre Stallone or Arnold Schwarzenegger parading their bodies about for all to see.

Aside from beaches there is actually a lot more to see and do in this huge, sprawling city. The old town area known as Centro, has numerous colonial and turn-of the century buildings that although are now a little worn down and dilapidated are just as beautiful in a shabby-chic kind of way.

For more in the way of old-town architecture, head up the hill via rickety tram to Santa Teresa. This is a gentrified favela and from the flower-laden window boxes to the small artist-owned galleries and street art depicting everything from football to gun warfare, it is truly delightful. The residents are friendly and the children could not smile more if they tried.

The weather can turn sour in Rio, despite the notion that it is always sunny. In fact, during rainy season, the rain can be incessant. If you get caught in a downpour, take shelter in one of the city''s many museums. The Museu Historico Nacional houses a fantastic collection of paintings and artefacts stretching from colonial to imperial times.

Modern art, of which there are some highly acclaimed emerging artists in Brazil, is best viewed at the Museu de Arte Moderna. Housed in a museum spreading out towards the sea, this is one of the greatest collections of its kind in Latin America. Bonny Kominek is a freelance writer with over 10 years travel experience. They recommend Octopus Travel for Rio De Janeiro hotels.