Life in Rio

Imagine living in a city that offers so many different tourist attractions that it would be almost impossible to visit everything in just one trip. Christ Redeemer, Sugar Loaf, Maracanã Stadium, Ipanema, Copacabana, Lapa and Botanical Garden are just some of the best known. All of this is surrounded by a lot of music, from Bossa Nova to Samba, and of course, what can not to be missed, the Carioca seasoning present in all the dishes served in the best restaurants and famous bars of the city. This is Rio de Janeiro, a colorful city that mixes people, culture and flavors from all over the world.

Artists from diferent countries are attracted by the glamor of Rio. French actress Brigitte Bardot has revealed the resort of Armação de Búzios to the world, which today presents a statue in honor of the actress. The luxurious Copacabana Palace Hotel, inaugurated in the 1920s, retains its charm to the present day and now celebrities such as Nelson Mandela, Princess Diana, Carmem Miranda, Madonna, Janis Joplin, Keith Richards and the other Stones members Tom Cruise, Walt Disney and many other famous ones.

The city is the home of one of the largest audiovisual producers in Latin America and also hosts major film and music festivals such as Rock in Rio. In music, the city inspired the classic recording of Girl from Ipanema with Tom Jobim and Frank Sinatra.

The city is divided between the South Zone, where are located the main tourist attractions and Le Cordon Bleu Institute, Downtown, North and West Zones. In Rio, you can easily move between the Downtown Area, South and North by using the subway. Another option is to use the buses that connect all the districts of the city.

The BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) connects several points of the North and West Zone, with the Galeão International Airport. Access the website and check the maps of the bus lines.

In Downtown Area, it is also easy to get around with the VLT (Light Rail Vehicle), which connects the bus station to Santos Dumont Airport, passing through the main tourist attractions in the area. Learn more at the VLT website

To use public transportation in Rio, you must buy RioCard or MetroRio cards. Check out the transportation maps on the RioTur website.

From the Bus Station, there are executive buses that make trips to other cities of the State of Rio de Janeiro, as well as to other states in Brazil. For tickets and prices, visit the website.

In Rio de Janeiro, there are two airports: the Santos Dumont, located in Downtown, which operates domestic flights, and the Rio Galeão - Tom Jobim International Airport, located on Ilha do Governador, which operates both domestic and international flights.

The cuisine in Rio de Janeiro is very diverse, passing by the famous feijoada, which can be found in several restaurants, barbecue, always accompanied by farofa, and many types of seafood. In any restaurant, it is very common to see the locals ordering a draft beer or a caipirinha, which can be made traditionally with lemon, but also of passion fruit, strawberry and even cashew.

Across the city, you can find many varieties of cafe options, restaurants, bars, kiosks, fastfood, food trucks and ice cream parlors. It is worth to visit the finest bistros, located in the South Zone of the city, as well as the Carioca bars, located mostly in Lapa, in the Downtown area.

We have separated some sites with tips from restaurants in Rio, but it is important to remember that we are not responsible for the lists. See some tips on best restaurants on TripAdvisor and Veja Rio Magazine.

Living in a city surrounded by sea and Atlantic Forest is synonymous of a lot of energy and adventure. If this is your preference, you will have different options of trails, water sports, hang gliding flights and beautiful scenery to walk and run.

For the locals, the weekend is a day to go to the beach, but whenever possible, you can go swimming even during the week. In summer, the sun goes down at eight in the evening, so you can enjoy the sun a lot. It is worth remembering that the summer temperatures in Rio reach 40º Celsius or more.

For the complete and official list of attractions of the city, visit the website of RioTur.

In addition to the stunning landscapes, Rio also offers several options of art and culture for those who want to know more about Brazilian culture.

Check out some museum tips to visit:

MAR - Rio’s Art Museum

Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow)

Municipal Theater of Rio

Banco do Brasil Cultural Center

Museum of Modern Art of Rio de Janeiro - MAM-Rio

Lage Park

Elected one of the Seven Wonders of the World, this is the largest symbol of the city, also widely used to represent Brazil. Christ the Redeemer is installed on top of Corcovado Hill, 710 meters above sea level, being the largest and most famous Art Déco sculpture in the world. Over 220 steps are necessary to reach the famous statue's feet. Learn more

The Sugar Loaf offers a breathtaking view of the city, such as the Botafogo and Copacabana beaches and the Guanabara Bay. Located on Praia Vermelha na Urca, the ride with the little tram cable connects Urca Hill to to the Sugar Loaf Mountain. Learn more

One of the most famous and largest stadiums in the world, Maracanã is full of stories of Brazilians favorite sport, football. Learn more

Known as The Princess of the Sea, Copacabana is one of the most beautiful beaches in Rio de Janeiro, surrounded by its boardwalk in black and white Portuguese stones, one of the most famous symbols of the city. The beach is the scene of one of the biggest events in the world, the fires of the New Year's Eve in Copacabana. On the sands of the beach there are also sport and music events throughout the year. Learn more

Famous for the song "Garota de Ipanema", by Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Morais, Ipanema is the living history of Bossa Nova and enchants to all by its beauty and charm. Posto 9 is one of the most popular beach spots. From Arpoador to Leblon, this is where the locals usually greet the sunset, which they both love with applause. Learn more

The Port Zone of Rio is located in Downtown and known for the Olimpic Boulevard, a long avenue illustrated by the mural Etnias, which brings together museums and events spaces held throughout the year. In this area, you can visit the Rio Art Museum, the Museum of Tomorrow and AquaRio, the largest Marine Aquarium in South America. Learn more

Besides visiting the Lapa Arches, it is worth to know the busy night of the Cariocas. The bohemian neighborhood is known for its bars and pubs, with a mixture of flavors for all tastes, with lots of music of all kinds, from samba and funk to rock. Learn more

A perfect tour to relax and enjoy the nature. Founded in 1808 by the king D. João VI, the Botanical Garden is one of the most important tourist points in the city and is the house of centuries old trees and exotic species. Learn more

• Samu (Emergency Medical Assistance Service): 192
• Military Police: 190
• Fire Department: 193
• Municipal Civil Defense: 199
• Consumer protection (Procon): 1512