Ipanema Beach
Considered one of the main centres of activity for the city of Rio, and renowned for its elegant development and social life, this trendy beach offers more than just a place to catch some rays. First-time visitors will want to stroll down Rua Vinicius de Moraes, with its shops, cafes, and bars.
If you want to get in on the action, head down to the sand where you can take part in a range of exciting sporting activities, from beach volleyball and footvolley to surfing up to nine-foot waves, beach-goers are never at a loss for things to do!
Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor)
Created by Polish-French sculptor Paul Landowski and built by the Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, this art deco statue of Jesus Christ stands atop Corcovado with arms wide open over Guanabara bay, and is one of the most wanted touristic sites in the world.
The most popular way to reach the statue is to take the red narrow-gauge train that departs every 30 minutes, and takes approximately 20 minutes to reach the top.
Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar)
If you are looking for the best panoramic views of Rio de Janeiro, then head to the top of the Sugarloaf Mountain, situated at the mouth of Guanabara bay. Its glass-walled cable car service has received over 37 million visitors since its opening in 1912, and offers users two stages of travel each lasting 3 minutes, the first stage goes from Praia Vermelha (Red Beach) to Morro da Urca (Urca Hill), at an altitude of 220 metres. The second stage goes from Morro da Urca to Sugarloaf Mountain at an altitude of 528 meters.
Tijuca National Park
Divided into three areas, Tijuca Forest, the Carioca Hill and the Gávea Stone, this lush Atlantic rainforest is an absolute wonder. As well as being the world’s largest urban forest, it also showcases many of Brazil’s impressive attractions, from the Cascatinha waterfall to the Mayrink Chapel.
There is no public transportation in the park so a car is handy if you want to travel far, alternatively, there are plenty of companies that offer hikes through the park, a fabulous way of experiecing the beauty of the rainforest up close – keep an ear open for those howler monkeys!
Did you know, Woods Travel are an ABTA-Bonded travel agency? If you fancy experiencing the wonders of Rio de Janeiro for yourself, our a member of our friendly sales team would be happy to help plan your perfect trip! Call 01243 868080.