Famous for its scenic beaches, samba music and its numerous carnival celebrations, Rio de Janeiro is a place that is magical and festive. The second largest city in Brazil, Rio, as it is more popularly known, is surrounded by lush tropical mountains and hotel-lined beaches. On top of Corcorado Mountain is one of Rio’s best known symbols, the giant statue of Christ or Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer). It was recently named one of the newest wonders of the world.
Another tourist wonder of Rio de Janeiro is the Sugar Loaf, a cable car suspended 220 meters above sea level. It gives tourists breathtaking views of the entire island and its beaches, most notably, Ipanema and Copacobana. A sophisticated neighborhood resort, Ipanema offers a lively night life scene where bars and boutiques remain open until dawn. After-dark habitués of the resort includes athletes eager to work-out their muscles in gyms located in the beaches, and skimpily-clad nymphets gyrating to the sound of rumba. Copacobana’s hotels that line Rio’s gorgeous coastlines reflect Europe’s cultural influence. With bicycle paths, kiosks, all-day bars and open-air restaurants, it has seen its steady share of world-famous visitors.
Carnivals are held annually 40 days before Easter and during the first days of Lent. The most traditional, the Banda de Ipanema, attracts a wide variety of participants, including tourists and the highly anticipated gay community revelers. Carnival in Rio is arguably the most attended, with competing samba dancers and botanical garden parades. It is estimated that four to five hundred thousand revelers attend every year.
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