Wow! places in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

      Incredible Places in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro Beaches- Copacabana Neighbourhood

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The Copacabana neighbourhood (which was just a small fishing village till the 1900’s) flourished rapidly after the inauguration of the Copacabana Palace Hotel. However, Rio will never be complete without the mention of Copacabana Beach. The stimulating 4.5 km of crescent coastline never sleeps, as visitors play beach soccer, soak in the sun or swing and dance until the wee hours of the morning. One of the culturally richer neighbourhoods of Rio, the borough is filled to the brim with bars, restaurants and upscale hotels. Tourists of all ages will have some or other activity to do at the beach, be it soaking in the sun, snorkelling or water sports.Famed for its crescent-shaped beach, Copacabana is one of Rio’s liveliest neighborhoods, drawing a cross-section of locals and visitors to round-the-clock activity along its sands and mosaic-tiled promenade. Amid the high-rises overlooking the beach are the art deco Copacabana Palace hotel and imposing Copacabana Fort, home to a military museum. Inland, laid-back sidewalk cafes and casual bars line tranquil streets.

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Rio Park: Tijuca Forest

(Tijuca National Park)

 Covering some 32 km², Parque Nacional da Tijuca is the world’s largest urban forest in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Tijuca National Park is home to hundreds of Amazonian species of plant and animal life.

This forest is one of its kinds because it has been replanted by man in the early 1900s after years of deforestation for coffee plantations. Covering a space of around 3,200 hectares, Major Gomes Archer, took the initiative to reforest the area with seedlings native to the Atlantic eco system.

The wildlife park population includes many insects, ocelots, birds, howler monkeys and other endangered species known only to the Amazon basin. The park’s summit, where the symbolic Christ the Redeemer statue is situated, offers fantastic views over the city and ocean. To attract tourists, over time restaurants were opened and public baths were installed.

Every year millions of tourists visit this amazing forest to discover its wildlife. Although many visit the park by car, hiking tours for the more adventurous type are arranged by a number of local travel agents.

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 Christ the Redeemer

The statue of Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) is part of the new edition of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Acting as a representative of Rio, the statue completed 77 years of its existence in 2008. The attraction, inaugurated in 1931, was built approximately 38 meters high and covers 710 meters of the Corcovado Mountain. Initially one had to climb the 220 steps to reach the statue situated on top of the mountain. However, today visitors can get to the statue by a twenty-minute tram ride or by car.

The imposing structure of soapstone and cement provides panoramic views of Rio beyond compare. Book a cog train to the statue through the trails of the Tijuca Forest National Park. The Corcovado Mountain on which Christ the Redeemer sits is a tourist destination in itself, with every inch occupied by frantic visitors.

Be sure to arrive early to get a surreal view of the statue and an amazing view of the city. Entry is free.

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Sugarloaf Mountain

Sugarloaf Mountain is a peak situated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at the mouth of Guanabara Bay on a peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Rising 396 m (1,299 ft) above the harbor, its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined loaf sugar. It is known worldwide for its cableway and panoramic views of the city.

The mountain is one of several monolithic granite and quartz mountains that rise straight from the water's edge around Rio de Janeiro.

The mountain is protected by the Sugarloaf Mountain and Urca Hill Natural Monument, created in 2006. This became part of a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 2012.[1]