Lapa Arches place

The Carioca Aqueduct was built in the mid-18th century as a way to supply
Rio de Janeiro with fresh drinking water from the Carioca River. One of the
features of the aqueduct was a segment that consisted of two stories of
huge arches. Though, the Carioca Aqueduct was shut down at the end of
the 19th century, the arches remained. In 1896, it was decided to use the top
of the arches to carry a tram that connected the city center to the
neighborhood of Santa Teresa. Although the tram did shut down briefly in
2011 due to an accident, it is still in operation today, albeit with limited
service. Presently, the arches are a popular meeting spot for locals,
especially at night, when the area comes alive with street vendors, music
and dancing.
Prainha Beach

If you’re searching for a peaceful stretch of sand near Rio de Janeiro, then
head over to Prainha Beach. This is a half-moon shaped beach that is
bordered by jungle-covered hills. In comparison to Copacabana or Ipanema,
Prainha Beach is relatively uncrowded, especially on weekends. This beach
boasts clear waters, clean sands, excellent waves and is very popular with
surfers. However, the ocean here is known for its strong undertow. So only
strong swimmers or surfers should attempt to swim in these waters. There is
a small open-air restaurant overlooking the beach as well as a few kiosks on
the sand where you can also purchase some snacks and drinks.

Barra da Tijuca Beach

This beautiful beach, which is the longest in Rio de Janeiro, boasts clean
white sand and tends to be less crowded and attracts fewer tourists than
Ipanema and Copacabana. Barra da Tijuca Beach is, in fact, where the
locals choose to go when they head to the beach. Its waters are also said to
be cleaner than those two more famous beaches. Barra da Tijuca tends to
attract active beach goers, so you’ll find many surfers, kite surfers and body
surfers here. The area surrounding Barra da Tijuca Beach is also the
youngest in Rio, having been developed approximately 30 years ago. It
boasts a large mall, the Barra Shopping Mall, which has more than 700
stores and restaurants. This neighborhood has earned a reputation as being
the place where the young and affluent choose to live.

Parque Lage

This beautiful public park is located at the foot of the Corcovado.

Surrounded by rainforest, it boasts walking paths, gardens and even a small
aquarium in a tranquil setting. It is also the site of a stunning palazzo that
once belonged to a famous Italian opera singer, Gabriella Besanzoni, and
her husband. Today, this mansion houses the Escola de Artes Visuais,
which is an art school that hosts free art exhibitions. Parque Lage also
contains a cafe and offers a view of the famed Christ the Redeemer statue
off in the distance. There is a trail that goes from the park to the statue, but it
does have some moderate to difficult sections. For safety reasons, it’s also
recommended that you only hike this trail with a local tour group or with a
large group. There is no admission fee to visit this park.
 Tijuca National Park

One of the largest urban forest in the world, the Tijuca National Park covers
a huge area of a mostly mountainous landscape. Visitors can hike to Rio’s
highest peak, the Pico da Tijuca, to enjoy expansive views of Guanabara
Bay and the city below. Nearly destroyed in the early 1800s by encroaching
coffee plantations, much of the forest was replanted by hand in the latter half
of the century with as many as nine million trees. Attractions include the
Mayrink Chapel, which has murals painted by the famed Brazilian neo-
realism painter Cândido Portinari, and the tumbling 100-foot Cascatinha
Waterfall.
Lapa Neighborhood

Located in the downtown section of Rio known as “Centro”, the Lapa

neighborhood was once the city’s red-light district. Today, the area is known
for its vibrant nightlife. Lined with samba and choro bars, the music and
dancing spills out into the street on weekend nights. Most of the
neighborhood’s architecture dates back to the 1800s, providing a scenic
backdrop to all the festivities. It’s the perfect place to meet up with friends
and cariocas to sample local cuisine and to sip caipirinha, the national
cocktail made with sugarcane hard liquor and lime. Escadaria Selarón, a set
of famous steps connects both the Lapa and Santa Teresa neighborhoods.

Jardim Botanico

Located to the west of the

Lagoa neighborhood, the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, or Jardim
Botanico, houses more than 8,000 species of plants. Built in the early 1800s,
the garden features many mature specimens, including avenues of towering
palm trees. Visitors flock to the park to view the 600 species of orchids. The
garden includes a number of monuments, fountains and features, including a
Japanese garden, a pond filled with water lilies and the new Museu do Meio
Ambiente, which displays exhibits that focus on the environment.

Sugarloaf Mountain
Rising 400 meters (1,300 feet) above the mouth of Guanabara Bay,
Sugarloaf mountain is a monolith of quartz and granite that visitors can crest
via a glass-walled cable car known as a “bondinho” or “teleférico.” The cable
car departs every 20 minutes from the base of Babilônia hill and climbs to
the top of the Morro da Urca hill. From there, visitors can take a second
cable car up to the mountain’s summit.
Christ the Redeemer (Where to Stay)

Perched atop the 710 meter (2,330 feet) high peak of Corcovado Peak, the
statue of “Cristo Redentor” stands with arms outstretched, gazing serenely
out over the city. Construction of the statue began in 1922 during the heyday
of the Art Deco movement, and the concrete and soapstone statue is
considered the largest statue designed in the genre in the world. Most
visitors take a vertical cog train to reach the base of the summit. From there,
visitors to the monument once had to climb hundreds of steps to reach the
top. Today, elevators and escalators are available to shorten the trip.

Festivities

January
New Year's Eve (Reveillon): New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro is one of the world's most
famous celebrations of the passing of the year. Two and a half million people visit Copacabana
beach to witness the spectacular fireworks and welcome the New Year with a glass of
champagne. Most people traditionally dress in white, and wear new clothes, symbolizing peace
and light. Another tradition is to jump over seven waves (pular sete ondas) for good luck in the
coming year.
Reis Magos: Each year on 6 January groups of colorfully dressed people (including some
dressed as the three kings) and a large number of musicians and dancers perform in the
streets. It is traditional for spectators to throw coins.
Salão Bike Show: An annual motorcycle exhibition which brings together 200 brands, 70
exhibitors and tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts from all over Latin America and the
rest of the world.
Race of Saint Sebastian (Corrida de São Sebastião): The Corrida de São Sebastião is one of
the most traditional running events in Rio de Janeiro. The race is held in commemoration of the
patron saint of the city and takes place at the Aterro do Flamengo. Participants have the choice
between a 5 Km or 10 Km course. There is also a special children's version of the race
(Corrida de São Sebastiãozinho), which is held a few days before the main event.
Pre Carnival (January and February): In the weeks before Carnival, there are numerous street
parties, known as blocos, which act as rehearsals for the different Samba schools.

February
Carnival: This is Rio's most famous annual event. For almost a week the whole country is in
the grip of Carnival, and stops its daily rhythm in preparation for a party that lasts four days and
draws almost five million people, including some 400,000 foreign tourists, to Rio de Janeiro.
The highlight of the carnival excitement is the parade of the city's samba schools at
the sambódromo. There are roughly 100 of them and they work for an entire year to prepare
floats and costumes, hoping to earn a place in the "special group" or be promoted to the "elite
group".

March
Oi Vert Jam: A vertical skateboarding competition, forming one of the stages of the World Cup
Skateboarding (WCS) series. The event takes place at Praça O in Barra da Tijuca, in the
western zone of Rio de Janeiro.
King and Queen of the Beach (Rei da Praia and Rainha da Praia): A beach volley
championship on Ipanema beach. The winners are awarded the title of King and Queen of the
beach.

April
Rio Boat Show: An international trade fair where all the latest innovations in the nautical
industry are exhibited to the public. The event takes place on Pier Maua, Avenida Rodrigues
Alves 10, Centro.
Corrida da Ponte: A half marathon between Rio de Janeiro and Niterói.

May
Labor Day (1 May): A public holiday in Brazil, Labor Day honors those who through their work
contribute to the wellbeing of the city and nation, with various official occasions and sporting
events.
Victory Day (18 May): Victory day commemorates the victory of the allied forces in World War
II. Military ceremonies are performed by all 19 allied nations at the monument of the dead of
World War II - Parque do Flamengo.

June
June Bonfire Festival (Festa Junina): This is probably the biggest traditional folkloric event in
Brazil. At the center of the festivities are the saints' days for Santo Antônio (13 June), São João
(24 June) and São Pedro (29 June). Every organization, school, neighborhood and club
organizes its own festa junina, with people dressed as north-eastern farmers, stalls selling
traditional food, north-eastern accordion music, bonfires, dancing and a make-
believe caipirawedding (a traditional wedding of people of the Brazilian countryside).
Rio de Janeiro Marathon (Maratona do Rio): The Rio Marathon is an annual running event
from Recreio dos Bandeirantes to Flamengo. There is also a half-marathon of 21 Km starting
at Pepe beach in Barra da Tijuca and a 6 Km family run, which takes place entirely in
Flamengo.

July
Fireman's Day (Dia do Bombeiro): The Dia do Bombeiro celebrates the anniversary of the
founding of Rio de Janeiro's Military Fire Brigade (2 July, 1856). It is also a tribute to the
dedication and heroic acts of the members of the fire brigade.

August
Folklore Day (22 August): On August 22 1846, British archeologist William John Toms used
the word "Folklore" for the first time. On the Dia do Folclore, Brazil commemorates its many
myths, legends and beliefs.
Soldier's Day (25 August): On 25 August the Brazilian army celebrates Soldier's Day (Dia do
Soldado)with ceremonies and awards.

September
Biennial Book Fair (Bienal do Livro): This is one of Brazil's biggest literary events. It lasts for
11 days, and allows visitors to engage with their favorite writers in literary sessions, debates
and chat sessions. The event takes place at RioCentro, Avenida Salvador Allende 6555, Barra
da Tijuca.

October
Festival do Rio: For two weeks each year, Rio de Janeiro becomes the film capital of the
world. 400 films from over 60 countries are displayed in movie theaters, but also in open-air
arenas, parks or on the beach.

December
King and Queen of the Sea (Rei e Rainha do Mar): Held in early December, the Beach
Biathlon at Posto 6 in Copacabana hosts amateur and professional swimmers competing in an
elite challenge marathon swim.
Trade Shows
Rio Sports Show: This show, which takes place in July, focuses on the sports, fitness and
wellness markets and aims to stimulate business by bringing the leading manufacturers and
importers of the industry to a select audience of gym owners, physical therapists, personal
trainers and investors in sports infrastructure.
Hair Beauty: The international hair and beauty industry meets each year in October in Rio de
Janeiro. New products and increasingly modern new treatments are the key features of the fair.
The event takes place at RioCentro, Avenida Salvador Allende 6555, Barra da Tijuca.
Rio Construction (Construir Rio): One of the most important events for the construction
industry, uniting over 300 local and international brands and generating business deals totalling
about R$100 million. The event takes place in November in RioCentro, Avenida Salvador
Allende 6555, Barra da Tijuca.
Rio Infrastructure and Machines (Rio Infra & Máquinas): The leading infrastructure fair in
Brazil, this trade fair is all about solutions for both day-to-day work and large infrastructure
projects. It is intended exclusively for professionals in the sector. The event takes place in
November in RioCentro, Avenida Salvador Allende 6555, Barra da Tijuca.