Why get to know Rio de Janeiro? Many times we hear the name of this city to go on a trip, but we don't know well what you can do once you are there. In the case of Rio de Janeiro, there are plenty of reasons to enjoy and have a good time when we arrive.    [caption id="attachment_17194" align="aligncenter" width="675"]Why get to know Rio de Janeiro? Rio de Janeiro is one of the cities that one visit is not enough. / Photo: Canva Pro[/caption]    

Because you can't miss Copacabana and Ipanema

Rio is a city that overwhelms with its nature at every turn and Its famous beaches like Copacabana, the most popular and fun. There is no day that doesn't have movement, whether by those who live there or by the tourists who visit it all year round. In addition to its beautiful landscape, its waves and sunny afternoons, we can do many sports in its sand courts. Volleyball, football, Frescobol, are some of the many options we have to have a good time and also move a little. Ipanema is another of the most famous beaches. Here the rhythm is just lighter and the famous postcard of the place is the Morro Dois Irmãos, facing the sea, on the right. And when the sun goes down, it will hypnotize you with its sunset. To close the day at the beach, walking along the path that faces the sea is a must.  No hurry and just stopping to see every handicraft offered by the locals. Chatting, enjoying watching those who dare to play football until late, those last rays of sunshine that take a long time to go away. Laughing and trying to speak Portuguese, that is not just a language but the gateway to a fascinating culture.    Travel Tips: we've compiled a list of the top five places to watch the sunset in Rio de Janeiro, discover them!   [caption id="attachment_17191" align="aligncenter" width="675"]Why get to know Rio de Janeiro? Rio is a city that overwhelms with its nature and its famous beaches like Copacabana / Photo: Canva Pro[/caption]    

For its incredible gastronomy

If we want to eat some of the typical foods, at every moment the street vendors will be passing by offering fruit salads, watermelons, prawns, peanuts, corn served wrapped in its leaves and with butter, chicken pie. Their Bolinhos de Camarão are ideal for those light meals, without timetables but always accompanied by a soft Brazilian beer. The Feijoada and the Strogonoff are two local delicacies, which no matter the temperature or the time of year, will always be rich, tasty and eager to order one more second course. Also the famous Caipirinha, which is ideal for the end of the afternoon. Sitting down, looking at the sea and having a pleasant talk.  

For its amazing rhythms

Its music, like the samba you hear in every bar. The Bossa Nova, which never goes out of fashion and reminds us of the 60s. The poets putting lyrics to everyday life. Brazil brings us joy at every step and helps us to let go, to have more fun, to lose the shame of dancing to new rhythms of their percussion, of which it’s impossible not to be motivated to try to follow it.  Between February and March, one of the most beautiful festivities in the world takes place. The carnival of Rio! There is no other like that. The streets are filled with people from early on. No one stays home. The party is in the same street and everyone dresses up, dances and follows a route that has no certain destination. All you have to do is to have fun. The epicentre is the "Sambodrome". There, the most important and famous "Escolas De Samba" will parade for several days. It's a national event that nobody misses. The best one is voted and awarded. At the sides, there are the "Camarotes". Those balconies with privileged views to this beautiful party. If you don't have the chance to get to know Rio de Janeiro on that date. It doesn't matter. The music and its color are in the Lapa neighborhood. There, every night there is movement and bars are filled with people looking for entertainment and getting to know the local culture.   Travel tips:  Discover our best tips to enjoy your night in Lapa, the best place of the Carioca nightlife!   [caption id="attachment_17193" align="aligncenter" width="675"]Why get to know Rio de Janeiro? With its music, Brazil brings us joy at every step and rhythms / Photo: Canva Pro[/caption]    

For its unmissable attractions

If you want to get to know Rio de Janeiro during the day. We can mention Christ the Redeemer. It's the most famous postcard in the city and the country. There are many ways to get to the top, for all tastes. Once at the top, don't run, don't hurry and take all the pictures you want. Take time to quietly contemplate the city from the top with this unique view. Just a shake of the head and you can see the entire "Cidade Maravilhosa". Those moments remain forever in our memories.  There are places that aren’t so famous but just as captivating to get to know Rio de Janeiro. Its historical center takes us to the origin of the city and the Portuguese culture. A clear and unmissable example is the Confiteria Colombo. There the beautiful thing is to sit in one of its tables and feel a trip to the past. It keeps its original decoration and its dishes are among the most colorful. Here, having a coffee with some sweet delight is the best program for rainy days. At the entrance there is a small shop to take several souvenirs. Walking through these little streets you will discover places like Cinelandia, the Metropolitan Cathedral and finally Lapa in its daytime facet. It’s reinvented to show us the beautiful "Arco de Lapa" and the Selarón steps. A place to sit down, take several pictures, go over the maps and see where to go next. There's a lot of history on those step, don't miss out on reading it.   Travel tips: discover the fascinating legends and stories with Daytours4u during a Historical Rio Downtown Walking Tour   [caption id="attachment_17190" align="aligncenter" width="675"]Why get to know Rio de Janeiro? Christ the Redeemer is the most famous postcard in the city and the country / Photo: Canva Pro[/caption]    

For its authentic culture  

We talk about music, food, beaches, but being in Brazil there is something that cannot go unnoticed. Football! The country with the most world cups won welcomes us with one of the most famous and well-known stadiums: The Maracana. Your guided tour makes you feel the adrenaline in your body that the players feel in the moments before they take the soccer field. We can enter the changing rooms, the substitute bench, the grandstand, its trophy room and one more. History is always in the air. The best players in the world have been there like Pele himself. If you like to buy local handicrafts, there are many fairs for it. The one in Copacabana, which is open every day from 6pm to 11pm and is located near the 5th stand on the beach. It’s one of the largest and most complete. Ideal for bringing gifts and pampering yourself after getting to know Rio de Janeiro. We have another one at Osorio Square in Ipanema. But this only works on Sundays.  

To discover its incredible surroundings 

40 minutes away from here is the newest and the most modern part of the city, that concentrates high buildings and shopping malls. We're talking about Barra da Tijuca. A unique, large beach with fine white sand. Open sea and one of the most beautiful sunsets. Add it to your itinerary to get to know Rio de Janeiro and spend the day there.  In addition to all that this beautiful city has to offer, we have the possibility of visiting nearby cities. Either go and come back in the day or stay a little longer. The most popular are Paraty and Ilha Grande. The first one is colonial, with one of the most beautiful historical centers of Brazil. And the second, wilder, for more adventurers who like more hectic days walking on its trails, boat trips and remote beaches. If you have more time to get to know Rio de Janeiro,  you can't miss Buzios. That small fishing village that became famous when Brigitte Bardot was invited there.   Travel Tip: discover the Best Day Trips from Rio de Janeiro!   [caption id="attachment_17192" align="aligncenter" width="675"]Why get to know Rio de Janeiro? Paraty is one of the most beautiful historical centers of Brazil [/caption]     The city can be easily crossed by public transport. Either by Bus or Metro. But there is a way that is not so frenetic and allows us to stop at will: by bike! There are lots of bike paths to go on. All with incredible views of the beach, the city and Sugarloaf Mountain! Here it is worth stopping. Its beauty will impact us, already from the plain. Climbing to the top and seeing from the air the airport, the bridge of Niteroi, Vermelha Beach and part of the city is another moment we keep in our hearts.    Infinite options, for all pockets, tastes and times. Rio de Janeiro is one of the cities that one visit is not enough. It doesn’t go unnoticed. It leaves a deep mark of a love that lasts forever. Don't miss out on getting to know and enjoy it in person. Every experience you have will surpass what you have heard.   
 

By: Gonzalo Ramirez, author of the GonTraveler travel blog