Hugo Denizart
RIO, R
from January to January
io de Janeiro… so many possibilities, places, smells, colours and flavours. How delightful this state is:so full of diversity and abundant attractions. For those thathave already visited this wonderful destination, you will knowthat it has absolutely everythingto make you go crazy. Beaches, mountains, history, music, dance, cold, heat. Whether you visit forrelaxation,to go on an adventure, staying close to the person you love, creating spectacular memories with your family,being among friends, whether you areyoungor old people, then Rio de Janeiro is a complete state.
Are youthe type of person that enjoys a cold beer or a caipirinha, food from street vendors or dining in a fine restaurant, craft shops or sophisticated ones, hot spots or tranquil ones,coconut water orfondue? Then, here in Rio, you will find all this and much more and it is not always necessary to choose between one or the other. Very often the cities in the statecan offer both experiences, to suit everyone’s tastes. Put on your backpack, check in and take a deep breath, because this edition will take you on a journey through the charms of Rio de Janeiro. Are you ready? So, let’s have a good trip.
Hugo Denizart
Guanabara Bay
The wonderful City, filled with thousands of charms André Filho–the composer of the song ‘Wonderful City’ - says the city of Rio de Janeiro is “filled with thousands of charms” and is a “land that seduces all”. Proof of this is the Christ Redeemer, who from the top of the Corcovado Mountain, gives a warm welcome to its all its visitors. But the fame of the capital extends to the beautiful beaches that line the buildings. With sunshine or even in cloudy days, the beaches tend to always be full of people lying lazily in colorful sarongs on the hot sand. Among Hugo Denizart
Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon
the attractions is Copacabana, with its promenade whose mosaics resemble the motion of the waves. Across the street, craft and souvenirstalls appear every night attracting groups of tourists who fancy a nice walk and some uncommitted shopping. Ipanema is the place to be seen for trendy people. That’s where fashion and trends are launched by people always in tune tothe latest market news, including diets and the best exercises in order to get the “summer body”. The LGBT public also havetheir own area at
Life Guard Station 8. You will see several flags in support of the gay movement. Aninteresting and spectacular local tradition is watching the sunset on the beach and there’s no better place to do this than in Arpoador, from here you can admire the last rays that colour the sky and the sea, with the Dois Irmãos Mountain completing the backdrop. The beach was even voted as the second most beautiful in the country, according to the English newspaper, The Guardian.
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Botanical Gardens Turisrio
Venturing into Lapa is a great for those looking for hustle, bustle and diversity. Besides having bars littering the main streets, the neighborhood has many nightclubs, playing different types of music, from rock to forró and MPB (Brazilian Popular Music) to country music. Close by is Santa Teresa,which also offer diverse opportunities that finish with a caipirinha in your hand. But one of the great wonders of the city is to look at the old buildings and breathe the history of the metropolis. Founded on March 1st 1565, in Rio de Janeiro you can experience a time not so far away; in fact, 450 years ago. Since then a lot has happened, and the city actually used to be the capital of Brazil (from 1763 to 1960) and has since establish itself as the main tourist destination in the country. The most salient places are the Municipal Theater, the National Library, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Arc de Teles, the Tiradentes Palace, the Imperial Palace and the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil. If you’re hungry, then be sure to try one of the delights from the Colombo Confectionery, built in 1893. The house is a symbol of the belle époque of the city. If you enjoy green, open-airareas, then you don’t have to go far to find them. Rio has several natural parks such as one in Tijuca, which has trails and climbing areasthat take you into the largest urban forest in the world. The Botanical Garden, in turn, has a catalog of 6,500 species of trees and plants. For picnic lovers, the ideal place is Parque Lage. Admission is free and it also has some beautiful ruins and caves, as well as the School of Visual Arts, which often holds exhibitions on site. But we would not be talking about Rio without mentioning the city’s icons. Among them is the main tourist attraction, the cable car of Sugar Loaf. A trip to the top is almost mandatory, since its glass capsule allows a panoramic 360-degreeview of the city. In Morro da Urca, the first stop in the cable car, you can get an idea of the extent of Rio and its different areas that make the city so unique, a mixture of nature and urbanity that together coexist in perfect harmony.
Lapa arches
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Municipal Theatre
MICE segment is booming Turisrio
Besides being one of the most sought after leisure destinations in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is also very well establishedin the MICE segment. According to the 2014 survey bythe International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Rio de Janeiro hosted themost international events in Brazil in 2013, ahead of São Paulo (70 events) and Foz do Iguaçu (15 events). During 2013, the state capital of Rio hosted 79 events, whichrankedit as the 26th most popular destination in the world. There were 161 congresses and fairs that generated revenue of approximately US$248.2 million. This result is the sum of an integrated infrastructure that aims to serve tourists visiting the Wonderful City, in the best possible way. In addition to a hotel industry that consists of about 34 thousand rooms and another 18 thousand under construction, the city also has an extensive airline network, with flights to the world from RioGaleão International Airport, the largest in Brazil and the second busiest in the country.
Museum of Modern Art
For events, Rio de Janeiro has Riocentro and at 571,000m², it is the largest events center in Latin America. The built up areais divided into five event rooms covering 100,000m². Other prominent venuesare the Convention Center Sulamérica, Copacabana
Fort, Maracanã Stadium, Pier Maua, Sugar Loaf, Marina da Gloria, and several other centers and hotels that provide venues of different capacities and sizes for all types and of professional groups in various city locations.
The tourist region of the Green Coast (Costa Verde),one of the most beautiful and exotic locations in the state, is on the southern coast of Rio de Janeiro. Formed byAngra dos Reis, Ilha Grande, Mangaratiba, Paraty, Rio Claro and Itaguaí, the region was a milestone during the colonization of the country, beingone of the first colonized regions inBrazil. Its landscape has more than 2,000 beaches and a multitude of islands, whose waters have different shades of green, ranging from intense to translucent. A refined destination on the Brazilian coast, Angra dos Reis is an almost mandatory paradise for lovers of natural beauty, as it is home to 365 islands, one for every day of the year. The city has a wide range of resorts and hotels, offering many tourist itineraries, including boating and nature trails among rivers and waterfalls, as well as extreme sport options such as rappelling, mountain biking and rafting. Ilha Grande, known for one of the most beautiful coastal regions in the world and a prime example of this isLopes Mendes beach, whichhas appeared countless times on various lists of the most beautiful. Its success among tourists is dueto its wild vegetation of almond and apricots trees that surround the beach and its crystal clear waters. The island is accessible by boat, leaving from Angra dos Reis, Jacareí and Mangaratiba. Another place that you should visit is Paraty. Its historic center is remarkable for the neoclassical and baroque style houses and cobblestone streets that give a rustic feel to the city. The city has excellent hotels and restaurants withvaried cuisine. One of the most sought after delicacies here is the cachaça.
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Nature and culture on the Green Coast
Streets of Paraty Hugo Denizart
Lopes Mendes Beach, Ilha Grande
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Araruama Lagoon
Lagoons, white sandy beaches and dark blue sea make up the Sun Cost (Costa do Sol) region. Along this tourist route, hot weather and tranquility, but you will also find adventure and water sports. Among the major cities that make up the region - a total of 12 - are: Búzios, Cabo Frio, Arraial do Cabo and Rio das Ostras. Easily accessible from the state capital, the region is recognized for the excellent hotels, accompanied by restaurants withhigh-level gastronomy. Full of trendy shops, funky bars, fine dining and international clubs, Búzios has one of the busiest nights in the state of Rio de Janeiro. During the day, visitors enjoy the intense sun, relaxing by the sea. By night, Hugo Denizart
Praia Brava Beach, Sun Coast
Rua das Pedras (Cobbled Street) comes alive with hordes of people. The most popular beaches are Geribá’, Ferradurinha, Armação, Ossos, Olhos de Boi and Caravelas. Just 38kmfromBuzios, Arraial do Cabo also has its paradise spots. Unlike other beaches, the sea in Arraial stands out for having an intense blue. Among the most beautiful beaches here is the Ilha do Farol (Lighthouse Island), which also was considered the “most perfect beach in Brazil” by the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). A nearby town,Cabo Frio also attracts many tourists during the high season and offers unique attractions, like Forte Beach.
Sergio Quissak
Idyllic scenery on the Sun Coast
Azeda Beach, Búzios
Arquivo TurisRio
Historic farm in the Coffee Valley Region
An abundance of history in the Coffee Valley Region Formed by large farms with colonial and historic architecture, the Coffee Valley Region (Vale do Café) is a legacy left by the coffee industry, the main product of the Brazilian economy during the 18th and 19th centuries. In total, 15 cities shape the region, especially Valença, Vassouras and Miguel Pereira. In addition to visiting hundreds of farms, tourists can explore the buildings of the coffee barons and the slave quarters, preserved assets that tellthe history and show a bit of the birth of the country’s culture. During the month of July, the region hosts the Coffee Valley Festival, an event that features music concerts on farms, concerts in the public square and promotes music workshop with local children. Another event that is gaining more popularity is the “Café, Cachaça e Chorinho”. With gastronomic appeal, the program includes visits to historic farms to taste the colonial breakfast, with many cakes, bread, milk and fresh cheeses; most products are produced on site. The region is an ideal retreat in rural tranquility or to go on eco-tours. In Miguel Pereira, cold waterfalls, little churches, cachaça and crafts are the main attractions
Colonial architecture in Vassouras
in the city. With an intact architecture, the past connected to the height of the Coffee Cycle, can be well observed in Valença. In Vassouras, rural hotels and properties usually keep their traditional rituals, like the Casa de Hera Museum that offers
Imperial Tea. If you are seeking a relaxing day and not many adventures, you cango horse riding or fishing. Or even stretch out the trip to Conservatóriaand enjoy some serenades, songs that will fill the streets and open up the city.
Waterfalls and museums litter Serra Verde Imperial
Flavio Gueiros
Nature in Serra dos Órgãos National Park
Alexandre Peixoto
The Serra Verde Imperial is a region where the Portuguese royal courtused to be.It has a pleasant mountainousclimate, which has made it the main refuge for people from the state capital and other Brazilians seeking authenticcold European weather during the winter. This is when people can take advantage of elegant clothes forthis season and warm up by the fireplace, while enjoying fine wine and a cheese fondue or, for the more romantic, a fruit and chocolate fondue. There are many different possibilities when out shopping in the region. Clothes and crafts fill up the bags of virtually all tourists visiting Serra Verde Imperial. You should start your route here in Nova Friburgo and visit theRanz beer factory, Rock Valley and Barão Bier. Be sure to tasteall of them. Each has its own unique style; they have become icons of the city. Then take the opportunity to browse around the lingerie and flowers shops. Founded in 1843 by Emperor D. Pedro II,so that the imperial family could shelter from the intense heat of the capital, Petropolis offers a mix of historical heritage and ecotourism. Among the main attractions are the Imperial
Quitandinha Palace, Petrópolis
Museum, São Pedro de Alcântara Cathedral, the Crystal Palace, the Quitandinha Palace and the House of Santos Dumont. Close by, Itaipava stands out for its sophisticated aura and fine gastronomy. Visits to local breweries are recommended: Bohemia, Itaipava and Cidade Imperial. In Teresópolis, bucolic landscapes, Handicraft Market and charming restaurants stand out. Serra dos Órgãos National Park is a must see. Waterfalls, natural pools, trails
and picnic areas are some of the attractions offered. The Finger of God is a challenge for the more radical of tourists. To cross the Teresopolis-Petropolis National Park takes three days of walking along a trail, which consists of a waterfall, different vegetation and a unique setting. After a day of walking, enjoy the local cuisine with European influences and among the novelties you will find the Vila St. Gallen, a brewery complex that attracts many visitors to the city.
Fábio Guedes
Rock formations in the Region of Agulhas Negras
Bucolic and pleasant atmosphere in the Region of Agulhas Negras Márcio Fabian
Resende, Itatiaia, Quatis, Penedo, Visconde de Mauá and Porto Real make up the Region of Agulhas Negras (Black Needles), a lush combination of vegetation, waterfalls and paradisiacal sites with an important set of rock formations. The region takes its name from the Agulhas Negras Peak, located in the Itatiaia Park. At 2791 meters, it is the highest point in Rio de Janeiro. The park also offers several other attractions such as the Blue Lagoon, a natural lake formed by the river Campo Belo and the Bridal Veil waterfall, which stands at 40 meters. In the region, two cities are responsible for the intense flow of tourists: Penedo and Visconde de Mauá. The first has a strong Finnish influence and this is reflected in its architecture and local culture. It is famous for its handmade chocolates, rustic atmosphere and Nordic chalets. In Visconde de Mauá, a former hippie villagereflects a bucolic and welcoming setting for those who want to be isolated from the crazy and hectic life of the big cities. The variety of natural scenery inVisconde de Mauá
Panoramic View of Visconde Mauá
is an invitation forwell-being. To learn more of the history of Brazil you don’t need to go that far. Resende, located 36 km from Visconde de Mauá, is associated with the mining and coffeeerasin the 18th
and 19th centuries. Besidesits important historical heritage, the city offers a precious architectural and cultural heritage that is listed by the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN).
The 2016 Olympics are coming! Divulgação Rio 2016 / Alex Ferro
After the success of the FIFA World Cup, the eyes of the world turn once again to Brazil, especially to Rio de Janeiro. The city will host the 2016 Olympics, between 5th and 21stAugust and is the first ever in South America. The Rio 2016 Committee is now entering the final stretch of preparations for the mega event. According to Carlos Arthur Nuzman, president of the Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games for Rio 2016, the legacy for Rio and Brazil will be huge. “No host city will have had as many benefits as Rio”, said Nuzman. It is the fruits of a collective creation process, the Olympic Games brand is inspired by the nature of Rio and Brazil - full of hairpin bends, mountains, rivers and lakes. The most beloved icons of the city, such as Sugar Loaf and Corcovado, are represented in the brand design. The concept was born from a simple idea: what makes Rio a unique city and makes the Olympic Games a grand event are the people. Therefore, it is an essentially a human brand, that invites people to live with passion and grace, to live and share, spreading kindness and warmth with joy and contagious energy.
Rio will host the Olympics Games
Alexandre Macieira / RioTur
What’s new in this edition? Besides being the first time that the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held in Brazil, the event will bring some innovations for this 28th edition. Four new sports will be included: Rugby, Golf, Paracanoe and Paratriathlon, defined by the IOC and the International Paralympic Committee. A total of 16,000 athletes from 204 countries will attend the mega event. Just for the Olympics, 10,050 athletes from 204 countries will compete for306 medals, including 136 women’s events, 161 male ones and 9 mixed. The competitions will be held in 33 locations spread across four regions of the city of Rio de Janeiro: Barra, Copacabana, Deodoro and Maracanã.
Companhia de Turismo do Estado do Rio Tourism Company of Rio de Janeiro Website: http://www.turisrio.rj.gov.br| Endereço / Adress: Rua Acre, nº 30. Centro, Rio de Janeiro. RJ, Brasil 20081-000. Telefone / Phone: (+55-21) 2334-6153
Maracanã Stadium