Rio de Janeiro

Pros: Warm and soft and sensuous...
Cons: Crime, many rough neighborhoods...

People in Rio de Janiero call themselves "cariocas", and the cariocas refer to their city as "la Cidade Maravilhosa" --- the Marvelous City. Anyplace else on Earth, and such a thing would sound like just so much puffery and imagination. Calling Rio ...

Pros: Spectacular, exciting and perfect for budget travellers.
Cons: Is that a knife in your pocket or are you just trying to rob me.

Rio De Janeiro ranks amongst the most exotic cities in the world. It's nature attractions are world famous and its people legendary for their party tendencies. Despite being a budget friendly city it also has appeal for those on a 5 star expense account....

Pros: Sheer spectacular setting, gorgeous Cariocas, The Sugarloaf Mountain and vibe of the place
Cons: tricky to exchange "exotic currencies" like pounds, euros, yen..

Words cannot describe my love for the 'Cuidade Marvelosa'. It was a deep unconditional affair with what must be one of the most spectacular cities in the world. And to leave was almost physical in it's painfulness. It slivers around the contours of ...

Pros: Depends on your personality
Cons: See above

Rio de Janeiro has always been one of those places that writers love to write about. Depending on what you read it could be excellent (Fodors, Frommers, etc..) or scary (newspapers, Time, Economist, etc..)

After all the research I did prior to...

Pros: Really unique city
Cons: Violence

Brazilian people refer to Rio as "Cidade maravilha", which means, wonderful city.

It is thought that when the first Europeans arrived by the sea in the bay of Rio, they were stuck with its sheer beauty, and the name originated from those...

Pros: beautiful city, beautiful people
Cons: there are poor people so be careful of crime.

I decided to go to Rio from Dec 27 to Jan 15. Rio is famous for Carnivale but its also known for New Years where they have fireworks on copacabana beach which I had the opportunity to see. Language - first off my biggest difficulty was the language ...

Pros: Beautiful natural sights, friendly people, cheap for its quality
Cons: Mediocre in many areas, people aren't 100% tourist ready.

I decided to write this review with my memoirs of Rio still burnt fresh into my memory. I just got back from this wonderful city yesterday, after a very pleasing 5 day stay in one of Copacabano's 4 star hotels. My original intent was to go lie down at ...

Pros: Take your spot on either Ipanema or Copacabana beaches; Corcovado, macarana stadium; the samba and the people; mixed religions
Cons: The mushrooming of new age groups...too many of them

At dusk, they head to the sea, the beaches. Clad with white outfits, the high priestesses, priests or babalao and a large group of devotees are heading to Ipanema and Copacabana, two of the most famous beaches in the world. In Rio de Janeiro, local...

Pros: Sensual and passionate as always, Rio welcomes you with arms wide open.
Cons: Do not act as a tourist.

The greatest cities in the world, don't only carry a name, they also carry a slogan: New York is the Big Apple, Paris is the City of Lights, Rome is the Eternal City, and Rio de Janeiro is the Wonderful City. Yes, Rio...

Pros: Exotic and cheap with fabulous weather
Cons: For a woman: all those perfectly-formed Brazilian women in skimpy thongs on the beach

I visited Rio de Janeiro in February 2001, just in time for the Rio Carnival.
I traveled alone from London, meeting with friends already traveling around South America. My first disadvantage was the language barrier. The language of Brazil is...

Pros: Laissez rouler les bons temps is a carioca's motto.
Cons: Beaches can be crowded at times.

Most tourists tend to think of Rio de Janeiro as the embodiment of Brasil, a land with so much wealth and poverty, a land of huge contrasts. Are you ready to let down your sensibilities on this journey? If you are still readin along, then you may be...

Pros: See the most in a short time
Cons: Are you afraid of heights or flying?

Day 5 -> FLYING AND SURFING FURTHER AFIELD Well, dreams don’t last forever and this is your last day in Rio. How about a leisure and unforgettable time then? Hopefully you have made some local friends by now because you will need to invite...

Pros: friendly locals, churrascarias, beachwear
Cons: underlying threat of crime, 70s architecture

Ever felt like getting away from it all but want to do something a little different (ie,"not Hawaii?")? That's what we decided to do for our honeymoon -- after months of detail-oriented planning and high emotional drama, we decided to go...

Pros: endless history and beauty
Cons: bumpy bus ride

Besides being a city, Rio de Janeiro is also the name of a beautiful Brazilian state in which the famous Marvelous City is just the capital and a small part of it.

Therefore, after following my VI former reviews on Rio, it’s time to adventure...

Pros: See the most in a short time
Cons: Long Walks

Day 3 -> THE GREEN SIDE OF RIO AND THE BEST VIEW

Begin your day taking a cab to the Botanical Garden in the Jardim Botanico area, located behind Ipanema and Lagoa.

Created by the King Joao VI when he lived in Rio, this tropical...

Pros: stay in Rio long enough to enjoy most of its wonders and beauty
Cons: You will never stay long enough to see and do it all

So, you can stay longer than 5-days ? That’s awesome ! There is a lot more you still can do here.

[On this review I will cover many things that were left out in the prior 5-Day tours,however if you have time in your hands you should enjoy...

Pros: THE place to party, fabulous vacation destination
Cons: cost to get there, don't get lost!

If you think that you have seen fireworks - think again. New Year's Eve - the fireworks display all along Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro was a terrific experience. People - literally millions of people all dressed in white, sounds, music, mass...

Pros: Carioca food!
Cons: none

Rio is where the mix of African and Portuguese cuisines meld. African dendê (palm oil) and okra meet the sophistication of Portuguese beef and bacalhau, combined with native manioc, rice, coconuts and beans.
Although the staples of the Brazilian...

Pros: cool places to go with a short drive (less than 150 miles)
Cons: you have to travel

I am born in Rio de Janeiro and I had a chance to drive many friends around Rio and in short driving distance. If you are planning to go on vacation to Rio de Janeiro I would recommend that you take 3-7 days to know these towns and tourist attractions...

Pros: Save time and see the most.
Cons: Long walks.

How to see and enjoy the most of Rio in just 5 days? Follow my walking tours and discover all the secrets and hidden corners of the Marvelous City. Only wish you could stay longer...

Day One -> COPACABANA & IPANEMA

Start...

Pros: Colorful show
Cons: Violence

Once in Rio, you can´t miss a visit to Maracana. One of the biggest stadiums in the world (it used to be the biggest), is a very important to understand brazilian culture.

Soccer is an important aspect of this country´s culture, and Maracana...

Pros: See the most in a short time
Cons: Long Walks

Day Two -> DOWNTOWN AND SUGAR LOAF

[ I forgot to mention on Part I that Rio Subway System is very clean and safe and it is the ideal transportation whenever available to the area you are going to. Use it as much as you can and choose a cab...

Pros: Beautiful place, beautiful people, great food, nightlife.
Cons: Crime, expensive accommodation.

Okay, I may be biased... I was born in Rio and lived there till I was 12. Still, I get the chance to go there once or twice every year and each time I find out greater things about the city. Here's what I think it's worth to share with potential...

Pros: See the most in a short time
Cons: Long Walks

Day 4 -> NITERÓI
Get ready for a tour of the Smiling City. Situated across the Bay from Rio, Niteroi offers an incredible view of the Marvelous City itself. And this is just the first reason you should go there.

When you tell someone...

Pros: Food, Service, Beaches
Cons: Language Barrier

My girlfriend and I just returned from a vacation to the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro. This was our first international vacation, so we were not sure exactly what to expect. We did as much homework as possible prior to our trip, but as expected,...

Pros: nice restaurants
Cons: cool, chilly water

EXCHANGE:
R$1.92/US$

WEATHER:
cool, chilly water

TERRAIN:
urban, but largely very scenic

TRIP RATING: 8

COUNTRY:
Brazil


ROUTE:
Miami / Rio (frequent flyer...

Pros: Very beautiful
Cons: Traffic jam

I´m an expert in Rio. Actually, I ´ve been living here for all my life. And I couldn´t live in anywhere else. And I think everybody should come here at least once in a life, because it is a city for all kinds of people. I´m going to say things tourists...

Pros: Food and drink were cheap and excellent
Cons: Trashy beaches, scary people

I traveled to Rio de Janeiro on a road trip from Sao Paulo. A friend and I were staying with a Brazilian family in Sao Paulo, so they were familiar with the highways and wanted to show us the scenic landscape of the Brazilian countryside on our way to...

Pros: Physical beauty and friendly, easygoing people
Cons: Rumors of tourist peril (none experienced)

Review Topic:  Overview

O Rio!
("A Sweet Lightheartedness")
There are no right angles in Rio de Janeiro; Rio is all curves. The city winds around the mountains, and 53 miles of beaches twist...

Pros: RIO's beautiful beaches, never-ending nightlife, unique musical entertainment and culture
Cons: Take a crash course in Portuguese before you go & avoid the Favelas. 

RIO is the most beautiful big city that I have ever been to! I went in mid-July, which is in the winter season down there. Yet, with warm winds and temps in the 80's it might as well have been summer. There was so much to see and do that after 6 days I ...

Pros: nice beach, weather, women
Cons: prostitutes, violence, lack of sightseeing

I recently returned from Rio and I must say that it was great, paradise even. However, there were some notable flaws. I am not a frequent traveler, so I do not know whether it is like this in other countries.

The plan for my vacation was...

Pros: Beauty, nice people, lots of fun
Cons: Can be dangerous if not careful

I grew up in the United States, but I would visit Rio about 3 times a year with my parents on business (My dad worked for VARIG airlines). I Love Rio with all of my heart, I get tears in my eyes every time I think about the city. The amazing beauty of...

Pros: Views, scenery, and nightlife
Cons: crime, gangs

The week before Christmas 99 I was asked by my company to go to Rio de Janeiro, perform some tests, and supervise the installation of some of our products. I immediately jump at the offer and started packing. Since I am from NJ, I was accustomed to...

Pros: beaches, weather, prices, wonderful people
Cons: petty crime, more annoying than dangerous these days

My trip to Rio was a return of sorts, as I had lived in Brazil as a Rotary Exchange Student when I was in high school back in 1984-5. On my 30th birthday, my friends and family had chipped in to buy me a 25-day trip back to Brazil. While I was based in...

Pros: weather, people, food
Cons: NOTHING AT ALL

Review Topic:  Overview

Oh well, what can I say? I know I'm suspicious to talk about Rio de Janeiro since it's the city where I was born and also the city I live nowadays. But the thing is that I can't help it! It's the most...

Pros: Wonderful City, Exchange Rate was Superb
Cons: Didnt have any

My wife and I love to travel and a spot we always wanted to go was Rio De Janiero. After reading numerous articles on the dangers, the death squads, the crime and the thieving children we were a little hesitant to go. We are travellers and love to see...

Pros: Beautiful Friendly People - Great Shopping - Delicious Food
Cons: Only had a week to stay - next trip will be much longer.

My partner and I visited Rio in May 2001. Stayed at Rio Internacional Hotel on Ave Atlantica, Copacabana - great place - a little pricey though, next time we will stay at one of the lower priced hotels on/near the beach in Copacabana or Ipanema. The...

Pros: Cheap,you can go with a group also.
Cons: Language; try to bring a Berlitz book or something.

Presently, I am again living in Rio de Janeiro for some months. My schedule takes me back and forth to Miami too. I am a carioca ( a native of Rio), but I've been living abroad for so many years in places like Damascus, Cairo, London, Paris, Montevideo,...

Pros: Very good
Cons: Heavy food

Rio de Janeiro is famous for it´s beaches and nature. But you can eat quite well in Rio, if you go to the right places. If you are vegetarian, stop reading, I don´t have many tips to you.....

Porcao - It´s an *all you can eat* style. Best...

Pros: Cool places
Cons: '-

Review Topic:  Sights & Attractions

People in Rio often like to go out to have beer under pression (In Brazil, we call it CHOPP) on these small pubs, called Botequim.

There are different kinds of botequim, from the...

Pros: Weather, beautiful people, many things to do
Cons: The language, all those hard bodies makes me want to work out more

I am now on my fourth trip to Rio within 6 months. Overall I have spent a total of 3 months in Brazil and really have fallen in love with the country, people, and the city. Ok, maybe I am little biased as I also met a wonderful and beautiful ...

Pros: Great weather, a lot of different things to see,
Cons: If you don't like big crowded cities you'll be relegated to the outskirts.

Rio was one of the most unbelievable cities I ever visited. A huge place with so much to see, a place with great beaches, cheap hotels and food. The energy of a metropolis, the beauty of the beaches... It really has everything I would want in a...

Pros: Prices, views, great apartment rentals (we don't like to stay in hotels) kind people
Cons: 9 hour plane ride in coach - but worth it

What a surprise. We found a spot in Rio which was perfect for families and rented a three bedroom there for only $140 per night. Tons of security. Beautiful views. Playgrounds and kiddie pools as well as an olympic pool for us. They even had a ...

Pros: Honest and highly competent management, great product, secure convenient transaction, expensive but excellent value
Cons: Other than the high price, which IMO yields a strong value regardless of the fact

After visiting Rio de Janeiro for several years, I've started shopping for real estate in the Marvelous City. Like many people who visit Rio de Janeiro and fall in love with the city, I started looking for apartments a couple of years ago and managed to ...

Pros: Rio at the New Year!
Cons: Poverty can't be ignored, nor should it be, I guess.

Natural beauty abounds in this city by the sea. Rio de Janeiro is a place where beauty is found not only in its unique niches, but in the friendly people as well. I strongly recommend visiting at New Year's, which is when I made my visit. It's summer ...

Pros: Gorgeous Brazilians, nice scenery, great food, Ipanema, Petropolis day side trip.
Cons: Extremely high crime rate, average hotel not up to American standards.

Brazilians are gorgeous, especially the young people (under 35) on the beach. If you like looking at good looking boys and girls in skimpy little bathing suits you will stare, bring sunglasses. The mixture of races and cultures has resulted in a ...

Pros: Nature, sightseeing, shopping, restaurants and discos
Cons: violence (pick pockets)

Review Topic:  Overview

Rio de Janeiro, known as the Marvelous City, is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It’s a wonderful city to travel to! There are unforgettable landscapes all around Rio and nature is unique....

Pros: Beautiful places and nice beaches
Cons: Public transports

Review Topic:  Sights & Attractions

If you are pretending came to Rio, just bring your motivation, you'll enjoy a lot.

First, i want to tell you that i live in Rio since i was born.

You can find a lot of...

Pros: Women, Partying, Food, Some sightseeing
Cons: Don't have any

I've been to Rio two times. Once in Oct of 99 and the other in July 00. I'll be going back in early December 00. Therefore, it is quite apparent that I enjoy this place. What I enjoy best about Rio are the women (some of the most beautiful women in...

Pros: beautiful, full of culture, lively, fun
Cons: none!!

Rio De Janeiro, better known as the "Cidade maravilhoso" Marvelous city is a rockin' city. Let me tell you the Brazilians sure know how to party. This city is full of culture, but first a bit about geography. A city couldn't be placed in a...

Pros: The sensible way of touch
Cons: You will fall in love

Rio de Janeiro Girls

Too many things has been written about Rio de Janeiro.The beauty of a city
between the mountains and the sea, the unbelievable carnival, the mood of the people, the nightlife, the beaches, and so on. But to tell you...

Pros: Weather, Beaches, Light clothing, Coconut water, Caipirinha,
Cons: Social gaps, crime, poor transportation system.

200 words to describe Rio?


Bossa Nova was born in Rio many may have been exposed to “Girl from Ipanema” by Tom Jobim (who created Bossa Nova). Once you get to the top of Pao de Acucar Mountain with one of most breath taking views with the sound of live Bossa Nova you may understand why Cariocas are so proud of their city.

To enjoy the view without Bias one must block pre assumptions of social Gaps as if it was invented in Rio and/or Brazil, it is just of an extension of several levels of social problems as we find everywhere at higher or lower levels.

There are places where tourists should not adventure “favelas” . Discretion is always recommended when walking around, don’t make yourself too visible with personal belongings.

People are extremely friendly. Rios isn’t known for good service, however one may not have a hard time finding an English Speaking person.

Skimpy clothing is a must to fit in. Dress very casually, very light, avoid hats, big cameras around your neck, tight shorts and Havainas sandals and you will blend in like a glove and feel at home.

Must try Caipirinha, local drink.

Pros: Lots of things to do
Cons: Be careful with who you are dealing with.

Great Place to visit although I had problems since the beginning. Wonderful city, lots of things to do you won´t get bored. Now make sure you book a hotel renting an apartment can be painful. I had a bad experience with the IBIBRAS SCJ apartments for rent. Don´t trust this people.