RELAXING IN RIO

By Neil Carpenter, Latin America specialist

The “Cariocas” say that God made the world in six days and on the seventh he made Rio de Janeiro...

Relaxing in Rio

Rio de Janeiro is fairly unique in its make up. It is an urban metropolis with fantastic beaches set to a background of lush rainforest, hills and mountains. You can really appreciate the beauty of this rare mix by making a visit to the summit of Corcovado where the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer towers over the city. The instantly recognisable Sugar Loaf Mountain also offers equally mesmerizing views, especially at sunset.

Known locally as “A Cidade Maravilhosa” (Marvellous City), I find this to be one of the most exciting places in the world. This was my third visit to Rio de Janeiro and still I feel like I have only scratched the surface of what it offers. I stayed in the world famous area of Copacabana overlooking the 4.5km long beachfront. Lazy days spent on the beach are very entertaining, sitting amongst the “carioca” (native of Rio) mix of students, families, footballers, volleyball players, surfers and of course beautiful Brazilian ladies!

Eating out in Rio is relatively good value, whether you eat at a beachside “lanchonete” (snack bar), a kilo restaurant (a self service buffet restaurant where, as the name would suggest, you pay by the weight) or a traditional Brazilian Churrascaria (a steakhouse where the waiters walk around serving every type of meat imaginable). In the evenings Rio has no shortage of nightlife. The chic crowd tend to be drawn to the areas of Ipanema and Leblon whilst the more authentic samba bars can be found in the district of Lapa. Wherever you go it is difficult not become addicted to the Brazilian national drink “caipirinha”, which is a refreshing crushed ice cocktail of lime, sugar and a locally produced spirit called “cacacha”.

Cariocas are vibrant and passionate people and this was extremely evident when I was sat amongst thousands of excited Flamengo football fans at the Maracana Stadium. They were playing the second leg of a cup game with a Mexican team against whom they only needed to not lose by more than two goals in order to qualify for the next stage. Ironically they actually lost by three goals and the atmosphere around me promptly changed. My Brazilian friend insisted I was a source of bad luck!

There is so much more to explore and do within Rio and its outskirts such as a cruise around the bay of Guanabara, shopping at the Sunday Hippie Market of Ipanema (there is actually a smaller one every night at Copacabana), a day trip to the cobbled stoned mountain retreat of Petropolis, a jeep safari or trek through the Tijuca Rainforest or a visit to the modern art museum of Niterói. Within three hours drive is also the fishing village and beach resort peninsula of Buzios, the charming colonial town of Paraty and the tropical paradises of Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande (Ilha Grande is a vehicle free island). For adrenaline junkies it is possible to paraglide over Rio from São Conrado or even rock climb the face of Sugar Loaf Mountain! Rio is a fun and beautiful city that I will never find boring.