Remote and very colorful is the South American country of Brazil. Rio de Janeiro is the main city of this country, which is considered the second capital and concurrently the largest resort center on the entire east coast of South America. Its name literally translates into Russian as "January River". It was in this month many centuries ago that the famous navigator Gaspard de Lemos landed on such distant shores. Sailing through the bay, he thought it was a river. Since then, the name has stuck with the region and has become a global reference for summer, fun and vibrant colors.
How far is Brazil from us
Rio de Janeiro is a metropolis that has no direct flights from any Russian city. Therefore, everyone who wants to relax there will have to make at least one transplant, or even two. A more economical option is to stop in Sao Paulo, from where domestic flights take off every few hours to Rio. Such a trip will take you only an extra hour of time, and in terms of finances it will cost no more than $ 70. You can also fly through Miami, howeverin this case, you will have to settle a lot of nuances related to visas and other documents, because you will also cross the US border. And, of course, America as a state will require a much higher fee for flight services than Brazil. Rio de Janeiro, paradoxically, is a city where you can relax cheaply, but in order to get to it, you will need to shell out a considerable amount.
Visa… is it necessary to travel to Rio?
Since Russian tourists have recently become much more affordable to travel abroad than in past decades, the visa issue is now also much more acute. Today, far from every state can be just like that to get even in order to just relax for one or two weeks. You need to provide the embassy with a lot of paperwork, certificates and permits, and only then you can get a long-awaited visa that will allow you to see a new corner of the world. Much simpler conditions for domestic travelers were provided by sunny Brazil. Rio de Janeiro can only be visited if you have a passport, return tickets and a document confirming your hotel reservation. You can stay in the territory of this state for 90 days every six months.
A climate that allows you to sunbathe all year round
The weather in Rio de Janeiro is a real find for lovers of a summer that never ends. It is always sunny and hot here, both in winter and in summer, especially since it is speci althere is no difference between these seasons. Since the metropolis is located in the southern hemisphere of our planet, winter here is always characterized by higher temperatures, and summer pleases local residents with cool evenings and fresh ocean breeze. The hottest month in Rio is January. The daytime temperature rises above 30, the ocean bay warms up to 26-27 degrees. A gradual decline in such heat begins in April-May, and in summer the daytime temperature no longer exceeds 27 Celsius. Also in summer, the wind rises here, which forms waves that are ideal for windsurfing. That is why the second capital of Brazil - Rio de Janeiro - is a resort city where you can ideally relax at any time of the year.
What if you just arrived in Rio?
The first thing every tourist who is in an unfamiliar city is supposed to do is to get to the hotel. To do this, you can use public transport, namely the bus, because there are a dime a dozen of them. In order to get into the salon, you just need to wave your hand, and the driver will stop, and he will drop you off where you ask. Public transport in the metropolis is very comfortable, and the fare is mere trifles. Buses ply almost all areas of the city, including the narrowest streets, and, as a rule, you don’t have to wait long for them. Also, the resort capital of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, is full of private taxis. Quickly and with a breeze, the driver will take you to the hotel and will be extremely grateful if youleave him a tip. Like in a restaurant, deduct ten percent of the meter and give it to the driver.
Hotel centers in the resort capital of Brazil
Rio de Janeiro hotels remain a separate topic for all travelers. Brazil, in principle, is an inexpensive country in which you do not have to leave a fortune in order to simply relax in a human way. However, in Rio, the cost of temporary residence is fabulously overpriced. The best hotel complexes are built along the most famous coast of Copacabana, where it is always fun and noisy. Living in such an area, you will be aware of all the events, do not miss a single party and be able to make a lot of new acquaintances. A quieter, but no less expensive and chic place to stay is the coast of Ipanema. Citizens of the USA, Europe, some Russians prefer to relax here. It is also worth remembering that in the winter months, rates in all hotels increase several times due to the New Year and Carnival.
Local cuisine and its features
The metropolis of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) can boast of special culinary traditions. Photos of many culinary masterpieces repeatedly flashed before us on blue screens, but their recipes and even taste remained a big secret for us. Going to the east coast in the South Atlantic, you can finally taste it all, and maybe learn how to cook yourself. Since slaves from Africa were exiled to Brazil for centuries, the state became a stronghold of Arab and Europeantraditions, which were supplemented by the customs of local Indians. Therefore, the “named” dish of Rio is feijoada, which consists of beans, smoked meats, spices and many other ingredients. You can taste this miracle in any restaurant in the city, and everywhere it will have its own special, different flavor.
Other Gastronomic Benefits of Rio
In addition to the unique cuisine that combines the traditions of the East, Europe and the wild tribes of the Amazon, local drinks also deserve special applause. The resort and very warm Brazilian capital of Rio de Janeiro is a storehouse of various wines, both dry, which will be an excellent addition to a meat dinner, and sweet, nutmeg, which will continue your enjoyment of any dessert. This drink is served here in restaurants, and it can also be purchased at local stores. An important place in Brazilian culture is occupied by coffee, which is simply masterfully brewed here. Even in a beach cafe where everyone comes, these fragrant grains will be boiled for you so that you will never forget their aroma. We also do not forget that in Brazil they still prepare first-class beer. Locals prefer the brand Brama, a drink that is moderately frothy and very pleasant to the taste. Well, the "alcoholic symbol" of Rio and all of Brazil is cachaca. It is a high turnover drink comparable to Mexican tequila.
Sights of the resort capital
You will definitely not be able to explore and comprehend the secrets of this city in a few days. There is almost everything here: both museums andancient squares, and buildings in the colonial style, and places for outdoor activities. If you decide to walk around the whole of Rio de Janeiro, a map is the first thing you need. You can buy it at any kiosk or shop, both in Portuguese and in English. As a rule, tourist trips start from the noisy beaches of Copacabana, where there are cafes, discotheques, shops, and even botanical areas. At night, a market opens here, where you can buy everything from spices to jewelry. In the old part of the city, you will find colonial buildings, which adjoin sculptural masterpieces that tell the history of the city and the country. On the outskirts of the city there are favelas - slums inhabited by poor people and mainly the Rio mafia. Be sure to climb the mountain, to Jesus, who has been keeping this wonderful city from adversity for many centuries.
New Year and Carnival are the main events of the country
Practically every inhabitant of the planet knows perfectly well what the city of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) looks like on New Year's Eve. The carnival that takes place here gathers on the streets not only all residents of the metropolis, but also tourists from all over the world. They come here in advance to at least get a glimpse of the most colorful and noisy action that has ever existed in the world. According to the rules, this holiday should be held 40 days before Easter, in honor of the beginning of Lent. It is, as it were, a symbol of farewell to carnal pleasures, the lastduring the day, when you can eat meat and perform incendiary dances. However, the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro always coincides with the date of the New Year, which makes it possible to combine two such significant holidays. In this city, this celebration is the day of the national dance - samba, and during it the best choreographic achievements of the year are demonstrated, as well as the most unique and colorful costumes.
What exactly is happening on this holiday?
In fact, preparations for the celebration begin a few days before it starts. The jury, which includes not only local choreographers, but also foreigners, selects dance groups that demonstrate the best skills in the art of performing samba. The chosen ones go to the final, that is, to the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, where one single winner is also determined. However, all those dancers who make it to this final are already, in fact, considered the best, since it can be said that they represent their country on the international stage. Every year, costumes are sewn for everyone who takes part in this action, which are used only once. After the Carnival, decorations and clothes are simply thrown into the landfill, and the city is immersed in its daily activities and concerns, and the dancers multiply their strength to show their best results a year later.
Things to remember if you want to go to Carnival
During the period of the main dance competition of the city and the whole country, prices for housing, food, and travel instantly rise. First of all, tourists have problems finding a hotel. Therefore, places should be booked a month in advance, or even earlier, along with plane tickets. We also do not forget that all hotels exclusively rent rooms only on a four-day package. Therefore, if you want to stay in Rio for only two days, you still have to pay, as for four days. It is recommended to buy tickets for the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro in advance, so that you can take the most comfortable seats from which you can see everything. And then this competition, which takes place throughout the night, and is accompanied by a parade of beautiful scenery and costumes, will be remembered by you for many years. Finally, it is worth noting that during the period of this celebration, many local residents leave the city. Therefore, on the streets you will encounter a mass of tourists who come here from all over the world. Remember that each person has his own mentality and his own views on life, so it is not recommended to enter into an argument. There is also an increase in crime during the Carnival in Rio, so be careful not to wander into the favelas.
Horizons not to be forgotten
With full confidence we can say that the real eighth wonder of the world is the city of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). The map of the world places it far from our lands, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, but it’s still worth getting to and inspecting it. Despite the fact that the Europeans brought their religion and traditions here, the local charm and mystery have been preserved in these lands. And in addition to those monuments that have been left in Rio by various eras, natural we alth deserves special attention. You only need to climb the Sugar Loaf to see the endless horizon, where sky and ocean, clouds and blue waters merge.
