Rio is an extraordinary city which has long been one of our favourite cities. It is a place full of energy and the city's incomparable setting of beaches, ocean and mountains, watched over by the iconic Statue of Christ atop Corcovado Mountain, is unforgettable. Copacabana and Ipanema are probably the most famous beaches in South America and the views from the cable car up to Sugarloaf Mountain are incredible. There are some great restaurants, excellent clubs and plenty of places to explore, including the dense forest of Tijuca and nearby small towns such as Petropolis.
Smaller beach resorts
Along the coast both north and south of the city lie smaller resorts to relax in when you tire of the hustle and bustle of city life with Angra dos Reis, Ilha Grande and Paraty to the south and Buzios to the north.
The Rio Carnival
Of course there is also the Rio Carnival, the most famous carnival of all. It takes place every February just before Ash Wednesday. The Brazilians celebrate with drums, singing and dancing in the street in an explosion of colour, music and lavish and outrageous costumes.
Hotels do impose minimum stays of 4-5 nights during the carnival period and early booking is essential as many hotels are booked up months in advance. We can arrange tickets to the Sambadrome where the best Samba schools parade, the highlight of any carnival experience.
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