Touring Rio de Janeiro

Let me brief you about the wonderful city called Rio De Janeiro:

Districts:

• Rio’s business and financial center is Centro, which also has a large number of historical buildings.

• A large part of tourist activity is concentrated around Zona Sul located to the South Zone, and includes cities of Copacabana and Ipanema.

• Zona Oeste is an uptown area in the West Zone and is very well known for its beaches.

Almost all major landmarks and world famous beaches of Rio are located in the South Zone, covering an area of 17 square miles. The residents of Rio are famous for being friendly in nature.

History of Rio

Founded in 1565, Rio was occupied by the Portuguese as a defense against the French, who exported goods from Brazil. The Royal Family of the Portuguese moved to Brazil during Napoleon’s reign and made Rio its capital. Thus, Rio became the only city outside Europe to be a capital of a European nation. Hence, this post was retained until Brazil became an independent nation in 1822.

How to reach Rio:

By air: Considered to be one of the Brazil’s foremost transportation hubs, Rio stands next to Sao Paulo in this regard. Domestic and international flights land at the Galeao International Airport, which is again in the heart of the city and main hotels. There are air-conditioned bus services operating in the city every half-hour that ply through Galeao and Santos Dumont Airports. One can also reach tourist areas in Taxis, though they are a bit expensive. One can travel to Rio with low airfares in an off-season. The best seasons are from February to May and August to November. U.S. citizens having a passport will also have to obtain a visa for tourists from the local Brazilian Consulate. A third party, for a nominal fee of United States $ 10, can process this.

By Train:

The Central Station in Rio serves mainly the local commuter lines, hence does not serve the purpose for foreign travelers. However, it would be worthwhile to make a visit to this glorious place by bus or a subway.

By Bus:

Rodoviaria Novo Rio is the long distant bus depot in the city, situated to the North Zone of Rio. Coach buses will take you to South Zone in just about fifteen minutes, but local buses consume a longer time to take you there. You can also board the Frescao coaches, which are fully air-conditioned, just near the bus station. These coaches take you from the station to city center and major hotels in Copacabana and Ipanema.

By Car:

There are many roads connecting neighboring cities and other states of Rio, but due to lack of sufficient traffic signs, it could be difficult to find the route to get to the city center.

By Boat:

You can also travel from Niteroi to Rio de Janeiro using the Ferry service or Barcas, which will take you to Praca XV, located in the heart of the city.

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