Rio de Janeiro, which literally means River of January, is the second most populated city in Brazil. It is one of the most visited cities in Brazil and known for its natural settings, carnival, samba, bossa nova and balneario beaches. It is headquarters to many companies such as Brazilian oil, mining, telecommunication companies, Petrobras, Vale and Grupo Globo. Based on a survey done in 2006, this city has the bluest sky in the whole wide world. It is also home to the eighth biggest library in the world. The Tijuca Forest is the largest urban forest in the world which co-exists within this city. It also hosts the biggest Carnival party in the world. It has a bicycle pathway of 74 km due to which it is also known as a ‘Biking City’. In 1950, this city hosted the World Cup final which holds the record for the largest football match attendance. It also hosted the last game of the football World Cup in 2014 and the 2016 Olympic Games. It is an incredibly vibrant city, which is rich in culture and full of life. 

When to visit Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

November to March is the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro. The weather at this time is perfect to roam around the city and to hit the beaches. This is also the Carnival time in the city due to which a lot of people visit to enjoy. It is perfect for swimming and tanning as the days are hot. The weather around the city makes it easier to explore the unique and beautiful places. Apart from these months, you can travel to this city anytime in the year. It will always have something to offer to its visitors. This city will offer you a lifetime of experience to take home with you.

What to know about Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Climate

The climate of Rio de Janeiro is tropical with a relatively cool season from May to October and hot, muggy rainy season from December to March. January is the warmest month of the year with an average maximum temperature of 30 and July is the coldest month of the year with an average maximum temperature of 25. The month of January is the sunniest month of the year which receives an average of 212 hours of sunshine. December tops the list of wettest months of the year with 137mm of rainfall, while July is the driest month with 42mm of precipitation. 

Currency

The Brazilian Real (BRL) is the official currency of Brazil. All the major credit and debit cards are accepted throughout the city. Several ATM’s are also available in the city from where cash can be accessed. It is advisable to exchange your currency from any exchange bureau once after reaching the city.

Language

Portuguese is the primary and national language of Brazil which is widely spoken by most of the population.  7% of the population is fluent in English, 4% of the population is fluent in Spanish and 1.5% of the population is fluent in Hunsrik. German, Italian, Venetian, Romani, Ukrainian, Russian, Lombard, Japanese, Neapolitan and Polish are some other foreign languages used by the people in the city.

Transportations

Various transportation facilities are available in Rio de Janeiro to travel around and to visit the famous places in the city. These include:

Buses

Metros

Car hiring

Bicycle

Taxis

Ferry

Vans

Two wheeler hiring 

Train

Places of attractions in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor)

Christ the Redeemer is an art deco giant statue of Jesus Christ overlooking the sky from the 709 metre summit of Corcovado. The statue of Jesus Christ is 30 metres high and his arms stretch 28 metres wide. It was constructed between 1922 and 1931. It was almost entirely financed by the contributions from Brazilian Catholics. The weight of the statue is 635 metric tons and it is located at the peak of the 700 metre Corcovado Mountain in the Tijuca National Park. There is a chapel inside it which is an eight metre high base where it’s common to find weddings and baptisms taking place. It has become a cultural icon for both Rio de Janeiro and Brazil. It is considered as a symbol of Christianity all around the world and was also voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

The Sugarloaf Mountain

Sugarloaf Mountain is among one of the best known landmarks of Rio de Janeiro. It is a peak located at the mouth of Guanabara Bay on a peninsula. It is towered 394 metres above the harbour and is made of granite. It is a tourist attraction site which is known worldwide for its cableway and panoramic views of the city and beyond. It was named after the mounds of sugar produced in the 16th century by the traders during the boom of the sugar cane industry in Brazil. Rock climbing is also performed on the mountains which is a mixture of sport and trad. In 2006, Sugarloaf Mountain and Urca Hill Natural Monument was created which protects this mountain. In 2012, it was declared as a part of the World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 

Tijuca National Park

The Tijuca National Park is a part of the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Preserve and is an urban national park in the mountains of Rio de Janeiro. It also surrounds the Cristo Redentor, the giant statue of Jesus Christ on Corcovado. It covers an area of 3,958 hectare and is one of the world’s largest forests within a city. It is very beautiful and rich in flora and fauna. It has hundreds of species of animals and plants, many of which are threatened by extinction and found only on the Atlantic Forest biome.  The forest of this National Park contains around 30 waterfalls. You can spot many animals while exploring the trails and roads such as Capuchin monkeys, blue butterflies, Brazilian raccoon, hawks, toucans and many more.