On Corcovado Mountain, the statue of Christ the Redeemer overlooks Rio de Janeiro, \u201cthe Marvelous City.\u201d Choro beats pulsate along the coastline, as volleyballs fly over beach nets and the sweet smell of caramelized popcorn lingers around food carts. As Brazil\u2019s second-largest city, this vivacious seaside spot is bursting with energy and is waiting for you to visit.<\/p>\n
Tourist attractions<\/strong><\/p>\n The Brazilian shoreline is a mecca for sun worshippers and beach babes. Copacabana Beach has a reputation for boasting one of the most scenic coastlines in the world, while the trendy Leblon and Ipanema beaches tie for second place. These vibrant beachfronts are scattered with bronzed \u201ccariocas,\u201d spontaneous dance parties, and fresh coconuts for sale.<\/p>\n Tourists also flock to Sugarloaf Mountain, or \u201cPao de Acucar.\u201d This peak, which stands at the mouth of the Guanabara Bay and the Atlantic Ocean serves up epic views of the city. Some hop into the cable cars at Praca General Tiburcio to arrive at the summit in minutes, while the adventurous rock climb and clamber to the top.<\/p>\n Cuisine<\/strong><\/p>\n Meat lovers often chow down at churrascarias. Serving up Brazilian-style barbecue, these steakhouses pride themselves on quality meat and professional service. Pick the \u201cprato feito,\u201d which is a set meal with meat, rice, fries, and salad, or order \u201cfeijoada;\u201d a stew with beans and meat. Budgeting<\/strong><\/p>\n Unfortunately Rio de Janeiro isn\u2019t as cheap as many other South American cities. However, it\u2019s still possible to travel around this Brazilian spot without breaking the bank. For starters, avoid booking a trip during New Year\u2019s Eve and Carnival. Sure they\u2019re the most colorful, festive times of the year, but they\u2019re also the most expensive. Brazil\u2019s summer, which runs December through February, often sees more tourists and higher hotel rates. For fewer crowds and cheaper accommodations, consider a visit between April and June or September and October.<\/p>\n For everyday budgeting, street food can help cut costs, as will taking public transportation. Hop on the Rio subway system or the Frescao buses. At night, avoid walking and hail a taxi instead. Always ask the cab driver for the price of the fare before committing to a ride.<\/p>\n Safety<\/strong><\/p>\n Much like when visiting any bustling city, keep your guard up and be aware. Don\u2019t flash valuables, and avoid walking alone on empty streets, especially in the evenings. Some areas, such as \u201cAterro do Flamengo,\u201d Flamingo Park, are picturesque, but dangerous, so it\u2019s best to stay in a vehicle when exploring these areas. Also, when visiting popular attractions such as Christ the Redeemer, don\u2019t get adventurous with alternative means of transportation\u2014stick to the trains.<\/p>\n Rio de Janeiro is home to a number of \u201cfavelas,\u201d or slums\u2014some of which are safer than others. Before venturing into a favela or other destinations, speak with the hotel concierge or a tour guide for additional safety tips and advice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On Corcovado Mountain, the statue of Christ the Redeemer overlooks Rio de Janeiro, \u201cthe Marvelous City.\u201d Choro beats pulsate along the coastline, as volleyballs fly over beach nets and the sweet smell of caramelized popcorn lingers around food carts. As Brazil\u2019s second-largest city, this vivacious seaside spot is bursting with energy and is waiting for …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1134,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"video","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[231,130],"class_list":["post-1133","post","type-post","status-publish","format-video","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-unrecognized","tag-city","tag-travel","post_format-post-format-video"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nLooking for some street eats? Follow the lure of churros to the food vendor clusters. Snack on some \u201cpipoca,\u201d a sweet and salty twist on traditional popcorn with condensed milk, cheese, and bacon toppings. Or go for the flaky, deep-fried pastries, \u201cpasteis,\u201d which are stuffed with meat and cheese. \u201cQuiosques,\u201dor food stands, are also scattered along the shore, where the locals rave about the fresh coconut water and fried shrimp.<\/p>\n