Local Attractions
Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon) This lake is a huge open space in the middle of the city, offering fantastic views of the Ipanema skyline, Corcovado and the Christ the Redeemer statue. At the weekend, visitors can join the city's residents for a stroll or cycle on part of or the entire 8km (5 mile) path that surrounds it. There are a number of parks, exercise stations and leisure facilities positioned around Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. Bordered by Leblon, Ipanema, Jardim Botânico and Botafogo districts
Transport: Bus marked Leblon, Ipanema or Jardim Botânico
Jardim Botânico (Botanical Gardens) A landscaped garden containing over 8,000 Brazilian and imported species of flora
Address: Rua Jardim Botânico. Tel: (21) 2294 9349. Website: www.jbrj.gov.br. Transport: Bus marked Jardim Botânico. Opening hours: Daily 0800–1700. Admission: R$4.
Tijuca National Park The Tijuca National Park is considered one of the biggest urban parks in the world, it occupies an area of 3.300 ha. The park offers various leisure attractions as well as for the cultural and ecological tourism. Among the most visited points, worth mentioning, are the Tijuca Forest, the largest urban forest replanted by man, Paineiras, Corcovado, Dona Marta Belvedere, Vista Chinesa. The park consist of three distinct scenic sets: Andaraí/Tijuca/Três Rios known as Floresta da Tijuca, Corcovado/Sumaré/Gávea Pequena and Pedra Bonita/Pedra da Gávea. Additionally the park provides eccotourism with its 16 trails duly marked practices.
Administration: Estrada da Cascatinha, 850 - Floresta da Tijuca - Alto da Boa Vista
Address: Maciço da Tijuca - seus limites confrontam-se com vários bairros, principalmente Alto da Boa Vista e Santa Teresa. Tel: (21) 2492-2252 Time: Daily, 8am-5pm
Santa Teresa District One of the most picturesque parts of Rio, Santa Teresa is located high on a hill offering stunning views across the bay, as well as the North and South Zones. Its narrow streets are lined by double-story town-houses with vivid gardens, interspersed with cultural centers, studios and restaurants surrounding its most important architectural gem - the Santa Teresa Convent. Access: Tram Car Station - Rua Lélio Gama, s/nº - Downtown - Tels: 2215-8581, 2215-8559
From 7am-8:40pm. By Bus: From Downtown - bus 206 and 214. By Car: From Glória, Laranjeiras, Rio Comprido and Riachuelo Street.
Corcovado This is one of the main scenic spots in the city, located at the Tijuca National Park, 710 meters high and giving a sweeping panorama of sea and mountain, a world famous vista. The mountain is crowned by the statue of Christ the Redeemer, 30 meters high with a 8 meter pedestal with a chapel to honor our Lady of Aparecida, patron Saint of Brazil. Access By train: Corcovado Railroad Station – Tel.: 2558-1329. Daily, every 30 minutes, from 8:30am - 6:30pm, with a stop at Paineiras. Along the 3.820 meters railway, you can enjoy the theme gardens, with flowers and exotic plants, various types of fruit and a garden in honor of landscape artist Roberto Burle Marx. The route is well signposted and twenty sculptures showing folkloric and religious themes are on exhibition. By car: Information - Tijuca National Park - Tel.: 2492-2252, 2492-2253. Via Cosme Velho, take Ladeira dos Guararapes, then take the steepest street to the right, Rua Conselheiro Lampréia to the intersection signposted “Corcovado- Mirante” and turn to the left. Once on Estrada das Paineiras there is a new signpost ”Paineiras-Corcovado”, go up to the intersection with the Estrada do Mirante Dona Marta, continue keeping to the right until Largo das Paineiras. There, keep to the left on Estrada do Corcovado, pass by the Ibama Post, and up all the way to Corcovado, there you will find parking lots. Address: Rua Cosme Velho, 513 - Cosme Velho. Website: http://www.corcovado.com.br Note: passenger cars must go only until Paineiras, where there are parking lots available.
High up in the Corcovado Hill, only vans authorized by TurisRio can go up and taxies must get back to the Paineiras parking lot.
Sugar Loaf The unquestionable beauty and location of the Sugar Loaf plays a leading role in attracting visitors to Rio de Janeiro. The attractions of this hill-top plateau include a heliport, a panoramic restaurant and an amphitheater. The second stage of the cable-car covers 750 meters to the top of Sugar Loaf, at a height of 396 meters. From this viewpoint, the visitor has an uninterrupted view over the bay to Niterói, flanked by beaches and lagoons, with important historic buildings such as the Santa Cruz Fort and Fiscal Island.
In the boarding areas of the Praia Vermelha and Sugar Loaf cable car terminals, three platforms were inaugurated, for the disabled and for those with mobility problems.
Access to the Urca Hill is by the first leg of the cable-car, traveling some 575 meters form Praia Vermelha to a height of 220 meters above sea level, with a beautiful view over Botafogo and the Guanabara Bay. Website: http://www.bondinho.com.br Time: Daily, 8am-7:50pm (every 30 minutes)
Copacabana Fort Inaugurated in 1914 on the promontory of the old Nossa Senhora de Copacabana chapel, the Copacabana Fort was first built to strengthen the defenses protecting the Guanabara Bay. These fortifications still retain their original characteristics, with twelve meters thick walls facing the sea and weapons made by Krupp. This was the setting for one of the most heroic episodes in brazil’s military history - known as the 18 of the fort - which took place on July 5th1922. The Fort also houses the Army History Museum. Address: Praça Coronel Eugênio Franco, 1 - Posto 6 Tel: (21) 2287-3781 E-mail: rp@fortedecopacabana.com.br Website:http://www.fortecopacabana.ensino.eb.br Time: Tues-Sun, 10am-5pm
Municipal Theatre Visits with specialized bilingual guides, from 1pm-5pm (by appointment) - Tel.: 2299-1667
Designed and built by A Guilbert and Francisco de Oliveira Passos, the theatre was inaugurated on July 14, 1909. The main murals are by Eliseu Visconti (those of the foot and back drop) and by Rodolfo Amoedo. Mosaics are by Henrique Bernardelli. Address: Praça Floriano, s/nº - Centro. Tel: (21) 2262-3935. Website: http://www.theatromunicipal.rj.gov.br
Paquetá Island Located in the heart of Guanabara Bay, the entire island is considered a tourist attraction. In the verses of Brazilian poet Hermes Fontes, Paqueta Island was sung as ”A deep sky that begins in this world whose end is uknown”. Over the years its visitors have all borne witness to the lyricism of its landscapes where flamboyants stand out among other flowers set in this greenery. Here unbroken peace reigns in the total absence of motor vehicles.
How to get there: Ferry-boats or Hydrofoils. Call Center: Tel.: 4004-3113. Address: Praça Quinze de Novembro – Centro. Tel: (21) 2532-6274 / (21) 2533-7524
Quinta da Boa Vista This complex, situated on the beautiful grounds of the former imperial palace, contains the Museu Nacional, the Jardim Zoologico, pools and statues. Address: Av. Pedro II. Sao Cristóvão. Tel: 021 2568 8262
Beaches
Copacabana & Leme 4.15 km long, curving sinously along elegant Av. Atlântica, as far as Copacabana Fort. The first kilometer is called Leme, and from there to the fort Copacabana.
Ipanema Between Arpoador and Jardim de Alah it is 2 km long. Renowned for the hit tune “Girl from Ipanema”.
Leblon Runs from Ipanema up to the rocky cliffs pierced by Av. Niemeyer.
Arpoador Runs from Copacabana Fort to Av. Vieira Souto at Francisco Otaviano street.
Barra da Tijuca Runs along Sernambetiba Ave. as far as Recreio. The longest beach in the city, 15km long.
Museums
Museu Internacional do Arte Naif (International Naive Art Museum) The Museu Internacional do Arte Naif contains one of the most comprehensive collections of naive art (folk art) in the world. The simplistic, colourful exhibits line the walls of an historic mansion, situated next door to Corcovado Railroad Station. The museum displays a selection of its collection of over 8,000 works of folk art, which were created between the 14th century and the present day by artists from Brazil and 130 other countries. Works include a huge painting depicting Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara Bay, as well as a mural that tells the history of Brazil and is the largest naive art canvas in the world. The museum also displays temporary exhibits by renowned naive artists throughout the year. Address: Rua Cosme Velho 561, Cosme Velho. Tel: (21) 2205 8612. Fax: (21) 2205 8884. E-mail: mian@museunaif.com.br Website: www.museunaif.com.br Transport: Bus 180, 181, 182, 183 or 184 from Centro and Flamengo; bus 583 or 584 from Botafogo, Copacabana and Ipanema (marked Cosme Velho). Opening hours: Tues–Fri 1000–1800, Sat and Sun 1200–1800. Admission: R$8.
Museum of Modern Art An impressive collection of the likes of Picasso, Max Ernst, Rodin, Brancusi and other artists from Brazil. An impressive collection of the likes of Picasso, Max Ernst, Rodin, Brancusi and other artists from Brazil and elsewhere is housed in this concrete and glass building in Flamengo Park. Address: Av. Infante Dom Henrique, 85. Parque do Flamengo Tel: 210-2188
National Museum Appropriately set in an old colonial building, this museum contains stunning artifacts, including coins, cannons, documents and religious art. Appropriately set in an old colonial building, this museum contains stunning artifacts, including coins, cannons, documents and religious art, which provide a glimpse into Brazilian history. Address: Royal Palace. Federal University Rio de Janeiro
National Fine Arts Museum (Museu Nacional de Belas Artes) Inside this French Renaissance-style building is a collection of paintings by Brazil's finest contemporary artists as well as an impressive array of folk and African art. Address: Av. Rio Branco, 199. Tel: (21)-2240-0068
Amsterdam Sauer Museum This museum has a replica of a mine, and a variety of rough stones and gems in virtually every imaginable color. Address: Rua Garcia D’ Avila, 105
