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Away from the highway: Ilha Grande

West of Rio de Janeiro lies one of the most beautiful landscapes in Brazil: the Costa Verde (Green Coast). No greater contrast is imaginable: Rio’s overpopulated favelas, loud traffic jams and droves of tourists make way for tropical rainforest, colonial towns and quiet tropical beaches. The highlight along the Green Coast is Ilha Grande, the ‘Large Island’, which has been declared a national park.

Nature

Boating along 107 tropical beaches

The red-ruffed fruitcrow, brown howler monkey, maned sloth, red-browed Amazon and broad-snouted caiman are just some of the endangered species that make their home in this pristine Atlantic Rainforest. The entire island is a protected national park and therefore completely car-free. Stay at an eco-lodge or pousada in the main town of Vila do Abraão and explore the almost 200-square-kilometre island on foot along 16 marked walking routes. You can also ride a mountain bike through forest-clad hillsides to visit various waterfalls or take a boat tour along the many bays, coves and beaches. The island’s beaches are perfect for spending a lazy day in a hammock or enjoying a picnic. You will also find excellent diving and snorkelling sites. In addition to large schools of colourful fish, you may also come nose to nose with a sea turtle or dolphin. Cariocas are right: Ilha Grande is paradise on earth.

Eco-hostel, boutique hotel or jungle lodge?

Because of its protected status, Ilha Grande only offers small-scale, eco-friendly accommodations. A great budget option is Aquario Hostel, located next to a beautiful beach with a natural swimming pool. Another option is the Jungle Lodge, which is situated in the rainforest just outside of the village and offers various boat and hiking tours. If you’re looking for a more exclusive stay, take a short boat trip from Abraão to the Asalem: a luxurious hide-away on a blue bay. Keep in mind that the exuberant biodiversity of Ilha Grande means that insects also have free reign – so come armed with a hefty supply of insect repellent.

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Nature

Beach

Arts & Culture

Nightlife

Nature

Rio de Janeiro is the only city in the world that has a rainforest inside its city limits: the Tijuca National Park. This 'urban rain forest' is a tropical oasis of calm and vast space, gentle murmuring waterfalls and cheerfully chirping birds. Snakes, iguanas, ocelots, sloths, agoutis and howler monkeys – they all live right outside the hustle and bustle of the streets.

Beach

Copacabana is without a doubt the most famous beach in the world. The boulevard was designed by Brazilian architect Roberto Burle Marx, Fred and Ginger danced in the Copacabana Palace Hotel, and celebrities such as Marlene Dietrich and Lady Diana have stayed here. The beach along the crescent-shaped bay is dozens of metres wide and is beautifully situated between rock formations and swaying palm trees. It is always busy here: from daybreak until way past sundown.

Arts & Culture

Strangely enough, Rio de Janeiro’s most famous building is actually not in Rio but across the bay in Niterói − a separate municipality that houses the landmark Museu de Arte Contemporânea. The museum is designed by Brazil’s most famous architect, Oscar Niemeyer, and resembles a snow white flying saucer, which stands in sharp contrast with the (usually) bright blue sky.

Arts & Culture

Admittedly, most visitors come to Rio de Janeiro to enjoy the sun, sea and magnificent views from the statue of Christ the Redeemer on top of Corcovado Mountain. Art and culture are usually not on top of the list. However, the inauguration of various new prestigious art museums may change all that.

Beach

Ipanema is nearly as famous (and as beautiful) as Copacabana – thanks in part to the Bossa Nova classic ‘The Girl from Ipanema’. The ultimate summer hit from 1964 was composed 2 years earlier by Tom Jobim and immortalized by the voice of Astrud Gilberto. The song was recently covered by Bebel Gilberto. And the girl from Ipanema? She really exists and her name is Helô Pinheiro.

Arts & Culture

If you picture Rio de Janeiro as a person, the beach of Ipanema would be the body’s strong tanned legs. Vibrant Lapa would be the swaying hips and above that would be the vital organs. Santa Teresa is the artistic heart of the city, packed with galleries and street art. This is the place to immerse yourself in Rio’s art scene.

Nightlife

Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival is world famous. Every year, this huge exuberant spectacle begins 40 days before Easter and represents 5 days of celebrations. Millions of Brazilians and visitors who travel here from around the world come to experience this extravaganza. During Carnival, the streets are filled with music, dance and colourful parades.

Arts & Culture

From the top of Corcovado – at 710 metres – the statue of Christ the Redeemer towers high above Rio. With its arms wide open, the statue has guarded the city since 1931. This 38-metre-high statue is Rio de Janeiro’s landmark monument and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

Nature

Rio de Janeiro is the only city in the world with a rainforest inside its city borders. The National Park of Tijuca measures 33 square kilometres and harbours a great diversity of flora and fauna. Iguanas, howler monkeys, snakes and many different kinds of birds make their home just outside Rio’s dense neighbourhoods. A natural paradise in the centre of a metropolis.

Beach

There are few cities that have a beach as their main attraction, but Rio de Janeiro has several. And no 2 beaches are alike: some are great for surfing, others for partying and then there are beaches for simply kicking back in the sun with a good book. Rio's beaches are the playground of the busy city.

Arts & Culture

The neighbourhood of Lapa is right in the city centre of Rio: combine your sightseeing with a great night on the town. With its colonial aqueduct, colourful art projects, green parks and countless bars, Lapa is fun day and night.