Rio state...of mind!

Rio is the most popular state in Brazil...let's see why

Stunning beaches, fascinating landscapes, romantic getaways, fun, relax, samba, chats in bars and taverns and a lot of good vibrations. All this and a bit more can be found in Rio, the most popular state in Brazil.

Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, it offers, besides the Rio carnival, many special places for an unforgettable summer. The highlights are Paraty, with the beauty of its numerous waterfalls; Buzios, with boating beaches; and Itatiaia, where the Pico das Agulhas Negras is.

The Pão de Açúcar Mountain and Cristo Redentor are the most famous attractions of Rio de Janeiro and it is worth visiting them in at least one of the visits to the Marvelous City. The glass tram takes visitors in a few minutes to Morro da Urca, which has restaurants, bars, shops and cafeterias. Then, another cable car transports tourists to the Pão de Açúcar Mountain, where you can have a 360º view of the Marvelous City. The Cristo Redentor is on the Corcovado Mountain, and besides enjoying the monument, you can also have a panoramic view of Rio.

Less known, but very beautiful, is the Fiscal Island (Ilha Fiscal), where the "Last Ball of the Empire" was held, days before the proclamation of the Republic. Here, we highlight the Turret and the Ceremonial Wing, which features permanent exhibits that tell the story of the Island and the Navy of Brazil. You can also visit the Butterfly Zoo (Museum of Life) where you can interact with various species of butterflies of different colors and sizes in different stages of their life cycle. The Butterfly Garden, as it is called, has plants like petunias, azaleas and daisies, which are changed according to the behavior of the butterflies.

There are beaches for all tastes in Rio de Janeiro coast, from the famous Copacabana, Ipanema, Barra da Tijuca and Leblon, to the ones for those who enjoy surfing, Arpoador Beach and Reserva Beach. And for those who like to feel the sea water literally everywhere, there is, a little further, the Abricó nudist beach, which is a region of unspoilt beach, between mountain and sea, made ​​mainly of a lot of green and rocks.

The neighborhood of Lapa is from the early twentieth century, the greatest neighborhood of bohemians of Rio de Janeiro. Many bars, samba and famous concert halls like the Flying Circus, the Odyssey Theatre and Progress Casting are there. The site also features attractions like the colorful staircase Selarón, Arcos da Lapa, the Museum of Image and Sound and the Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo da Lapa. Rio de Janeiro also has a strong presence of urban art, coloring the Cariocas’ days. You can see examples in the Flamengo Subway, in the Port Zone, in the Vidigal favela, in the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Niteroi.

The Royal Portuguese Library (Biblioteca Real Gabinete Português de Leitura) is also a beautiful spot. Its architecture is in neomanuelino style and the facade is inspired by the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon, but all its fascination is on the inside. Well worth a look, if you still have time after the warm beaches and cold caipirinhas.

And to have energy to visit all this, we have our local dining suggestions, which we already warn, are not light... But what the hell, you’re on vacation! To follow the mandatory caipirinhas, you can choose Braseiro da Gávea with happy hour, a delicious salad of capers and the unmistakable Picanha meat brazier. In Aconchego Carioca you can taste the bolinho de feijoada (bean cake) served with orange segments, torresmos and lemon. And you can also choose from over 250 labels of domestic and imported beers. The crowded and frequented by musicians, soccer players and lovers of bohemian Petisco da Vila features a specialized menu of seafood. On Saturdays, the famous feijoada is the star of the evening in the bar.

Check our hostels in Rio de Janeiro and get ready to dance some Samba!