A city between the forest, the mountain and the sea

Founded in 1565, Rio was Brazil's capital for nearly two centuries and keeps that legacy on every corner of Centro: palaces, theaters, baroque churches and the houses of Santa Teresa. At the same time, it's a city that lives outdoors — cariocas wake up early to walk the boardwalk and end the day at a sidewalk table in a boteco.

In 2012 Unesco recognized Rio's cultural landscape as World Heritage: the first time an entire urban landscape received the title. It's the meeting of Corcovado, Tijuca Forest, Sugarloaf and Guanabara Bay that makes Rio what it is.

The four faces of Rio

Each area of the city has its own way of welcoming visitors.

• Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and Botafogo: beach, nightlife and the city's highest concentration of hotels.
• Historic Rio and Porto Maravilha: museums, colonial churches, the Boulevard Olímpico and the VLT tram.
• Barra da Tijuca, Recreio and Grumari: long beaches, preserved nature and major arenas.
• Maracanã, Quinta da Boa Vista and the soul of samba in the schools' rehearsal halls.

• Sea — Urban beaches, islands in Guanabara Bay and the best sunset at Arpoador.
• Mountain — Tijuca Forest, Pedra Bonita and trails with views over the entire city.
• Culture — Samba, bossa nova, museums, theaters and a Carnival the whole world watches.
• Climate — Sunshine all year round, averaging 26 °C, with an intense summer between December and March.

First time in Rio?

Start with Cristo Redentor and Pão de Açúcar, set aside an afternoon for the historic Centro and a late afternoon at Arpoador. Then just pick a beach and a boteco.

Founded in 1565, Rio was the capital of Brazil for almost two centuries and keeps this heritage on every corner of the Center: palaces, theatres, Baroque churches and the house of Santa Teresa. At the same time, it is a city that lives outdoors — the carioca wakes up early to walk on the sidewalk and ends the day in a table bar on the sidewalk.

In 2012 UNESCO recognized the Rio cultural landscape as a World Heritage Site: it was the first time an entire urban landscape received the title. It is the meeting between the Corcovado, the Floresta da Tijuca, the Pão de Açúcar and the Guanabara Bay that makes Rio what it is.

The four faces of Rio

Every part of the city has its own way of getting in.

• Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and Botafogo: beach, nightlife and the highest concentration of hotels in the city.
• The Historical River and the Wonder Harbor: museums, colonial churches, the Boulevard Olímpico and the VLT.
• Barra da Tijuca, Recreio and Grumari: long beaches, preserved nature and great arenas.
• Maracanã, Quinta da Boa Vista and the samba soul on the school blocks.

• Sea — Urban beaches, islands in Guanabara Bay and the best sunset in the Arpoador.
• Mountain — Floresta da Tijuca, Beautiful Stone and trails overlooking the whole city.
• Culture — Samba, bossa nova, museums, theatres and a Carnaval that the world watches.
• Climate — Sun all year round, with an average of 26 °C and intense summer between December and March.

First time in Rio?

Start with Cristo Redentor and Pão de Açúcar, book an afternoon for the Historic Center and a late afternoon at Arpoador. Then you just pick the beach and the boat.