Rio de Janeiro is one of the most visited cities in the Southern Hemisphere and is known for its natural settings, carnival, samba, bossa nova, and balneario beaches.
In addition to the beaches, some of the most famous landmarks include the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado mountain, named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World; Sugarloaf Mountain with its cable car; the Sambódromo (Sambadrome), a permanent grandstand-lined parade avenue which is used during Carnival; and Maracanã Stadium, one of the world’s largest football stadiums.
Historically, from the colonial period until the first independent era, Rio de Janeiro was a city of slaves. There was a large influx of African slaves to Rio de Janeiro: Between 1811 and 1831, at least a million slaves arrived in Rio de Janeiro through Valongo Wharf, which is now a World Heritage Site. The Port of Rio de Janeiro was the largest port of slaves in the Americas.
Plan to spend at least 3-5 days days in Rio de Janeiro, the main cultural hub in Brazil. Enjoy the city’s amazing natural setting, explore its amazing architecture of churches and iconic buildings and definitely make room to appreciate the African influences on the Brazilian way of life, which include traditional foods, religions, and popular music and dance, especially the samba.
