Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is one of Brazil’s most iconic cities, famous for its dramatic mountains, golden beaches, samba, and legendary Carnival. But beyond the postcards, Rio has plenty of surprising stories and quirky details that make it truly unforgettable.

• The Name Means River – “Rio de Janeiro” translates roughly to “January River.” Portuguese explorers arrived in the area in January 1502 and mistakenly believed the entrance to Guanabara Bay was a river.
• Christ Looks Over Rio – The enormous Christ the Redeemer statue stands atop Corcovado Mountain overlooking the city. It became one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.
• Carnival Takes Over – Rio’s Carnival is one of the world's most famous celebrations, featuring spectacular samba parades, elaborate costumes, and huge crowds. The samba schools prepare their performances for months.
• Copacabana Is Famous – Copacabana Beach is one of Rio’s best-known landmarks and stretches for several kilometers along the Atlantic coast. Its distinctive wave-patterned pavement has become an icon of the city.
• Sugarloaf Has Two Peaks – Sugarloaf Mountain is actually part of a pair of striking granite peaks at the entrance to Guanabara Bay. Its unusual shape helped make it one of Rio’s most recognizable natural landmarks.
• A City In A Forest – Rio contains the Tijuca National Park, one of the world's largest urban forests. Much of the forest was replanted in the 19th century after extensive land clearing had damaged the area.
• Home Of Samba – Samba is deeply connected to Rio’s cultural identity and Carnival traditions. The city's samba communities helped transform the music and dance into an internationally recognized symbol of Brazil.
• It Was Once Capital – Rio de Janeiro served as the capital of Brazil for almost two centuries. The capital was moved to Brasília in 1960 as part of a plan to encourage development further inland.
• Beaches Meet Mountains – Few major cities have such dramatic geography packed into one place. In Rio, steep green mountains, dense neighborhoods, tropical forest, lagoons, and famous beaches can all be found surprisingly close together.
• The Marvelous City – Rio is often nicknamed “Cidade Maravilhosa,” meaning “Marvelous City.” The nickname perfectly captures the city's spectacular combination of natural scenery, music, festivals, and urban life.