Occupying one of the most beautiful sites in the world, Rio de Janeiro has been abundantly blessed with natural attractions. World-famous constructions such as the Christ statue one of the Eight Modern Wonders of the World and the cable car up to the summit of Sugar Loaf mountain add to the sensation that the city is a giant adventure playground. The beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana are just two of the many absurdly photogenic strands in and around the city, and Tijuca National Park - the largest swathe of urban jungle in the world - will thrill outdoorsy, active types.
Hot Tips: Prise yourself off the beach long enough to see the historic downtown and pose for photos at the colorful Lapa Steps. Caution: Don't venture into Tijuca National Park without a guide or local companion - it's too easy to get lost. Many visitors to Rio aim straight for the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, and the former in particular is packed with high-rise hotels. But while beachfront lodgings maximise sunbathing time, prices are high. Expect more bang for your buck as you get farther inland, with characterful pousadas guesthouses and chic boutique lodgings to be found at inland beauty spots such as Jardim Botanico, Santa Teresa, and Gavea.
Farther west, the modern beach suburb of Barra da Tijuca is popular with business visitors due to its large conference centers. Hot Tips: The Metro link to Barra da Tijuca, introduced for the Olympic Games, make it easy to combine a business stay with sightseeing in central Rio.
Avoid: Hotels in Copacabana backstreets. It's noisy and air quality is terrible due to backed-up traffic. Foodie visitors to Rio will find everything from fine dining restaurants to tasty street food and relaxed lunches at chilled beach kiosks.
Although formal dining in the city is expensive, budget visitors can eat well and cheaply at Rio's many pay-by-weight buffet lunch spots. Vegetarians can tuck into an impossibly vast range of colorful fruits and vegetables, while carnivores will be in seventh heaven at Rio's legendary churrascarias - meat grills.
