Top Reasons to Go

Top Reasons to Go

Beaches

Rio's beaches define its culture: vibrant, joyful, beautiful. From infants to senior citizens, and from women in barely-there string bikinis to Speedo-wearing men -- and the tourists goggling at it all (yes, that man is wearing a thong!) -- the beach culture seduces everyone who visits. Because the beaches are intertwined with the city's urban core, the cleanliness of the ocean can vary from day to day; your hotel concierge can help you decide which beach to hit for swimming.

Carnival

Rio's Carnival is right up there with Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and carnivals in Venice and Trinidad and Tobago. Carnival celebrations unfold all over Brazil, and there's a lively debate as to whether Rio or Salvador has the best, but no other city can match Rio in terms of glitter, glitz, or downright decadence.

Music

Rio is the music capital of Brazil. It witnessed the birth of bossa nova and choro, and it is here that samba became established as Brazil's national style. A seemingly endless stream of first-class concerts of all styles of Brazilian music takes place here: classical music at the Theatro Municipal, samba at Lapa's nightclubs, and bossa nova at Ipanema's bars, to name just a few.

Eating Out

Be prepared to indulge in some of the finest dining you've experienced. The cuisine in Rio is a true reflection of the ethnic diversity within Brazil. There are wonderful Portuguese and Brazilian options, but Rio is also home to fantastic Italian and Japanese restaurants.

Enjoying the Landscape

The unique juxtaposition of sea and mountains makes Rio the beautiful city that it is. You can experience the view from the ocean by taking a boat cruise, or a more adventurous kayaking trip, or you can climb one of the many mountains of the Floresta da Tijuca by trolley or by foot to take in the view.