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Rio de Janeiro Travel Tips 432435020637500Brazil's climateWinter vacations happen in July. Winter nights can be?chilly, with the temperature dropping to around 15° C. Wind and dampness could make you feel even colder, and the homes do not have a heating system. Cariocas like to joke saying phrases like "The winter of 97 happened on the night of June 9". But everybody keeps a good leather jacket or parka in the closet for eventualities. Even in the winter, if it stops raining long enough it gets hot again. Locals call this?veranico, or mini-summer. They last as long as one or two weeks, and the temperature goes up to almost 30° C. A cold front from?Argentina?always comes to spoil the fun, though, sometimes bringing a?cabe?a d'água, or sea storm. The?ressaca (rough sea) makes great photos, but play it safe and do not get too close.Weather Links TipsAvoiding pitfallsDon’t pack?flashy jewellery, gold, or platinum and diamond-studded watches.Your invaluable valuables belong in the safety box of your hotel room.Carry along a photocopy of your passport, in case you are asked to show some ID. Leave the original together with your driver's license in your safety box (unless you're driving, of course).Do not take along more cash than you need. Most restaurants and stores take plastic, anyway, and you use your debit cards ATM's at selected banks.Getting around safelyRio is a much bigger city than you imagine. Take advantage of Wi-Fi to see where you are and?use Google maps?to give you an idea on how to get to your destination. Keep in mind that Rio has hills everywhere; a straight line is not always the easiest way.Taxis?are very easy to find. You can even download an app to figure out how much a ride will cost you. Yellow taxis *must* run by the meter. Prepaid deals mean you get the short straw.Your safety first, alwaysMost safety tips here apply to any big city. Rio is big, so you have to?be streetwise.Avoid dark or isolated areas where you do not see a single soul at night Walk with a sense of purpose, as if you knew where you are going to. Looking like a victim is the first step to becoming one.Don't leave your camcorder or state-of-the-art camera swinging from your limp hand, like a shopping bag. Wear shoulder straps.If you bring along expensive cameras, camcorders or laptops, consider insurance.At the beach, do not leave your expensive camera, passport and/or cash laying around on the sand unattended while you go for a few lapsExtra cautions that make senseDo not leave your drink unattendedDon't take strangers you've just met back to your hotel room. This is the easiest way to become a victim of violence or theft. Say that your hotel does not allow visitors.If someone?accidentally?spills something on you in the street, and offers to clean it say thank you, and walk away. They may have a partner waiting for a chance to pick your wallet while you are distracted with the action.If the worse happens and you are approached by some criminal element, try and keep calm. Never fight back. They may have guns, be on drugs, could react violently. You certainly have more to lose than they do.Though police officers in the street try to be helpful, most do not speak other?languages. If you need to report something was stolen for insurance purposes, go directly to the Tourist Police Precinct (DEAT). Their office is located in Leblon, on Av. Afr?nio de Mello Franco s/n, across from Shopping Leblon.Things to do44704002667000Ipanema BeachOne long stretch of sand, Ipanema Beach is marked by postos (posts), which demarcates subcultures as diverse as the city itself. Posto 9, right off Rua Vinícius de Moraes, is Garota de Ipanema, which is where Rio’s most lithe and tanned bodies tend to migrate.Copacabana BeachA magnificent confluence of land and sea, the long, scalloped beach of Copacabana and Leme always has a flurry of activity stretching its length: overamped footballers singing their team’s anthem, cariocas and tourists lining up for caipirinhas at kiosks, favela kids showing off their football skills, and beach vendors picking their way through the mass of bronzed bodies As .P?o de A?úcarSeen from the peak of P?o de A?úcar, Rio is undoubtedly the most beautiful city in the world. There are many good times to make the ascent, but sunset on a clear day is the most rewarding A visit to P?o de A?úcar is a must, but if you can, avoid it from about 10am to 11am and 2pm to 3pm, when most tourist buses arrive. Avoid cloudy days as well.Tijuca Forest The largest urban forest in Rio, with over 100 square kilometers, is actually a smart reforestation project - the area was originally used for coffee plantations. The green carpet can be seen from most of the South Side. Its most visible landmark is the Statue of Christ, the Redeemer058864500 on Corcovado Hill. The area is so big it is easy to get lost, and we recommend going on a tour to enjoy the most of it safely.1609725187198000Points of interest include the Mayrink Chapel (with paintings by Portinari), A?ude da Solid?o, Cascatinha, the Gabriela and Taunay Falls, and the grouts of Luiz Fernandes, Paulo and Virginia. Another access to Floresta da Tijuca is via?S?o Conrado. Vista Chinesa, the Chinese Belvedere, is a scenic place to stop for photos with a view all the way to Ipanema. Another favorite overlook is Pedra Bonita (510 meters high, or about 1,500 feet). This is where hanggliders jump from, and the view is spectacular. If you are the adventurous sort, you may even go for a double flight with an experienced professional.Flamengo ParkBuilt in the 60's by Governor Carlos Lacerda, this huge green area has over 1 million square meters. It surrounds?Guanabara Bay?all the way from Flamengo to Downtown. The gardens were planned by landscape designer Burle Marx, with more than 3,000 different species of trees. There are walking trails, sports courts of all kinds, and a bicycle lane along the extension of the park. Marina da Glória has a capacity to anchor 1,500 boats. On Sundays one of the car lanes is closed to traffic and open to pedestrians. Rio's Museum of Modern Art, Carmen Miranda Museum, and the World War II Monument are in Flamengo Park (see also?museums).Quinta Da Boa VistaThis Villa on the North Side of Rio occupies an area of 560,000 square meters.?Quinta da Boa Vista?was built in the 1,600's and given as a present to Dom Jo?o VI by Portuguese merchant Elias Antonio Lopes. The Imperial Family lived here until the Republic was proclaimed. Today it is home to the National Museum - a favorite with kids with attractions ranging from Egyptian mummies to fossils (see?museums). This is also where the Museum of Fauna and Rio Zoo and the are located. There are bicycle lanes, lush gardens and lawns and a lake.Parque da Cidade and Gávea The City Park is a good excuse to visit Gávea, one of Rio's most charming neighborhoods. The park has 470,000 square meters of gardens, lawns, trails and tree-lined lanes. A small river and an old mansion that belonged to Marquês de S?o Vicente complete the package. The mansion is headquarters the City Museum, open for visitation.To reach the park take street Rua Marquês de S?o Vicente, the main street in Gávea. You will pass by Santos Dumont Square, that bustles with nightlife activity. One block ahead, on your left you will see Shopping da Gávea, one of the best neighborhood malls in Rio with an assortment of selected stores and theaters. Across from it is a bakery with deliciously fresh rolls for you to take back to your hotel, or enjoy on the spot.Further ahead on your left are the headquarters of PUC, the Catholic University, also worth a stop. Take a look at the temporary exhibitions at Solar Grandjean de Montigny, a well-preserved old mansion, and walk a bit around the campus savoring the atmosphere, Carioca style. Rio's Planetarium is next door to the other entrance to PUC. If you still have time? HYPERLINK "" \l "botanical" Jardim Bot?nico, is just a few minutes away.Corcovado399097510414000This is maybe Rio's most famous postcard: the statue of Christ blessing the city with open arms. It can be seen from most South Side neighborhoods. The statue stands on the hill of Corcovado, which is 710 m tall (about 2,400 feet). The Statue of Christ, the Redeemer is 30 meters tall (100 feet). On its base there is a chapel big enough for 150 people. This spot offers a 360° view to Rio. Come on a day with clear sky and take lovely photos! You may prefer to go with a group on a guided tour, for tips about the city's geography, the neighborhoods and some landmarks and attractions.4283710120777000If you go on your own, take a taxi to Rua Cosme Velho, 513. This is where you buy tickets for the small train that goes uphill. On your way back make sure to stop at the Museum of Na?f Art, just 30 meters away (see?museums). Largo do Boticário is another attraction in the area, with a number of houses carefully reconstructed in colonial style. From this area you can reach Paineiras, one of the most agreeable spots of the? HYPERLINK "" \l "tijuca" Tijuca Forest, with a delicious nature trail and waterfalls where you can bathe.Sugarloaf The Sugarloaf competes with?Corcovado?for the position of Rio's most famous postcard. Sugarloaf (P?o de A?úcar) is the name of a hill 369 meters high (about 1,100 feet). It stands around scenic?Guanabara Bay, and is connected by cable car to a shorter hill named Morro da Urca with 220 meters (about 650 feet).The cable ride takes two stages (3 minutes each), and it is definitely worthwhile. From the top you have a wonderful view of Rio, including historical downtown, and even Niterói - the city across the bay. Sugarloaf is in a neighborhood known as? HYPERLINK "" Urca, and can easily reached by taxi. Rio Sul and Rio Off Shopping are two malls along the way, in? HYPERLINK "" Botafogo.024257000Botanical Gardens Jardim Bot?nico, on Rua Jardim Bot?nico 1,008, is one of Rio's most interesting parks. It has one square kilometer and features over 6,200 species of plants. The tall Imperial Palms lining up the street invite you to explore the inside, with quiet lanes and peaceful niches, breathing the purest air. Jardim Bot?nico is part of Rio's heritage, and among the attractions are the Botanical Museum and Museum Casa dos Pil?es, Brazil's earliest gunpowder factory dating back to 1808. The location couldn't be more convenient: you are around? HYPERLINK "" Lagoa, and only 5 minutes away from? HYPERLINK "" Leblon!Lagoa and Tom Jobin Park40576504445000Surrounded by a bicycle lane and jogging track with an extension of 7,5 kilometers (over 4,5 miles) Lagoa is a favorite leisure area in South Side Rio. The area has been recently renovated, and there are several parks for children, sports courts of all kinds, and a number of kiosks serving gourmet food and snacks. The area between Ipanema and Jardim Bot?nico is particularly interesting. Parque da Catacumba features a permanent exhibition of sculptures by top artists like Bruno Giorgi, Caribé, and Agostinelli.For more information check out Rio Official Guide ................
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