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Rio de Janeiro is home to some of the most famous and recognizable attractions anywhere, most of which you probably have heard about or seen pictures of at some point in your life. The beach life of Rio de Janeiro is perhaps its most famous characteristic, with an emphasis on friendly interactions, a relaxed pace of living, and a decidedly informal style of dress and conversation. There are many, many stunning beaches in the city, the most famous of which are Ipanema and Copacabana. These and other beach areas are located relatively close to each other, making it easy to walk from one to the other during the day.
Landmarks and historical sights are plentiful in and around Rio de Janeiro, including Pao de Acucar (Sugar Loaf Mountain) and the iconic statue Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) on top of Corcovado. Both of these stunning locations are easily accessible via tram and are not to be missed during your holiday vacation. With these tremendous sights located so close it's easy to see why local residents refer to Rio de Janeiro as the cidade maravilhosa (marvellous city).
Visiting the beaches of Rio de Janeiro is another "must do" activity because they are so famous and so beautiful. The best beaches for tourists to visit include Copacabana and Ipanema because they are patrolled most frequently by law enforcement and considered the safest for foreigners to enjoy. You can expect to encounter a wide array of beach vendors selling everything from food to sun glasses to t-shirts to drinks and much more. In most cases they will not approach you unless you call them over or otherwise indicate you want to see what they have to sell.
The celebration of Carnaval lasts for nearly two weeks and is routinely mentioned as the biggest party in the world. During this time, Rio de Janeiro's streets are filled with parades, music, dancing, and general celebration beginning each evening and easily continuing until dawn the next day. The samba schools of Rio are very famous for their elaborate parade dances during Carnaval, but don't worry too much if you can't make it during the celebration itself. Most of the schools conduct large outdoor practice sessions for several months leading up to Carnaval, and these sessions are increasingly popular with tourists.
In addition to its vibrant flavour and historic sights, Rio de Janeiro is unfortunately also known for having fairly high rates of crime and violence. Most of this occurs in the non-tourist focused areas of the city, however, so if you stick to the well travelled areas you should be just fine. Pickpockets are still a problem, though, so avoid carrying large amounts of cash; also leave your jewellery, electronic devices, and cell phones at home to avoid having them be targeted as well.
Flying into Rio de Janeiro, you will most likely land at Galeao International Airport located just outside of the main city. This location is served by most major international carriers and direct flights are available from many of the world's largest cities. Visitors can easily get from the airport into the city proper via bus, taxi, or rental car.
If you are interested in an exotic and memorable holiday adventure, you should absolutely consider making Rio de Janeiro your vacation destination!
Wiki:- Rio de Janeiro
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