Sights+to+See

**Corcovado /Cristo Redentor** website: []

The city of Rio sits within the long shadow of one of the worlds newest seven wonders - Christ the Redeemer. Christ the Redeemer is a statue of Jesus nestled in the city of Rio. It is considered the second largest Art Deco statue in the world. It is 39.6 metres (130 ft) tall, including its 9.5 metres (31 ft) pedestal, and 30 metres (98 ft) wide. It weighs 635 tonnes (625 long,700 short tons), and is located at the peak of the 700-metre (2,300 ft) Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park overlooking the city. A symbol of Christianity, the statue has become an icon of Rio and Brazil. It is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone, and was constructed between 1922 and 1931. From Cristo, you can get some pretty amazing panoramic views of Rio. There are many options for getting there including tour groups, taxis, or buses all of which end up at the train station. It costs $36 reais for a roundtrip ticket that will take you to the stairway to heaven (220 steps). And for those who don't feel like putting in the effort there is a elevator as well as an escalator. For those who are on a budget take the 584 bus which runs through almost all the tourist areas and deposits you right at the train station for a mere $2 reais. It's the best deal in town!

**Sugar Loaf (Pao de Acucar)** website: []

Sugar loaf Mountain (in Portuguese, //Pão de Açúcar//), is a peak situated in Rio, at the mouth of Guanabara Bay on a peninsula that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocea. Rising 396 metres (1,299 ft) above the harbor, its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined loaf sugar. The mountain is only one of several morros of granite and quartz that rise straight from the water's edge around Rio. A glass-paneled cable car (in Portuguese, //bondinho// - more properly called //teleférico//), capable of holding 65 passengers, runs along a 1400-metre route between the peaks of //Pão de Açúcar// and //Cara de Cão// every 20 minutes. The area around the Sugar Loaf has a great beach (they call it the red beach). The sights from the top of the Sugar Loaf are breathtaking! You take a cable car up to one mountain, then again to the highest mountain.



**Arpoador Beach/Rocks** Arpoador beach is a small beach that's popular with surfers, who, thanks to giant spotlights, can surf day or night. It's located between the larger Copacabana beach and Ipanema beach. From Arpoador you have a fantastic view of both the Copacabana and Ipanema neighborhoods. Beach access to Arpoador is open only to pedestrians, and if you walk the length of the lane you'll come to Garota de Ipanema Park. If you are familiar with or know Portuguese you may recognize the name of this park as "Girl from Ipanema," named after a classic song composed by Tom Jobim.Garota de Ipanema Park is a wonderful place if you enjoy in-line skating - take care though! You don't want to get distracted by the amazing ocean view. Garota de Ipanema Park also offers free song and dance performances on the weekend as well a viewpoint where you can enjoy the view of Arpoador beach, Ipanema beach, and Leblon beach. Along the rock formations of Arpoador is an amazing place to see the sunrise or sunset! 

**Floresta da Tijuca (Tijuca Forest)** Tijuca Forest is considered the largest urban forest in the world. Home to hundreds of species of plants and wildlife, found only in the Atlantic Rainforest, this is Rio's urban forest replanted by man and spread by natural ecological development, which covers some 3,200 hectares. Its historical attractions and enchanting nooks are well worth a leisurely visit. Just a short drive from the financial center downtown, the North Zone and Rio's smart beach districts, its attractions include the Cascatinha Waterfallll, the Mayrink Chapel, the Excelsior Lookout Point, the Paul and Virginia Grotto, Fairy Lake and, all favorite destinations for weekend family outings.

**Jardim Botanico (Botanical Gardens)** More than 7000 plant species grow on the 140 hectare of this wonderful park. The avenue with majestic king palms makes great visual impact. From Copacabana or Ipanema, it's best hire a taxi to the park. Taking the bus is circumstantial.

**Lagoa (Lagoon)** Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, mostly known as//"Lagoa"//, is a lagoon and a neighbourhood in the Zona Sul (South Zone) of Rio, surrounded by Ipanema, Leblon, Gavea, Jardim Botanico, Jockey Club, Copacabana, and Botafogo. In the 7.5 km perimeter of the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon you will find an asphalted lane for jogging, running and byking. The lanes are surrounded by trees and beatyfull scenerey. Through the perimeter of the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon you will find several sport courts and green parks. All of this makes Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas a usuall and popular spot for athletes. The Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is also a center for remo (rowing), and several clubs have rowing facilities on the Lagoa, including Botafogo, Flamengo, and Vasco da Gama.



<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Other Cities: Sao Paulo, Buzios, Petropolis, Iguazu, etc are all just a bus ride or plane ride (if you can afford it!) away, and make for some spectacular sites and nightlife to explore.

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">//**Package Tours -** this website offers some pretty cool tours you can do if you have some extra time and cash: []//