8. Tijuca National Forest

One of the biggest metropolitan forest in the world, the Tijuca National Park covers a huge location of a mostly mountainous landscape. Visitors can trek to Rio's highest peak, the Pico da Tijuca, to enjoy expansive views of Guanabara Bay and the city listed below.

Almost destroyed in the early 1800s by trespassing coffee plantations, much of the backpacker gear guide forest was replanted by hand in the latter half of the century with as lots of as 9 million trees. Tourist attractions consist of the Mayrink Chapel, which has murals painted by the renowned Brazilian neo-realism painter Cândido Portinari, and the toppling 100-foot Cascatinha Waterfall.

7. Lapa Neighborhood

Located in the downtown section of Rio called "Centro", the Lapa community was once the city's red-light district. Today, the location is understood for its lively night life. Lined with samba and choro bars, the music and dancing spills out into the street on weekend nights.

The majority of the neighborhood's architecture go back to the 1800s, offering a scenic backdrop to all the celebrations. It's the ideal place to meet up with good friends and cariocas to sample regional cuisine and to sip caipirinha, the nationwide mixed drink made with sugarcane hard liquor and lime. Escadaria Selarón, a set of popular steps connects both the Lapa and Santa Teresa areas.

6. Santa Teresa Area

Set down on a hill overlooking the city's harbor, the Santa Teresa neighborhood welcomes visitors to step back in time and experience the faded elegance of Rio's.

The region got away development till 1896, when an aqueduct was developed that linked the community to the city. The district was a sanctuary for artists, musicians and authors in the 20th century, and although stylish clubs and stores have actually because surpassed the community, it still maintains a friendly artist-colony ambiance.

The city's last staying streetcar, the Santa Teresa Tram, utilized to be a popular tourist destinations in Rio de Janeiro but was closed after a major accident on the line.

5. Jardim Botanico [SEE MAP]

Located to the west of the Lagoa community, the Rio de Janeiro Arboretum, or Jardim Botanico, houses more than 8,000 species of plants. Built in the early 1800s, the garden features numerous mature specimens, including avenues of towering palm trees.

Visitors flock to the park to view the 600 species of orchids. The garden includes a number of monoliths, water fountains and features, including a Japanese garden, a pond filled with water lilies and the new Museu do Meio Ambiente, which displays displays that concentrate on the environment.

4. Sugarloaf Mountain.

Increasing 400 meters (1,300 feet) above the mouth of Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf mountain is a monolith of quartz and granite that visitors can crest via a glass-walled cable cars and truck called a "bondinho" or "teleférico.".

The cable automobile leaves every 20 minutes from the base of Babilônia hill and climbs to the top of the Morro da Urca hill. From there, visitors can take a second cable television vehicle as much as the mountain's summit.

3. Ipanema.

The beach made popular in the bossa nova song "The Girl from Ipanema" in the 1960s stays one of Rio's most popular tourist spots today. A long, arcing area of soft white sand and rolling waves, Ipanema consistently arrives of the "Finest Beaches worldwide" lists year after year. The beach is bordered by an efficient grid of shops, cafés and restaurants as well as a variety of art galleries, theaters and clubs.

Located in the upscale South Zone, or "Zona Sul", Ipanema lies between the beaches of Copacabana and Leblon. Posts or "postos" mark off the beach into sections, and various types of people tend to gather together in each location. Households prefer the section in between posts 11 and 12 while the area near post 9 draws in devoted sunbathers and free-wheeling artists.

2. Copacabana.

Separated from Ipanema to the west by surfer-favored Arpoador beach, Copacabana has a more active ambiance than its equally well-known neighbor. Rio locals, called "cariocas," constantly appear to have a video game of soccer or volley ball in play, and suppliers vociferously hawk their drinks and treats from the kiosks that line the beach.

Fort Copacabana, a military base with a wartime museum that is open to the public, stands at one end of the beach. On the length of beach fronting the fort, anglers provide their morning catch for sale.

Visitors and cariocas alike enjoy to walk along the promenade that surrounds the 4 km (2.5 mile) long beach. Originally built in the 1930s, the pathway includes a wave-like style laid out in black and white stones. Inland from the boardwalk are closely-packed multistoried hotels and apartment or condos.

1. Christ the Redeemer.

Perched atop the 710 meter (2,330 feet) high peak of Corcovado Peak, the statue of "Cristo Redentor" stands with arms outstretched, looking serenely out over the city. Building of the statue began in 1922 throughout the prime time of the Art Deco movement, and the concrete and soapstone statue is considered the largest statue developed in the category in the world.

The majority of visitors take a vertical cog train to reach the base of the top. From there, visitors to the monolith once needed to climb up numerous steps to arrive. Today, elevators and escalators are available to reduce the trip.