Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

World Cup 2014! Known as their famous football, Brazil is one of the best places to travel. Rio de Janeiro, the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro and the second largest city of Brazil is on the strip of the Atlantic Coast close to the Tropic of Capricorn. Located in the southeast part of Brazil, the city/state is surrounded by forests on one side and sparkling beaches on the other. The official language of Rio de Janeiro is Portuguese. Every year, The Rio de Janeiro Carnival is held before Lent year every year, and it is considered one of the most extravagant carnivals in Brazil, and generally it takes palce around February/March.

The tropical climate of Rio de Janeiro makes it ideal to visit at any time of the year. During the summer months of December through March the temperatures can reach up to 45° while during the winters between June to August it can hover between 16°C - 20°C. The best time to visit is during the Carnival season (though airfares are high and the city is cramped with crowds) and the spring time when the humidity level is low. It is one of the best times to see Rio's lush green forests. Surfers should visit Rio during the winters, while diving enthusiasts should book their tickets for summer.

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Top 5 Rio de Janeiro Landmarks:

1. Christ the Redeemer

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the imposing structure of soapstone and cement provides panoramic views of Rio beyond compare.  Standing atop the Corcovado Mountain with his arms spread out, this enormous statue of Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) has been embracing the people of Rio since its inauguration in 1931.

2. Maracanã Stadium (Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho / Estádio do Maracana)

Fans of legends like Ronaldo, Pele, Romario, Carlos Alberto and Nilton Santos will surely love to pay a visit to the Mecca of Football, the Maracanã Stadium. Officially inaugurated during the 1950 World Cup, this all encompassing stadium features a capacity to hold 100,000 cheering fans. If you are lucky enough, it is possible to catch one of your favourite players in action. Otherwise, pay a visit to the sports museum with treasuries in store. The stadium is hosting the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremonies.

3. Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar)

Named after the traditional sugarloaves used during the yesteryears, the Sugarloaf Mountain is a tall 395 meter peak rising at the Guanabar Bay in the Atlantic Ocean. Right at the top, tourists will have the chance of their lifetime to capture photo opportunities of the sparkling Rio beaches, statue of Christ and the green forests. Although, most visitors arrive by a cable car, which takes 2-3 minutes, others can test their enthusiasm and energy by climbing the mountain. The best time to visit the peak is at sunset when the flickering colours of the sun make way for a blanket of stars.

4. Rio de Janeiro Botanical Gardens (Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro)

The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Gardens is a complete resource on Amazonian tropical species including 5000 varieties of plants explicating the rich botanic diversity of Brazil. The garden showcases a fine collection of excruciatingly large Victorian water lilies and Japanese plants. Sitting on the edge of Tijuca Forest, Dom João VI designed the garden himself in 1808 to include plants of artistic, archaeological and historical importance. 

5. Sambadrome (Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí)

During the Carnival season, the fervour gains ground in Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí where samba school dancers compete to become the best in town. Dancers performing to the school’s samba anthem impress the crowd with their music, elaborate costumes and most importantly heart stomping samba dance. The Sambadrome, also known as the Apoteose Square, holds a capacity to accommodate 90,000 people who come to watch the enthralling Carnival parade every year.

Travel Tips:

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