First time visitors
A huge and modern megalopolis boarded by the ocean. The contrast makes the suits and briefcases of the business world co-exist with the bathing suits, bikinis and t-shirts of the beach. This mix of sun, sea, mountains, joy of living and good humor seduces everyone who visits the city.
The name of the city comes from back in January of 1502, in the second expedition to Brazil, the Portuguese discovered a bay (today know as Guanabara) but they though it was a river so they named January’s river (Rio de Janeiro).You can check later in the Brief History for more details.
Geography
Because of its rough relief the city is divided in zones connected by several tunnels.
Centro is where the city was born, still keeps its economically importance with the principal importer port, almost mandatory point of international cruises.
South Zone (Zona Sul) its most part boarded by the sea with incredible beaches. Neighborhoods like Leblon, Ipanema, Copacabana are more searched by tourists because its beauty and more active social life.
West Zone (Zona Oeste) has residential, commercial and industrial areas.
This division doesn’t create different “cities” in one, doesn’t matter where the spirit is the same; the carioca spirit.
City’s Spirit
The city is the reflex of its people, very casual and relaxed. Most part of the places you can wear jeans and t-shirt and you'll be fine. Some places you’re even over dressed with this outfit, several restaurants and bars you can go straight from the beach to have a drink and relax watching the sunset.
Another aspect of the carioca’s personality is the so famous casualty; sometimes nothing seems serious enough to bother. Phrases like : catch you later, let’s get together tomorrow, normally doesn’t mean that it will actually happen so don’t take it seriously, it’s nothing personal, it’s the way we treat ourselves, it’s more like a goodbye.
If the language could be a barrier to you, the cariocas will minimize the problem with its hospitality. Very friendly, they’ll do everything in their power to help you in any situation. It’s possible you come back home with a friendship for a lifetime.
Language
Because of the Portuguese colonization the official language of course is the Portuguese. It is similar to the Spanish sometimes, so if you know a few sentences it might help you out once most part of the population doesn’t speak other languages, except of course for those directly involved with international tourism.
Click here for some useful Portuguese phrases
Economy
Rio de Janeiro is the second city of the country in population and since the XVIII century it is important
political and economically speaking. This role determined its accelerated growth, creating the megalopolis now used to make laws and fashion with critical social contrasts.
Since 1994 the local money is the Real, it is weaker than the American dollar and the Euro. It means that you have here a higher power of buying. Banknotes are easy to distinguish from each other, as they come in different colours. There's a green one-real note, a blue two, a purple five, a pink 10, a yellow 20, a brown 50 and a blue 100.
Check how they look at the picture on the right side
The country had problems with an astronomical inflation but today things are stabilized. You can check the official dollar rate in the side bar on the left side.
Temperature
In the summer temperature can easily get to
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | ||
| Max °C/°F | 33/91 | 33/93 | 32/90 | 31/87 | 28/82 | 27/81 | 27/81 | 28/82 | 27/81 | 29/84 | 31/87 | 32/89 | |
| Min °C/°F | 23/74 | 24/75 | 23/74 | 22/71 | 19/67 | 18/65 | 18/64 | 18/65 | 19/66 | 20/68 | 22/71 | 22/72 | |
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Sources: Weatherbase and The Weather Channel
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So what you’re waiting for, get in a plane right now, book a hotel or a hostel put some lotion and head to the beach.
You won’t regret
Easy