Essential Rio de Janeiro

The marvelous city

Rio de Janeiro is probably the most beautiful city in the Americas, thanks to its wonderful location on the Guanabara Bay, to the forest still present in the city and framing it, to the several sugar loafs emerging from the bay.

Arriving in Rio for the first time one has to wonder what a beautiful scenario the first explorers from Portugal must have found on January 1st, 1502, when human signs, like skyscrapers and paved roads were not disturbing the perfect spectacle of nature.

Despite the human development the city boasts the largest forest in the world inside an urban area, the Tijuca’s forest.

Founded in a favorable location for ship deliveries with Portugal, Rio de Janeiro became the capital of the most powerful Portuguese colony.

In the late 17th century, when the Bandeirantes found gold and diamonds in the neighboring Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro became a much more useful port for exporting wealth than Salvador da Bahia, which is much farther to the north and in 1763, the colonial administration moved the capital to Rio de Janeiro.

In the early 1800’s it became the capital of both Portugal and Brazil when the Portuguese royalty fled the threat of war at home, being the first and last capital of a European country that was located outside of Europe.

Then started the splendid flourishing of the city. The presence of the royal family and the whole Portuguese court favored the building of new palaces, theatre, libraries, the botanical garden, the university and the city’s expansion.

Walking in the historical center one can get a glimpse of the economical and cultural importance of Rio de Janeiro in the last two centuries.

Baroque palaces, European styled theaters, noble residences, built along large avenues and around spacious squares with European gardens are living signs of Rio de Janeiro’s old fasts.

At the beginning of 20th century the first tunnel was built under the mountains located between Botafogo and Copacabana, connecting the city center to the outskirts and allowing the city’s expansion.

From the top of Corcovado one can admire the whole intricate Guanabara bay, the "sugar loafs" emerging from the ocean and the Atlantic forest framing the city.

The exciting cable car rise up to Sugar Loaf gives a stunning view of down town areas, beaches and incredible natural wonders that make Rio de Janeiro deserve the nickname of "marvelous city".

We recommend two full days in town.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for our tour information!