Cidade Maravilhosa

The view of Pão de Açúcar and Baía de Guanabara from Corcovado.

Cristo Redentor is really really high, view from Pão de Açúcar.

The second cable car up to the top of Pão de Açúcar

Copacabana

Ipanema

Historical Santa Teresa, and its tram which constantly slides off the tracks...

Santa Teresa is a really nice area, with lots of restaurants and bars. It is more historical and the old fashioned tram is really cool because it goes over the Arcos da Lapa bridge, offering another great view of the city from it’s hills.

The beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana are spectacular, even when the weather is cold. I was surprised at how rough the ocean waves were, this is the best place to eat biscoito globo and sip a matte ice tea. The mountains pouring out over the beaches are so beautiful and make everything seem extra dreamy. At the end of each beach there is a mirante, or lookout point. 

The areas of Ipanema and Copacabana are located in a massive bubble. The rest of Cidade Maravilhosa is not so marvelous, because of the shock you get from moving between areas of extreme poverty and wealth. The sheer size and verticalness of the favelas is at the same time terrifying and mesmerizing, it`s like a giant maze of stairs and walkways. It is impressive to see how people can create their own homes, jobs, lives, and vibrant societies while the government leaves them stranded. I am not sure how to feel about favela tourism.  My friends had a great time on a favela tour. They loved seeing and celebrating another side of rio, they said it was amazing. I don’t know if the Cariocas living in the favelas think it is so amazing, nonetheless the favelas remain an important ink blot on the lens of Brasil`s new era of economic development.

 

Niterói

Niterói is the city across from Rio, Cariocas say the only good thing about going to Niterói is that you can see Rio. This is mostly true except for Niemeyer's wacky James Bond style MAC!