Rio De Janeiro Hotels

Brazilians are some of the most open, warm, and fun-loving people in the world, and no city in Brazil embodies those characteristics better than Rio de Janeiro. The Cidade Maravihosa (Marvelous City), as the Brazilians call it, displays a remarkable blend of sophistication, chaos, friendliness, and sensuality. As one of the premier tourist destinations in the Americas, you will want to book your Rio de Janeiro hotel as far in advance as possible. Hotels in Rio de Janeiro are as varied as the city itself, so choose carefully so that you can enjoy your time in Rio to the fullest.

Of course the beautiful beaches are the first thing to come to mind in Rio de Janeiro. The Copacabana and Ipanema are the two most famous beaches in the area, but there are many others. Work on your tan, get a little exercise and enjoy the view but above all relax. You are going to need all the energy that you can to get you through the Brazilian night.

Another way to build your energy is through good food, and Rio de Janeiro will not leave you disappointed. Make sure you visit a traditional churrascaria. A variety of meats straight from the grill are served at your table until you finally surrender. Ask the locals where to find the best feijoada (a traditional black bean stew). Chances are it won't be in a restaurant advertised in the tourist magazine. We recommend quenching your thirst with a tropical suco, which can be found at any of the ever-present juice stands around the city.

Rio de Janeiro is not all beaches and parties. Museu Nacional de Belas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts) and the Museu de Arte Contemporanea-Niteroi and the Museu Histórico Nacional are but a few of the cultural centers in the city. Best of all - most of Rio's Museums are free. Centro Cultural do Banco do Brasil is the best cultural center in the country. With over 120,000 visitors per month, it is certainly the most popular. Its world-class facilities include a cinema, two theatres and plenty of exposition space. Most of the exhibitions are free. There is always something happening here.

But the heartbeat of Rio can felt at night; pulsing its way across the beaches, into the bars and through the nightclubs of the city. Ipanema, Leblon and Copacabana are home to the liveliest clubs. If you prefer something a bit quieter, check out the outdoor cafes at the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon. The party reaches its peak with the annual Carnaval - a bacchanalian celebration that immediately precedes Lent. Parades, complete with breath-taking costumes, thousands of participants and a non-stop Samba rhythm take over Rio and its residents. Hotels in Rio de Janeiro, like everything else, are more expensive during Carnaval. But if you want to party there is no better time or place on earth.