In exactly a year, on Aug. 5, Rio de Janeiro will be swarming with 10,500 Olympic athletes representing 205 countries for the opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. About 7.5 million tickets will be sold for 42 different sports. The majority of events will take place in Rio (in Barra da Tijuca, Copacabana, Deodoro and Maracana), but soccer matches are also expected to be held at venues in Brasília, Belo Horizonte, São Paulo, Salvador and Manaus.
In preparation for all the excitement for the 2016 Olympics, we pulled together a quick list of 12 things you should do when visiting Rio.
Tijuca National Forest (Courtesy of iStockphoto.com/Cesar Okada)
1. Go Hiking in Tijuca National ParkTijuca National Park is the largest urban forest in the world. With several trails totaling hundreds of miles, this is the perfect place for hikers who enjoy checking out the city’s variety of flora and fauna . This huge conservation area is also home to world-renowned tourist attractions with some of the best views of the city, such as Corcovado Mountain, Christ the Redeemer and Pedra da Gávea.
2. Flex Your Samba Skills in LapaLapa, one of the most bohemian neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro, is known for its lively social scene and cultural events. This popular district has many restaurants, bars and clubs, with an alfresco party vibe that bring the streets to life on the weekends. Feeling adventurous? Head to Lapa to enjoy live Brazilian music and learn a few samba and forró moves.
Rio Botanical Gardens (Photo Courtesy iStockphoto.com/Hanis)
3. Enjoy a Nice Picnic at the Botanical GardenCreated by the future King John VI of Portugal in 1808, the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden — recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve — is home to rare species of flowers and plants. A great option for families with kids, this garden has picnic tables, a playground and plenty of space for children to run around and play. And don’t forget to look up; colorful parakeets and playful monkeys are usually hanging out in the treetops.
4. Hear Announcers Scream ‘GOAL!’ at Maracana StadiumSoccer fan or not, you don’t want miss out on watching a match at one of the sport’s most famous stadiums in the world. The passion of Brazilian fans, the drums, the fireworks and the banners waving to the sound of the teams’ anthems make this a unique experience. Renovated in 2014, Maracana Stadium hosted the 2014 World Cup’s final match and will host the 2016 Summer Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies.
Museu Nacional de Belas Artes (Photo Courtesy of Halley Pacheco de Oliveira CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons)
5. Tour Rio’s Art MuseumsRio de Janeiro is home to many cultural institutions and museums that showcase collections from renowned Brazilian and international artists. The Art Museum of Rio, the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Modern Art and the Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum — which was designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer — are a few must-sees. But also be sure to check out 2 more museums currently under construction: the Museum of Tomorrow, a science museum scheduled to open at the end of 2015, and the Museum of Image and Sound, which will have a new home in Copacabana that will open in the beginning of 2016.
6. Surf 24/7 on Amazing BeachesHit the waves at one of the city’s best beaches, such as Prainha Beach, which is a 45-minute drive from downtown and is known as one of Rio de Janeiro’s best surf spots. Located between Ipanema and Copacabana, Arpoador Beach is known as one of the places where “silver surfers,” men who trade their business suits for wet suits, practice night surfing. The beach is uniquely illuminated to allow surfers to see incoming waves in the dark.
Barra da Tijuca Beach, located near Barra Olympic Park, provides 11 miles of shoreline for surfers to ride the waves. It’s also a great place to practice kite-surfing, which is becoming a popular sport among Cariocas.
Ipanema Beach
7. Blend in With Locals and Play VolleyballIn addition to surfing, playing sports and staying active are parts of Rio’s fun beach culture. It’s common to see beachgoers cycling, jogging, and playing soccer, volleyball and footvolley. Hang out with locals and experience the scene at popular spots such as Copacabana and Ipanema, where vendors walk around selling beachwear, coconut water and salgadinhos (salty snacks). We suggest heading to the city’s more secluded beaches, such as Grumari, for a tranquil excursion.
8. Spread Your Wings Over RioThrow caution to the wind and go hang gliding to get a bird’s-eye view of this beautiful city. Get your adrenaline pumping by running off a ramp atop Pedra Bonita to see Tijuca National Park’s lush forests and the crystal-blue ocean before making an unbelievable landing on Pepino Beach, one of the city’s most beautiful white-sand spots.
Feijoada (Photo Courtesy iStockphoto.com/Paul_Brighton)
9. Savor the Real Taste of RioExperience the true Carioca spirit at a botequim or boteco, usually small eateries or bars where locals can catch up on the latest gossip, news or soccer match with friends while drinking an ice-cold draft beer and eating delicious Brazilian appetizers. Fried cassava, cod balls, pasteis (pastries filled with cheese, meat or shrimp) or coxinhas (small chicken croquettes) are tasty bites that blend the city’s Portuguese and African origins. And you can’t leave Rio without tryingfeijoada, a traditional Brazilian dish, while slowly sipping on a highly intoxicating caipirinha.
10. Walk Along the Artistically Tiled Steps in Santa TeresaGo for a walk along the charming cobblestone streets of Santa Teresa. This quiet neighborhood has several cafes, restaurants and art shops surrounded by 19th-century architecture. You can’t visit this area without seeing the Escadaria Selaron, created by Chilean-born artist Jorge Selaron, who covered the staircase with colored mirrors and tiles from all over the world. Other not-to-be-missed stops include the Centro Cultural Municipal Parque das Ruinas, which has beautiful views over Guanabara Bay, and the Museu Chacara do Ceu, home to artwork created by renowned Brazilian artists such as Candido Portinari, Di Cavalcanti, Volpi, Iberê Camargo and Manabu Mabe.
Biking in Rio (Photo Courtesy of iStockphoto.com/Cesar Okada)
11. Go Biking to Explore the Marvelous CityBiking is a great way to explore Rio de Janeiro, and the paths along the beaches and lakes offer spectacular views of the city. The Bike Rio provides locals and tourists easy access to orange rental bikes that cost $1.50 for a day pass or $3 for a monthly pass. Tour companies also rent bikes and offer bike tours along alternative routes through the city and the Tijuca forest.
12. Get an Olympic Games PreviewTravelers can see athletes in action before the Summer Games begin. This month, sports fans will get a chance to watch a triathlon and equestrian events at new venues in Copacabana and Deodoro. In May 2016, they’ll have the opportunity get their first glimpse at more new venues and their favorite athletes when the city stages 40 competitions for Aquece Rio, or Warm-Up Rio test events.