Why You Want to Travel to Rio de Janeiro for the Summer Olympics

Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city in Brazil, hosts the 2016 summer Olympics – the first to be held in South America (kick off is August 5). Travel to Rio and you’ll see 10,500 athletes from 205 countries compete in 42 sports, including rugby and golf, which have been missing from the Olympic Games for 92 years and 112 years respectively.

Sites, glittering beaches, rain forests, and joyful locals welcome travelers from all around the world. Once you travel to Rio, you’ll become addicted to this vibrant city. And what better way to start than with a vacation to the 2016 summer Olympics? But act fast, so you can get one of the 7.4 million available tickets, 3.8 million are less than $30.

As you can imagine, officials have been working quickly to ensure that Rio is ready for the 2016 summer Olympics. From building hotels and Rio village to reducing crime, renovating venues and adding new landscaping, Brazil is the place to be in summer. Read on to discover the five reasons to travel to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

5 Reasons to Travel Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Summer Olympics

Beaches

You’ll find plenty of sunbathers, footballer, and volleyballers on Copacabana, Brazil’s most popular beach. Alfresco bars line the promenade making it easy for you to order a chopp (draught beer) or suco (fruit juice). Take a seat and watch the world and the barely-dressed go by. Or turn your gaze toward Avenida Atlantica where high-rise hotels such as the Copacabana Palace have welcomed guests from Mick Jagger to the late Princess Diana. If you’re looking for “The Girl from Ipanema” (Garota de Ipanema), you’ll have to visit Ipanema –Rio residents prefer to hang out here.

Tijuca National Park

Outdoor enthusiasts will fall in love with the criss-crossed walking trails, lookout points, limestone caves, and waterfalls of Tijuca National Park. Some go underground and provide shelter for monkeys, parakeets, and toucans. If you seek adventure, considering taking a guided eco trek or tandem hang-glider flight over Rio – launches from Tijuca’s Pedra Bonita (Pretty Rock). It will cost you around $170 (USD) for 15-30 minutes.

The Food

Foodies will love the variety of cuisine, from barbeque restaurants to fine dining – there’s something for everyone. One day you can nosh on a juicy steak and the other succulent shellfish. You normally pay by the kilo; however, you may find all-you-can-eat buffets for 30-40 real ($7.95-$10.60 USD). Try the spicy African-flavored food of Bahia and the national dish of garlicky stew meat, black beans and rice, mostly eaten on Saturdays. Yummy!

Christ the Redeemer

With arms outstretched, the Christ the Redeemer statue is one of the most recognized Seven Wonders of the Modern World. It was built in 1921 to commemorate the centenary of Brazil’s independence celebrations. The view you see depends on the weather. If it’s overcast or raining, you may be disappointed. If it’s sunny, you can take many pictures to share on your Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, or Pinterest pages.

Costa Verde

If you want to unwind from the excitement of the 2016 summer Olympics, head to Costa Verde, southwest of Rio. Here you’ll find seaside towns with magnificent architecture and cobblestone streets. Wear your walking shoes (may want to bring your hikers) and leave your flip flops and heels at your hotel or vacation rental. Go offshore to Ilha Grande for hiking and secluded coves. After you’ve had enough, head back to the “Marvelous City” for more fun.

Travel to Rio for the 2016 Summer Olympics

Travel to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 summer Olympics and you may not even recognize the city. New shops and restaurants are being added. Historical buildings are being restored. Beautification projects are everywhere and new highways and a rapid-transit line across the city are being built. You won’t have trouble getting to and from Olympic events.

If you’re concerned about the impact on the environment, you’ll be happy to know that the Summer Games will be environmentally-friendly. For example, you’ll find improved water quality around Rio, along with efforts to improve the quality of life of people living in shantytowns.

It’s estimated that 380,000 tourists are expected in Rio, the “Marvelous City.” Will you be one of them? With high demand for hotel rooms and limited supply, you’ll want to contact your travel agent and book your Rio vacation now.
by Amandah T. Blackwell, Savvy-Writer