Rio De Janeiro

Brazil

Cityscape: Megacity by sea
City Life: …is, almost literally, a beach

Rio is one of the most spectacular spots on earth, where lush mountains plunge into the tropical sea. From Sugar Loaf mountain you can survey the skip-a-beat views down to the world-famous beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana.

If you want to party, it’s hedonism central. A melting pot of African, European and Indian cultures, the Cariocas (as the locals are called) ooze passion from every pore. The city’s frantic rhythm builds to a crescendo during the jaw-dropping, heart-racing Carnival in February. Keep your energy up with the super-strong coffees or better still a local purple-Amazon-berry acai shake with a scoop of guaraná. Delicious, nutritious and like rocket fuel.

Pictured: La Suite

Boutique hotels in Rio De Janeiro

Our round-up of the hippest hideaways and boutique hotels in Rio De Janeiro

Getting there

Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.

Worth getting out of bed for

Highlights the best Rio De Janeiro has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.

Eating, drinking & dancing

We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Rio De Janeiro. All you have to do is make sure you've packed your favourite threads…

Smith Maps

Here is the map of Rio De Janeiro; each Mr & Mrs Smith hotel is marked by a flag; click it for more details.

Taxis: Taxis are plentiful and cheap; you should be able to hail one at any time. Unless you are confident with your Portuguese, write down the address.
Tipping culture: Ten per cent is usually added to restaurant bills. General gratuities are not expected but waiting staff on minimum wage will certainly appreciate the gesture.
Siesta and Fiesta: Be ready to party late, especially at Carnival time.
Packing tips: Your teeny-weeniest bikini, most stalwart dancing shoes, and a Carioca attitude to enjoying life and showing off. Leave behind: your best jewellery, your inhibitions.
Recommended reads: Death in Brazil by Peter Robb; The Scorpion's Sweet Venom by Bruna Surfistinha.
Cuisine: Cariocas fuel up on thimble-sized, super-strong and -sweet coffees. Exotic and nutritious fruit smoothies are also ubiquitous and cheap. Rice and beans are the staple, plus a variety of stews, including feijoada and moqueca. Good fresh fish, such as sea-bass or badejo, and churrasco steaks, straight off the southern plains, are also good.
Currency: The Brazilian real (plural: reais). At today's exchange rate, you get R$3.80 to £1 sterling.
Dialing codes: Country code for Brazil: 55. Rio de Janeiro: 21.
Do go/don't go: High season and summer in Brazil is December to February. Long days on the beach buzz with excitement that builds up to carnival festivities. In winter, Rio is a calmer, cooler affair, but only just…