Top 5 Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro during the Olympics

With less than a year away, before you know it the 31^st Summer Olympic Games will be starting. It will be held in Rio de Janeiro and the surrounding area will offer a whole host of things for travelers to do who will be attending the Olympic Games. Here are our top 5 things to do if you will be in Rio next summer cheering on Team USA.

• Explore A National Park

The world’s largest urban forest is located in Tijuca National Park. It has hundreds of miles of trails and is a great place to take a hike. At the park visitors can see Pedra da Gavea, Christ the Redeemer and Corcovado.

• Hang Out With The Locals

There are a lot of little neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro that are quite lively and feature 19^th century architecture. Lapa has a bohemian feel and the streets come alive with Brazilian music on the weekends. It’s one of the more popular places for tourists to come and visit a club or bar. The neighborhood of Santa Teresa is tamer than Lapa, but there’s still a lot to do. This neighborhood is charming with its little cafes and cobblestone streets. One of the more popular attractions is Escadaria Selaron which features a staircase that is adorned with colored tiles and mirrors.

• Check Out The Beach

Rio is known for its amazing beaches. It’s also one of the top spots in the world to surf. In fact, since it is illuminated, surfers can even catch a wave in the dark. One of the more popular beaches is Tijuca Beach which is 11 miles long. Other popular activities include windsurfing and kite surfing.

• Visit An Art Museum

This city is full of art museums and there are two more opening next year. For a look at both local and international artists, the Museum of Modern Art and the Art Museum of Rio are the places to go. At the end of 2015 visitors can check out the Museum of Tomorrow which is scheduled to be completed by then. Shortly after, in 2016, the Museum of Image and Sound will be open to the public.

• Spend Some Time Outdoors

Rio is one of the most beautiful cities in the world so it makes sense to spend as much time outdoors as possible. The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1992. It has a variety of animals roaming about including monkeys hanging around in the trees and colorful parakeets flying around. There are plenty of open spaces to run around or relax at. There are also quite a few picnic tables so it’s a good idea to pack a lunch to enjoy at the garden. One of the best ways to spend time outdoors while in Rio de Janeiro is to go on a bike ride. Tourists can rent bikes from The Bike Rio for as little as $1.50 a day. Biking is a great way to explore the city and visit places that cannot be easily accessed by car.

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