Exploring the Neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is a popular tourist destination for its festivals and outdoor activities. Tourists can come here and take full advantage of its close proximity to Brazil's spectacular wildlife, and beautiful mountains and waters. Additionally, cultural tourists come here to explore the neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro, which offer great insight into daily life in Rio and Brazil. If you're interested in finding out what life is really like here, you won't want to miss this opportunity.

Rio de Janeiro is divided into four primary sections: north, center, south, and west. These are then divided into many smaller districts. There are substantial differences between these sections, and you'll find the contrasts in lifestyle very intriguing.

The North - favelas

The north, on the whole, is less attractive to many tourists than the other section of Rio de Janeiro. Neighborhoods here are typically lower-middle class, and there are also numerous favelas. Highlights include the Maracanã stadium and the neighborhood of Tijuca. Most travelers won't feel comfortable here after dark, and we don't recommend that you venture out alone at night. However, this sort of foray into the real aspects of Rio's life are appealing to some travelers, and to make the favelas accessible to them, there are numerous favela tour guides for hire with intimate knowledge of the area who can help you explore this neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro.

The Central Section - business

The central section is where most of the financial and business interests are located, as well as many historic and culturally significant buildings. You'll find skyscrapers interspersed with churches and museums, as well as Sambódromo, where Carnival takes place every year. The museums here are of particular interest because there are so many; you'll find the National Fine Arts Museum and the Museum of Modern Art here.

The South - family friendly

In the south, you'll find the greatest density of family-friendly attractions. Copacabana, Ipanema, and other beach towns face the Atlantic Ocean, and tourists and locals flock here to hang out on the beaches. You may even recognize the name Ipanema from popular bossa nova song "The Girl from Ipanema." These neighborhoods are updated and modern, and you'll find many high rise apartments in the area. If you want to explore the neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro to the fullest extent possible, the sothern area is a must-see.

The Western Section - great diversity

The western section is fascinating because it is home to some of the poorest and wealthiest residents of Rio. One side features Cidade de Deus, a huge low-income housing project that became famous as the setting fors the movie "City of God." For the most part, travelers looking to explore the main attractions in the neighborhoods of Rio de Janerio will not find much beyond a restaurant or two of interest here.

Exploring the neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro offers great insight into the city's everyday life. If you're interested in getting an intimate view into life in Rio, this is by far the best way to do it.

Check out Rio de Janeiro hotels in all parts of the city.