A Guide to Rio: Get The Most Out of Your 2016 Olympics Experience

By Kyle Stelling –

The Summer 2016 Olympics are held in one of the most vibrant and beautiful cities in the world: Rio de Janeiro. The city is acclaimed by visitors and loved by locals for its combined terrain of beach, rainforest and urban development. The local culture has contributed toward the creation of wonderful architecture, lovely restaurants, flavorful street food, colorful neighborhoods and exciting nightlife. There are many guides on the official Olympics website for the main, sports events, however it is important you know what else Rio has to offer. Here is a guide of Rio de Janeiro, so you can make your Olympic experience and your time in Brazil unforgettable:

Best Tourist Sites

Rio is known for its colorful culture, beautiful beaches, grandiose mountains and its impressive urban layout. The Lagoa neighborhood is in the affluent Zona Sul neighborhood, which is packed with large homes that encircle a beautiful lagoon. The lagoon, Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, has a four-mile path around it, and is a beautiful spot for joggers and cyclists. It is a great spot for exploration, as there are also many cafes and restaurants near the path. For the nature enthusiast, visit the Tijuca National Park, which is one of the largest urban forests in the world. There is a hike that reaches the Pico da Tijuca — the highest peak in Rio — that provides breathtaking views of the Guanabara Bay and the city. For an exciting nightlife experience, visit the Lapa neighborhood that lies in the downtown area. The area is full of samba and choro bars that have live music and dancing.

Hotel Recommendations

The most booked hotel on Hotel.com is the Belmond Copacabana Palace, which received guest reviews of 4.7 stars out of 5. The hotel lies on the beach and offers free beach cabanas. The guests that stay in one of the 239 guestrooms have access to the site’s three restaurants, full-service spa, outdoor pool, rooftop terrace and a health club. The hotel lies in Copacabana and is one mile from Edmundo Bittencourt Square, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and Pasmado Viewpoint. The Copacabana area is home to the Olympic Beach Volleyball Arena, Lagoa Stadium, Marina da Gloria, and For Copacabana, which showcase the sports of rowing, canoeing, beach volleyball, triathlon, and sailing. If you are with your family and require affordable lodging that will accommodate a large group, look into renting an Airbnb house or apartment. Airbnb lodging helps you stay flexible with the precise location of your lodging — you can decide on a more central location or can stay on the outskirts of the city, where you can retreat from the excitement.

Eateries to Experience

Experience the exquisite cuisine and decadent restaurants that lie within Rio. There are 16 one-star Michelin restaurants and one two-star restaurant within Rio de Janeiro and nearby Sao Paolo. Alex Atla’s D.O.M. was awarded 2 Michelin stars in 2015 for its haute gastronomy that uses often underused, high-quality local produce. Olympe, in Rio, was awarded one star for its brilliant French food that uses Brazilian ingredients. The menu includes dishes such as ravioli stuffed with a mousseline of parsnips, pine nuts and fleur de sel and a raspberry souffle served with red berry coulis and ice cream. Stop by at one of the beach bars, called barzhinhos de praia, where you can buy and sip on a fresh agua de coco (coconut water) that is served within the coconut with a straw. The botecos are eateries that serve empadinhas in their tiny bar space. Botecos are an authentic representation of Brazilian street food and are commonly frequented by locals.

Kyle Stelling – Freelance Writer pursuing Masters in Education.