12 Step Planet: Rio de Janeiro

Where exactly is it?
Rio de Janeiro is located on Brazil’s eastern Atlantic coast. It’s the second largest city in Brazil after Sao Paulo and capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro.
How do I get there?
Rio has direct flight options from a host of European cities. Barajas Airport Madrid is probably the best bet, with Iberia Airlines offering the most competitive prices.
What language do they speak?
The spoken language in Rio is Portuguese, a result of colonization by said country. Dialects of German and Italian are spoken in the remote south, as are various Amerindian languages. English is widely spoken by persons involved in tourism, delivered in that unmistakable, faux-American accent!
What is the local beer like?
Brazil is actually the fourth largest beer market in the world, with a host of top quality pilsners widely available. A good starting point are the popular Bohemia and Brahma brands, while local micro-breweries are also plentiful. The profusion of breweries is largely thanks to German immigrants of the early nineteenth century. Brost!!
Other drinks?
Rio’s gift to the world’s canon of cocktails is the Caipirinha. A refreshing tipple prepared from Cachaça (a spirit distilled from sugarcane), to which sugar, lime and crushed ice are added.
What is the transport like?
The two central forms of transportation are the Metro, which criss-crosses the city and a comprehensive 24-hour bus service. Travel is relatively safe, but always have your wits about you. Pickpockets are plentiful and industrious in these parts...
What’s the food like?
If you’re a fan of gargantuan barbeques, you’re certainly elected in Rio! Picanha’s offer a range of fixed price, charcoal cooked steak specialities, grilled fish and delectable selections of local veggies and salad.
What’s the nightlife like?
Unsurprisingly, the city that throws the world’s biggest party (Carnaval), is well equipped for night-time revelry. The renowned Copacabana and Ipanema districts offer a myriad of garish haunts but relaxing it certainly isn’t! In fact, prepare to spend half the night been propositioned by troops of uninhibited prostitutes. The notorious Help club, the biggest nightspot in all of the Southern Hemisphere, has to be seen to be believed! However, it’s not all tardy seafront hangouts, and a little local ‘Carioca’ local knowledge will soon guide you in the right direction. The alternative Lapa district is awash with excellent pubs/clubs with everything from Thrash Metal to Capoeira (Afro- Brazilian form of dance based on martial arts) catered for.
Why should I go?
It’s the locals that make this city great, a fun loving, welcoming and engaging people. Whether you’re an outdoor pursuits fanatic, recently hooked on samba rhythms or just an eager urban explorer, Rio’s got it all.
It’s undoubtedly one of the world’s great metropolises, a chaotic conurbation that has to be seen to be believed. For starters, Rio boasts some of the world’s great city beaches, amongst them the iconic Copacabana and Ipanema. Check them out of a Sunday, when over a million city folk descend on the long golden sands! The place is alive with music, curiously thronged and bikinied characters, the beautiful sight of Sugarloaf mountain sitting in the foreground and of course, soccer, a national past-time and form of artistic expression.
What are the touristy things to do?
There’s plenty in Rio for the discerning tourist. For starters, there’s the epic, 130ft tall ‘Christ the Redeemer’ figure, looming over the entire city. It’s the largest art deco statue on the planet and sits atop the tropical Corcovado mountain. For lovers of ‘futbol’ the gigantic Maracanã stadium is something of a pilgrimage. Once the largest stadium in the world, it has been adorned by many of Brazil’s and the game’s greatest players, luminaries such as Pele, Garrincha and Socrates. The recently renovated 85,000 capacity version now plays host to some of the city’s great clubs, chiefly Botafogo and Vasco de Gama.
Anything else?
The level of poverty in Rio is staggering. While the middle classes occupy the beachfront districts, over 750 shanty-towns (favelas), housing 1.4 million people living in squalor, are visible in the hills surrounding the city. They originated as ethnic neighbourhoods settled by former slaves and are largely without electricity or proper sanitation. Unfortunately, drug barons control many of these areas and high levels of violence are an ongoing fact of life.
Anything to avoid?
Avoid a midnight ramble onto one of the great beaches, home to some of the city’s notorious drug traffickers. Also, while an educational guided tour of the Favela districts is highly recommended, don’t undertake it off your own back. Some of these neighbourhoods are 100% in the grip of narcotic cartels and you might get a little more than you bargained for!
What should I bring home?
Memories of an epic city, bursting with life and home to some of the friendliest folk you’re ever likely to encounter. A few bottles of the local poison Cachaça is also a very sound investment!
When should I go?
Rio boasts a temperate climate, all year round. The hottest months are December and January, with temperatures often exceeding 40 degrees! However, serious party animals may be tempted by Copacabana’s notorious New Year celebrations or the technicolour excess of the legendary four day Carnaval, generally regarded as the shindig to end all shindigs!
What’s my challenge?
Don’t be disheartened by tales of muggings and street violence. Use your head, dress down and embrace the unforgettable spectacle that is Rio de Janeiro. Sample the hectic beaches, absorb the city’s rich cultural heritage and for a true slice of life, pick up a ticket to a game in the Maracana. It’s an unforgettable sea of dancing samba bands, smoke bombs, gigantic flags and inflamed passions.
What’s the currency?
The Brazilian Real (R$)
Something to remember...
Rio, like all of Brazil, was in the grip of a military dictatorship from 1964 until 1985. It’s also home to some of the world’s most notorious neighbourhoods and has been blighted by generations of oppressive rule and corruption. Nevertheless, the citizens of Rio, the ‘Cariocas’, possess an indomitable spirit and persons of all classes mingle freely on the city streets and seaside neighbourhoods. Use your head, don’t flash the cash too much and prepare for a killer trip...