Why go to Rio De Janeiro? The 10 good reasons to go Rio De Janeiro

The most frequent opening hours of the stores are from 8am to 9pm, sometimes with a break from 12pm to 2pm. Some stores, especially food stores, are open 24 hours a day, even on Sundays. Museums, as in France, are open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8am or 9am to 5 or 6pm. However, this is only a very general indication because depending on the season, the city... or the museum, the opening hours are very variable. The park of the "Sugarloaf" in Rio is open from Thursday to Monday from 10am to 7pm. During the high season (school vacations in December for example), the tourist areas, museums and monuments are very busy. The city centers in general, and Rio in particular, should be avoided in the evening and from Saturday afternoon onwards. They are not very busy and are dangerous.

Some places, some events, have a very "controlled" attendance and the number of visitors is limited. It is therefore strongly recommended to make reservations. Throughout the guide, these particular events will be described. For the most emblematic event, the carnival (whatever the city), plane tickets and hotels of course, but also tickets for the sambodrome in Rio or participation in the carnival must be reserved well in advance (at least six months, sometimes a year!). Reservations for soccer derbies (e.g. Flamengo - Fluminense in Rio de Janeiro) are also highly recommended. The Easter celebrations in Ouro Preto are also very popular with Brazilians. Hotels are fully booked, so you should either book in advance or avoid Ouro Preto for these few days.

In monuments, public transportation and museums, people over 65 (60 in some states) and children under 5 do not pay admission. One of the expenses is often the price of the plane ticket(s) to see as much of the country as possible. For those who want to cross this vast country in a short time, while neglecting their carbon footprint, the "Brazil Air Pass" is a good alternative. Of course, we advise you to take the bus, but the inter-city distances are sometimes so important that the plane is the last resort as a relevant alternative. The companies Azul and Gol propose passes at respectively 399 and 505 US$ for 4 coupons. It is necessary to take them from France or from the countries of departure as soon as you have your ticket for Brazil.

Brazil can be visited all year round. The major events are spread throughout the year.

Between December 31 and January 1, during the New Year's celebration, thousands of people dressed in white, in honor of the goddess Iémanjà, throw offerings to honor her.

In February, sometimes in March, the carnival madness invades the whole country. The most famous carnivals are those of Rio de Janeiro, Salvador de Bahia and Olinda, the latter being perhaps the most authentic

At Easter, in April, the streets of Ouro Preto are colored with flowerbeds that the brotherhoods of penitents will walk through

In June, the "juninas" parties make the Brazilian and Northeastern nights vibrate, especially in Diamantina, in Minas, birthplace of the former president Juscelino Kubitschek.

In July, the FLIP, International Book Festival of Paraty, honors books in all their forms and a different Brazilian author each year

In December, the Three Kings Festival is one of the most important events in Brazilian folklore, present in many cities in Rio and Minas, such as Pouso Alegre.

Going through the tourist offices or the guides' offices is always relevant when you want to benefit from a guide, whether you are alone or in a group. It is the guarantee to be taken in charge by an accredited, trained and competent guide. This generally avoids the scams that attract tourists and generally implies a tourism that respects people and nature. Nowadays, many tourism structures offer tailor-made tours, adapted to the travelers' needs, far from mass tourism and which allow the encounter with the Brazilian people and nature. French organizations, such as ARVEL-Voyages, offer organized trips, in small groups, with some latitude for travelers who do not necessarily want to follow the group. For "nature" visits, in the magnificent national parks of Rio and Minas, it is often the guarantee of a safe and successful experience.

As in France, Brazilian legislation prohibits smoking in public places and on public transport. The sale of cigarettes is forbidden to minors.

To be sure of the quality of the guides, it is necessary to systematically go through the "real" local guides' offices. They guarantee the accreditation of these guides, which is itself linked to quality training. Serious pousadas generally propose guides that they know and trust. Avoid touts in public places, such as bus stations or airports in tourist cities.

We will respect the local dress codes... which will make it easier to blend in with the crowd and avoid being solicited by the touts.