I'm a Rio de Janeiro Local-and This Is My Ultimate Guide to the Brazilian City

"Pop culture is filled with images of Rio de Janeiro, and while the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City) certainly lives up to its name, movies and song lyrics rarely capture the real reasons why. Yes, there's live music on the beach every day, but nothing compares to weaving through the crowd at Pedra do Sal while listening to samba de raiz, or "roots samba.""

"It was Rio's iconic reputation that first pulled me in, and after four years of living in the city, I've found favorite restaurants like Boteco Belmonte and hotel rooftops such as Yoo2, but I've hardly scratched the surface. That's no surprise, especially since Rio was named the best city in the world for nightlife and, come February, hosts Carnival, arguably the biggest party on the planet."

"Best Hotels & Resorts Copacabana Palace, a Belmond Hotel You become part of an ongoing tradition of glamour the moment you step into this 1923 icon, where past guests have included Princess Diana and Justin Bieber. The Art Deco palace presides over the Copacabana beachfront with 239 rooms, two Michelin-starred restaurants (Mee and Ristorante Hotel Cipriani), and a full-service pool."

Rio de Janeiro combines iconic landmarks with authentic local culture, including live samba at Pedra do Sal and chilled mate sold on Ipanema and Copacabana beaches. The Dois Irmãos mountains and numerous trails provide accessible hikes and panoramic sunset views. The city hosts Carnival each February and has earned recognition for nightlife and hiking. Major attractions include Cristo Redentor and Pão de Açúcar, while neighborhoods such as Santa Teresa offer hilltop dining, Recreio offers surf lessons, and Lapa provides Brazilian funk nightlife. Historic luxury hotels like Copacabana Palace feature Art Deco grandeur, Michelin-starred dining, and beachfront amenities.

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