Over the past twenty-five years, The Traveling American has visited over one hundred cities around the world. This article focuses on one of the best cities we have visited outside of the United States and Canada. All places have their faults, but some cities have special characteristics that make them more memorable to visit. The task of naming the Top Ten World Cities was a difficult one and we considered an initial list of twenty-five places. We then selected twelve cities (there were a few ties) that we believe are the most interesting to see for our Top Ten list. 

HERE IS RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL WHICH WE NAMED AS THE WORLD'S NUMBER 8 CITY IN A TIE WITH XI’AN, CHINA

Rio de Janeiro is known for its vibrant festivals, beaches, magnificent views, and diverse culture. Despite some social problems, a trip to this city of 6 million is a worthwhile adventure and a unique experience. Rio attracts millions of visitors and residents to annual events like the New Years Eve Celebration at Copacabana Beach and vibrant Carnival performances during Lent. In addition, world events like the 2016 Olympics and the 2014 World Cup take place regularly in Rio. 

Rio’s History:   Unlike most of the rest of South America, Brazil was a colony of Portugal by papal decree from the 16th century to the 19th century. When Napoleon conquered most of Europe, the entire royal court of Portugal moved to Rio and ruled the remaining Portuguese empire from there between 1807 and 1821. Eventually, Prince Pedro declared Brazil an independent nation and crowned himself Emperor Dom Pedro I. After two centuries of growth and development, Brazil is now the world’s fifth largest country in size and seventh largest in population. As one of five BRICS countries whose economies grew rapidly after the year 2000, Brazilians hope that their nation’s growing presence on the international stage and its engaging culture centered in Rio will help it emerge as a world leader in the future.

There are many worthwhile places to see and things to do in Rio. These include:

Christ the Redeemer Statue: A 120-foot limestone statue of Christ was built on top of the Corcovado Mountain to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Brazil’s independence in 1931. Towering above the entire city, the statue landing provides a stunning view of the wide beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, the lagoon, and the metropolis below. The pavilion at the site can be reached by car, but most people enjoy taking a cog train to the summit through the rainforest and the Tijuca National Park. While many cities have towers or buildings that reach the clouds, the splendor of the monument and the natural setting for the views make it a moving experience.

Sugar Loaf Mountain: Another mountain attraction in Rio is Sugar Loaf Mountain. Sugar Loaf can be climbed by fearless adventurers, but it is usually accessed by cable car as James Bond did in a famous fight scene in the movie “Moonraker.” At the top, you can relax at a few bars and cafés or walk around the summit to several different lookouts with views of the city.

Samba Shows: During Carnival each winter, thousands of performers dance throughout the street in elaborate costumes or in parades on floats. Competition among the city’s dozens of Samba schools is fierce, and the parade ends with a nationally televised procession through a half-mile-long grandstand known as the Sambodromo in central Rio. If you are a person who would enjoy going to Times Square on New Year’s Eve or visiting New Orleans during Mardi Gras, then seeing a festival in Rio would be a memorable experience. If you prefer a little less intense experience, there are night club shows like Plataforma 1 in the Leblon section of the city where costumed samba performers sing and dance traditional Brazilian numbers.

Rio’s Beaches: Rio’s famous beaches are in the southern part of the city. Ipanema Beach and the adjoining Leblon Beach are the most desirable according to most visitors because they are close to popular residential neighborhoods, restaurants, and stylish shopping areas. Although the waves can be rough on occasion, the ambience of Ipanema makes it a safe place to relax and keep an eye out for the fabled “Girl from Ipanema.” Copacabana Beach also draws large crowds, and the beachfront promenade gives the area energy and local flavor. 

Juice Bars: Juice bars abound along all of Rio’s beaches and help promote a casual lifestyle that is at the heart of the Rio experience. Juice bars offer dozens of drinks, smoothies, and bowls made from fruits that most of us have never heard of. One of the first “new” Brazilian fruits to become popular internationally was Acai, a purple-colored berry from the Amazon that is an energizer and has been called a “superfood.”  It is served as a juice drink or as a frozen concoction in a bowl blended with honey, granola, or nuts. 

Historical Sites: When most people think of Rio, they don’t picture themselves spending time inside a museum. But if it rains or you want to learn more about Brazil’s fascinating history and culture, the Museum of National History and the National Museum of Fine Arts are both interesting stops for an hour or two.