Rio de Janeiro isn’t Brazil largest city. It isn’t even its capital city. But Rio is, by far, the country’s most popular city. With nightlife that never ends, spontaneous street parties, miles of pristine beaches, and plenty of attitude, Rio draws visitors from around the world, all seeking to experience the city’s carefree lifestyle.
Rio de Janeiro Basics
Size -- 485 square miles that are home to 5.6 million people. The city also has 45 miles of beaches.
Location -- Along Brazil’s Atlantic coast next to Guanabara Bay; right above the Tropic of Capricorn.
History -- Rio got its name from its Portuguese discoverer: Gaspar de Lemos. Lemos sailed into Guanabara Bay in January 1502 and mistakenly thinking the bay was a river, he named the area Rio de Janeiro, which means “January River.”
Weather -- Rio is a tropical city that experiences hot, humid, and rainy weather during its summer months of December through March.
Fun Fact -- Rio hosts one of the largest and most elaborate Carnival celebrations in the world and is home to one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Brazil as a whole currently has one of the fastest growing economies.
Rio de Janeiro Blog Posts
The SA Luxury Expeditions team has traveled throughout South America, intimately experiencing this diverse and exciting part of the world. Here are some of our recent blog posts about our travels to Brazil’s most vibrant city, Rio de Janeiro.
