Green Toad Bus

Recommended Nights: 3+

Recommended Hostel: Bonita Ipanema Hostel, Che Legarto Copacabana, Cabana Copa Hostel, Ipaneme Beach House

Rio de Janeiro 'Cidade maravillosa' (marvelous city) is one of the most exciting cities for backpacking in Brazil, if not the world! But what is so great about it? Well everything! Rio is located in a beautiful bay on the atlantic coast and is surrounded by mountains and nature. It has awesome beaches such as Ipanema, Copacabana, Barra da Tijuca which combine dark blue water, rocky islands and wild forests. Partiers shouldn't miss the famous Carnival and great nightlife, especially in Lapa.

 The two most famous mountains of Rio are Sugar Loaf and Corcovado. The Sugar Loaf is located close to the main beaches and there you can enjoy a nice view from the summit, which you get to by taking a cable-car.  Corcovado Mountain supports the Christ Redemptor, the icon of Rio which you can see from almost any part of the city and you can get to it by train or taxi. It is a fantastic experience, both to see the magnificence of the statue and the beauty of the city from above.

 One of the most fantastic experiences in Rio is its Carnival. It is celebrated the last days of February or the first days of March, and it definitely transforms the life of the city. The streets are full of colours and lights and you can feel the joy and happiness of people everywhere. The fantastic Sambodromo, where the 'escolas de samba' perform and compete is the heart of the carnival. The previous Friday, the city council gives the keys of the city to the 'King Momo', a character that represents the figure head of the carnival, and this is the official beginning of the celebration. The carnival lasts five days and is an unforgettable experience.

Rio is a big city with excellent beaches that make it so special. The most famous Copacabana and Ipanema are in great location, surrounded by hostels and shops, and great views of the 'morros' (mountains) nearby. Theyre also usually visited by celebrities from Europe and the USA. But there are many more beaches to visit like Barra da Tijuca or Prainha.

If you like soccer then you shouldnt miss the Maracana. This enormous stadium was built for the 1950 world soccer championship. Every weekend you can see one of the local teams and enjoy one of the best football leagues in a country that breaths the game.

There are many interesting museums like National library, the National Arts Museum and many more. Also the Botanic Garden is one of the best in existance. You can also visit some of the impressive buildings designed by the brazilian modernist architect Niemeyer, including the Cathedral of Rio and the MAC (Contemporary Art Museum) in Niteroi.

Rio de Janeiro features many other attractions, so plan to spend a few days backpacking in Rio de Janiero, as some find it too hard to leave.

Recommended Nights: 1

Campo Grande, a large city in the middle of no-where it seems, crowded with yellow trees and beautiful squares. The city is called 'Cidade morena', because of the red earth in the area. Backpackers usually use Campo Grande as the gateway to the Pantanal and Bonito.