Rio de Janeiro- what a better way to start your South America tour than in this city of diversities? Since Rio de Janeiro is a seaside city, it is a great option as a shore excursion when cruising. Rio is very famous for its carnival, beaches, samba dance, and of course- the Christ Redeemer statue; Christians and other travelers are coming here every year to see the great statue and to admire the view on the Rio de Janeiro. One is sure- you will enjoy every second of your travel here because it is the way of Carioca living.

Departing from the port, you will arrive at the Cosme Velho railway station. Here, you will take a 20-minute journey up the mountain Corcovado where the statue of Christ the Redeemer- one of the New Seven Wonders of the World stands proudly for more than 80 years! Our tour guide will tell you a story about the history of this statue and why is it so important to the Brazilians. About 2 billion people come to see Christ the Redeemer every year, making it one of the most visited landmarks on Earth and the number of visitors is growing every year. This 30-metre tall monument is mounted on an 8-metre high pedestal, situated at an altitude of 709 meters. Be sure to bring your camera or mobile phone with you because this place offers a magnificent, all round view of the city, beaches, Guanabara Bay, and Sugarloaf Mountain. The famous statue which is made of stone and cement weighs 1,145 tons and is the emblem of the city of Rio de Janeiro. After this stop, you will descend by train to the Floresta da Tijuca mountain, whilst admiring the natural beauty and lush vegetation of the park- one of the largest urban reserves in the world. On the way, tour guides will tell you a story about the Tijuca forest and importance of Atlantic Forest for the environment in Brazil as well as the diversity of flora and fauna found here. You will then head for the modern Barra da Tijuca residential neighborhood, passing on the way Ipanema, Leblon and Copacabana, famous Rio’s beaches.