RIO DE JANEIRO TOURS
Rio de Janeiro Tours - There are many tours that can be taken around the vibrant streets, such as learning about the grand colonial architecture that stand overlooking the city squares or appreciating the social and economic issues that divide the wealthy from the poor. Cultural Rio Tours (telephone, 3322 2727) are run by Professor Carlos Roquette who, as a long-term resident of the city, knows a phenomenal amount about every aspect of the urban landscape and can tailor-make tours to your specifications.
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Gray Line Bus Tours (telephone, 2512 9919) organise various combinations of half-day and full-day tours incorporating the major attractions. A half-day afternoon tour of Sugar Loaf Mountain and central Rio costs approximately R$88.
Such an attractive cityscape lends itself perfectly to a birds-eye view, and Helisight thoughtfully provide this service with a six-minute helicopter flight circling the Corcovado costing R$150 per person (a minimum of two people are required). If a taste of the apple isn’t enough, then indulge in a 12 minute journey (R$300) taking in the bay, beaches and mountainous curves of Rio.
The rickety trams, mentioned in more detail in the Transport section, offer historical tours when you jump on board at 10am and 2pm daily. The guided excursion takes three hours and can be booked through the Museo do Bonde (telephone, 2242 2354).
The favelas that grip to the slopes of northern Rio provide a constant source of fascination and fear for the locals. Serving as a permanent reminder to the authorities and the powers that be of the city’s wealth imbalance, they are portrayed as lawless villages run by ruthless drug barons. Although it is extremely unadvisable to visit them yourself, if you wish to gain a greater appreciation of the socio-politico forces at work and make up your own mind about the favelas then take a guided tour. Marcelo Armstrong (3322 2727) has been conducting excursions for over 10 years and has a good rapport with the locals.
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