Recreation

Rio abounds in water as well as land recreational activities for its tourists. For the adventure enthusiasts a visit to the Corcovado Mountain is a must. This mountain is as beautiful as you could have ever imagined anything to be. It stands at 2,139 feet high, and provides the visitors with its own set of spectacular vistas. If you have the time, a shower in the most popular beach of Copacabana and Ipanema will provide the ultimate relaxing experience. You can also opt to go for a stroll through the historical part of the city. Rio de Janeiro is a bright, loud and a busy city that flaunts its colonial architecture and the modern office buildings, banks and business centers.

However, you are sure to find corners and places where you can simply relax and meditate and unwind yourself from the daily routine. You are bound to find spots that are surrounded by the lively tropical nature that makes Rio de Janeiro a splendid encounter for visitors and locals alike.

You will come across widespread sandy beaches along the Atlantic Ocean in the southern margins of the city, which allow swimming, surfing, beach volleyball and other activities for the entertainment of its tourists.

Tijuca National Park, which is located very close to the urbanized area, atop the Serra da Carioca range, contains bits and pieces of the tropical rain forest that once enclosed the entire area.

Urban parks include Quinta da Boa Vista Park, the Botanical Gardens, Lagoa Park, and Flamengo Park that provide a great range of recreational activities such as hiking, climbing, hang gliding, jogging, walking, and cycling.

You can also find a lot of activities that include hang-gliding and Para gliding off the 510m (1673ft) Pedra Bonita.

Rock climbing (outdoor)

Rio de Janeiro is the considered to be the center of rock climbing in Brazil, with 350 documented climbs within 40 minutes of the city center and makes it a great recreational activity for many tourists. Climbing in Rio is best during April to October, which are the pleasant months of the year during the summer. Rio has several well-ordered climbing clubs, which have weekly gatherings to discuss and prepare the schedules for the week.

Cycling

Rio has more than 74km (46mi) of bike paths around the city that makes it the most ideal way for some tourist to get some exercise. You will find the perfect bike paths around Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, along Barra da Tijuca and on the oceanfront from Leblon to Leme. This last path stretches all the way to Flamengo and into the center of the city. The Tijuca forest, a 6km (3.7mi) bikeway, runs from Cascatinha to Açude.

Hiking

Excellent hiking and climbing are quite possible at national parks within Rio state, which are good for walking and jogging paths in the zona sul. Apart from all these you are also bound to come across beaches where many residents and tourists play volleyball.

Surfing

Surfing is well liked by all the locals and Arpoador, between Copacabana and Ipanema, is where you will normally find all the surfers gathering together and to put up a perfect surfing day.

The Western Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District offer healthy and innovative entertaining programs, activities, and conveniences to meet the needs of the District's citizens, regardless of race, age, or physical condition.

There are certain Board of Directors that govern the District. The Board's meetings are generally held every second Monday of the month at around 7:00pm in the Recreation Center conference room. All the tourists and residents are welcome to join in.

Petropolis is 40 miles from Rio, which is the former home of the last emperor of Brazil, Pedro II. It was visualized, as an inspirational refuge from the simmering Rio heat, and till date remains a famous getaway spot. Apart from that even the road to Petropolis is well worth the drive.

Apart from this the other activities that the tourists should indulge in are attend a soccer game, at Maracana, Brasil's temple of soccer and a colossus among coliseums, a landmark in Rio. Opt for a guided jeep tour through Tijuca forest and to Santa Teresa historic neighborhood. Visit the H. Stern headquarters and workshop and see the Carmen Miranda museum.