Sightseeing in Rio de Janeiro

Away from the Beaches

There’s more to Rio than beaches and beautiful people.  There’s plenty of historic architecture all around.  There are also countless museums full of Amerindian and Portuguese treasures, tons of amazing shopping districts, and an iconic statue of Christ that symbolizes the city itself.  And for those who prefer more idyllic settings, Rio is a medical tourism destination blessed with above-average natural beauty – the view from Sugar Loaf Mountain includes endless miles of white sand, sparkling waters, and Amazon greenery.   

Museums

The lure of Ipanema is always magnetic, but make time to include at least a couple of museums on your medical tourism vacation. Rio’s museums do a great job of showcasing the city’s rich historical heritage. 

The Museo Casa do Pontal displays around 5,000 pieces from Jacques van de Beuque’s massive collection. Many of these pieces are figurines that depict idyllic rural Brazil.  A small section open only to adults displays sexually explicit figures that are actually more comical than erotic.  

The Museo Carmen Miranda is an unimpressive structure that would have made her namesake furious if she were to lay eyes on it.  However, inside there are plenty of the flamboyant gowns and famed fruit hats for which the Brazilian singer was renowned.  

The Museum of the Indian, as its name suggests, displays pottery, sculpture, artifacts, and other objects made by the Amazon Indian tribes.  For a look at more contemporary treasures on your medical tourism holiday, head to the Museo de Contemparanea whose white, space ship-like shape stands out against the Rio skyline. 

Christ the Redeemer

With an arm span measuring 30 feet, the statue of Christ atop Corcovado Mountain looks like it’s enveloping the city in a big hug.  This symbol of Rio weighs 700 tons, and stands 100 feet tall.  The magnificent perch on the 2,300 feet peak makes it visible from nearly every part of Rio. And not surprisingly, once at the summit, you can see the entire city laid out before you – Copacabana, Ipanema, and all the landmarks of the city like the Botanical Gardens, and more. You can rent a taxi to get to the peak, but a train ride offers more stunning views enroute. 

The Botanical Gardens

Spread out over hundreds of acres and housing close to 7,000 species of plants and trees, the Botanical Gardens is a must see.  Early morning is one of the best times to go due to the 100+ species of birds that make visits during this time.  

Maracana Stadium

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