The mesmerizing view over Rio de Janeiro is never better than during the most celebrated day of the year, New Year’s Eve. People from all over the world fly in before the end of December and join the Cariocas for the final countdown to the New Year's Eve (Revelion) in Rio de Janeiro. To fully enjoy your trip, it is advisable to be in Rio at least 4 days before the coming New Year. Get acquainted with the beauty of the Rodrigo da Freitas Lagoon, and feel the exotic charm of the Tijuca Forest. See the iconic Statue of the Christ the Redeemer from above the famed Corcovado Hill.

One of the greatest and much-awaited celebrations in the world is about to occur come February 13 until February 16 of 2010. The Brazilian Carnival in Rio de Janeiro or ‘Carnaval’ to the locals in Portuguese gives everyone a glimpse of the heart of the culture of Brazil. Although Carnivals take place in different Brazilian cities, South American countries and other Catholic countries but the Rio Carnival stands to be the most elaborate and most popular of them all. Some of the popular Carnivals apart from the Rio Carnival are celebrated in Recife, Olinda and Salvador but none of them can compare to the grand Rio Carnival.

Among the other 6 candidates competing to be the host city of the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, Rio de Janeiro was chosen unanimously by the International Olympics Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Rio competed with Chicago, United States; Madrid, Spain; Tokyo, Japan; Baku, Azerbaijan; Doha, Qatar; and Prague, Czech Republic. Before winning the candidacy of becoming the host city, Rio was shortlisted along with Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo.