Rio de Janeiro

Rio Statue Replica Causes Uproar in London

Christ the Redeemer ©David Berkowitz The statue of Christ the Redeemer with open arms in Rio is seen around the world as a symbol of peace and friendship. But residents of a posh north London neighborhood are up in arms at the possibility of the Brazilian national tourist board erecting a temporary replica on the [...]

Rio’s New Museum of Tomorrow

Rio de Janeiro Waterfront © JorgeBRAZIL The waterfront of Rio de Janeiro will soon have a green new addition. The Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow), designed by Santiago Calatrava is part of a 5 billion Brazilian real “Marvelous Port” project that will revitalize Rio’s waterfront district. In addition to the Museum of Tomorrow, Recently [...]

Photo of the Moment: On Approach, Rio

Beautifying the Slums of Rio With Giant Murals [Gallery]

Since 2006, Dutch artists Haas&Hahn have been painting the favelas (slums) of Rio with giant murals. The before and after shots are truly amazing.

Poverty Tourism Gets Rio Tour Company in Trouble

A Rio de Janeiro tour company could have its license revoked after being caught offering tourists “intimate” tours of the city’s infamous slums, called favelas. Visitors were given the opportunity to meet the drug lords who rule these slums and even be photographed with them. The story was broken by an undercover reporter who paid [...]

Travel Book: Chasing Bohemia: A Year of Living Recklessly in Rio de Janeiro

I’ve never been to Brazil. I have, however, met a whole lot of great Brazilian people, and that alone has given me enough reasons to want to visit the country. But a new book by Carmen Michael called Chasing Bohemia: A Year of Living Recklessly in Rio de Janeiro is the cherry on top, and [...]

Pocket-sized Movie Review: Cidade de Deus (‘City of God’)

I’m growing a bit blasé in my old age about not needing to see new release movies the instant they premiere. That said, I just watched the five year old Cidade de Deus (“City of God”) over the weekend. It’s an absolute must-see. The story, the characters, the music, the cinematography … I felt like [...]

Santa Draws Heavy Gunfire in Rio de Janeiro

In Rio de Janeiro, not even Santa Claus is safe from the violence on the street. Drug traffickers in one of the city’s slums reportedly fired at a helicopter that was carrying a (not to be confused with the) Santa to a kids’ Christmas Party in the Nova Mare slum. Thankfully, no one was hurt, [...]