The Christmas Season is a great time to visit Rio de Janeiro. With the sandy beaches your white Xmas is guaranteed. The only kind of snow you will find are the flakes decorating shop displays. Here it is happens in the beginning of summer. Visit us before the winter blues hit you, and avoid the higher rates charged for New Year's Eve. The city is waiting for you with open arms, parties galore, and you will go back home with a tan that will make your friends turn green!

Other than a commercial holiday, Christmas is a special time of the year to many people. Regardless of your religious persuasion, if any, back in the day people even used to exchange cards by mail. As in going to the post office and using stamps...

With social medias we can now easily keep in touch with friends and family with a simple post, so you can still send your good wishes to everyone while having the time of your life! You will even find actual postcards at the news stands, and instead of sending them, you can deliver in hands when you go back home!

If you love art, music and tradition, Rio will surprise you, too. The "Missa do Galo". a Christmas Mass with Gregorian chanting, happens at Mosteiro de São Bento. A baroque gem covered in gold leaf and sacred art, dating back to the colonial era.

Also make sure to stop at the Nativity Scene at Igreja Nossa Senhora da Paz, in Ipanema. The display is placed outside the church, with Italian sculptures that include even the traditional animals. Once the smallest lamb was "kidnapped" and it caused such a commotion that the perpretator left it at another church a few days later.

Arriving in Rio - first steps

It's summer and you're in Rio so the possibilities are endless, really. If you can get air tickets we can help you find a place to stay with instant confirmation and best rates guaranteed. Keep in mind that location means a lot when it comes to your perception of the city.

Lengedary areas like Ipanema, Leblon and Copacabana are affordable (it's low season) - especially if you have a travel companion to share the room. Staying close to the beach will save you time if you intend to blend in. And you will also be close to many of the best restaurants, shops and night clubs.

Rio is a big city by any standards. On your first day take it easy to deal with the jet leg, get to know your surroundings, make yourself at home. Plane flights are always exhausting and you deserve a break.

It makes a lot of sense to go on a panoramic tour. It's like a one-day tour including lunch, with visits to all major attractions including the Corcovado, the Sugarloaf and even the Maracanã Stadium. This will give you a general sense of what the city is all about and you can explore at your own pace. Choices depend on your lifestyle.

Free literature and more ideas

If you're online you can always get news about Rio on your newsfeed at major social networks. Make sure to stop by one of the Riotur kiosks to get some free literature and maps. There is a more complete guide (as shown on the reproduction on left) and a pocket-sized edition.

There is a kiosk at Praça Nossa Senhora da Paz in Ipanema, and a branch on Av. Princesa Isabel, 163 in Copacabana. Rio for Beginners with practical tips on important issues - including safety.

Is there anything to watch?

Where's the Party?

As in most countries that celebrate Christmas this is mostly a family holiday. A good excuse to meet relatives, invite friends whose families live elsewhere, and enjoy the moment. If you are a visitor, rest assured there will be many peers from all over the world. Most restaurants open on Dec. 24 with special menus. But on the 25th most are closed. You can always count on restaurants at hotels, of course.

Partywise we keep you updated on a daily basis at our page on Facebook. There is a newsfeed below. We post suggestions even on holidays.

Highlights from our Facebook page