Visiting Rio de Janeiro: Let's get a few facts straight first.

Hi visitors, 

There are a lot things that you should  know about Rio de Janeiro before you pick this city as destination in Brazil. 

Christ the Redeemer Statue

Let’s start by clearing up a few things:

•   The official language in Brazil is not Brazilian it is Portuguese.
•   Brazil was originally a colony of Portugal.
•   Brazil is not a Spanish speaking country.
•   Rio de Janeiro is not a capital of Brazil. The capital of Brazil is Brasilia.
•   Rio de Janeiro is known as a city, but it is also a state.
•   Whoever is born in Rio de Janeiro is called Carioca.

Now that you are already aware about some misconceptions, you should know how to deal with the Cariocas:

• Cariocas do not like to stop on the red traffic light. They are always scared if they would  be robbed.
• Cariocas love holidays. They honor all the saints as a national holiday.
• A vacation for Cariocas is 30 days, and they still feel that is not enough. 
• Cariocas are very touch person. Do not be scare if they kiss you. They love to kiss.
• Cariocas speak loud. But they are not fighting, this is the way they express their happiness.
• Cariocas are crazy for soap operas. If you are planning  to visit one, please go before or after the soap opera .The whole family  get together every night at 9 p.m. to watch the novelas (soap opera in Portuguese)  
• Cariocas have dinner around 8 p.m.
• Cariocas like to get away from “hustle and bustle” of the city.

Here is an amazing song that describes the real Carioca

Carioca lyric in English

Cariocas are beautiful
Cariocas are cool
Cariocas are clever
Cariocas are gold-tanned
Cariocas are modern
Cariocas are smart
Cariocas are frank
Cariocas don't like cloudy days
Cariocas are born bambas
Cariocas are born aces
Cariocas speak with accent
Cariocas are joyfull
Cariocas are so thoughtful
Cariocas are so sexy
Cariocas are so plain
Cariocas don't like boundaries

Cariocas, on the weekends and holidays, are always looking for a new place to escape from the city.
Cariocas like to travel to the Regiao dos Lagos in Rio de Janeiro state, which could be compare to Cote d’Azur on France or Sicily in Italy.