Rio is a city that takes your breath away, literally, the moment you see it. Few places on earth have a setting like this: golden beaches curving between the sea and forested mountains, the great statue of Christ the Redeemer with arms outstretched atop Corcovado, the sugar-loaf peak rising from the bay, and the whole sweep of it best seen from above as the sun goes down. Then there's the energy: the rhythm of samba spilling from the bars of Lapa, the beach culture of Copacabana and Ipanema, the world-famous Carnival, and the warmth of the cariocas, as Rio's people are known. It's sensory, joyful, dramatic, and utterly unforgettable.
Here's the honest budget picture, and it's encouraging: Rio is moderately priced for a major world city and good value thanks to the favourable Brazilian real, cheaper than Western Europe or North America for the same experience. Better still, so much of what makes Rio magical is free. The beaches, the hikes to spectacular viewpoints, the street life and the beach culture cost nothing, and the food is a bargain if you eat as the locals do, at the per-kilo buffets and corner bakeries. The two famous icons carry real ticket prices, but everything around them can be done cheaply. The one thing to take seriously here, more than money, is safety, which we'll be straight with you about. We'll show you how to do Rio well, cheaply, and sensibly.
