Recently in Rio de Janeiro Category

Ah, Rio. Is there anything it doesn't have? In addition to its famed beaches and nightlife, Rio also boasts its very own rain forest. One of only a handful of urban rain forests in the world, Tijuca Forest provides a home to some of the region's most exotic flora and fauna over its 3,200 hectares. Tijuca Forest's story is an inspiring one. After being almost completely deforested in the 17th and 18th centuries, the entire rain forest was replanted from 1861 to 1888 using native seedlings of the Atlantic Forest Ecosystem. The successful return of the land from coffee plantation to rain forest was nothing short of amazing, and offers hope today for a recovery of rain forest that's been lost or damaged throughout South America. Tijuca Forest boasts miles of hiking trails that wind past the Cascatinha Waterfall (pictured), Mayrink Chapel, Excelsior Lookout Point, Fairy Lake, and dozens of bridges, fountains, and areas to kick back and enjoy this amazing natural setting. Of course, many people just come here to visit the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer, which looks out over Rio with open arms from the top of 700-meter Corcovado Mountain. It's not very difficult to reach the summit, either, just hop on the Trem do Corcovado and you'll find yourself on the top of the world in no time. Tijuca Forest is a short taxi ride from the Sheraton Barra Hotel & Suites and the Sheraton Rio Hotel & Resort.

Brazil is at once deeply serious and completely mad about soccer. The country has a history of players so famous they're known by single names - Pele, Kaka, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho - as well as some of the most enthusiastic fans in the world. When in Rio de Janeiro, futebol fans should make a pilgrimage to one of the most renowned stadiums on the planet, the Maracanã Stadium. Opened in 1950 to host the fourth FIFA World Cup, in which Brazil suffered a staggering defeat to Uruguay, it's still one of the largest temples to soccer anywhere, with a capacity of nearly 100,000 screaming fans. Since that rough beginning, Brazil's national team has delivered five world championships, and regional teams across the country continue to develop world-class players through heated competition.

Being in the stands at Maracanã is an experience you'll never forget, and attending most games is as easy as taking a taxi to the stadium and procuring an inexpensive ticket (less than $10) at the window. There are separate sections for fans of both teams, as well as a neutral section, so choose your seat wisely. While most Brazilians are friendly, loving people, it's advisable to root for the same team as those sitting around you. But it's easy to get caught up in the excitement as the favorite team pushes the ball up the field and puts it in the net for a goal. Four local teams call the stadium home: Flamengo, Vasco, Fluminense, and Botafogo, and matches between Flamengo and Fluminense, known affectionately among locals as "FlaxFlu," elicit particular passion among players and supporters. On days when there are no games, visitors can tour the stadium and walk through the museum, which features Brazilian soccer memorabilia such as the ball and net from Pele's 100th goal. Guests at the Sheraton Rio Hotel & Resort and the Sheraton Barra Hotel & Suites can inquire at the front desk for information about upcoming games and transportation options, or call 55-21-2509-5937.

Rarely in travel does one find a world class mountain just minutes from from a popular downtown urban center, especially when that downtown is located right next to one of the world's most spectacular beaches. But then, when you're talking about Rio de Janeiro, you've almost got to expect pleasant surprises at every turn.

The views of Rio, Guanabara Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean from the top of 396-meter Pão de Açucar (Sugarloaf) are nothing short of spectacular, and, since you're on vacation, they make it pretty easy to reach the summit. A fully-enclosed tram leaves the "base camp" every half hour for the top of the adjacent mountain, 220-meter Morro da Urca. It's a halfway point of sorts, where visitors stretch their legs and enjoy the impressive views as well as the restaurant, snack bar, and requisite souvenir stands until another tram brings them to the top of Pão de Açucar. And while the panorama is breathtaking no matter what time you make it to the top, the magic really happens at sunset, when the city is bathed in an otherworldly light and the beauty of Rio is evident for all to behold. As the setting sun casts dramatic shadows across the beaches of Ipanema and the Copacabana, and the majestic statue of Christ the Redeemer is cast in a stark silhouette against the early-evening sky, you'll see for yourself why so many people consider Rio to be the most beautiful city in the world. Guests at the Sheraton Rio Hotel & Resort - the city's only beachfront resort with an extensive recreational area, spa, and amenities - won't want to miss this classic Rio experience.

Just in case you needed an excuse to go to Rio, here's one: the love of international sporting competition. Yes, the Pan American Games are coming to Rio. Beginning on July 13 and lasting 16 days, more than 5,500 athletes from 42 countries will compete in more than 30 sports. Traditional sports are represented, such as basketball, football, and tennis, as well as lesser-known sports like table tennis, badminton, and archery. Several new and improved venues will be ready for the games as well, including the brand new João Havelange Stadium, which can seat 45,000 screaming football fans in comfort. The Sheraton Rio Hotel & Resort is conveniently located right on the beach, with an extensive recreation area, spa, and amenities as well as world-class restaurants and lounges.

[image via Rio 2007 Pan American Games]