The coastline is so much a part of Rio that it is easy to convince yourself that this whole city is nothing but one enormous, beautiful beach. Most popular with locals and tourists are the Copacabana and Ipanema beaches (and you thought these were only Barry Manilow songs) which are more than just a place to soak up the sun, they are the venues for daily local life.

Here, locals meet and greet, argue, fall in love, eat and drink and watch their kids play. These beaches are surrounded by hotels, restaurants and bars & clubs as well as the 'indispensable' facilities like deck chairs and showers.

Iconic Places to See

It is almost an act of blasphemy to visit Rio without visiting Corcovado Mountain and the globally recognizable Statue of Christ the Redeemer, who stretches out his welcoming arms to all newcomers. From Cosme Vehlo, catch the miniature train that runs though the steep rainforest to the summit.

Sugar Loaf Mountain is another must-see. The views are amazing, as is the mountain itself (tropical rainforest and waterfalls) but don't do as most tourists do and simply head straight uphill. The base of the mountain is criss-crossed with walking trails, all of which are frequented by the Sugar Loaf Monkeys, who enjoy passing the time of day with their human guests as well as lightening their load of some of that lunch. It's forbidden to feed these little guys, but the rule is not well policed and its hard to resist those faces.

Museums

The best museums in Rio are the Museum of the Indian, a collection of the history of – and a tribute to – the indigenous people of the area, and the Museo de Carmen, a museum devoted to singer Carmen Miranda (she of the famous 'fruit bowl' hat). Both are intriguing, and worth supporting.

Off the Beaten Path

The most extreme way to head off the beaten track in Rio de Janeiro is to take a Slum Tour. Anyone who has seen the movie The City of God will have some idea of how dangerous the slums, or favelas, of this city can be. Most local police are scared to go into the favelas and they are lawless areas ruled by gangs, guns and drug-runners. Tour guide Marcelo Armstrong has been taking visitors through the favelas for almost 20 years, to educate outsiders and to suppor the local community – legitimate ways to earn money are extremely rare in these neighborhoods, and tourism is often the only chance some of these people have of feeding their kids. This is probably the most unnerving tour you will ever go on, but it is highly recommended.

Another fun, and free way to get off the tourist carousel is to head over to  Rua Conde de Baependi 71 for a free capoeira lesson. The group meets here every week to practise the slower and more controlled version of the 'dancing martial art,' Angola. Your first lesson costs you nothing and if you are good at laughing at yourself, this is a great way to spend a breathless afternoon having some fun with the locals.

Hotels

Sometimes it seems hard to find an expensive hotel room in Rio, even if you want one.  You can find rooms as low as the $40 range. In fact you'll find a lot in that price range, compared to only a couple of hotels that run in the $400 to $500 range.  Most well appointed hotels tend to average between $100 - $150 per night per room (two people).

Use the Hotelsio Rate Finder on the left to find cheap hotels in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Photo:©iStockPhoto.com/celcopupo)