Drum Queen Short Bio: As you may have read, Belavista-Rio Carnival Blog is writing a series of posts, explaining and presenting the major samba-schools drum queens for the 2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival. Mirella Santos is one of the next Brazilian beauties we will be describing:< Mirella was born in the south of Brazil, in Florianopolis in 1983. Since she was a small girl, Mirella practiced ballet and was invited to shoot TV commercials. After hours of hard work at gyms and dancing rehearsals, Mirella was elected Pole Position Muse at the Renault Clio Formula Cup and was soon chosen by the Brazilian version of Playboy Magazine to star one of its covers. Apart from the Rio Carnival, Mirella has two other passions, dancing and soccer, where she is a fan of her local team Havaí. As a dancer, Mirella was a permanent hire for the famous “Domingão do Faustão” TV show for two years. She was also chosen to be the “The Temptation Girl” in another TV show produced by Globo Network TV. Today, Mirella lives in Rio and is engaged to Brazilian pop-star singer Latino. She also loves going to the beach, where she tans her body and relaxes after several hours of gym workout.
Carnival History: Mirella started her official parading at the Rio de Janeiro Carnival at the Academicos do Salgueiro Samba School. Soon after she became a national beauty celebrity, she was invited to become the Salgueiro Muse, where she would shine almost like the Drum Queen, or the Drum Section “Godmother”. Since she has a strong ballet background, Mirella thought her transition to the samba dance routines would be smooth, and she was right! Her 2008 parade was a great success with huge media coverage. She has several compliments in regards to her energetic samba dance, perfect samba-school harmony and parade choreography.
Below, we Mirella Santos in the 2008 samba parade for Salgueiro.
This year, Mirella accomplished one of her dreams, being invited to act as a true Drum Queen for Estácio de Sá Samba School. The school, who is part of “Access Group”, hopes to use all of her talent in order to successfully up-grade to the elite samba team, the “Special Group” in 2010. Estácio de Sá samba ´s theme for the 2009 carnival will be “Que chita bacana”, created by carnival director Cid Carvalho. Good luck Mirella in your Carnival Parade!!
Mirella Santos in full workout mode. Picture by Cleomir Tavares from her official site.
Flamengo is definitely a Gourmet district. Some of the finest restaurants in town can also be found in this charming Rio neighborhood. We selected a few of these Gourmet restaurants in Flamengo that you can´t miss. In this lovely neighborhood, there are restaurants serving many tastes, flavors, and pockets. Most of them are well rated by prestigious dining guides like Frommer´s and The New York Times. You can chose between five-star meat, romantic settings, French bistros, wine bars, and even top of class “kilo” restaurants. Below is a small summary we prepared of Porcão Rio, Alcaparras, and other delicious dining settings in Flamengo area.
PORCÃO RIO´S FLAMENGO
A mass carnivorous orgy, Porcão Rio´s is where you go not to sample or taste or nibble, but to munch and stuff and gorge yourself on some of the best beef the world has to offer -- in this case served up with some of the best views in the world.
Porcão is a “churrascaria” (a chain, in fact; there are several in Rio, but this one has the best view) operating on the rodízio system. It's one price for all you can eat (dessert and drinks are extra), and once you sit down, onslaught of waiters comes bearing all manner and variety of meat (steak cuts, roast cuts, filet mignon, chicken breast, chicken hearts, sausage of diverse kinds, and much more) which they slice to perfection on your plate. The "stop sign" card you receive is supposed to regulate this serving army -- green means go ahead, and red says no more -- but considering how little respect Cariocas have for red lights in general, it's hardly surprising that waiters keep coming no matter how abjectly you wave your little red surrender sign.
Oh, and don't forget the nonmeat dishes: Included in your meal is a buffet with dozens of antipasto items, hot and cold seafood dishes, and at least 15 different kinds of salads and cheeses.
Additional Information on Porcão Rios: ● Address: Avenida Infante Dom Henrique s/n, Flamengo Park . ● Open Hours: Daily 11:30am-1am ● Phone: (21) 2554-8535 ● Prices: R$58 (US$24) per person all-you-can-eat meat and buffet. 50% discount for children 6-9, free for children under 6 ● Credit Cards: AE, DC, MC, V ● How to get there: by cab, since you can´t reach it through bus.
Emporio Santa Fé
This lovely two-story restaurant overlooking the Flamengo Park is one of the best restaurants at this charming Rio district. The ground floor has a small wine bar and a few tables but you really want to head upstairs and, if possible, grab one of the window tables in the elegant L-shaped dining room. The chef's forte is pasta; all dishes are made fresh and combine some creative flavors. We loved the ravioli with prawns in a leek sauce with mushrooms as well as the Tortele Tricolor, pasta rounds stuffed with smoked ricotta, figs, and Parma ham. Steak lovers have plenty to choose from, including filet mignon medallions with grilled Brie and potatoes, or grilled tournedos in a balsamic jus, served with rice and mushrooms. Empório Santa Fé´s wine list is probably one of the largest in Rio, and has over 400 options covering most of the world's regions, many reasonably priced (under R$60/US$25.)
Additional Information on Empório Santa Fé: Address: Praia do Flamengo 2, ● Phone: (21) 2551-1278 ● Prices: R$30-R$60 (US$13-US$25) per person ● Credit Cards: AE, DC, MC, V ● How to get there: any bus that rides through Flamengo Beach – “Praia do Flamngo”
Casa de Arte e Cultura Julieta de Serpa
One of the most elegant venues in the city, this lovely neoclassical mansion has just been converted into a fabulous cultural complex. The Salon d'Or, one of the former grand salons, is now used as a tearoom, serving a deluxe high tea (R$49/US$21) that is more like a full meal (forget about dinner plans). Tea includes cheesecake, Black forest cake, a variety of breads, savory mil-feuilles with prawns, mushrooms, or palm heart and many other treats.
The main dining room, Blason, is open for lunch and dinner. On weekdays it serves a great executive lunch which includes a choice of an appetizer, a main course (fish or meat) and a dessert for R$59 (US$25). A la Carte main courses include more elaborate dishes such as rabbit with a black olive risotto or duck with apples and red cabbage. For lighter meals and a more intimate setting, there's the Provence Bistro; open for lunch and dinner on most days, the menu includes sandwiches, salads, pastas, risottos, and omelets. In the afternoons, a fabulous spread of sweets and savory treats is served here as well25.
The J-Club (pronounced Jay-Club) has recently started hosting jazz and bossa nova concerts. Check the website or call for updated programming; cover R$25 (US$11), shows usually start around 9pm.
Additional Information on Julieta de Serpa: Address: Praia do Flamengo, 340 ● Phone: (55-21) 2551-1278 ● Cuisine: Bistro, French, Tea Salon ● Work Hours: Lunch Tues-Sun 12:00-4pm; dinner 7pm-midnight ● Prices: Main courses R$ 30-R$60 (U$13-U$25) per person ● Credit Cards: AE. DC, MC V ● How to get there: any bus that rides through Flamengo Beach – “Praia do Flamngo”
ALCAPARRA
Alcaparra is considered one of the most romantic restaurants in town. Usually it is pretty full but there's always room at the bar to wait for a table. The waiting is not usually long. It has a nice view over the park and the decoration is done with pearl color fabrics on the ceiling and on the couches and chairs. Ivy and flowers seem to crawl up the roman columns. The meal is perfectly served with great care in the presentation. They are proud of having very good wine cellar and the waiters are marvelous. There are plenty of them and eager to serve you. The chef usually comes to ask if you are enjoying the meal. It is an expensive meal, but due to the serving, the food and the atmosphere it is definitely worth it!
Below. Shrimp a Bordelaise
Additional Information on Alcaparra´s: Cuisine: Eclectic/International ● Address: Praia do Flamengo, 150 ● Phone: (21) 2557-7236 ● Open Hours: Monday to Sunday from noon to the last client ● Price Range: US$21-30 per person ● Credit Cards: Cash, Visa, Amex, MasterCard, Diners
Estação da República
The Estação is top of the heap in that unique Brazilian category, the kilo restaurant. It offers a daily selection of at least 20 salads, a range of pastas, and many Brazilian favorites such as feijoada (bean stew), vatapá (seafood stew), and bóbó (shrimp stew). Fancier dishes include carpaccio and sushi. The pièce de résistance is the grill in the back of the restaurant where skilled chefs serve you a choice of beef, Chicken, and a wide assortment of fish. It's a great place for children; they can see the food and try as much or as little as they like. Make your selection, weigh your plate, and find yourself a seat; drinks are served at your table. If the ground floor looks packed, take the escalator up to the second floor for more tables.
Additional Information on Estação da República Restaurant: Address: Rua do Catete 104 International ● Phone: 21 - 2225-2650 International ● Open Hours: Daily 11am-midnight International ● Price Range: per kilo style; R$30 (US$13) per kilo International ● Credit Cards: Cash, Visa, Amex, MasterCard, Diners International ● How to get there: Subway stop at Catete Station.
Belmonte Bar
Last but not least, lets talk now about the editors favorite neighborhood food pick: Belmonte Bar. An old-fashioned botequim with the bright lights, dark wood furniture and tile floors, the Belmonte serves up great beer, sandwiches, and snacks at almost any time of the day, but in the evenings and on weekend afternoons things get really hopping: Patrons spill out on the sidewalk, making do with improvised tables made out of barrels. Although now a local chain with brand-new old-fashioned Belmonte's in Lagoa, Ipanema, and Copacabana, this Belmonte unit remains as the best one, miles away from other one. Originally, Belmonte was a street bar used by taxi drivers serving cachaça and quick meals. It was bought and renovated in the nineties and became a huge success. My favorite snack is the "bolinho de bacalhau" or codfish cake, sold for US$ 2,00. The draft beer served there is simply incomparable. Thursday is the best day to go to Belmonte, where all neighborhood locals gather. Take cash or debit cards since they don´t accept credit cards. Belmonte is located at Praia do Flamengo,300 ● How to get there: any bus that rides through Flamengo Beach – “Praia do Flamngo”
So what are you waiting?? Come visit this lovely charming district in Rio - Flamengo Area!
Does anyone know the when is festivus celebrated? 2009 Carnival in Rio is already a reality. Wandering through the city´s night, samba school rehearsals courts, and “botecos”, Cariocas feel the energizing magic of the world´s largest popular festival. Following this vibrant wave, LIESA, the Official Carnival Association in Rio de Janeiro, announced last week this year´s schedule of the technical rehearsals at the Sambadrome.
"Special" and "Access Group" samba-schools from Rio use these technical rehearsals to make adjustments to their parades. Some of the areas that are practiced and reviewed by the samba schools include comissão de frente – opening wing choreography, drum section movements , floats distances, singing of the samba theme lyrics and overall harmony of the samba parade.
RIOTUR, the Rio de Janeiro official tourism body and LIESA all take the opportunity to make the last sound, lights, and broadcasting adjustments to the grand parade.
The samba-schools that go through these parades rehearsals are part of two groups, the so-called “Special Group”, which is the elite team, and the “Access Group”, the second tier group, but also very large and traditional. Many samba celebrities and drum queens also use the technical rehearsals at the Sambadrome to test their samba dance routines and popularity too.
At these dry runs, costumes are not used, but each school must take minimally 800 “paraders” to this official rehearsal. Samba school components sing the samba school theme lyrics to practice the samba melody, attunement, and arrangement. Another good reason to check out the official technical parade rehearsals at the Sambadrome is that they are free! Don’t miss out this event!
Please see below the Rio Carnival Technical Rehearsals Schedules:
December 2008 Carnival Rehearsals:
Friday, December 5th:
- Beija-Flor Samba-School, 9:00 PM
Sunday, December 7th:
- Império Serrano Samba-School, 8:00 PM
- Mangueira Samba-School, 10:00 PM
Friday , December 12th:
- Vila Isabel Samba-School – 9:00 PM
Sunday, December 14th:
- Unidos da Tijuca Samba-School - 8:00 PM ----> Great!!
- Mocidade Samba-School, 10:00 PM
See above the first couple Rogerinho and Lucinha Nobre practicing at Unidos da Tijuca court.
Friday, December 19th:
- Salgueiro Samba-School, 9:00 PM
Saturday, December 20th:
- Renascer Samba-School, 6:30 PM
- Portela Samba-School , 8:00 PM
- Imperatriz Samba-School, 10:00 PM
Sunday, December 21st:
- São Clemente, 6:30 PM
- Grande Rio, 8:00 PM
January 2009 Carnival Rehearsals:
Friday, January 9th:
- Mangueira, 9:00 PM
Saturday, January 10th:
- Tuiuti, 7:00 PM
- Império Serrano , 9:00 PM
Sunday, January 11th:
- Caprichosos, 6:30 PM
- Grande Rio, 7:00 PM
- Beija-Flor, 9:00 PM
Sexta, January 16th:
- Unidos da Tijuca, 9:00 PM
- Império Serrano, 11:00 PM
Saturday, January 17th:
- Porto da Pedra - 8:00 PM
- Portela, 10:00 PM
Sunday, January 18th:
- Império da Tijuca, 6:30 PM
- Vila Isabel - 8:00 PM
- Salgueiro, 10:00 PM
Friday, January 23rd:
- Mocidade, 9:00 PM
- Imperatriz, 11:00 PM
Saturday, January 24th:
- Porto da Pedra - 8:00 PM
Sunday, January 25th:
- Rocinha, 6:30 PM
- Mangueira , 8:00 PM
- Viradouro, 10:00 PM
Friday, January 30th:
- Império Serrano, 9:00 PM
Saturday, January 31st:
- Estácio de Sá, 7:00 PM
- Portela, 9:00 PM ----> Great!!
February 2009 Carnival Rehearsals:
Sunday, February 1st:
- Santa Cruz, 6:30 PM
- Grande Rio - 8:00 PM
- Vila Isabel, 10:00 PM
Sexta, February 6th:
- Mocidade, 9:00 PM
Saturday, February 7th:
- Inocentes, 6:30 PM
- Porto da Pedra - 8:00 PM
Sunday, February 8th:
- União da Ilha, 6:30 PM
- Unidos da Tijuca , 8:00 PM
- Salgueiro, 10:00 PM ----> Great!!
Saturday, February 14th:
- Imperatriz - 9:00 PM
Sunday, February 15th:
Beija-Flor , 9:00 PM
Rio de Janeiro already has its new Official Carnival Queen. The Rio tourism government body RIOTUR promoted last September the “2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival Queen and King Contest” at the Samba City in Rio. In total, there were 12 beautiful Brazilian Beauties, along with 12 heavy-weight King candidates… The Carnival “King” was also elected during the same event. The King in the Brazilian Carnival has a special title. He is called “Rei Momo”- Momo King, and his tradition goes back to the Brazilian Carnival Culture several years. Jéssica Maria de Freitas , 24 years old student, was the great winner of this warm and sensual night!
The contest started with the individual presentation of the 2009 Carnival Queen candidates. They were wearing tiny string golden bikinis and were cheered up by the Samba Show group and their personal fans from many samba schools. The candidates were judged on several criteria, including sympathy, beauty, carnival spirit, samba dance routines and outgoing personality. The jury committee was formed by notable personalities of the Brazilian Carnival, like Carlinhos de Jesus choreographer, journalist Sidney Rezende and Flag Bearer from Beija-Flor Selminha Sorriso. The Brazilian Beauties dances were elaborated by Unidos da Tijuca Flag Bearer Lucinha Nobre, who is the official choreographer of the contest. The Carnival Queen candidates made a second presentation through the runway, this time with full carnival costumes and were interviewed by contest host man, Jorge Perlingeiro.
After much expectation and suspense, the samba fans that crowded the Samba City finally discovered who would help to promote Rio de Janeiro 2009 Carnival, as its formal Queen. Jessica Freitas and the Momo King Milton Rodrigues da Silva Junior were crowned by RIOTUR Operations Director, Bruno Mattos. Shayene Cesário Vieira and Charlene Valnice da Costa, earned respectively second and third place, and became Rio 2009 Carnival Princesses. They also earned prizes ranging from US$ 6.000 to US$ 10.000.
Below and above, we see pictures from Diego Mendes, Henrique Mattos and Alexandre Brum, from O DIA Agency.
Wondering what really a Rio de Janeiro Carnival Queen and King does? This contest sponsored by the Rio de Janeiro City, is in reality a tradition and at the same time, a marketing event. Rio de Janeiro Carnival is the most magical carnival in the world, and needs constant promotional efforts. At their posts, the newly elected Queens, Princesses and the King visit the most important Carnival Balls, the Sambadrome Parade and take part of the official handling of the city keys ceremony with Rio ´s Mayor. In this event, the Mayor opens the city´s door to the Carnival festivity. They work non-stop from September through the end of the Carnival, in February, highlighting the Carnival affairs.
Next time in Rio, try to visit the Samba City or one of the many samba rehearsals in town!
Please see below the profile of the Brazilian Beauties of 2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival Queen contestants:
1- Natália dos Santos Norber
Age: 20 years
Height: 1,65 cm
Size: 38
Profession: Dancer and Student
Samba School: all
2 - Lívia Silva Moura
Age: 19 years
Height: 1,67 cm
Size: 38
Profession: Student
Samba School: Mangueira
3 - Luciana Conceição da Silva
Age: 23 years
Height: 1,61 cm
Size: 38
Profession: Dancer
Samba School: All
4 - Luana Cristina Herdy Jesus
Age: 26 years
Height: 1,65
Size: 38
Profession: Ballerina
Samba School: Salgueiro
5 - Shayene CesárioVieira - 2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival 1st Princess
Age: 23 years
Height: 1,75 cm
Size: 42
Profession: Lawyer
Samba School: Estácio de Sá
6 - Cynthia Jaciara Paixão de Oliveira
Age: 23 years
Height: 1,75 cm
Size: 40
Profession: Student
Samba School: Salgueiro
7- Michele Cristina Soares Pereira dos Santos
Age: 25 years
Height: 1,70 cm
Size: 38
Profession: Ballerina
Samba School: Portela
8 - Clara Cristina Paixão de Oliveira
Age: 25 years
Height: 1,70 cm
Size: 38
Profession: Nurse
Samba School: Beija-Flor
9 - Jéssica Maia de Freitas – Official 2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival Queen
Age: 25 years
Height: : 1,70 cm
Size: 40
Profession: Student
Samba School: Loves all of them!
10 - Érica Pereira Monteiro
Age: 20 years
Height: 1,62 cm
Size: 36
Profession: Dancer and Student
Samba School: União da Ilha
11 - Charlene Valnice da Costa – 2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival 2nd Princess
Age: 25 years
Height: 1,70 cm
Size: 38
Profession: teacher and dancer
Samba School: Beija-Flor
12 - Danielle Batista de Brito
Age: 23 years
Height: 1,67 cm
Size: 38
Profession: Student
Samba School: Todas
Unidos da Tijuca Samba School is already in the “full power rehearsal “mode, for the 2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival. The traditional Samba School from the Tijuca district was founded in 1931 by Bento Vasconcelos, Leandro Chagas, and Alcides de Moraes and is Brazil´s third oldest major Samba School. The school that has as its main colors the gold yellow and the blue, is practicing for the 2009 Rio de Janeiro Samba parade, and will have the space odyssey as its carnival theme. The official title for Unidos da Tijuca Carnival Parade Theme for 2009 will be “ Uma odisséia sobre o espaço” or “ One Space Odyssey”, having Luis Carlos Bruno as the schools Carnival Art Director.
The traditional samba school already chose its samba theme lyrics, composed by Julio Alves and Totonho, which describes a possible intersection between moon, stars, comets and the magical journey of carnival. The beauty and joy of Tijuca´s Samba School is reflected into space and the infinity, turning possible this imaginary voyage. Please read below the Samba lyrics.
2009 Unidos da Tijuca Samba Lyrics: Space Odyssey
“ Dourado é o sol a clarear
No azul do céu, estende o véu, isso é Tijuca
Chegou, na cauda do cometa, o pavão
E a minha estrela foi buscar na imensidão
Cruzou o céu no limiar do infinito
O meu Borel visto de cima é mais bonito
Eu vou alçar ao espaço
Cavaleiro alado a desvendar
Além das estrelas o monte de Zeus
Horizonte de meu Deus, Oxalá
Vai Tijuca, me faz delirar
A essência vem de lá
Da ciência à navegação
Luar que embala meu sonhos
Luar de qualquer estação
Eu vi brilhar, em seu olhar, a devoção
A lenda do guerreiro e o dragão
O despertar da fantasia
Vi também a criança em seu carrossel
De heróis das estrelas, um céu
De mistérios e magia
Na tela, tantas jornadas pelos astros
Quem dera poder viver em pleno espaço
Vejo em minha lente a imagem sideral
Viagem do meu Carnaval
A nave vai pousar
E conquistar seu coração
O dia vai chegar
Quando brilhar nossa constelação”
Unidos da Tijuca is rehearsing for the 2009 carnival parade at the “Clube dos Portuários”. The club is very large and is conveniently located closed to the Rio Bus Station. Everyone is invited to visit the rehearsals which happen every Saturday from October 2008 to the beginning of the 2009 Rio Carnival. The official date for the 2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival is February 21st through 24th. The Unidos da Tijuca Samba School rehearsal starts generally at 11:00 PM, every Saturday and ends at 5:00 AM. The samba rehearsal is an excellent way to start getting acquainted with the Brazilian Carnival. At the rehearsals, you can listen the impressive power of the drum section, with more than 40 percussionists.
You will also be able to watch the beautiful choreography of the samba school flag bearer and mater of ceremony, swiftly dancing through the samba court, presenting the school´s flag and tradition. Another interesting activity is the samba dance itself, performed by community dancers. During these dry runs, community members and invitees take the opportunity to practice the samba routine steps. Finally, all members at the rehearsal practice the singing of the samba parade theme lyrics, so everyone is in tune with the official interpreter and drum section. Tickets are sold at the entrance, and admittance price is charged at R$ 10,00 - R$ 20,00. Please see below map to the Tijuca´s rehearsal facilities: The address for UNIDOS DA TIJUCA`S SAMBA REHEARSAL is:
Quadra: Clube dos Portuários – Av. Francisco Bicalho, 47 – Santo Cristo. The best way to there is to get a taxi from your place. It should not be more than R$ 30,00-45,00. Surely, this location is the closest from all samba schools rehearsals.
So don´t miss this great opportunity to join the true Rio de Janeiro samba world. Visit Unidos da Tijuca samba´s practice sessions. We are sure you will have loads of fun. Carnival in Rio is magical cultural and healthy. Visit Rio, visit Brazil!
Today we will be inaugurating a new blog category within the Belavista-Rio Carnival Blog, Legendary Drum Queens in the Brazilian Carnival. It will be devoted to a series of Brazilian muses that participated as drum queens for major samba schools in Brazil. In these series of posts, we will present the muse small biography and a summary of their parade participations within the Rio and Sao Paulo samba schools. The first personality we will post will be actress Juliana Paes.
Short Biography: Actress, former model. Juliana Paes is the typical Carioca Girl. Cover girl for several Brazilian magazines, she is considered the top sex symbol in Brazil. Juliana was also ranked by “People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People" in 2006. Juliana gained famed after successful leading role participations in GLOBO TV soap-operas. She has also done some cinema, musicals, theater plays, and even some fashion shows. As a multi-talented artist Juliana has proven she has more than a gorgeous body.
Samba History: Juliana is perfect example of well established Samba partnership. Being native to the Niteroi region, Juliana chose the Viradouro Samba School to start her samba parading story in Rio de Janeiro. She was elected to be Drum Queen for several years, enjoying great success, both by the São Gonçalo community and Brazil press and media. A great portion of her success as a drum queen is credited to her active involvement with the school. She always took part of most of the technical rehearsals at the samba school headquarters and at the Sambadrome. Juliana was officially announced as the Drum Queen for Viradouro Samba School in 2004, where she maintained the post for five consecutive years through 2008. Important to note that in 2004, her first as Viradouro Drum Queen, Juliana replaced legendary samba muse and sensual icon Luma de Oliveira. That was not a simple task due to Luma´s immense popularity.
In 2009, Juliana alleged that she could not anymore fulfill the drum queen´s roll anymore, because of her tight TV and theater rehearsals’ schedule, but would continue to support the school. On October this year, Juliana passed her crown to newly elected Viradouro Drum Queen: Juliane Almeida. Congratulations Juliana for all your samba passion and charisma!
Most people would agree to say that getting around a city is one of the most important issues when trying to understand our travel destination. Some people consider it fundamental, even when picking for a travel destination. The ideal scenario is to have a thorough notion of the city transport alternatives before your arrival, so you can feel safe and comfortable. This is why we decided to write a basic guide on the public transportation facilities and some important facts about Rio de Janeiro. When do we pick a taxi or ride a bus? How do regular buses look like in Rio? What is the color of the cabs in Rio? How much does an executive bus and average taxi ride cost? What are the transportation options locals prefer? What are the main subway stations used by locals? These are some of the questions you will see answered at this post.
Rio is a large city, but most of what goes on is concentrated within a small area. Just like Manhattan in New York, once in Rio, you do not need to worry about transportation if you follow basic rules. Generally speaking, it is very simple to get around in town, following the shoreline. Most of the places you will ever visit are all within a radius of 15 miles. Rio de Janeiro offers a number of public and private transportation options. These include regular city buses, executive bus (called “Frescao”), subway (metro), taxis, van and even a Ferry service (to Niteroi and other touristic islands like Paquetá). Check out below main transport facilities at the wonder city.
Regular City Bus
Regular city bus in Rio is a very inexpensive form of travel which costs about R$2.10 to ride. They come in both non air conditioned (R$2.10) and air conditioned versions (R$2.25 - R$2.40). In past years, city buses suffered from criminals targeting the passengers but they are safer these days. During the day, it is a decent transportation option if you know the routes and are in safer areas of the city. However, they may not be the best option late at night.
Click on this videoclip link to see a typical ride on the Rio Subway and a regular city bus.
Services operate 24 hours and are relatively safe – incidences of crime are rare, although travelers must exercise caution during rush hour and at night, when pickpockets prey. Tickets are available for purchase from the conductor, who sits next to the turnstile at the back of the bus. See below a picture of regular bus in Rio de Janeiro. Again, try using regular buses day-time with your friends, but don´t carry jewelry or expensive wear.
Executive Bus (Frescao)
There is also another type of local bus called the “Frescao”, which means in Portuguese “very fresh” and commonly used by locals. This type of bus runs on a route from Centro through Botafogo, Copacabana, Ipanema and to Leblon (and vice versa). It is more upscale/comfortable and is air conditioned and costs R$3.50. All Frescaos are have the same visual identity (see below). The Frescão that rides from the Rio International Airport to Barra costs R$ 6.00. However, it is only available during the week. These buses also run more frequently during the rush hours in the morning and evening. Going in the direction of Centro, the bus can be flagged down on the beach road (Buses with plaques showing "Castelo"). Coming from Centro, the bus starts off from the Menezes Cortes garage and runs on a road parallel to the beach (but one or two blocks in). It runs on Barata Ribeiro through Copacabana, Prudente de Morais through Ipanema and Av. General San Martin through Leblon. Well you do have the executive buses going every where in Rio de Janeiro and not just on the rush hours but all the time during week period. It’s a wiser decision to get the executive buses than the regular one, especially if you are a tourist in the city. Prices of the Frescão do vary depending on its route. As an example, it´s not the same price to go Copacabana from the Downtown as to go to Barra da Tijuca or Recreio from Downtown. We strongly recommend this transportation option in Rio: they are very safe, practical and can take you to most places in Rio, including both airports. See below a picture of a Frescão executive bus in Rio.
Rio de Janeiro Taxis/Cabs
Rio has a very extensive taxi fleet which includes yellow metered cabs which can be hailed in the streets, as well as a series of special taxis operated by licensed companies which can be found at the airports, in front of our rental apartment’s buildings or booked by phone. The yellow taxis operate with a meter and can be hailed on the street. The flag, or “bandeira” in Portuguese, indicates the tariff and usually reads ‘1’. However, after 23:00, on Sunday and on holidays the tariff will be ‘2’, which indicates a price hike of about 20%. Taxis are fairly priced, although some late-night drivers might quote excessive fixed prices. Travellers should check that the meter is reset and indicates the correct tariff. The minimum fare is currently R$2.70. Tourists are strongly advised to only use taxis that have an official identification sticker in the window. Cabs in Rio are a very popular choice, even amongst locals. Definitely use them to go home from faraway places, like samba rehearsals, and parties.
See below a picture of a regular taxi/cab in Rio:
Special Taxis
Special taxis – either blue or red – or white, operate from the airports and some specific locations. Payment is by pre-paid vouchers, which are available for purchase at airport kiosks. Radio taxis are safe and reliable but 30% more expensive than yellow taxis. Providers include Central de Táxi (Phone: 21- 2593 2598), Coopertramo and Transcopass (Phone: 21 - 2560 4888). The minimum fare for radio taxis is currently R$ 3.10. Brazilians generally do not tip taxi drivers, although rounding the total fare up to the nearest Real is appreciated. Try to avoid these. We consider this a very expensive option. It is used mainly by executives.
Subway – Metro Rio
Lastly, we will describe the subway system: The “Rio de Janeiro Metro” (Metrô Rio) is a mass-transit underground railway network that serves the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The subways system was founded in 1979 with five stations operating on one line, it now includes 32 stations and two separate lines and serves on average nearly half a million passengers per day. The system currently consists of two lines: Line 1 which serves the city's downtown business center, tourist areas in the city's South Zone, and several neighborhoods in the North Zone; and Line 2, which serves working-class residential neighborhoods extending toward the north.
The price of a ticket is no more than R$2.40. Follows below the stations listed for Line 1 and Line 2 of the Rio Metro Subway System:
Line 1 (Center and South Area )
Saens Pena; Sao F. Xavier; Afonso Penna; Estacio; Praca Onze; Central; Pres. Vargas; Uruguaiana; Carioca; Cinelandia; Gloria; Catete; Lgo. Machado; Flamengo; Botafogo; C. Arco Verde; Siqueira Campos
Line 2 (North Area):
Pavuna; Eng Rubens Paiva; Acari F: Botafogo; Coelho Neto; Colegio; Iraja; V. de Carvalho; Thomaz Coelho; Eng da Rainha; Inhauma; Del Castilho; Maria da Graca; Triagem; Maracana; Sao Cristovao; Estacio.
See above a map of the Rio de Janeiro Subway Stations.
Although the subway system in Rio just doesn't the entire city, it considered to be an excellent service by locals. Metro Rio has been very helpful to reduce the traffic jams and to reach destinations like downtown (e.g. former Itamaraty Palace) or Zona Norte (e.g. Maracana Stadium) in a really short time, in a safe way, and at a cheap price (one-way ticket is 2.40 reais). You should definitely use it to go to the Maracana Stadium. For a full review on Metro Rio´s system, please read this expert review.
As a final note, we would like to re-enforce some basic tips. Generally speaking, prefer to use taxi cabs to get from one place to another, even more when travelling in a group a 3, 4 or 5. They are abundant, fairly cheap and safe. When possible, try to use the executive bus, a.k.a. “Frescao”, especially if alone and from and to the airport. When deciding for regular buses, use them only with locals, during day-time, and carrying no expensive wear. Subway is an excellent facility to the Maracana stadium and city centre: very modern and comfortable. Lastly, try to read a little bit of the neighborhood you are settling in before arriving. See you in Rio!
Much have been said about Rio´s police, but tourists need not to worry. Rarely conflicts reach prime areas such as Rio ´s South Zone. Belavista-Rio wrote a series of Rio Security Tips to make sure you avoid unwanted hassles during your stay. Additionally, we described below the four types of police uniforms in Rio de Janeiro, so you can easily identify them in case you need some help or assistance:
Regular Military Police is in charge for combating the criminal activities and maintaing the public order in Rio de Janeiro. They are dressed in blue and grey uniforms, with black boots, as seen below. The also wear a black vest and white caps. Today, there are over 40.000 Military Police troopers in town, with 39 Battaglions.
See picture below of Military Police of the State of Rio de Janeiro.
Municipal Guard in Rio de Janeiro is in charge for the supervision of traffic, beach patrolling and minor types of criminal occurrences. They are dressed in a brown uniform; brown pants, khaki shirts and white cap. The Municipal Guard troop doesn’t regularly use fire arms.
See below picture of Municipal Guard of the wonder city.
The third type of policemen found in Rio is formed by the National Force. This elite police is usually called upon special occasions like the Pan American Games, important conferences or presidential visits in Rio de Janeiro. They are easily identified by their camouflage uniform, black fire proof vest, and red berets. See below uniform of National Force:
Finally, the last type of police that can be seen in Rio is the Battalion of Special Operations-BOPE. This elite troop became worldwide famous because of the successful motion picture “Elite Squad”, which portrays some of the activities performed by this hardcore police. They wear a black uniform and are rarely seen close to the tourists’ scene. They can also be identified by their intimidating badge, which has a skull, crossed by 2 guns and a knife. See below BOPE uniform in action:
The Wonder City also has a battalion strictly dedicated to foreign tourists, and is called “DEAT” . The District for Attending to Tourists DEAT is a special branch of the Civil Police and is made up of a Delegate (Superintendent), detectives and clerks responsible for investigating and recording occurrences. The DEAT has its own offices conveniently located in Leblon in front of the Casa Grande and Scala theaters. The District was instituted and the police officers specifically trained to solve incidents involving foreign visitors.
Follow this link to Google Maps to the access this tourist battalion.
Please see address below for DEAT District:
Delegacia de Atendimento ao Turista - DEAT
Address: Av. Afrânio de Mello Franco, s / nº - Leblon
22430-060 Rio de Janeiro – Brasil
Phone: (55 21) 3399-7565 / 69
(55 21) 3399-7457 call center
(55 21) 3399-7562 intelligence service.
Fax: (55 21) 3399-7450
Angenor de Oliveira, “master” Cartola, synthesizes the samba and the Sambista. He was one of the greatest all time samba composers, and helped to create the traditional Rio de Janeiro Samba School Mangueira, choosing its name, colors and destiny. Cartola shortened the distance between samba writers and the middle class of Rio de Janeiro, helping to promote the carnival in the beginning of last century. Cartola´s 100th birthday anniversary this October is definitely an important date to be celebrated and remembered by Carnival community all over the world.
Cartola was born in the Catete district in Rio, on October 11 1908. He moved to Mangueira at the age of 11, and as a child was encouraged by his father to play the ukulele, a small 5 string version of a guitar. He finished grammar school, but decided to drop out when he was 15, after his mother´s premature death. Needing to make a living, he worked as a bricklayer, wall painter, car washer, and even night watchman. Also, for period of time, he had a job as an office boy in a public civil service department. Historians point out he was never able to make a living from samba or carnival, although he was a true composer genius. Cartola has his first album recorded only in 1974, at the age of 65.
Carnival and Samba researcher Ricardo Albin stated; “I already knew Cartola from the Zicartola Bar nights. One evening, I went over the National Radio Station to watch a program honoring singer Marlene. On the way up, the elevator stopped at the floor where the Secretary of Industry and Commerce was. You cant´ imagine my surprise when I saw Cartola greeting the guests – he was the doorman. I managed to take him to the show, where he was honored too. He was the sweetest and most cordial man I have ever met.”
The nickname Cartola came about at the time he worked as a bricklayer. He was a very vain man, and he hated when the cement dust fell on his hair. He managed to get a hat which looked very much like a top hat (cartola, in Portuguese), so his friends at work started calling him Cartola. None of them could imagine that name would be immortalized for ever as one of the greatest samba composer legends of all times.
In 1925, together with life-time song partner Carlos Cachaça, he founded a musical band called “The Arengueiros”. Three years later, The Arengueiros merged with two other existing samba groups to give birth to the traditional Samba School Mangueira, the second official major school in all samba history. This was April 28, 1928. Cartola joined other friends such as Saturnino Gonçalves, Marcelino José Claudino, Francisco Ribeiro, Euclides Roberto dos Santos, and Zé Espinguela, among others to write the samba school´s foundation document. (Deixa Falar samba school formed a few months before Mangueira by songwriters from Estácio and was officially the first major school to be formed. Later, Deixa Falar´s name was changed to Portela Samba School.)
Below we see a brilliant caricature by Leo Martins of legend Cartola, with the Mangueira shirt and a guitar.
Cartola composed samba school Mangueira´s first samba called “Chega de Demanda”, but his reputation spread outside the samba school when singers Mário Reis and Francisco Alves started buying the rights of his sambas. It is important to state that contrary to his partners, Cartola refused to share the song writing, giving in only when it came to the rights of record sales.
Another interesting point of his composing style is that sambas written by Cartola for Mangueira had a melody so beautifully done that they were recorded with many different tempos later on. One of them was “Não quero mais” from 1936, which was sung by Paulinho da Viola in 1973, under the title “Não quero mais Amar ninguém”.
Cartola has already some fame by 1942, having for example, composing songs even to Carmen Miranda. At this date Cartola participated together with others songwriters in a famous recording aboard a ship called “Uruguay”, with conductor Leopoldo Stokowski, who was then visiting Brazil. They were truly making history and as a result of these recordings, two 78 RPM albums were launched by Columbia in the United States. The following year, Cartola formed a band called Conjunto Carioca, and presented shows during one month in São Paulo. Later, he disappeared mysteriously from the musical scene, probably due to the death of first wife and meningitis he contracted.
What is certain is that in 1956, a casual meeting with journalist Segio Porto in Ipanema, made sure that this part of history of the Brazilian music would not miss one of its main and important chapters. The master of sambas worked washing the cars of rich ladies that had no idea he had written “As Rosas Não Falam” – “The Roses don’t Speak”, “Acontece”, “Corra e olhe o Céu”, “O mundo é um moinho”, “Autonomia”, “Minha” , “Tive Sim”, “Amor proibido”, “Ciência e Arte”, and so many other samba treasures. Sérgio then took him to sing at the Mayrink Veiga radio station, one of the most traditional at the time.
By 1961, Cartola has already met his second wife, Eusébia Silva do Nascimento, a.k.a. Dona Zica, and was again living at the Mangueira community. In 1963, he decided to open a bar, which was called Zicartola and lasted only for two years. The bar however was crucial to the revival of samba, since it became an important cross-section and meeting area between Rio rich south zone intellectuals, and songwriters from the creative north zone and Mangueira itself. Following this moment, Cartola and some of his songwriters friends like Zé Keti, Nelson Cavaquinho and other were able to promote their talent and songs outside the Mangueira limits, and recorded too their first albums.
Cartola finally recorded his first album in 1974, and in 1976 he released his second album. He had his official debut (after the releasing of his album) at the Gloria Theater and by 1977 he launched the classical album called “Verde que te quero Rosa”, by American Label RCA Victor. By 1979 Cartola recorded his last album called “Cartola – 70 anos”. Cartola died one year later of cancer, November 30th, 1980. Today, Cartola is recognized as more than a legendary founder of Brazilian Samba. Last year, filmmakers Lírio Ferreira and Hilton Lacerda paid a tribute to Cartola through an excellent movie that has his name as the title. The documentary had the participations of some of his friends like Nélson Sargento and musical commentator Nélson Motta. The documentary shows that more than a samba legend, Cartola is eternal and probably the original reference of Brazilian root samba.
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