After Class Activities

Our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture, traditions, and everyday life after your class is over. Enjoy a wide selection of outdoor activities including beach life on Copacabana beach. Other activities could include: trips to the monument Cristo Redentor, a local Brazilian Soccer game, Carnival and Samba clubs.

There are many ways to explore Rio whether it’s visiting the famous Cristo Redentor statue or one of the many museums Rio is offering. Get yourself started for a trip to Rio de Janeiro with the links below:

Carnival:

Rio is famed for its Carnival, when over a period of four days, the daily routine is replaced by music, parties, and elaborately-costumed dancers swaying to the samba in street parades. Practically every neighbourhood in Rio has a samba club that competes for top honors along the Sambodramo, a street specially designed for the samba parades. Rio has no shortage of sightseeing, nightlife, dining, and fun throughout the rest of year.

Corcovado:

The Corcovado or Hunchback mountain, so named because of its shape, is home to probably the most memorable and identifying image of Rio - that of the Cristo Redentor (Christ The Redeemer) statue. Arms boldly stretched in welcome, he embraces the city and the magnificent Bay over which he looks. Only in 1921, when Brazil marked its independence, did someone think of creating the monument that has become so well known throughout the world. In 1931, the statue was inaugurated and it is now an immensely popular visitor attraction and one of the cities main scenic spots, standing as it does on top of the 710m-high (2330ft) mountain. Paul Landowski, the French sculpture, was responsible for the statue that is 30m (99ft) high and has an eight-metre (26ft) pedestal with a chapel capable of holding 150 people.

Pão de açúcar:

Situated in Rio's Urca bairro, the conical-looking mountain vies with the Corcovado in the attempt to win the visitor s vote for best overall panoramic view. Originally called Pau-nh-qu¡ (high, pointed peak) by the Tupi Indians, it was renamed pão de açúcar (sugar loaf) by the Portuguese who thought the shape of the 394m (1293ft) granite rock to be comparable to that of the moulds used to set sugar cane.

Copacabana:

A large suburb of Rio, Copacobana is perhaps best known for its amazing, wide, sandy beach that stretches four kilometres (2.4 miles) - or, of course, that song! The beaches are popular with both residents and tourists and usually busy as everyone tries to soak up some sun! From the sand of the volleyball courts to the soccer fields, Brazilians have a passion for sports!

Parque Nacional da Tijuca:

Occupying an area of 120 sq kilometers (46 sq miles), the area in the Tijuca range is the only national park in Brazil to be situated in an urban area. Classed as one of the world's biggest urban parks, it borders Alta Boa Vista, Santa Teresa and a number of Rio's other neighbourhoods. Following the successful reforestation project, the land has seen ocelots, howler monkeys, insects and reptiles thrive. Birds have fared especially well and bird watching is one of the park's major attractions.

Museou Nacional de Belas Artes:

Art lovers will appreciate the Museu Nacional de Belas Artes, where paintings by Brazil's most prominent nineteenth and twentieth-century artists are exhibited along with local folk art. Another interesting museum is the Museu Historico Nacional building, which dates from 1762 and contains a fascinating collection of art, papers, weapons and other assorted artifacts documenting Brazil s history.

Búzios:

Once the stress of lying on one of Rios beaches all day becomes unbearable, it is likely that the visitor will want to go in search of some beaches surrounded by a little culture. East of Rio, Búzios is a beautiful beach resort with a Mediterranean feel.

Nicknamed Brazil s St. Tropez , this fishing village surged in popularity when it was accidentally discovered by Bridget Bardot in 1964. Situated on an Atlantic peninsula, the village comprises of bars, restaurants, sophisticated boutiques and luxurious villas and pousadas. During the high season (December-February), the population can swell from around 16,000 to 150,000 people.

The town, a haunt of the very rich and beautiful, comprises of three settlements and surrounding them are a total of 27 white-sand beaches. Each beach offers something different whether it be simply bathing opportunities or a range of watersports. Búzios is easily accessible by bus. There are four daily departures from Rio and the journey takes around four hours.

Parati:

An enchanting colonial town, Parati is one of Brazils most popular holiday destinations. Architecturally still as it was in the eighteenth century, when it was used as a staging post for the Brazilian Gold trade, it has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status. The winding, cobbled streets are open only to bicycles, horses and pedestrians and are surrounded by a wealth of old buildings containing within them appealing art galleries, restaurants, and shops.

Ipanema:

Ipanema is a thriving neighbourhood with many world-class restaurants, shops and cafés. It is one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in Rio de Janeiro and its streets are lined with upscale apartments and shore lined hotels both in traditional and modern architectural styles. Ipanema is well known for its lengthy beach and beach culture where many tourists and locals alike go to surf, sunbathe and socialize.

Maracanã stadium:

Maracanã stadium was built in 1950 for the fourth World Cup. It is the one of the world’s largest stadiums and it is often filled to capacity with more than 90,000 people during a major football match. Its sturdy concrete construction allows for a dramatic open roof that cantilevers nearly thirty metres over its seats. Originally named after Mario Filho, the founder of Jornal dos Sports, it was renamed Maracanã, simply after the small river that flows by it.