5 unique experiences in Rio de Janeiro

Think of Rio and you will have one of the most fascinating places on the planet in your imagination. While the famous carnival is just one of its must-experience things, there is a lot more to it. If you are keen to have an unforgettable experience in Rio, these are our top five picks for that dream trip of a lifetime.

Rio is one beautiful place to be in, and it turns all the more beautiful when you pore over it from the Sugarloaf Mountain. Get up there for an unforgettable view of the city, a part of which has also been designated as a World Heritage Site. Its sheer beauty and, of course, the amazing people also make it to be one of the most visited cities in the world.

What better than sipping on Brazil's national drink at Rio's most loved beach, the Copacabana Beach. One of the most famous beaches in the world, it is usually bustling with locals and travellers alike. Complement the view with rounds of Caipirinha, a drink that is usually made of sugarcane; you will know why the Brazilians are so fond of it.

Yes, you read that right, there is a wonderful national park in this bustling city. It is a must-visit if you want to spend hours exploring outdoors, especially with its setting in the mountains of Rio. The national park is a part of the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Preserve. The park is also an outstanding example of reforestation, for the area was once cleared for coffee, fuel and livestock.UNESCO accredited the park as a World Heritage Site.

Lapa is the famous nightlife hub in Rio, and lies around 7 km away from Copacabana. Go bar-crawling here, or join the locals and experience the magic that Samba dances are. Weekends are a treat at Lapa and the streets here are lined with bars, pubs and nightclubs. As they say, there is a place for every nightlife lover in Lapa.

There is nothing like spending time at one of the world's most famous carnivals in the world, the Carnaval do Rio de Janeiro. An annual carnival, it is held right before Lent, and is believed to be the biggest carnival in the world. It is estimated that the carnival sees 2 million people in a day in the streets here!Still wondering why it is also known as the Biggest Show on the Earth!