Barra da Tijuca

#1 Christ the Redeemer This iconic landmark is a must-see attraction in Rio. Recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, this statue of Jesus Christ stands with arms outstretched to the ... Read more » Image Source / Getty Images

#2 Jardim Botanico Spread out across more than 340 acres, this botanical paradise awes its visitors with more than 6,000 indigenous and exotic species of flora. This serene garden hosts everything from ... Read more » Kseniya Ragozina / Getty Images

#3 Tijuca National Park Outdoorsy types love exploring this expansive green rainforest. Covering 8,300 acres, Tijuca National Park is the largest urban rainforest on the planet. The natural beauty of the park can ... Read more » Leonardo Martins / Getty Images

#4 Ipanema Beach Made famous by the well-known bossa nova song, "The Girl from Ipanema," this beach has drawn tourists since the 1960s. The 2-mile stretch of sand boasts gorgeous mountain views, beautiful ... Read more » Marcia Rosa / Getty Images

#5 Sugar Loaf Mountain (Pao de Acucar) Standing high above Rio's bustling metropolis at 1,299 feet, Sugar Loaf Mountain cascades over the picturesque Guanabara Bay. From Praia Vermelha in the residential Urca district, you can ... Read more » dabldy / Getty Images

#6 Lapa If you come to Rio to revel in samba, Lapa is the place for you. This festive neighborhood ignites at night, when locals swing their hips and sip on delectable ... Read more » Courtesy of Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau

#7 Prainha Known as Brazil's "little" beach, this remote paradise  sits about 20 miles west of Ipanema Beach, but is well worth the jaunt. Prainha's magnificent shoreline features a backdrop ... Read more » Igor Prahin / Getty Images

#8 Copacabana Beach One of Rio's most popular shores, Copacabana is a public beach located in the heart of the luxurious Zona Sul neighborhood. The beach is marked by postos, or lifeguard ... Read more » Lost Horizon Images / Getty Images

#9 Santa Teresa This hilly bohemian district boasts an eclectic array of art and architecture. Strolling along Santa Teresa's cobblestone streets, you'll be enchanted by sidewalk mosaics, palatial mansions and artsy ... Read more » Luiz Grillo / Getty Images

#10 Barra da Tijuca Barra da Tijuca's expansive 11-mile stretch of coastline and adjacent shopping center, known to Cariocasas "Barra," is popular among locals. Recent travelers say it has a more relaxed ... Read more » marchello74 / Getty Images

#11 Grumari Beach You won't find beachfront restaurants, luxurious hotels or plentiful kiosks here. Without them, you'll have space to stretch out on the nearly 2 miles of white and red ... Read more » Luiz Felipe Castro / Getty Images

#12 Ilha Fiscal Set apart from the bustling sights and sounds of central Rio, this remote neo-Gothic castle rests on a tucked away island in the Guanabara Bay. Completed in 1889 and once ... Read more » PedroKirilos / Flickr