Where do MSC Cruises' ships dock in Rio de Janeiro?
MSC Cruises dock at Pier Mauá, Avenue Rodrigues Alves, 10 - Center/RJ. At the eastern edge of the city at Guanabara Bay, Pier Mauá is part of the Porto Maravilha('Marvellous Port'), a modern urban development that is home to several museums, an aquarium and lots of seasonal events.
How do I reach the car park at the Rio de Janeiro cruise port?
Coming from the west (São Paulo): Enter Rio on the BR116, merge onto the B101, continue on Avenida Brasil. Then take Avenida Rodrigues Alves before turning into Via Binário do Porto/R. Arlindo Rodrigues, continue on Avenida Venezuela, take a left on Praça Mauá, then a left on Avenida Rodrigues Alves and the cruise terminal is on your right.
Coming from the north (Galeão International Airport): Take Estrada do Galeão, then the Expressa Presidente João Goulart. Use the left lane to exit towards Centro/Copacabana. Merge on to Viaduto do Gasômetro. Keep right at the fork and follow signs for Tijuca/Tn. Rebouças/Centro/Maracanã. Take a slight left on to Via Binário do Porto. After the Rio Art Museum, take a left on Praça Mauá, a left on to Avenida Rodrigues Alves and the cruise terminal is on your right.
How do I get to the Rio de Janeiro cruise port from the train station?
Brazil Central Station (Central do Brasil) is located around three kilometres from the cruise terminal. There is a taxi stand outside the station and it is approximately a 10-minute ride to Pier Mauá. By bus, the journey takes around 15-20 minutes. To catch the bus, walk to 10 Avenida Presidente Vargas, take bus 7721D to 53 Rua Sacadura Cabral, from where it is around a four-minute walk to Pier Mauá.
How do I get from Rio de Janeiro Airport to the cruise port?
From Galeão-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG), the cruise terminal is about 15 kilometres away, but it is wise to leave a lot of time for the journey, since traffic can cause delays. Taxis are available from the airport and the journey takes around 50 minutes, depending on traffic. To reach the cruise port by bus, take the airport bus number 2018 to Avenida Venezuela, from where it is only a short walk to the port. The bus journey takes approximately one hour and 15 minutes.
From Santos Dumont Airport (SDU): although the port is approximately five kilometres from this airport, make sure to leave adequate time for the journey, in case of heavy traffic. The taxi journey takes approximately 15 minutes. If using public transport, the journey takes around 20 minutes on the L1 metro (blue line) to Parada dos Museus, which is almost directly in front of Pier Mauá.
What is the weather like in Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro lies within a tropical climate, with warm temperatures all year and mostly sunny days. Because Brazil is in the Southern Hemisphere, summer falls between December and March while winter runs from June until August.
Between December and March, Rio is hot and can get humid (temperatures can reach 38°C), with a chance of quick bursts of rain. In the winter, temperatures can range from an average of 15°C to 25°C. Spring temperatures (September to November) range from approximately 20°C to 28°C, while autumn temperatures (March to May) are around 20°C to 30°C.
Is there a beach in Rio de Janeiro?
Rio is renowned worldwide for its beaches, particularly the two that hug the city's southern corner. Famous Copacabana Beach is the most popular amongst both locals and tourists. Soak up the sun, watch waterfront games, buy drinks and snacks from beachside vendors and kiosks, and stroll the sprawling boardwalk, the Calçadão.
Fashionable Ipanema Beach is a little calmer and more upscale. The sandy stretches of Ipanema are divided into different 'postos' that each attract a different crowd. Arrive early on weekends if you want to secure a sunbathing spot. Then there's gorgeous Tijuca Beach, located south-west of central Rio, but worth the trip out to make the most of its bustling, upmarket vibe and great waves for surfing.
What can I do in Rio de Janeiro in one day?
Get the lay of the land and incredible views at two of Rio's most iconic sights. In Tijuca National Park, Mount Corcovado is topped by the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, which can be reached by a scenic train journey. North of Copacabana Beach, Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) is accessible by a panoramic cable car - sunsets from Sugarloaf are spectacular.
Head to the city centre to visit Rio's architectural wonders and key sights, including the pyramid-like Catedral de São Sebastião, São Bento Monastery, the lavish, European-style Municipal Theater and the Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow). Wander the artsy Santa Teresa neighbourhood and explore its restaurants and bars, where you can try traditional foods such as feijoada (black bean stew) and pão de queijo (small, cheese-bread buns). Accompany your meal with a caipirinha, made with cachaça, a Brazilian sugarcane spirit.
