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Rio de Janeiro is a city of unusual urban diversity, with beaches, mountains and skyscrapers. The city itself can be divided into 4 zones: (The zone south, north, est and west: more information here).

The parts of Rio de Janeiro you are most likely to explore stretch along the shore of the Guanabara's Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. South from downtown are the neighborhoods of Lapa, Gloria, Catete, Flamengo, Botafogo, Laranjeiras, and Urca where the striking peak of Sugarloaf dominates the landscape. Further south lie the neighborhoods of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, the only stops for many travelers to the city.

Other areas of interets include the quaint, colonial neighborhood of Santa Tereza, on a hill overlooking downtown , and looming the statue of Corcovado, atop in Cosme Velho, from where there are fabulous views of both zones of the city.

Aside from the bus station, the great Maracana Football Stadium and the international airport, most travelers have few reasons to visit the North Zone of Rio de Janeiro.

Rio de Janeiro's international airport (GIG Galeao - Antônio Carlos Jobim), is a 15 km notrh of the city center. Santos Dumont airport, used by most domestic flights, is by the bayside in city center, 1 km east of Cinelândia metro station. Rio's central bus station departures and arrivals (Rodoviaria Novo Rio), lies several kilometers northwest of downtown.

Most flights depart from Antônio Carlos Jobim or Galeao airport, Shuttle flights to/from Sao Paulo, and some flights to nearby cities, use Santos Dumont airport near downtown Many international airlines have offices on or near Rio Branco Avenue, downtown In addition to ticket counters at the airport, Brazil's principal airlines (TAM, RioSul, Varig, GOL, Azul and Vasp) have many offices around the city.

Buses leaves from the Rodoviaria Novo Rio, about 25km northwest of downtown. Like i wrote before, several buses dapart daily to all destination of the country. it's a great idea buy your own tickets in advance. Many travel agencies around the city of Rio de Janeiro, sell bus tickets. Or if you want, you can go directly at Rodoviaria Novo Rio to buy you tickets as well.