THE 2016 Summer Olympic Games that begin on August 5 couldn’t come at a worse time for host Brazil. From the Zika virus, political turmoil and a failing economy to sports cheating scandals, rampant crime and behind-schedule construction, the nation faces a brave task in pulling the Games off successfully.

Still, all the negatives cannot diminish the virtues of this beautiful South American country. Its sandy beaches, rhythmic music, exquisite food and hospitable culture have so much to offer visitors, both on and off the beaten track.

Rio de Janeiro, which means “river of January,” is the second most populous city in Brazil. Its residents are called “Carioca” for their warmth, fun and friendliness, bundled into an easy-going lifestyle.

January may be the best time to visit the city if it’s the beaches you seek, but Rio in wintertime has its own particular charm.

Famous sites like Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Barra da Tijuca, the Copacabana and Ipanema are favorite haunts for tourists and Brazilians alike.

Shanghai Daily looks at the coming Olympic Games through the eyes of several people who will be attending.

Camila Wang

Chinese-Brazilian
living in Sao Paulo

The 30-year-old Beijing native and her husband run a Chinese restaurant in Sao Paulo. They emigrated to Brazil seven years ago and now have a two-year-old son. In March, when tickets to the Rio Olympics were opened for booking on the official website, Wang reserved 12 seats for basketball.

“We are looking forward to watching the game between the US and China on August 6,” said Wang.

The couple and several of their friends, all emigrants from China, will drive to Rio on the day of the game, spending just one night there.

“Hotel rates are already two to three times more expensive now,” Wang explained. “We Chinese are always busy with work, spending all our time making money. We have never been to Rio.”

According to a diplomat at the Chinese Consulate in Sao Paulo, many Chinese are moving back to China from Brazil because of souring economic conditions. Not Wang.

“This country has the best sunshine, the most beautiful beaches, the greatest food and the most passionate happy people,” Wang said. “It is truly heaven on earth.”

In addition to watching sports, she said the trip to Rio will also involve visiting tourist sites, walking on the beach and enjoying the nightlife.

Her itinerary will include:

• Christ the Redeemer

The colossal statue of Jesus Christ at the summit of Mount Corcovado is the largest Art Deco-style sculpture in the world, completed in 1931. Standing 30 meters, the statue is made of reinforced concrete clad in a mosaic of thousands of triangular soapstone tiles. It sits on a square stone pedestal base about eight meters high on the mountaintop deck. The statue is the city’s best-known icon.

• Sugarloaf Mountain

Rising 396 meters, the top of this peak offers a bird’s-eye panorama of Rio. More than a million tourists visit Sugarloaf every year, taking a cable car to the top to enjoy the breathtaking 360-degree view of Guanabara Bay, the city of Niteroi and the blue waters of the Atlantic.

• Pedra do Telégrafo

Trails for walkers abound throughout Rio de Janeiro’s many mountains. One 30-minute hike from the fishing village Pedra de Guaratiba leads to this rock overhang, where you can sit in front of an amazing sea view. This was the site of a military communications station during World War II.

• Rio Scenarium

As one of the city’s most photogenic nightspots, Rio Scenarium is a must-go place for samba lovers. The bar has three floors, each lavishly decorated with antiques. Balconies overlook the stage on the first floor, where dancers move to the distinctive rhythms of jazz infused with an African beat.

Julia Paletta Crespo

Brazilian living in Rio

The 36-year-old is an executive with a Brazilian company invested by a Chinese enterprise in Shandong Province. She and some of her colleagues from China plan to catch volleyball and tennis during the Olympics.

“I would have been more excited about the Olympics if the current situation in Brazil were not so bad,” said Crespo. “My expectations have been lowered. All the political and economic turmoil has really hit the whole country and its people hard.”

Still, she is looking forward to playing host to Chinese guests.

“I will show them some of my favorite places for drinks and fun, and let them sample authentic Brazilian food,” she said. “We are going to explore the ‘Carioca’ bohemian neighborhood of Lapa in Rio. It’s easy to find a fine restaurant on Dias Ferreira Street in the charming neighborhood of Leblon and fun to go bar-hopping in the Santa Teresa old area of Rio.”

Crespo said every visitor should try some of the famous food and drinks in Brazil: the acai shake made from bananas and an Amazonian fruit called guaraná caipirinhas, a typical Brazilian drink made with lemon and local rum, sugar and ice; and, of course, the famous feijoada, or black beans cooked with pork, sausages and other meats.

Her favorite bars and restaurants include:

• Fogo de Chão, in Botafogo — A barbecue restaurant with amazing sea views

• NoMangue, in Copacabana — A typical seafood restaurant serving the best Brazilian moqueca, a fish stew made with firm white fish, onions, garlic, bell peppers, tomatoes, cilantro and coconut milk

• Jobi — A traditional Portuguese bar located in the charming neighborhood of Leblon and a popular option after a day on the beach

• Venga — A tapas chain found in Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana

• Bar Urca — A nice place to pick up a quick snack, with good service and Brazilian-style food and drinks. This place has a nice view of Guanabara Bay and Niteroi. Try the typical Brazilian snack pastel, or shrimp empanadas.

• Comuna, in Botafogo — A popular hangout with the young and well-heeled, this courtyard eatery offers a simple selection of European-style burgers at reasonable prices.

• Bukowski, in Botafogo — In different rooms, different music, so there is something for every taste. The open-air courtyard adds a nice touch.

The Carvalho family

Brazilians living in Sao Paulo

Silvia Carvalho is an equestrian enthusiast who started riding horses when she was seven. This year she will graduate from high school, and this summer she will be going to Rio to watch equestrian events.

Her mother Helena Romas said all three of her daughters love horses and the Rio Games will be an exciting event for them. She booked the family’s tickets back in April.

In Brazil, horse riding is a very popular sport. The Carvalho family owns five horses, one for each of the girls and two in retirement. They are kept at a stable about an hour’s drive from the city center. Maintenance costs, supplies and riding lessons cost the family about US$10,000 a month.

That’s a steep cost nowadays, according to father Theo Carvalho, who owns an import-export company doing trade with Asia in health foods. “Unfortunately, the economy here is now in a very bad state,” he said. “Besides a sharp drop in consumption, the currency exchange rate is a big problem for the import business.”

Currently, the US dollar buys twice as many Brazilian real as it did a year ago.

“Times are so difficult and business is not good, but I still need to take care of our horses,” he said with a sigh. “No matter. I will still take the family to Rio and we will enjoy ourselves.”

The Carvalhos have been to Rio before, so on this trip they plan to avoid the crowds at usual tourist sites and spend more time in museums and parks.

Among their picks are:

• Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow)

The new museum in the Port Zone explores the future of the world as it undergoes dramatic changes. Institutions and companies, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Google and NASA, are part of a collective effort looking at how individuals can change our destiny on earth.

• Museum of Modern Art

Conveniently located in the newly renovated Praça Maua, this recently opened museum adjoins a historical site, which helps house its growing collection of modern art and photographs.

• Jardim Botanico (Botanical Garden)

The Botanical Garden in Rio is one of the best places to view exotic flowers, plants and Amazonian trees. It encompasses about 6,500 species, including some that are endangered, on a 54-hectare site. There is also an important research center, which includes a comprehensive botany library of over 32,000 volumes.

• Parque Lage

Located at the foot of the Corcovado, this park includes trees that are part of the Tijuca National Park, artistically designed gardens and a palazzo built by Brazilian entrepreneur Henrique Lage (1881-1941) for his wife, the Italian opera singer Gabriella Besanzoni. The park’s green areas and architecture are under protected heritage listing.

• Parque das Ruínas (Ruins Park)

Located on Santa Teresa hill, Ruins Park has beautiful views and includes the Centro Cultural Laurinda Santos Lobo. Built in 1907, this mansion served as a salon for artists and a site for parties hosted by the socialite for whom it’s named. Today, the building hosts exhibitions and open-air concerts.

Beyond Rio

The Olympics may be the star attraction this August, but many interest sites outside the city are also worth a visit.

• Iguaçu waterfalls — Magnificent spectacle of waterfalls on the border of Brazil and Argentina

• Petropolis — A one-hour drive from Rio. This site is also known as the Imperial City of Brazil. Nestled among the forested hills, it was the former Summer Palace of the second Brazilian emperor and is now a museum.

• Ouro Preto — Glorious old churches from the days of Portuguese colonization

• Buzios — A cozy city with extremely beautiful beaches and great dining experiences

• Chapada Diamantina — A breathtaking landscape with huge canyons, rivers and high-altitude grasslands

• Bonito — The heart of eco-tourism in Brazil, with waterfalls and lagoons

Travel tips

• Visas: Passport holders from South America and certain European countries do not require a tourist visa. Residents from the US, Canada, Australia and Japan are also exempt for stays between June 1 and September 18.

• Accommodation: Rio’s hotel capacity has practically doubled in the last six years. Those who prefer more intimate Rio-style hospitality should check AirBnB, which has 25,000 listings for the Games.

• Transport: Public transport is the most efficient way to get around the city. Among the most convenient options are the subway, rapid transit buses and a new light rail line.

Useful links

Https://www.rio2016.com/en

Http://www.olympic.org/rio-2016-summer-olympics