12 Reasons You Need to Visit Rio de Janeiro

Take a cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain to see all of Rio de Janeiro, the nearby city of Niteroi, and the Guanabara Bay. You'll reach a height of 220 meters.

A number of hotels in Rio de Janeiro provide sweeping views of the city and ocean. The refined Porto Bay Rio International Hotel, for example, sits opposite the famous Copacabana Beach.

Shake your tail feathers to a catchy rhythm at a nightly Platforma Samba Show, featuring dozens of costumed performers. Consider planning your Rio trip around next year's Carnival — it may very well be the biggest party in the world.

If you're a big foodie, Rio will send your taste buds to heaven. Local food experiences include churrascarias (traditional barbecue eateries), feijoada (stewed beans in beef or pork gravy), and tapioca (fried shredded coconut).

Warm, white sand; jagged coastlines; iconic scenery; secluded settings; lively, upbeat atmospheres — in Rio de Janeiro, you can take your pick of beaches depending on your diverse desires.

Catch a view of the city just before the crack of dawn for a once-in-a-lifetime photo opp. The clouds atop the mountains paired with the glowing street lights provide an unforgettable sight for tourists.

Don't miss the Museum of Modern Art, which is considered a place of reflection and holds a grand collection of films, photos, and other forms of visual art.

More than 8,000 plant species exist in the expansive Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden. While you're there, check out the outdoor snack bar and the crafty gift shop!

Seventy-five meters in height and 106 meters in diameter, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro has space for 20,000 worshippers. The architecture of this extraordinary structure was inspired by a Mayan pyramid.

The Christ the Redeemer statue towering atop Mount Corcovado is one must-see attraction in Rio. At 120 feet tall, it's the second largest statue of Christ on Earth, and it was also listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

You can reach the bohemian district of Santa Teresa in the center of the city by tram. Narrow, cobbled streets and colorful stops define this artsy neighborhood.

Party-goers, you're in for a treat — Rio de Janeiro is a city that knows how to have fun. Be sure to hit up the Clube dos Democraticos and the Casa da Matriz, among other spirited clubs.