URCA: NEIGHBOURHOOD - BEACH - MOUNTAIN - HOME OF THE SUGAR LOAF - BEACHES - HILLS - RIO DE JANEIRO - SEE PICTURES AND INFORMATION
ALSO SEE IN THIS SITE INFORMATION AND PICTURES OF:
LEME COPACABANA IPANEMA LEBLON SAO CONRADO
CORCOVADO HILL BARRA DA TIJUCA GRUMARI
FLAMENGO BOTAFOGO URCA THE SUGAR LOAF HILL
LAGOA RODRIGO DE FREITAS GUANABARA BAY
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OF RIO DE JANEIRO
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URCA is the denomination of a neighbourhood, a beach and a hill, mountain or morro.
Urca is the smallest neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro, but in it's perimeter we find three hills, three beaches, two fortresses and the mythicall Sugar Loaf complex.
The neighbourhood is situated at the limit where the Guanabara Bay and the Atlantic Ocean meet. Urca neighbours Botafogo towards the Guanabara Bay and Copacabana towards the Atlantic Ocean.
The three hills, mountains, or as the Carioca call them "Morros" are: Morro da Urca, Mount Urca, or Urca Mountain, (that's where the name of the neighbourhood comes from), Morro Pão de Açúcar, in english the Sugar Loaf Mountain (with it's telesferical ride), and Morro Cara de Cao (which in english means dog face mountain).
Mount Urca and Mount Babilonia, (the last one situated in neighbouring Copacabana), are two rock formations very suitable for mountain climbing at begginner and intermediate level. On the way up you can admire the beautyfull scenery of the Guanabara Bay, the Sugar Loaf, the Atlantic Ocean and the beaches of the area.
The three beaches (praias in portuguese) found at this pintoresc area are: Praia de Urca (Urca beach), receiving the calm waters of the Guanabara Bay), Praia de Fora (Outsiede beach), and Praia Vermelha (Red beach). The last two beaches are set at the Atlantic Ocean, and are apt for swimming. The beaches are an obligated visit upon mountain climbing, trekking, biking, or after visiting the Sugar Loaf.
Urca is also well known due to it's historical relevance. It was in this area where Estácio de Sá founded Rio de Janeiro. Historians situate the exact spot at Praia de Fora Beach, at the base of Mountain or Morro Cara de Cao.
This is also the reason why we find at the base of the Sugar Loaf Mountain the "Sao Joao fortress".
URCA, Rio de Janeiro, has the privilege of being the home of the famous "SugarLoaf Mountain".
The Sugar Loaf complex consists of a telesferical visit to Mount Urca, as a first stop, and to Mount Sugarloaf as second and final stop. At the first stop in Urca Hill you will find restaurants that are open all day long. At Sugar Loaf Hill (much taller than Urca Hill), you will find an amazing view of the city of Rio de Janeiro.
Usefull Links on Urca Rio de Janeiro:
Sugar Loaf Hill Official website
Rock climbing school at Rio de Janeiro
Yacht Club of Rio de Janeiro, Urca neighbourhood
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