Nelson Belen
Nelson is a native New Yorker now living in Rio de Janeiro. He writes about local politics, business, real estate, sports, and Brazilian beachwear.
Bike Rio Operations Taken Over by São Paulo Company, Tembici
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Amidst scores of complaints from users, Rio de Janeiro's public bicycle rental system, Bike...
Rio’s Botafogo Earns First Win in Brasileirão
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - On Sunday, May 21st, at Nilton Santos stadium, Rio's Botafogo football (soccer) club earned its...
Velodrome in Barra’s Olympic Park Reopens for Rio Bike Fest, May 26th
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Beginning on Friday, May 26th, The Velodrome in Olympic Park will once again be ground...
Leblon Residents and Merchants Mobilize Neighborhood Security Initiative
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - In an effort to combat the recent wave of robberies and break-ins that have plagued...
Rio’s Big Four Struggle in 2017 Campeonato Brasileiro Debut
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Local football (soccer) fans had a full slate of games this past weekend as Rio's...
Brazil’s Gabriel Medina and Yago Dora Advance in the 2017 Rio Pro
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The world's elite surfers arrived in Rio de Janeiro state this week for the start...
Brazil Residential Real Estate Sale Prices Remain Stable in April
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - According to the latest FipeZAP Index, which tracks residential real estate sale prices in Brazil's...
Rio’s Flamengo Wins 2017 Campeonato Carioca Beating Fluminense 2×1
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - It was a wild night for local football (soccer) fans yesterday, May 7th, as Rio's...
FIBA Says Brazil’s Ban from International Basketball to Continue
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - While Brazil's national team (Seleção) in football (soccer) is gearing up for a deep run...
Rio Mayor Crivella and City Bus Companies Clash Over Fare Hike
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The dispute over a proposed fare hike on Rio's municipal bus lines came to a...
Rio’s Flamengo Beat Flu 1×0 in Opener of Carioca Final
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - And then there were two. On Sunday, April 30th, Rio de Janeiro's top two football...
Rio’s Flamengo Has Brazil’s Two Highest Grossing Games of 2017
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - According to the latest sales figures for the sixty Brazilian football (soccer) teams that compete...
Rio’s First Belgian Hotel, the Belga Hotel, Opens in Centro
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The latest addition to Rio de Janeiro's largely expanded hotel scene, the Belga Hotel, has...
Rio’s Big Four Clash in Campeonato Carioca Semis
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - It was a busy weekend at iconic Maracanã Stadium as Rio's big four clubs took...