The main purpose of this study is to evaluate Cultural Diplomacy as a mean of internationalization of Rio de Janeiro during the years of 1990 - 2012. The way in which this city has become internationally recognized by its cultural identity is described and analyzed through diverse elements such as paradiplomacy. This recognition allows an exportation of Carioca culture, transforming this city into an international central attraction. Being this a descriptive investigation, since it establishes the how and why cultural diplomacy is related to the internationalization of cities, qualitative methods were used to observe real social phenomena from the city of Rio de Janeiro.