What to do in Rio de Janeiro: make the most of your visit with this guide
Who hasn’t dreamed of spending a few days enjoying the beaches and culture of Rio de Janeiro? Without a doubt, the Brazilian city is one of those destinations that is on the lists of places to visit for all travelers in the world. In its almost 1200 km² of extension, nature is the main protagonist, not only for its famous beaches, but also for the green mountains, omnipresent wherever you go.
If you are looking forward to crossing Rio de Janeiro off your list of places to visit, here is a complete guide with all the places you can’t miss. Get ready to enjoy the capital of samba and carnival.
What to see and do in Rio de Janeiro?
Christ the Redeemer and Corcovado
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We begin the guide by raising a point that may raise controversy. What do you think about Christ the Redeemer being among the New 7 Wonders of the Modern World? Without a doubt, it is an imposing sculpture that must be visited when you arrive in Rio de Janeiro, but, personally, for me there are other places in the world that are much more impressive.
Having said this, let’s get to the important thing, how to visit the famous Christ the Redeemer of Mount Corcovado. To get to the top, you can take the Corcovado train, which runs through the lush jungle of the area to the viewpoint where the statue is located, 710 meters above sea level. Once there, in addition to Christ the Redeemer, you can enjoy one of the best panoramic views of Rio, with iconic places such as Guanabara Bay, the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema and Sugarloaf Mountain.
The train departs from the Cosme Velho neighborhood and runs every day of the week from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with departures every half hour. The price of the regular ticket is around $20, with special discounts for some ages.
Sugarloaf Mountain and Urca Hill
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Another of the most famous points among tourists who come to Rio de Janeiro is known as Sugarloaf Mountain, a rock formation that rises above Guanabara Bay. To reach the top, at 396 meters above sea level, you will have to take two cable cars. The best option is to buy the ticket online, which includes the ticket for these two cable cars and the hill itself. The price is 160 reais (about 30 euros) and you can also buy it in person, although there are usually quite a few people.
The first section of the cable car leads from Playa Vermelha to Morro de Urca. At this point you can take the opportunity to enjoy the views of the viewpoint of the first stop. You’ll find them impressive, but wait until you climb to the top. If you don’t mind a lot of people, we recommend reaching the top near sunset.
If you go to this area with time, we recommend you take a walk through the Urca neighborhood before or after going up to the Sugar Loaf Mountain. If you move a little further away from where the entrance to the cable car is located, you will discover a less touristy place with beautiful beaches such as Vermelha, da Forte and Fora beaches. If you go at lunchtime, we recommend Garota da Urca, with a spectacular picanha. In addition, if you are a little lazy at sunset with so many people at the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, you can enjoy it in the Mureta de Urca, with views of the bay and with Christ the Redeemer as a backdrop.
Beaches: Copacabana, Ipanema, Mirantes de Leblon and more
What would Rio de Janeiro be without its beaches? Without a doubt, the sea and the sand are one of the main attractions (if not the main one) of this city. Copacabana and Ipanema are the best known in the world and of course you have to visit them and spend hours seeing what life is like on these beaches. You can even Take a free tour along these beaches and their neighborhoods to learn more about the history and life of this famous area. But there are many more. We recommend you explore beyond the two best known and you will discover true treasures such as Prainha, Mirante de Leblon or São Conrado. The latter is very curious because they use it to land on a paraglider.
Stairs of Selarón and Santa Teresa neighborhood
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We continue with another classic of Rio de Janeiro, one of the most famous staircases in the world. It has already become a classic to go to this city and take a photo (or a thousand) in this ascending mosaic of colors. This staircase, decorated with multicolored tiles from all over the world, is the result of the work of Chilean artist Jorge Selarón, who dedicated much of his life to beautifying it.
But don’t just come here, take the photo and leave. While you’re in this area, take the opportunity to explore the Santa Teresa neighborhood, one of the most charming places in Rio de Janeiro. With its cobblestone streets, colonial homes, and lively cultural scene, this bohemian neighborhood is the perfect place to get lost and explore. Stroll around and discover art galleries, craft shops, and places to sample local cuisine.
If you like to take a free tour in the cities you visit, here is a good option for this neighborhood.
Metropolitan Cathedral
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When visiting the Selarón Stairs and the Santa Teresa neighborhood, also take the opportunity to visit the impressive Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro, a unique construction by the architect Edgar de Oliveira da Fonseca. On the outside, it draws attention for its inverted cone structure that may be reminiscent of a Mayan pyramid. Inside, without a doubt, the most impressive thing is its stained glass windows that filter natural light.
The cathedral is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and admission is free.
Royal Portuguese Reading Cabinet
We continue exploring the same area of the city with the Royal Portuguese Reading Cabinet, located a 15-minute walk north of the cathedral. This place is home to one of the oldest and most beautiful libraries in the country. It was founded in 1837 by a group of Portuguese immigrants and houses a collection of impressive rare and antique books, which blend perfectly with its neoclassical architecture. For those of us who are passionate about reading, it is undoubtedly a beautiful place to get lost.
You can visit it from Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and admission is completely free.
Monastery of San Benito
To continue with the religious theme, in contrast to the architecture of the cathedral of Rio de Janeiro, you can visit the Monastery of São Benito, the maximum expression of Brazilian baroque, with columns, paintings, vaults and gilding everywhere. What you see inside is the work of several local artists who took no less than 70 years to decorate it.
The monastery is open every day from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and you can visit it for free.
Visit a favela
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Brazil’s favelas are known all over the world and arouse a lot of curiosity among tourists who visit the city. At one extreme are those who embark on an adventure and enter favela neighborhoods and at the other are those who do not feel safe and prefer not to make that visit. Our recommendation for you to go with peace of mind is Hire an excursion, in which they will take you to neighborhoods where they are more than used to visits, you will be able to talk to the people who live there and get to know first-hand what life is like in these places.
Botanical Garden, Lage Park and Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon
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As we have already mentioned, Rio de Janeiro has impressive natural landscapes. Among them are three points that are in the same area and that you can take advantage of to visit on the same day. These are the Botanical Garden, Lage Park and the Rodrigo Freitas Lagoon.
The Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro is an oasis of greenery in the middle of the urban jungle. This place was founded in 1808 by the prince regent of Portugal, with the aim of serving as a warehouse for seeds and plants. With the proclamation of the republic in 1889, the doors of the garden were opened to the public and since then both Brazilians and foreigners can enjoy it. The variety of flora and fauna of this place is incredible; You’ll find everything from an avenue of palm trees to a Japanese garden with 65 different plant species. Also, keep your eyes peeled because its trees are inhabited by more than 100 species of birds. Maybe you come across a hummingbird!
The Botanical Garden is open on Mondays from 12:00 to 17:00 and from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:00 to 17:00. The entrance fee is 15 reais (approximately 3 dollars) and you have to pay in cash.
A 40-minute walk from the Botanical Garden is Lege Park, another of the most visited natural places in Rio de Janeiro. Located at the foot of Corcovado, this historic park features lush gardens, a historic mansion, and trails that will take you through the rainforest. One of the park’s main attractions is its 19th-century palace, which houses a café and art school, as well as temporary exhibitions. Lege Park is the perfect place to enjoy a day of tranquility, strolling through its gardens and enjoying a picnic by the lake, all with the image of Corcovado in the background.
Admission to the palace in Parc Lage is free, but you must make a reservation online to be able to access. Sometimes there are no tickets left, but here’s a catch: go to the palace café and you can consume something and access the interior of the palace. In addition, another trick is to go to the store, buy anything at any price and ask for a ticket to visit the terrace, with a breathtaking view of Christ the Redeemer.
As the last point of this section, between the Botanical Garden and the Lage Park is the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon, another of the ideal places to disconnect from the city and enjoy a few hours of nature. It has a 7-kilometre trail, which you can walk or cycle, and kiosks where you can have a drink and enjoy the music and the atmosphere of the place.
Tijuca Forest
We continue with the natural spaces of Rio de Janeiro with the Tijuca forest, the largest urban forest in the world, a vast national park located in the heart of the city. Spanning over 4000 hectares, this rainforest is home to an impressive diversity of flora and fauna, including monkeys, porcupines, and armadillos.
Here, you have several options. One of the most popular is to hike to Piedra Bonita, an imposing mountain, but one that offers breathtaking views of the city. The trail to the top can be difficult for the less experienced, but once you get to the top you’ll see that it’s worth the effort, because of the 360-degree panoramic view of the city, the Atlantic Ocean and the national park at your feet. If you like the trekking, mark this route on your map.
Telegraph Stone
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If there is a destination in Rio de Janeiro that has become famous thanks to Instagram, it is the Telegraph Stone. I’m sure you know what we’re talking about if we say it’s that stone where you can take a picture as if you were hanging from it, with the precipice underneath. Spoiler: it has a catch, because the ground is only a few meters below.
To get here by public transport is a bit tricky, as you have to take several means of transport and it can take more than two hours. Our recommendation is that you go in a Organized excursion to make the most of your time.
Maracanã
For soccer fans, a visit to the Maracanã Stadium is an unmissable experience in Rio de Janeiro. This legendary stadium has witnessed some of the most memorable moments in football history, including the 1950 FIFA World Cup final, when the famous Maracanazo. Si tu visita no coincide con ningún partido, puedes hacer un Guided tour of the stadium, where you can see the locker rooms, the field and the museum and learn about the history and cultural importance of this place.
Museums in Rio de Janeiro
If we talk about culture, in Brazil São Paula may be the city that is at the top of the ranking, but in Rio de Janeiro they have several museums where cultural travelers can enjoy a dose of what they like the most.
Museum of Modern Art of Rio de Janeiro
Located in Parque do Flamengo, this museum houses an impressive collection of modern and contemporary artworks, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, and multimedia installations. It is an interesting place to learn about the work of Brazilian artists that you may not have known.
The opening hours of this museum are from Wednesday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. There is no mandatory entrance price, they only have a suggested price of 20 reais (about 4 dollars). In addition, they have something very interesting: on Sundays they reserve an hour (from 10:00 to 11:00) for people with intellectual disabilities, autistic people or people with some type of hypersensitivity to visual or sound stimuli.
Museum of Contemporary Art of Niterói
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Designed by renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer, this impressive circular building, which looks like a spaceship, houses a collection of contemporary art by Brazilian and international artists.
In addition, its external ramp will take you to the upper floors, where you will have a 360-degree panoramic view of Guanabara Bay and the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Niterói.
The museum’s exhibition space is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and the courtyard can be visited daily from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The price of general admission is $12 (about $2.5), although on Wednesdays there is free admission for all audiences.
National Museum of Fine Arts
Located just 10 minutes from the cathedral, this museum is something more similar to what you can find in Europe in terms of architecture. In addition, its interior houses an extensive collection of Brazilian and European art, ranging from the nineteenth century to the present day. This is a good place to delve into the different artistic currents that have shaped Brazil’s cultural identity over the years.
What to see near Rio de Janeiro: day trips
Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande
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About three hours south of Rio de Janeiro are Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande, two destinations where you can enjoy a day at the beach. Among the different tourist attractions of this place, we highlight the possibility of swimming in the company of starfish, colorful fish and corals. The distances in Brazil are very long, so if you don’t have much time and want to do this day trip from Rio, we recommend this Organized tour.
Arraial do Cabo
Just in the opposite direction to Angra dos Reis from Rio de Janeiro is Arraial do Cabo, another excellent option to enjoy a day at the beach. Known as the Brazilian Caribbean, Arraial do Cabo is a paradise for lovers of the sun and the sea. Here you will find crystal clear waters, white sand beaches and a diversity of marine life. You have several options, for example, you can take an organized day trip from Rio or you can go on your own and take the opportunity to snorkel, enter sunken navigations and swim with turtles, puffer fish and seahorses.
Búzios
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Located just a few hours from Rio de Janeiro, Búzios offers a wide variety of activities and attractions to suit all tastes and budgets. Enjoy water activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling, sit down to enjoy the gastronomy in its local restaurants, or simply relax on the beach, with the sun and scenery as companions. If you plan to spend the night, Búzios is a good option because it has a very lively nightlife, with many bars where you can enjoy live music. Don’t have much time but would love to visit Búzios? No problem, because from Rio de Janeiro they leave Organized excursions very often.
Petropolis
Dom Pedro II, the last emperor of Brazil, founded this city in the nineteenth century. Petrópolis is known for its historic architecture, incredible palaces and gardens that you could stay in and live in. Among the attractions of this place are the Imperial Museum, which houses a collection of art and artifacts related to the Brazilian royal family, and the Crystal Palace, with panoramic views of the city. If you are interested in history, Petrópolis is the perfect destination to make a Day trip.
Things to know before visiting Rio de Janeiro
Best time to visit Rio de Janeiro
Here many are clear: the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro is during its famous carnival, which is held in February. Without a doubt, it is a way to get to know the city at its best and to experience a unique way of celebrating these dates in the world. But if you prefer to visit Rio in a quieter season, do so between May and September, during the coldest season, as during the summer in the southern hemisphere the city is very hot.
Transportation Tips in Rio de Janeiro
As a major metropolis, Rio de Janeiro has public transportation that will make your life easier during your trip. Its metro, tram, bus, railway and even boat networks work very well and you can use them to move between different parts of the city.
If you dare to use public transport, we recommend you get a Riocard as soon as you arrive in the city. With this card, you will have access to all public transport in the city. You can recharge it according to the transport you are going to use.
Currency and language information
The official language of Brazil is Portuguese, although many Rioans also speak English and Spanish, especially in tourist areas. It is helpful to learn a few basic Portuguese phrases to communicate with the locals and enjoy your experience in the city to the fullest.
As for the currency, Brazil uses the Brazilian real, which is equivalent to around 0.20 cents on the dollar (as of February 2024).
Frequently Asked Questions about Rio de Janeiro
How many days are recommended to visit Rio de Janeiro?
Rio is a very large city, so if you want to get to know it well, spend at least five days in this destination. Of course, our recommendation is that you stay a few more days to be able to experience the city calmly and visit some interesting places in its surroundings.
How to get from Rio de Janeiro airport to the city center?
As in all cities in the world, the most common way to get from Galeão International Airport to downtown Rio (and vice versa) is to take a taxi. But be careful, worry about taking a legal taxi, one of those that have a stall at the airport.
If you prefer public transport, the cheapest option is the one known as Ligeirão, a bus with an exclusive lane. You can get from the airport to the center with the TransCarioca and TransCarioca Express lines. This service works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes and the price is approximately 4 reais ($0.80). Before taking this bus you can take the opportunity to buy the Riocard, the card we talked about in the section of transport tips in Rio de Janeiro.
In addition, there is another bus option exclusive to the airport that you will find in the area where the taxis are. These leave every half hour, from 5:30 in the morning until 00:00 at night. The price is 18.85 reais (approximately 3.80 dollars) and you can pay directly to the driver or buy the ticket online.
Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro?
The most popular areas to stay in Rio de Janeiro are Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, ideal for those who imagine their trip with many hours at the beach. You may also want to consider staying in the city center if you prefer to be close to major tourist attractions and public transportation. Other accommodation options include the Santa Teresa neighborhood, which offers a bohemian vibe and panoramic views of the city, and Barra da Tijuca, which has quieter beaches.
Is it safe to travel to Rio de Janeiro?
Like many other tourist destinations in South America, Rio de Janeiro is one of those cities where you have to take certain safety precautions and stay alert. Avoid carrying valuables in plain sight, use safe taxis and follow local recommendations to avoid risky situations. With caution and common sense, you can enjoy a safe trip in this amazing city.
Do you know any other places and tips about Rio that we should add to this article? Share your tips with our community of travelers!
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