Things to do in Rio de Janeiro
Welcome to Rio de Janeiro
Buzzing Rio de Janeiro—the second largest in Brazil—is famous for its miles of stunning beaches, rich musical culture, and beautiful people. Experience it all at once by simply people-watching on one of the beaches, which Cariocas (Rio locals) consider their backyard. On legendary Copacabana, Ipanema, or Leblon beach, you’ll find residents and visitors alike socializing, relaxing, eating, drinking, dancing, and playing. Off the sands, see the best of Rio—while maximizing time and minimizing crowds and potential language barriers—on a guided city tour. A cog-train trip up Corcovado to the famous art-deco Christ the Redeemer statue or its twin peak, Sugar Loaf Mountain, rewards with stunning views of the urban sprawl, lined by white-sand beaches and the sparkling Guanabara Bay. Cruise that very bay for a different but equally epic perspective on the city, then feast on a Brazilian-style barbecue at a churrascaria. Stay up late to catch a samba show in Lapa, or wake up early to trek through the tropical Tijuca Forest or the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden. Walking tours stroll through the streets of historic and bohemian Santa Teresa, or up into the hills for a look at favela life in Santa Marta or Rocinha. And for sports lovers, behind-the-scenes tours of Maracana Stadium showcase the country’s national obsession: futebol (soccer).
Top 15 attractions in Rio de Janeiro
Christ the Redeemer Statue (Cristo Redentor)
Sugarloaf Mountain (Pao de Açúcar)
Sao Conrado Beach (Praia de Sao Conrado)
Selarón Steps (Escadaria Selarón)
Rio de Janeiro Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana de Sao Sebastiao)
Copacabana Beach (Praia de Copacabana)
Tijuca National Park (Parque Nacional da Tijuca)
Ipanema Beach (Praia de Ipanema)
Sambadrome (Sambadrome Marques de Sapucaí)
Maracana Stadium (Estádio do Maracana)
Santa Teresa (Barrio Santa Teresa)
Pedra da Gavea
Lapa Neighborhood
Leblon Beach (Praia do Leblon)
Morro da Urca
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When to visit
Free-spirited Rio de Janeiro is in its element in summer, when travelers come to sip caipirinhas by the beachside and join the legendary Reveillon (New Year's Eve) and Carnival celebrations. Just don’t forget your umbrella—it’s also rainy season. To avoid the crowds, visit in fall when the cooler weather also means increased visibility from Rio’s mountain viewpoints.
People Also Ask
Rio de Janeiro is known for the beautiful beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema, and Barra da Tijuca; its samba culture; Sugarloaf Mountain; its huge statue of Christ the Redeemer; and its colorful annual Carnival. The city is also known for its love of soccer and the Maracanã stadium.
...MoreTaking a cog-train trip up Corcovado to the imposing Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf are both must-do activities in Rio de Janeiro. You should also take a stroll through the bohemian Santa Teresa district, catch a match at Maracanã, savor a Brazilian-style barbecue at a churrascaria, stay up late to catch a samba show, and people-watch on Copacabana, Ipanema, or Leblon.
...MoreNo. English is not widely spoken in Rio de Janeiro but you should be able to get by with just English in the main tourist areas. The second language of Cariocas is more likely to be Spanish—fortunately, if you speak some Spanish, you will likely be able to understand a little Portuguese.
...MoreWith three days in Rio de Janeiro you should have enough time to take trips up both Corcovado and Sugarloaf; explore a few neighborhoods, such as Santa Teresa or Lapa; watch a soccer game at Maracanã; cruise around Guanabara Bay; and spend some quality time on the beach.
...MoreRio de Janeiro truly comes to life after dark. Lapa is one of the most popular nightlife districts and is a great place to catch a samba show, drink caipirinhas and meet locals at the bars, and dance the night away at a club.
...MoreYes, Rio de Janeiro is safe to visit, but visitors should still be cautious as Rio’s reputation as dangerous is not entirely unfounded. The city's favelas have high rates of crime, so it’s best to avoid them while popular neighborhoods such as Santa Teresa and Praia de Botafogo should only be visited during the day.
...MoreRio de Janeiro information
Number of Attractions | 87 |
|---|---|
Number of Tours | 1,184 |
Number of Reviews | 27,966 |
Currency | BRL |
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