Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a city of considerable size and, one might argue, considerable flamboyance, is a place where mountains rise dramatically from the sea. It’s a city of contrasts. One might find oneself strolling along a beach, the sand warm beneath one’s feet, only to turn a corner and encounter a bustling marketplace overflowing with sights, sounds, and smells that would make even a seasoned traveler’s head spin. Prepare yourself for such an eventuality with this Rio de Janeiro travel guide.
I would recommend spending at least three full days in Rio but you certainly wouldn’t get bored if you stayed for a week. Read on for my complete Rio de Janeiro travel guide.
Here’s my Google Map of the best things to do in and around Rio. Hit the “Follow” or “Save” button to save for later.
This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you make a purchase using the links at no additional cost to you.
If this is your first stop in Brazil, read my 13 tips for planning a trip to Brazil.
- What to Expect
- What to See and Do in Rio de Janeiro
- Getting to Rio de Janeiro
- Getting Around Rio de Janeiro
- Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro
- Where to Eat in Rio de Janeiro
What to Expect
There are, of course, the iconic landmarks. Christ the Redeemer, that rather large statue with outstretched arms, stands atop a mountain, gazing down upon the city with an expression that could be interpreted as either benevolent or slightly judgmental.
Sugarloaf Mountain, a geological formation that resembles, well, a sugarloaf, offers breathtaking views, provided one isn’t afraid of heights, which, admittedly, many people are. One can see the entire sprawling metropolis laid out below, a tapestry of buildings, beaches, and, one suspects, a fair amount of bureaucratic red tape.
The beaches appear to be infinite stretches of sand upon which people, for reasons that remain somewhat baffling, choose to expose themselves to the sun’s relentless gaze. However, it is worth remembering that even the most beautiful beaches – Copacabana and Ipanema – can hide unexpected dangers, such as jellyfish, or, perhaps even more unsettling, overly enthusiastic vendors of questionable souvenirs.
Rio is a city of music and dance, known for its Carnival, a celebration involving music, dancing, and an abundance of feathers, though whether these feathers are attached to birds or people is a question best left unasked. It’s a city where life is lived outdoors, where people gather in parks and plazas, where the sounds of laughter and conversation mingle with the gentle lapping of waves.
What to See and Do in Rio de Janeiro
- Head to the beach: The two most famous beaches in Rio are Ipanema and Copacabana and both offer plenty to do.
- Ride the cable car up Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain): The cable car departs every 20 minutes or so from Urca, carrying you up to Morro da Urca. A second cable car will take you to the top of Pão de Açúcar.
- Catch the views from Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer): This statue can be seen from across the city at night. From the top, you can see everything.
- Climb Escadaria Selarón (Selarón Steps): A vibrant and iconic staircase created by Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón, who dedicated his life to transforming the previously dilapidated steps and surrounding walls into a colorful mosaic masterpiece with over 2,000 tiles collected from more than 60 countries.
For more ideas and tips, check out my complete list of the best things to see and do in Rio.
Getting to Rio
Fly: Galeão International Airport (GIG) is located 15km north of Rio de Janeiro city center and is the main international airport serving Rio. It has connections to over 50 destinations in 16 countries.
Fly: Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) is located adjacent to the city center and is more focused on domestic flights.
Bus: Rodoviara Rio Novo is the main bus terminal of Rio de Janeiro for the majority of Rio’s incoming and outgoing long distance buses. It is located is about 2 km northwest of the city center. Clickbus is a great site for searching Brazilian bus routes and schedules and buying tickets.
Drive: Renting a car is said to be inadvisable due to notoriously dangerous conditions. BlaBlaCar is a rideshare service that you can use as an alternative to get between cities.
Getting Around Rio
From Galeão International Airport:
- Bus: Find buses outside the terminal. Use Google Maps transit directions to check routes, schedules, and prices for your trip. This will be the most affordable but slowest option.
- Taxi: Find prepaid fancy taxis outside the terminal, Floor 0, Door B. Prices are set depending on your destination, but expect the ride to take half of the amount of time as public transportation and cost 10x as much.
- Metered taxis are outside the terminal, Floor 0, Door A, and will generally be more affordable. Ridesharing using Uber or 99 (Android / Apple) will be even more affordable.
- Shuttle: Shuttles are said to be available for R$ 24,85, but I was unable to find any information about when they run or how long they take so I’m not sure what good that does.
Walk: Walking is a great way to explore neighborhoods in Rio, though you’ll need to supplement with wheeled transportation to go longer distances. Always make sure you’re aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone or in quiet areas at night.
Metro, bus, and light rail: There are two metro lines and a huge bus network that rarely runs on time. Tickets or refillable Riocard smart cards can be purchased inside the metro or using MetroRio’s Giro app. Check Google Maps for route schedules and fares. To catch a bus, you’ll need to stick your arm out straight to flag it down.
Kombi vans and Moto taxi: Kombis are informal buses that operate along the beachfront and in hilly areas. Moto taxis are also available for around R$3, especially in areas with steep inclines, such as Santa Teresa and many favelas. Carry small bills to pay the fares.
Taxi and rideshare: These options are particularly useful after dark when it’s not particularly safe to walk in many areas. Metered taxis are often more expensive but occasionally faster than rideshares Uber or 99 (Android / Apple.)
Scooter and bikeshare: The Itau bike-sharing system gives access to bikes in nearly the entire city. If you struggle with the Itau app, the bikes can also be accessed using the Uber app. Jet scooters are also easy to find throughout the city.
Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro
There are many great neighborhoods to explore in Rio, many of which would make for great places to stay. Consider Leblon, Ipanema, Copacabana, Lapa, Botafogo, Santa Teresa, or Leme. We stayed at the Windsor Martinique Copacabana, which was a great hotel in a convenient location on Copacabana near Ipanema. That said, my recommendation for the absolute best place to stay for first time visitors would be on the northern end of Copacabana as there are a lot of great restaurants there and it’s slightly more central to get to other parts of the city (other than the beach). Find a hotel that’s in your price range, with the amenities you want. The Copacabana Palace Hotel looks particularly lovely if you want to splurge.
Where to Eat in Rio de Janeiro
If during your time in Rio de Janeiro, you find yourself with a rumbling in your stomach, and perhaps a desire to taste something other than sand, you might consider visiting one of these establishments: Churrascaria Palace for churrasco, Adega Pérola for boteco culture and cachaça, Bar e Restaurante Urca for unbeatable views, and Galeto Sat’s for the best chicken of your life.
If you’re looking for more, here’s my full list of foods to try and places to eat and drink in Rio.
Take a look! This article is now featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Rio de Janeiro.
Rio de Janeiro is a city full of vibrant colors and bustling activity, a veritable kaleidoscope of human experience. Whether or not one finds this experience agreeable is, of course, a matter of personal preference. One should simply be prepared for a great deal of stimulation. I hope you’ve enjoyed this Rio de Janeiro travel guide. If you’re looking for more, here’s everything I’ve written about Brazil including 30 essential Brazil travel experiences.
Leave a Reply