What's In This Article
WHY GO
Rio’s natural beauty is the most distinguishing reason to visit. You can explore the tropical rainforest of Floresta da Tijuca, appreciate the white-sand and turquoise water of Ipanema beach, or relax at the city’s many epic lookout points like Pedra do Telégrafo.
WHEN TO GO
The best time to visit Rio is between December and March, when the weather is warm and sunny enough to hit the beaches, although there may be quick but heavy downpours in the evenings. The city’s seductive samba beat and incredible panoramic views last year-round, but arrive in February to experience Carnival.
Top Things to do
Rio de Janeiro has embraced a serious lust for life with which the city’s inhabitants celebrate their days, making it a dynamic place to visit, no matter how you like to spend your time.Â
While large-scale festivities such as Carnaval make Rio famous, there are countless occasions for revelry: Saturdays at Ipanema Beach, festas (parties) in Lapa, football at Maracanã, and impromptu rodas de samba (samba circles) on the sidewalks of Leblon, Copacabana or any other corner of the city.
Planted between lush, forest-covered mountains and breathtaking beaches, Rio’s spectacular landscape is another of its virtues. Verdant peaks and golden sands fronting a deep blue sea offer a range of adventures: surfing great breaks, hiking through Floresta da Tijuca’s rainforest and rock climbing up the face of Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain). Here are the top things to do in Rio de Janeiro.
1) GET UP CLOSE TO THE CHRIST THE REDEEMER (CRISTO REDENTOR).
Standing atop Corcovado (which means "hunchback") at 38m (125ft) tall, the open-armed Cristo Redentor gazes out over Rio, a placid expression on his well-crafted face. The mountain rises straight up from the city to 710m (2329ft), and at night the brightly lit statue – all 1145 tons of him – is visible from nearly every part of the city.
Corcovado lies within the Parque Nacional da Tijuca. The most popular way to reach the statue is to take the red narrow-gauge train, which departs every 30 minutes and takes approximately 20 minutes to reach the top. Note that same-day tickets are not available from the cog train station.
Buy tickets online (the website lists numerous places to buy under "Selling Points") or from an authorized seller around Rio; you must select a date and time when purchasing.
2) Tijuca National Park
Tijuca is a vast national park located on the outskirts of Rio. It is a really stunning sanctuary in which to visit for some respite from the bustling city! There are miles and miles worth of trails to explore and all are circular routes that you can pick and choose according to your preferences.
This 39-sq-km tropical-jungle preserve is an exuberant green, with beautiful trees, creeks and waterfalls, mountainous terrain and high peaks. It has an excellent, well-marked trail system.
3) Enjoy vibrant nightlife in Lapa
This former red-light district is the center of a vibrant night scene in Rio, with dozens of music clubs, bars and old-fashioned restaurants scattered along its avenues. Fun, yes, but pickpocketing is currently an issue and muggings have increased. It’s wise to go in a group and stay where the crowds are.
A popular female-owned hangout is Cozinha da Lapa. For a brief switch from Brazilian food, the Peruvian restaurants Sabor Peruano and Panka here are both reliably delicious and reasonably priced.
Local tip: For a lively low-key evening among a largely homegrown crowd, catch one of the music nights at the organic produce shop and cafe run by the Landless Workers Movement (MST), Armazém Do Campo.
The best one for us is the Rio Scenarium!
4) Take in the views from Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar)
Seen from the peak of Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar), Rio is undoubtedly a Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City). There are many good times to make the ascent, but sunset on a clear day is the most rewarding.
Two cable cars connect to the summit, 395m (1296ft) above Rio. At the top, the city unfolds beneath you, with Corcovado mountain and Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) off to the west and Copacabana Beach to the south.
Planning tip: Sugarloaf’s views draw big crowds. Forgo the sunset slot and arrive just after 8am for far fewer people.
5) Experience vibrant subcultures on Ipanema Beach
One long stretch of sun-drenched sand, Ipanema Beach is demarcated by postos (posts), which mark off subcultures as diverse as the city itself.
Posto 9, right off Rua VinÃcius de Moraes, is where Rio’s most lithe and tanned bodies migrate. The area is also known as Cemetério dos Elefantes because of the handful of old leftists, hippies and artists who sometimes hang out there. In front of Rua Farme de Amoedo is Praia Farme, the stomping ground for gay society.
6)JARDIN BOTANICO
Affluent, residential Jardim Botânico is named for Rio’s Botanical Gardens, where visitors wander the orchid house, imperial palms and giant Amazonian water lilies. From the elegantly landscaped Parque Lage nearby, wooded trails lead up Corcovado Mountain to the Christ the Redeemer statue and the tropical forest of Tijuca National Park. The area also has chic bars and sophisticated dining spots popular with foodies.
7)Join the jubilant crowds on Copacabana Beach
Affluent, residential Jardim Botânico is A magnificent confluence of land and sea, the long, scalloped beach of Copacabana extends for some 4km (2.5 miles), with a flurry of activity along its length: over-amped soccer players singing their team's anthem; Cariocas (Rio residents) and tourists lining up for caipirinhas (cocktails made from limes, sugar, ice and high-proof sugarcane alcohol) at kiosks; kids showing off their soccer skills; and beach vendors shouting out their wares among the tanned beach bodies.
Local Tip: The sea here is usually fine for a plunge, though it’s best to check the water quality via the INEA website (in Portuguese) before you visit, especially following heavy rainfall, as the water is sometimes contaminated with sewage. Scan the page for Copacabana – or whichever local beach you’re visiting – and if it’s green go for it. If it’s red, kick back on the sand and get the caipirinhas in.
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