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Rio de Janeiro

Rio! The quintessential Brazilian city

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Rio de Janeiro is pure magic wrapped in sunshine, samba, and spectacular scenery. From the iconic Christ the Redeemer at the Tijuca National Park keeping watch atop Corcovado Mountain, to the golden curves of Copacabana and Ipanema, the city pulses with energy, colors, emotion and lots of rhythm. Whether you're sipping a fresh coconut water on the beach, dancing the night away in Lapa, or catching a breathtaking sunset from Sugarloaf Mountain (Pao de Acucar), Rio sweeps you off your feet at every turn. It's a place where nature and culture collide in the most vibrant way—wild rainforests, mosaic-tiled staircases, street art, football, and the friendliest people you'll ever meet. In Rio, life isn’t just lived—it’s celebrated. To this day, Isabella considers Rio the most beautiful city she has seen. There is very little in the world that mixes a stunning landscape with a big city.

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Rio de Janeiro is about an hour flight from São Paulo (and their rivalry as cities is like Boston and New York). You would fly into Rio de Janeiro/Galeão – Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) or Santos Dumont Airport (SDU). For those who may want to return to the US from Rio, there are direct flights multiple times a day to major US travel hubs, including New York.

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Note on Safety: Rio de Janeiro has an unfortunate reputation for being dangerous. While there are neighborhoods that are rough, and we do not recommend going to visit a Favela, we have overall found that with a certain amount of precaution the city was easy to navigate. Please avoid wearing flashy clothing or jewelry, and do not take your phone out without checking your surroundings and use the share location with each other.

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What to do in Rio

We recommend spending four to five days to really experience all the Carioca way of life. Here is a recommended five-day itinerary:

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Day 1: Welcome to Rio – Beaches & Sunset Vibes

 

Morning/Afternoon:

  • Arrive in Rio and Check in to your hotel (preferably look for hotels in Ipanema, Copacabana, and Leblon for walkable beach access)

  • Grab lunch at a beachfront kiosk (quiosque) – we recommend trying grilled shrimp, pastel de queijo, or caipirinha.

  • Relax on the beach – Copacabana is iconic, but Ipanema is trendier and more laid-back.

 

Late Afternoon:

  • Walk to Arpoador Rock, the point between Ipanema and Copacabana, to watch one of Rio’s famous sunsets – locals clap when the sun disappears behind the mountains.

  • Cruise around Guanabara Bay on a sightseeing sunset sail. This activity ends back at the meeting point, Marina da Gloria.

 

Evening: 

  • Enjoy dinner in Ipanema or Leblon.

  • End the night with cocktails at Bar Astor or a rooftop bar with ocean views.

 

Day 2: Christ the Redeemer, Art & Lapa Nights

 

Morning:

  • Head early around 8:00 AM to Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) to avoid crowds and enjoy the panoramic views have a tour company already in place. You can take the official van, train, or guided tour. We recommended a guided tour with the train included, an unbeatable experience.

 

Midday: 

  • Stop by the Santa Teresa neighborhood – an area full of colonial charm, art studios, and cool cafés.

  • Grab lunch at Aprazível, a family-run hilltop restaurant with views and Brazilian fusion cuisine. For other options in the neighborhood, consider Bonde Boca and Explorer Bar.

 

Afternoon: 

  • Stroll past the Arcos da Lapa and stop inside the futuristic Metropolitan Cathedral, or The Cathedral of Saint Sebastian – its design is based on Mayan architectural style of pyramids, an absolute must see that will leave you speechless.

  • Visit the Selarón Steps (Escadaria Selarón or Escadaria da Lapa), a mosaic staircase by Chilean artist Jorge Selarón, who spent most of his life living and working in Rio.

 

Evening:

  • Enjoy a night of samba in Lapa. Rio Scenarium, considered the birthplace of samba, is a sprawling, eclectic club with live music and dancing or catch a performance at Circo Voador, or even the Rio’s new nightlife entertainment destination Roxy Dinner Show. Ask your hotels for recommendations near you!

 

 Day 3: Sugarloaf, Botanic Beauty & City Chill

 

Morning:

  • Ride the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar). First, stop at Morro da Urca for a snack or drink and enjoy the first views of Rio. Then continue upwards with the second cable car to be completely immersed in the rainforest of Rio. Check the forecast before.

 

Midday: 

  • On your way back down the Sugarloaf, stop at Bar Urca for a local lunch with views of Guanabara Bay.​

  • Visit the Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico) with over 6,000 plant species, towering palms, and orchid houses, it is one of the most people spaces in the city and a wonderful place to explore Brazil’s natural beauty.

  • For those who would like a walk or a bike trip, rent a bike and ride around the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, with picturesque mountain views.

 

Evening:

  • Enjoy a more relaxed evening with dinner in Leblon or Jardim Botânico. Try Elena Horto Restaurant, fusion contemporary Asian cuisine, reservations are convenient at Botanic Graden.

 

Day 4: Nature, Adventure & Hidden Beaches

 

Option A – Active/ Nature Lovers:

  • Spend the day in Tijuca National Park, the world’s largest urban rainforest.

  • Hike to Pedra Bonita (moderate, 30 to 40 minutes) or fly over from there on a hang gliding or paragliding tour that ends with the landing on Sao Conrado beach; or hike Pedra da Gávea (the largest monolithic seaside block in the world, 2,670ft elevation gain) in a  challenging and epic adventure.

  • Join a guided Jeep tour through the rainforest to visit waterfalls, scenic lookouts and the Vista Chinesa viewpoint. The oriental style pagoda is a reference to the Chinese who brought tea cultivation in the 19th C to Rio.

  • Rent a sailboat, or a motor yacht at Marina da Gloria to explore the city’s stunning coastline and iconic landmarks but book in advance to ensure availability.

 

Option B – Beach Lovers: 

  • Visit Prainha* and Grumari, untouched beaches about an hour away from the city. These are surfer favorites and much quieter than the city. Explore, hike or swim. Check at the hotel transportation.

  • Pack a picnic or eat at a beachside shack like Restaurante Mirante da Prainha for fresh fish and gorgeous sea views.

 

Option C – For History Lovers:

  • If you have a full day, Petropolis, known as the “Imperial City”, is located 2 hours by car from Rio in the Serra dos Órgãos mountains, a landmark well worth a visit.

  • Highlights include: The Imperial Museum, the former summer palace of Emperor Dom Pedro II, the Cathedral of Sao Pedro de Alcantara housing the royal tombs, the Crystal Palace, and tour the Brewery Bohemia for cold beer.

  • Fun Fact: This was one of the stops on Isabella’s research journey while writing her undergraduate Art History thesis.

 

Day 5: Boat Tour and Shopping

 

Morning:

  • Take a boat tour of Guanabara Bay and see Rio from the water – see this city from a completely new perspective.

 

Midday:

  • Head to Rua Garcia d’Ávila in Ipanema or the Havaianas Flagship store for souvenirs. On Sundays, you can also explore the Ipanema Fair at Praça General Osório, an open-air market of handmade goods, artwork and local crafts and after try the Boteco Belmonte in Ipanema. Rooftop and outdoor seating to eat yummy appetizers and enjoy a delicious draft beer.

 

Afternoon:

  • Wrap up your trip with a leisurely lunch at a scenic spot like Arpoador Inn or Terraço Lagoon with views of the Christ statue or even try the pleasures of Confeitaria Colombo inside the Copacabana Fort on Posto 6. Later you could try sunset cocktails and refined small plates  at some top-tier rooftop bars with ocean views in Copacabana, Ipanema or Leblon: 

  • Deck Bar at Pestana Rio Atlantica (16th floor)

  • Moonlounge Roof Top Bar (JW Marriott)

  • Isabel Lounge (Hilton Copacabana)

  • Espaco 7zero6 (Ipanema) elegant 360o rooftop lounge

  • Vizta Rooftop Bar (Copacabana side, near Leblon)

 

Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro:

  • Luxury ($$$) - Copacabana Palace (Copacabana)

  • Family Friendly – Windsor California Hotel (Copacabana)

  • Luxury ($$$) – Fasano Rio de Janeiro (Ipanema)

  • 4-Star – Arena Ipanema Hotel (Ipanema)

  • Boutique Hotel – Janeiro Hotel (Leblon)

  • Eco-Lodge – Mama Ruisa (Santa Teresa)

 

Other suggestions for things to do in Rio:​

  • Ride the Bondinho de Santa Teresa

  • Tour the Museum of Tomorrow

  • Explore the Beaches of Barra da Tijuca

  • Take a Brazilian Cooking Class

  • Bike the Beachfront Path (Ciclofaixa) check with the hotel Concierge.

  • Visit Ilha Fiscal (Fiscal Island) Known as the site of the “Last Ball of the Empire” before Brazil became a Republic in 1889

  • Stroll the Parque Lage, the public park at the foot of Corcovado is home to jungle trails, monkeys and a 1920’s mansion with a café inside.

  • Bar Hop Route through Botafogo – local craft brews and solid pub food.

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