Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Destination Guide
Section 1: Intro to the Destination
Rio de Janeiro has rightly earned its title of Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City) with its stunning natural surroundings and equally vibrant city culture. Tourists can spend their days trekking through the forested mountains or lounging on the many beaches, followed by nights of dancing to samba’s rhythmic beats with a caipirinha in hand. Whether it’s the surfing, the rock climbing, the hang gliding or the beachside cocktails that bring you here, you’re guaranteed a lively experience.
Which of the Following Phrases Best Describes this Destination?
Energetic, active, historic
What’s the Destination Known For?
Samba music: While it was originally created in the Bahia region of Brazil, immigrants brought this music style to Rio and it became known as the music of Rio. It’s defining characteristic is its rhythm which was derived from Afro-Brazilian prayer music.
Access to both golden beaches and mountains—visitors can hike amongst the forested mountains and relax at the beach all in the same day.
Great outdoor activities: hiking in Tijuca Forest, cycling, sailing across Baía Guanabara, surfing, rock climbing, hang gliding
Copacabana Beach gained popularity in the 1940s when it became a celebrity destination and Ipanema Beach grew to steal the spotlight in the 1960s thanks to Tomb Jobim and Vinícus de Moraes (bossa nova musicians) when they composed “The Girl from Ipanema”.
Carnaval, the annual Brazilian festival held around Ash Wednesday, it is the most famous holiday in Brazil. Some even consider it the world’s most famous party. It consists of dancing, parades, music, street parties and competitions.
Getting There
Location: Av. Vinte de Janeiro, s/nº - Ilha do Governador, Rio de Janeiro
Located in the north part of the city, 20km from downtown.
Visa: American citizens must have both a passport and tourist visa (valid for 5 years). The application must be sent to the Brazilian Embassy or your nearest consulate.
Metro: The nearest metro station to the international airport is the Vicente de Carvahlo, line 2. From here, you will transfer to the BRT (Bus Rapid Transport) with direct route to the airport.
Bus: The Real Auto bus (also known as frescão) leaves Alvorada bus terminal in Barra (to the international airport) between 5:30-22:30 and depart from the International Airport (to Alvorada bus terminal) between 5:30-23:00 daily. It runs every 20-30 minutes. The fare is around R$7.
There is also the BRT (Bus Rapid Transport) that moves through exclusive lanes on the highway and is much faster. In the airport, there are two stations to catch the bus: Tom Jobim 1: located in Terminal 1 arrivals (H door) and Tom Jobim 2: located in Terminal 2 arrivals (D door).
Car: Main access is by highway Linha Vermelha (gets bottled up during rush hour, so plan accordingly). The drive is about 20 km. It takes between 30 to 60 minutes.
Taxi: The cost from the airport to Barra da Tijuca is around $17.00. Taxis are generally safe, but robberies have been reported.
Central Station: Estação Centro do Brasil
Location: R. Bento Ribeiro, 13, Centro, Rio de Janeiro
Local Etiquette
Tipping: The standard tip for waiters is 10%. It is often included in the bill. If you really enjoyed the meal, feel free to add more. In bars, the final bill might not include tip, but it is still customary to add 10%.
Greeting: Men to men will use a soft handshake. Men to women or women to women will use two kisses on the cheek (air kiss, first to the left and then right) often with a light grasp of the arm.
Gestures: Do not use the OK thumbs up sign. It is considered rude. When someone pulls their eyelid down, it means be cautious. When someone taps their finger under their chin, it means they don’t understand what you’re saying.
Words/Phrases to know:
Hello – Olá
Please – Por favor
Thank you – Obrigado
Yes – Sim
No – Não
Goodbye – Adeus
Do you speak English? – Você fala inglês?
I don’t understand – Não compreendo
Everything is good! – Tudo é bom!
Cheers! – Saude!
One espresso, please – Um expresso, por favor
What time do you open? – Que horas você abre?
Weather
Temperatures:
Spring:
High: 79 F / 26 C
Low: 68 F / 20 C
Summer:
High: 86 F / 30 C
Low: 73 F / 23 C
Fall:
High: 79 F / 26 C
Low: 68 F / 20 C
Winter:
High: 70 F / 21 C
Low: 64 F / 18 C
Elevation: 1,020m / 3,349ft
The best month for swimming is March, the average sea temperature is 79 F. The wettest month of the year is December.
The weather is best between November and February if you are a fan of the beach, with the sunshine lasting around 13.5 hours. Fantastic months for warm weather and not so many crowds would include Fall and Spring. Rio stays relatively warm during the Spring and Fall, so you can still enjoy the outdoor activities. In winter, it becomes chillier and is not ideal beach weather. There are 10.5 hours of sunshine per day.
How to dress: Because Rio has a tropical climate and stays relatively warm year-round, you won’t need many layers. However, bring clothing for rain protection (boots and a coat). And of course, don’t forget your bathing suit!
Getting Around
Buses: The BRS (Bus Rapid System) has bus corridors in Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and Barra. Fares are around R$3.40. Note: busses need to be flagged down—they will not stop automatically.
Metro: The Metro Na Superfície is a subway bus that moves people between metro stations. Fare is generally around R$3.70. Seen as one of the best ways to get around (air-conditioned, clean, and relatively safe). The main line goes from Ipanema- General Osório to Saens Peña. You can purchase a prepaid card from a kiosk at any metro station and recharge at the same kiosks.
Uber/Lyft: The taxi system is relatively safe, thought tourists need to be careful about taxi drivers scamming the rates. Uber is generally cheaper and operates around the city (just not to and from the airport).
Bikes: Rio is a very bike friendly city. There is a public bike-sharing scheme along with a number of stands that rent bikes from the east side of Lagoa Rodgrido de Freitas (around R$15 per hour) and between Copacabana and Ipanema.
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus: There is no hop-on hop-off bus. Companies that attempted to start this business always failed within a few weeks. However, there are private tours that visitors can book, offering similar sightseeing on a private bus.
Walking: Visitors need to be very cautious when walking around. Pickpocketing is common. Try and always walk in groups and avoid walking alone at night. Don’t carry around valuables (passport, large sums of money, computer) if it can be avoided. The South Zone is the safest to walk around and has the largest police presence.
Boat: People also travel by boat to see the islands off Rio’s coast. The commuter ferry to Niterói is a common attraction for tourists because it offers beautiful views of the city skyline. It departs every 20 minutes from Praça Quinze de Novembro in Centro.
Section 2: What to See, Do, and Eat
Breakfast
Café, Brazilian, deli
$$
Location: Rua Ererê, 11 C - Cosme Velho, Rio de Janeiro
Times Open: Sunday: closed; Monday to Friday 10:00-19:00; Saturday 10:00-16:30
Casual dress
Cozy café with rotating menu. Located about 2 minutes from Corcovado.
Best dish: Lava cake, cheese bread, waffles
Café, Brazilian
$$
Location: Rua Visconde da Graca 51 | Jardim Botanico
Times Open: Sunday to Thursday 8:00-20:00; Friday & Saturday 8:00-23:00
Casual dress
All day breakfast with a beautiful veranda, nearby the Botanical Gardens
Best dish: Tapioca, quiche
Café, Brazilian
$$
Location: Av. Ataulfo de Paiva, 1022 - Leblon, Rio de Janeiro
Times Open: Sunday to Saturday 7:00-20:00
Casual dress
Specializes in baked goods and breads. Great place to sit at table on sidewalk and people watch.
Best dish: the sandwiches and pastries
Brunch
Brazilian, European, South American
$$$
Location: Av. Atlântica, 1702 - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Times Open: Monday to Friday 6:30-10:30, 12:00-15:00, 19:00-1:00 am; Saturday 7:00-11:00, 12:00-15:00, 19:00-1:00 am; Sunday: 7:00-11:00, 13:00-16:00
Daytime: casual dress; Nighttime: business casual
Sunday brunch includes a wide selection of seafood, warm and cold dishes, accompanied by fruit juice and champagne. Located in the Copacabana Palace.
Best dish: Grilled octopus
Italian, Mediterranean
$$
Location: Av. Niemeyer, 121 - São Conrado, Rio de Janeiro
Times Open: Sunday 12:30-16:00; Monday to Sunday 18:30-23:00
Daytime: casual; nighttime: business casual
Only on Sundays, the brunch is a huge self-serve buffet in a spacious room with views of the sea.
Best dish: Large variety of seafood and grilled meats
Café, Brazilian
$$
Location: R. Gonçalves Dias, 32 - Centro, Rio de Janeiro
Times Open: Monday to Friday 9:00-19:30; Saturday 9:00-17:00
Casual dress
A patisserie shop that’s been in business for more than 120 years.
Best dish: Cakes and pastries
Lunch
French
$$
Location: R. Teófilo Otoni, 97 - Centro, Rio de Janeiro
Times Open: Monday to Friday 12:00-14:00; Saturday & Sunday: closed
Casual dress
Simple and small menu in a cozy environment- only open for lunch!
Best dish: Only offer three main courses everyday that change
Brazilian, healthy, vegetarian friendly
$$
Location: Av. Olegário Maciel, 175 - loja g - Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro
Times Open: Monday to Saturday 12:00-20:00, Sunday: closed
Casual dress
Colorful oasis filled with random knick knacks, throw pillows, potted plants, and string lights.
Best dish: Vegan dishes, including quinoa burger and raw cakes
Healthy, vegetarian, vegan
$$
Location: R. Buenos Aires, 22 - Centro, Rio de Janeiro
Times Open: Monday to Friday 11:00-15:30; Saturday & Sunday: closed
Casual dress
Café caters to all diets (meat, no meat, gluten free, etc.) with an emphasis on fresh, natural ingredients all in a fast-paced downtown setting.
Best dish: Salads and light sandwiches
Dinner
French, steakhouse, Brazilian
$$$
Location: Rua Dias Ferreira, 636 - Leblon, Rio de Janeiro
Times Open: Monday to Friday 12:00-16:00, 19:00-24:00; Saturday & Sunday 12:00-24:00
Casual dress
A bistro inspired by the lessons learned in the owner’s home kitchen from his father, a skilled butcher, as well as visits to the cattle market in Burgundy growing up.
Best dish: 15 different cuts of meat
Brazilian, Mediterranean, seafood
$$$
Location: Av. Atlântica, 290 - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Times Open: Sunday to Saturday 12:00-24:00
Casual dress
Full menu paired with a buffet in an eclectic space filled with antiques (Pirates of the Caribbean vibe).
Best dish: Seafood buffet
Latin, bar
$
Location: Ladeira Ary Barroso #35. - Leme, Rio de Janeiro
Casual dress
Restaurant is a part of a hostel in favela with expansive views of Cococabana Beach and Christ the Redeemer.
Best dish: Tapas plate
Other
Wine bar
$$
Location: R. Paulo Barreto, 25 - Loja E - Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro
Times Open: Monday to Thursday 17:00-24:00; Friday & Saturday 17:00-1:00 am, Sunday: closed
Business casual
Taste Brazilian wines paired with small bites and select from a wide range of bottles for purchase on your way out. Unpretentious and welcoming environment.
Best dish: Bruschetta, charcuterie and cheese platter
Amazonian
$$
Location: R. Barão do Flamengo, 35 R - Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro
Times Open: Sunday 9:00-19:00; Monday to Saturday 8:30-23:000
Casual dress
Only location that serves the pure version of acai fruit from palm trees in the north of Brazil.
Best dish: Pure acai with unlimited granola or tapioca
cafe, brew pub
$
Location: Avenida Erasmo Braga 278 | Sobreloja, Terminal Garagem Menezes Cortes, Rio de Janeiro
Times Open: Monday to Friday 8:00-21:00
Casual dress
Coffee house located in central RDJ with fantastic small dishes. The price is whatever you want it to be, you pay based upon your own preference of the coffee.
Best dish: the AMAZING coffee!
Top things to See and Do
A 4 km stretch of beach full of varying groups of people and a plethora of activity. Among water activities, people come to play soccer, drink caipirinhas from the kiosks, and shop from the beach vendors.
Different groups have claimed different sections of the beach—between Copacabana Palace Hotel and Rua Fernando Mendes is the gay section, near Rua Santa Clara is where young kids play soccer and soccer-volleyball, next to Forte de Copacabana is the fishermen’s colony, and Leme marks the quieter area.
Location: Atlantic shore of the South Zone of the city, stretching from Posto Dois (lifeguard watchtower two) to Posto Seis (lifeguard watchtower six)
Time Open: daily 24/7
Price: Free
Other: Not recommended to go at night, and if you do, stay close to the busy beach kiosks
Rio’s main football stadium is known to host some of the most exciting matches in the world. Games are held typically at night between Wednesday to Sunday.
Visitors can take a tour of the stadium to get a more intimate perspective and see what goes on behind the scenes, including a visit to the press box, the grand stand, the locker rooms, and the tunnel leading to the field.
Location: Rua Professor Eurico Rabelo, s/nº, portão 18, Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro
Time Open: 9:00-19:00 (tours are 9:00-16:00 and cost $6.00)
Price: for a game range from $10.00-$20.00
From the peak of this mountain, visitors get the most stunning view of Rio de Janeiro. The view includes the city, Corcovado mountain, Baía da Guanabara, Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer), and Copacabana Beach. Best times to travel to the top are at sunrise and sunset. To get there, visitors take a cable car 396m to the peak.
Visitors can choose from four different tickets— the ‘Ticket Bondinho’ which grants regular access, the ‘Golden Ticket’ which grants reception in an air conditioned lounge and skipping the line to the cable car, the ‘Historic Tour’ to learn about the history of the cable car in Brazil, and the ‘Backstage Tour’ to see the machine room and learn its history.
Location: Pão de Açúcar, Urca, Rio de Janeiro/RJ
Time Open: daily 8:00-21:00
Price: adult tickets range from $20.00-$30.00. Highly suggest booking tickets in advance
Ipanema is another one of Rio’s most popular beaches. It is located in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods and it often referred to as the “little Paris” of Rio. The area is full of galleries, bookstores, and movie theaters. It has cleaner sand and water than Copacabana, causing the beach to get very crowded during weekends.
Similar to Copacabana Beach, Ipanema Beach is divided into “tribes”. Whether its Brazil’s most tanned and fit, the favela kids playing soccer, the gay community, or surfers, the beach offers diverse pockets of community.
Location: Atlantic shore of the South Zone of the city, between Leblon and Arpoador
Time Open: daily 24/7
Price: Free
Other: Be careful of the strong undertow and oversized waves.
Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer)
Also known as Christ the Redeemer, this iconic statue on the top of Corcovado is one of the seven wonders of the world. The statue depicting Jesus Christ was completed in 1931 and became the largest Art Deco-style sculpture in the world. It towers above the city at 710 meters.
The most popular way for visitors to reach Cristo Redentor is via the Corcovado Train, a red narrow-gauge train. It departs every 30 minutes and takes about 20 minutes to reach the top. The second most popular option is via van from Parque da Tijuca.
Location: Cog Station, Rua Cosme Velho, 513, Cosme Velho - Rio de Janeiro
Time Open: 8:00-19:00
Price: Corcovado Train adult $15.00-$18.50, child $12
Other: Tickets for the train must be bought ahead of time (not same day).
This cultural center hosts some of Brazil’s top photographers and artists. The space has more than 80,000 photographs, capturing the history and essence of Brazil (from old streets in Rio to other developing cities). On top of that, there is a beautiful garden, complete with artificial lake and river, for strolling. The craft shop and café offer an oasis for lunch or afternoon tea.
Location: R. Marquês de São Vicente, 476 - Gávea, Rio de Janeiro
Time Open: Monday: closed; Tuesday to Sunday 11:00-20:00
Price: Free for the cultural center and exhibitions/ prices vary for courses and movie tickets
This museum is the most famous location for Brazilian history and cultural identity. The building housing the museum is the original colonial arsenal and dates back to 1764.
Some of the most well-known relics are the gilded imperial coaches, the throne of Dom Pedro II, the oil painting of the Paraguayan-Brazilian war and a full-sized model of a colonial pharmacy.
Location: off General Justo, near Praça Marechal Âncora, Defensa 1600, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
Time Open: Tuesday: closed; Wednesday to Monday 11:00-18:00
Price: admission $2.50, Sunday free
This lagoon in the South Zone of Rio is not only considered one of the most beautiful natural attractions, but to enjoy it in all its glory, 7.2km of walking and cycling trails were built around the parameter.
Visitors can rent bikes and paddle boards or sip on caipirinhas and eat snacks from one of the lakeside kiosks. Night time often brings live music.
Location:Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, - Lagoa, Rio de Janeiro
Time Open: daily 24/7
Price: Free
Festivals/Parades
The biggest festival in Rio, Carnival is held every year before Lent and is considered to be the biggest party in the world. The first festival was held in 1723 to honor the gods and pay respect to the great waters. Nowadays, it is a cultural amalgamation of parades, music, dancing, and competitions.
Along with the parades, street festivals take over many parts of the city. Visitors gather to dance, listen to music, and watch live performances. The most famous style of dance one will see is samba.
Location: All around Rio de Janeiro
Date: Friday before Ash Wednesday until Ash Wednesday, all day
Price: $34.00 - $134.00
Because it such a huge event that requires planning, many recommend using a travel agency to plan the trip. They can help with everything from arranging costumes, getting seats at events, finding accommodation, and purchasing tickets.
Festas Juninas (June Bonfire Festivals)
This festival honors San Juan, San Antonio and San Pedro. The story goes that San Juan’s mother wanted to announce the arrival of her son, so she attached a doll to a pole and created a fire to notify the people.
People gather in the city squares and light bonfires while playing games, dancing and singing.
Location: All around Brazil and Rio de Janeiro (in public spaces)
Date: June 13th (San Antonio); June 24th (San Juan); June 29th (San Pedro)
Price: Free
Dress up in a country-style costume, participate in the folkloric games and dancing, and listen to the traditional folk music. Walk through the squares where the city assembles village markets.
Nightlife
Rooftop bar
Ranked one of the best rooftop bars in the world. Sit by the pool and enjoy a view of Rio’s skyline and the sea with a cocktail in hand. The bar is only open to hotel guests except weekend evenings and it fills up quickly, so book early.
Location: 80 Av Vieira Souto, Rio de Janeiro
Time Open: Saturday & Sunday 18:00-22:00
$$$
Smart casual
Nightclub
Located in a tall colonial building, this club attracts samba music lovers and dancers alike. The balcony offers views of Lapa’s streets.
Location: Av. Mem de Sá, 79 - Centro, Rio de Janeiro
Times Open: Sunday to Saturday 9:00-5:00 am
Price: Tickets $5.00-$7.50
Contemporary cocktail bar
Modern but cozy environment with extensive cocktail menu. Pick and choose small bites to accompany drinks.
Location: R. Cap. Salomão, 69 - Humaitá, Rio de Janeiro
Times Open: Sunday to Wednesday 18:00-1:00 am; Thursday 18:00-2:00am; Friday & Saturday 18:00-3:00 am
Price: $$
Try the Le Tigre (Absolute vodka with passion fruit, cardamom seeds, and acai)
Hidden Gems
The Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading
This library houses the largest collection of Portuguese texts outside of Portugal. The space was founded in 1822 by three Portuguese immigrants looking to recreate their country’s literary culture in Rio de Janeiro. The building was designed to evoke Gothic-Renaissance influence.
The space is as much as visual destination as a source for literature.
Location: R. Luís de Camões, 30 - Centro, Rio de Janeiro
Times Open: Monday to Friday 9:00-18:00, Saturday & Sunday: closed
Price: Free
Enjoy a beautiful park without all the tourists. Parque Lage is tucked away by Corcovado, guaranteeing it’s off the beaten track. The land is full of walking trails and visitors can see monkeys, old stables, caves and an aquarium.
The space was originally owned by a wealthy industrialist and his wife and received a face lift in the 1920s by Italian architect Mario Vodrel. It was finally converted into a public park in the 1960s.
Location: R. Jardim Botânico, 414 - Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro
Times Open: Sunday to Monday 8:00-17:00
Price: Free
The park also has a bistro restaurant
Museu de Imagens do Inconsciente (Images of the Unconscious Museum)
A collection of 350,00 pieces created by psychiatric patients during art therapy. The work represents the connection between a patient’s deepest troubles, traumas, dreams, and joys with physical manifestation.
Museum was found in 1952 by Nise da Silveira, a psychiatrist who didn’t believe in the contemporary inhumane treatment of mentally ill patients.
Location: R. Ramiro Magalhães, 521, Rio de Janeiro
Times Open: Monday to Friday 9:00-16:00
Price: Free
