Beaches, Samba and Christ
As one of the most naturally beautiful cities in the world, Rio de Janeiro needs to be on everyone’s bucket list. From iconic beaches, to stunning nature and one of the seven wonders of the world, this Brazilian city has it all for what is most peoples first experience with Brazil. This Rio de Janeiro travel guide gives you tips on activities to do, where to stay, budget and safety tips to help you plan your trip to this magical city!
How much time do I need?
To really enjoy Rio de Janeiro with no rush, seeing all the major sights and chilling on the beach I recommend at least a week. You can probably cram everything into a weekend, but that’s no fun! By staying a week you’ll have days where you just enjoy the beach and the true “Carioca” lifestyle, and days where you see the major sights and maybe even hike up to some viewpoints!
Top Activities
Rio de Janeiro is a perfect city to combine relaxation with some great activities. After visiting this magical city several times, here are some of my favourite activities!
Christ the Redeemer
One of the seven wonders of the world, the Christ Redeemer is a must see when in Rio. Located on the top of a mountain, this place will give you an amazing view of the city and the unique landscape that makes Rio de Janeiro magical and one of kind. Entrance fee is around 90 BRL.
Sugarloaf Mountain
Another iconic place in Rio! Take the cable cars up on top for a spectacular view of the city! Learn about the history of the place and the engineering behind what was once a groundbreaking feat! Price to go up is 160 BRL.
Beaches
You can’t go wrong with just hanging on the beach in Rio. Copacabana and Ipanema are the most famous ones, where you find many places to lay down or grab a chair and umbrella. Order some beers or caipirinhas, before trying some food from the vendors. Mate is an absolutely must on a warm day!
Museum of Tomorrow
Museum of Tommorow, a museum of science, is a great way to spend an afternoon. The entrance fee is 30 BRL and the museum is located close to the historic centre. Just seeing the futuristic architecture of the museum by the water is a worth a trip on its own!
Maracanã
Even if you don’t love football, this place is quite the experience. Brazilians live and breathe football and going to a football match is an absolute must! A great way to get to know the culture and to make som local friends during your stay!
Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden is another must see in Rio. A massive place full of local and foreign flora. The entrance is a little more expensive for foreigners at around 70 BRL, but worth it to get away from the more hectic city and enjoy an afternoon among nature.
Parque Lage
Parque Lage is a great place to go for some Instagram friendly photos. This old mansion is a popular spot for tourists to take picture, and you can even see Christ standing above on a clear day. Sit down for a coffee or a snack while you’re there and enjoy the view!
Escadaria Selarón
Another Instagram friendly spot in Rio is Escadaria Selerón. These stairs were decorated by Chilean artist Jorge Selarón as a gift to the Brazilian people. Located next to the famous Lapa neighbourhood, known for its nightlife and the Carioca Aqueduct!
Pedra do Sal
Pedra do Sal is a must for any music lover or if you just want to experience the culture and soul of the Brazilian people. This place fill up and turns a small concert into a party. Feel the rhythms of Brazil and enjoy a cold drink while meeting some locals for an unforgettable night in Rio!
Budget
For Rio you can survive on around $40 a day, which includes sleeping in a dorm, eating local food and using local transportation. If you use Uber and drink a lot you’ll probably spend a little more, even though alcohol is cheap in Brazil. Also keep in mind that the entrance fees to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain can set you back a few extra bucks, but a must do when in Rio.
Food
Rio is home to some famous restaurants and cafes for anyone interested. Like most cities in Brazil, you can find good lunch spots on any corner that gives you traditional food with rice, beans, fries and choice of protein for about $20-30 BRL. These places also sell smaller snacks like Coixinha, Salgados and Pastel if you just want a quick bite.
If you go to the beach, make sure to enjoy and hydrate with fresh Coconut water, and some Mate. There are also many people selling burgers, pizza, cheese, shrimp (not recommended) and more if you get hungry.
Accommodation
There are plenty of hostels and hotels along both Ipanema and Copacabana. These are in a great location for anyone wanting to spend time on the beach, and cost around $15 per night in a dorm, or from $30 and up for the cheapest hotels. During Carnaval and New Years these prices go up by a lot, and sell out months in advance.
If you decide to go during Carnaval, I recommend staying in the neighbourhood Gloria to stay closer to the best “blocos” (Carnaval street parties). That way you are closer to home after a long night partying.
Transportation
In Rio, you have the Metro system that works fairly well and takes you between neighbourhoods, from the city centre and to the beaches. For about 5 BRL this is a super cheap way to move around.
If you want a quicker way I recommend using Uber, as it’s easy to use and fairly cheap. Although this depends on time of day and where you’re going.
If you stay close to the beach then you can walk along the promenade for a beautiful view, or you can download the Itaú app, and get on a bicycle. Highly recommended!
When to go
The best time to visit Rio depends on a lot of things. Want Carnaval? Go in Februrary (sometimes March). Want guaranteed extreme heat? Go in the summer between December and March, and don’t miss the massive New Year’s Eve party. Into more cooler weather? Then check out the Brazilian winter in Rio, where the temperature might drop a little below 20 degrees Celsius at night, but still comfortable.
As you can see, there’s not really a bad time to go to Rio, and will most likely depend on activities such as Carnaval or New Years.
Safety
Many people are scared of visiting Rio. There is a lot of criminal activities in certain areas of the city. For anyone backpacking and staying in mostly touristic places, you are more likely to suffer from petty theft by not keeping an eye out for your stuff on the beach or walking with your phone out. Violent robbing are not likely to happen unless you walk into the wrong neighbourhoods or go around late at night alone in the dark.
By taking some precautions, Rio is a magical place to visit! Just remember to go with travel insurance!
Safety Tips:
- Always have some cash at hand in case someone wants to rob you. Better to hand over a few notes than to be caught with nothing or lose your credit card.
- Always keep your valuables safely on you on night buses and never put your backpack in the overhead compartment.
- In large crowds be careful with your belongings. Things in your pocket can easily be taken, but also smaller backpacks, bum bags etc. Make sure you secure them to avoid pickpockets in these situations.
- Do not wander around alone at night in places you are not familiar with. If you have to, stick to well lit streets as much as possible. Preferable where there are more people. If you need to use your phone for maps, do it discreetly and never wave your phone or wealth around.
- Don’t wear flashy things and leave your expensive jewellery at home.
- Bring a padlock and use the lockers in hostels for all your valuables.
- Be careful with how much you drink, accepting drinks from others or the use of drugs. There are many stories out there, so try not to overdo anything unless you have people with you to take care of you.
By taking some precautions you will be fine in Rio, and come back with wonderful memories of this beautiful little paradise.
Resources
So, are you ready for an adventure to Rio? Here are some of the resources I personally use when I travel. Great value and support, in addition to the best deals out there!
BOOKING – The best place to book accommodation. In my experience the site with the best prices, deals and selection. Perfect for a budget traveller.
HOSTELWORLD – The best place to find hostels, and also has group chats for all your bookings and places you’re going to make it easier to meet people. Perfect for solo travellers!
SKYSCANNER – When I need to find the cheapest days and ways to fly somewhere, Skyscanner is always the first place I go.
GET YOUR GUIDE – A massive marketplace for inspiration and booking of tours and activities for each place you visit.
AIRALO – What I use to stay connected on the road. A slightly more expensive option than buying local sim cards, but nothing beats having e-sim installed and ready to go as soon as you cross the border.
Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn commission from products or services I recommend. For more, see disclosure.
