Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
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Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide Video

Enjoy spectacular scenery by day and an electric atmosphere at night in Brazil’s most vibrant city.

Situated on the southeast coast of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is the second largest city in the country and offers a unique blend of urban style and natural wonders. The former capital’s streets, beaches and rainforest-covered mountains attract tourists from across the globe.

Most travellers to Rio take a trip to Corcovado, situated in Tijuca National Park. The mountain is home to Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) which is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Early risers are usually able to get some fantastic pictures in before the crowds begin to arrive. For a different perspective of the statue, head to nearby Sugarloaf Mountain and take a trip on the cable car, taking in the panoramic views of the rainforest, city and beaches below.

Those seeking culture won’t be disappointed, with Rio’s Portuguese, English and French influenced architecture featuring beautiful 16th century churches and graceful 19th century palaces. Rio also boasts the Biblioteca Nacional – the seventh largest library in the world.

Rio de Janeiro is also the ultimate party destination. Many carnival-goers believe that there is no better place to join in the annual Brazilian festivities than in Rio. The city comes alive with samba beats, extravagant costumes and vibrant parades. The carnival usually takes place in February and is a five day celebration that ends the day before Lent begins. If you can’t make it to Brazil for the carnival, why not spray champagne with the 2.5 million revellers that see in the New Year on Copacabana Beach?

Spend a day relaxing on the adjacent upmarket Ipanema Beach. Visitors can sit back with a chilled caipirinha or a fresh coconut and watch Brazil’s most beautiful parading up and down the white sands. More active travellers may decide to get involved with a game of footvolley – a Brazilian blend of football and volleyball that is played on the beaches of Rio every day.

Rio is warm all year round, with the hottest months between December and March. This is usually the time with the most rainfall too. The city has good transport links, with buses, taxis and the metro transporting travellers around the city.

Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro

Copacabana

Copacabana

4/5(37 area reviews)

Copacabana Beach and Bairro Peixoto are top sights in Copacabana, and you should be sure to explore the stunning beaches. Hop aboard the metro at Siqueira Campos Station or Cardeal Arcoverde Station to see more sights in the area.

Copacabana
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Barra da Tijuca

5/5(2 area reviews)

If you're spending time in Barra da Tijuca, you might enjoy attractions like Recreio dos Bandeirantes Beach and Barra Shopping Mall. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's pristine beaches before hopping on the metro at Jardim Oceânico Station to see more of the city.

Barra da Tijuca
Ipanema featuring markets as well as a large group of people

Ipanema

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Ipanema is highly notable for its stunning beaches, and you might want to visit top sights like Ipanema Beach and Rua Farme de Amoedo. See more of Rio de Janeiro by jumping on the metro at Nossa Senhora da Paz Station or Ipanema-General Osorio Station.

Ipanema
Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro Centro

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

You might enjoy the museums while in Rio de Janeiro Centro. Catedral Metropolitana de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Tiradentes Tram Stop or Colombo Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Rio de Janeiro Centro
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Leblon

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

Consider exploring the beaches in Leblon. If sightseeing is on the list, Ipanema Beach is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Antero de Quental Station or Jardim de Alah - Leblon Station to see more of the area.

Leblon
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Botafogo

4/5(2 area reviews)

Botafogo is a destination travellers like for its beaches, and you might hop aboard the metro at Botafogo Station or Futura estação Morro de São João Station to explore sights like Botafogo Praia Shopping.

Botafogo
Hotel Atlântico Prime
Hotel Atlântico Prime
4 out of 5
Rua do Resende 87, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
The price is AU$49 per night from 4 Nov to 5 Nov
AU$49
includes taxes & fees
4 Nov - 5 Nov
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,816 reviews)
"Great, stay and clean room. A good hotel if you are looking to see all the city center tourists zones. The breakfast was good and the area around the hotel can look a bit intimidating, because of all the graffiti. I would recommend this hotel if you are looking for a authentic Brazil experience."

Reviewed on 23 Sep. 2024

Hotel Atlântico Prime
Hotel Atlântico Rio
Hotel Atlântico Rio
3.5 out of 5
Rua Xavier da Silveira, 112, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
The price is AU$81 per night from 18 Nov to 19 Nov
AU$81
includes taxes & fees
18 Nov - 19 Nov
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the clean ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,013 reviews)
"Todo bien, cerca de la playa y de la estacion del metro copacabana"

Reviewed on 19 Oct. 2024

Hotel Atlântico Rio
Hotel Atlantico Business Centro
Hotel Atlantico Business Centro
3.5 out of 5
Rua Senador Dantas, 25, Centro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$45 per night from 13 Nov to 14 Nov
AU$45
includes taxes & fees
13 Nov - 14 Nov
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the overall value in ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,491 reviews)
"Great service"

Reviewed on 19 Oct. 2024

Hotel Atlantico Business Centro
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ferlho Suites Rio Centro
Ferlho Suites Rio Centro
3.5 out of 5
8923 Estr. dos Bandeirantes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Olympic Park and Recreio dos Bandeirantes ...
Ferlho Suites Rio Centro
360 Rio Santos Dumont
360 Rio Santos Dumont
3 out of 5
R. Sen. Dantas, 80, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and an in-room espresso maker. Popular attractions Christ the Redeemer ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (11 reviews)
"Excellent place!"

Reviewed on 4 Sep. 2024

360 Rio Santos Dumont
Copacabana Best Spot
Copacabana Best Spot
3 out of 5
Av. Atlântica 3196, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Copacabana Beach and Ipanema ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (21 reviews)
"I rate this property as average because in all honesty, it's not shown as it really looks in real life, you'll be staying at the oldest building in the area, even though you're in the best area for beaches and restaurants, consider that you'll get what you're paying for. We had a misunderstanding ..."

Reviewed on 20 Mar. 2024

Copacabana Best Spot
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Rio de Janeiro

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
17
" "5 - Excellent 38.63636363636363%
4 - Good
24
" "4 - Good 54.54545454545455%
3 - Okay
3
" "3 - Okay 6.818181818181818%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Robyn

Everyone should experience Carnival in Rio, AMAZING

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Amazing city - a must see. We went during carnaval time and what we didn't realise that lots of places are closed so some of the museums and cathedrals that we wanted to visit were closed.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Amazing natural beauty. some of the buffet which we had were great as well. You do feel a bit unsafe because of the loud noise and lack of clothing/type of people in some cases especially at night

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

My favourite city in the world

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Fantastic city, thanks

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I would recommend doing paragliding with Daniel at Rio Eleven Tandem Paragliding https://www.querovoar.net/ he was very professional & it was amazing, one of the best things I have done 

Cities near Rio de Janeiro