Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro: A Curated Guide
As one of the only cities in the world that has beaches, a national park and skyscrapers all located within its limits, Rio de Janeiro is certainly unique. There are just so many things to do in Rio that are a must on any South America itinerary.
Add to that a massively diverse population and cultural heritage, and you have a melting point of culture, people, food and landmarks. A trip to Rio wouldn’t be complete without exploring all the famous landmarks and tourists sights, (check out the Rio de Janeiro Bucket List here), as well as sampling some of the best plant-based eating, and beach life.
I stayed in Rio for four and a half days and I personally thought this wasn’t enough for all the variety of activities this city has to offer. Rio has something for everyone, whether you’re a beach lover, mountain monkey, or art fanatic.
In this must-read travel guide, I’ll share with you my experiences of this lush, tropical city, where to go, stay, eat and how to get around, as well as all my tips and hacks for seeing the city. Let’s dive straight into this Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide.
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THINGS TO DO IN RIO: GET IN
Plane – Rio has two airports, the larger RIOgaleão which serves most international flights and Santos Dumont which is located close to the city centre and is used mainly for national flights.
From the airport, it’s pretty easy to grab a taxi or Uber to your hotel. Note that at rush hour RIOgaleão can be a nightmare to get to so leave plenty of time. From Ipanema, it took me 2 hours during evening rush hour to get to the airport and I nearly missed my flight.
Bus – Most buses from around the country arrive at NovoRio, the main terminal just north of downtown. From here taxis and Ubers are readily available to transfer you to your hotel.
GETTING AROUND
As one of Brazil’s largest cities, Rio de Janeiro has a great public transportation system consisting of the metro, tram and buses. The metro and trams are safe and easy to work out and you can buy your tickets from the ticket booths inside the metro stations.
Uber is also an ideal way to get around the city. It’s safer than a regular taxi, cheap and is a lifesaver when travelling late at night or to those out-of-the-way landmarks. Uber was definitely my best friend when in Rio.
WHERE TO STAY
The best places to stay I found to be were Ipanema, Copacabana and Leblon. Downtown is also an ok option but the three upscale beach neighbourhoods are better for both location and safety. I stayed both in Leblon and Ipanema and they are both ideal for morning and evening beach runs, sunsets and are located close to the metro stations.
Selina Lapa Rio de Janeiro– located in the heart of downtown Rio, this ultra-trendy, comfortable property is simply a great option when in Rio. Rooms and beds are comfortable, showers have hot water and good water pressure and the breakfast is scrumptious. Perfect for backpackers and digital nomads wanting to meet other travellers. Check rates and availability here.
Ipanema Inn Hotel – Located just 130 metres from Ipanema beach, this gorgeous design hotel is comfortable and beautifully decorated with a great breakfast and spacious rooms. All rooms also come with a desk making it a great place to base yourself if you have a bit of work to do during your stay. Check rates and availability here.
Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Rio de Janeiro – Easily one of the most luxurious and stunning places to stay in Rio, the Copacabana Palace boast, simple but modern rooms, a luxury spa, delicious buffet breakfast and a rooftop infinity pool over the most gorgeous sun-set view of Rio. 100% worth it the extravagant spend. Check rates and availability here
Vila Santa Teresa – For one of the most amazing boutique villa stays in all Rio and an incredible view to match, there’s nothing better than Vila Santa Teresa. With a world-class spa and outdoor pool and terrace, this Vila is easily one of the places to stay in Rio de Janeiro. Located in the neighbourhood of Santa Teresa. Check rates and availability here.
WHERE TO EAT
Health and wellness are alive in Rio and the food scene reflects that too. There are countless healthy eating options and I ran out of time to sample all the amazing plant-based restaurants and cafes that seemed to crop up on my radar every day. Here are my favourites:
Teva– this small and intimate restaurant located in Ipanema is pure heaven for the taste-buds. It’s 100% plant-based and the dishes are prepared with care, well presented and are healthy, nutritious and delicious. They serve a variety of dishes ideal for sharing as well as pasta, salads, crepes and mains based on international cuisines. A must- eat when in Rio.
Prana – Located close to the Botanical Garden Prana is an excellent vegetarian choice for a tasty lunch break amid all the exploring. Their simple but delicious lunch menu consists of three mains to choose from, one of which is always vegan and gluten-free. The portions are huge and they also come with a super fresh side salad.
Prana also has the largest selection of kombucha I think I have ever seen with 6 or 7 different flavours to choose from. If you like your kombucha, this gorgeous restaurant with all the feels will be a firm favourite.
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THINGS TO DO IN RIO
MARVEL AT CHRIST THE REDEEMER
No trip to Rio will ever be complete without a visit to the majestic Christ the Redeemer Statue on top of Tijuca hill in the city. Perched on a mountaintop overlooking the city, Christo Redentor is the symbol of Rio de Janeiro.
Considered one of the seven wonders of the world, make sure to come up here to witness the sheer size of the state and what a process it must have been constructing such a thing at this height. The views are otherworldy too and you can pretty much see the whole bay of Rio de Janeiro.
When visiting make sure to come on a clear day as the statue is often shrouded by thick cloud.
To get to the Christ the Redeemer Statue you can either hike all the way to the top (the path starts from the back of Parque Lage), take a bus tour or take the tram. The tram is the most popular option. The tram departs from R Cosme Velho- just search ‘Trem do Corcovado’ to find it on Google Maps. The tram does get extremely busy to try to pre-book your tickets in advance or come at the beginning of the day or at the end.
VISIT THE FAMOUS LANDMARKS
No trip to Rio would be complete without a visit to the famous landmarks. Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain are two of the most popular places in Rio for a reason. They are stunning and a must-see for first-timers in the city. Did you know you can hike up to Christ the Redeemer and partially up Sugarloaf Mountain? Take in the breathtaking scenery on your way up and make a day of it.
TAKE IN THE CITY FROM ABOVE
This wouldn’t be a proper Rio de Janeiro travel guide without the mention of the viewpoints. Rio is full of many different viewpoints in and around the city, allowing you to get a different view of the city at each one. Some of the most popular viewpoints include Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Mirante Dona Marta, Vista Chinesa and Dos Irmaos hill.
Whichever one you end up going to, they’ll provide you with a breathtaking view you won’t forget in a while and you’ll see why Rio might just be the most beautiful city in the world.
EAT AÇAI -ON THE DAILY
Endemic to the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest, açai is a small berry packed full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. While only recently breaking into the health food scene in the West, açai has been a staple of the Brazilian diet for a long time.
In Rio you can just about get it anywhere, from cafes, açai stands in malls to beach vendors. Do bring a sustainable/reusable cup/bowl otherwise you’ll get your açai bowl in a plastic cup.
RUN/PLAY VOLLEYBALL ON IPANEMA BEACH
Health and fitness culture is thriving in Rio with the centre of it at Ipanema beach.
Ipanema beach is definitely a must-see anyway and no doubt you’ll walk down the famous promenade or even catch some rays on the fine golden sand. At sunset and on the weekends, Ipanema comes to life with people running, cycling, skating and getting their dose of Vitamin D.
Why not join the locals for a run or beachside workout or even join in on the beach volleyball?
SIP CAIPIRINHAS AS THE SUN GOES DOWN
There’s no better way to toast the perfect day in Rio than with a caipirinha at sunset. The classic Brazilian cocktail is traditionally made with cachaca (sugar cane liquor pronounced ka-cha-sa), lime juice and sugar, just beware, they make it strong.
There are many bars to choose from but my favourite place to sip one and watch the sun go down was on Copacabana beach. With so many beachside bars to choose from, simply sit back, relax and rest those tired legs after a day of exploring.
VISIT REAL GABINETE LIBRERIA PORTUGUES
For literary treasure in downtown Rio head to Real Gabinete Português de Leitura or the Portuguese Reading Room. This extravagant and highly ornate library of Portuguese literature is the largest outside of Portugal, containing hundreds of volumes by Portuguese authors and it’s one of the best things to do in Rio.
Admire the swirling, golden pillars, exquisitely carved wooden bannisters and ornate marble doorways. This is easily one of the most impressive libraries I have seen to date on my travels, not to mention, it makes great subject matter for an Instagram shot.
