Things to Visit in Rio de Janeiro: Beaches, Samba, and Views
From the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue to the golden sands of Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro packs world-class beaches, vibrant nightlife, and jaw-dropping mountain views into one electric city. This guide covers the must-see landmarks, best neighborhoods, and local food spots across Rio.
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Iconic Landmarks
See Christ the Redeemer up close at Corcovado Mountain
The cog train to the summit costs around 90 BRL ($18) round trip and runs every 20 minutes. Morning visits before 10 AM have the clearest skies and shortest lines — afternoon clouds often obscure the statue entirely.
Buy cog train tickets online at least 2 days ahead
Arrive at Cosme Velho station by 8 AM for the first train
Ride the cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain
The two-stage cable car (Praia Vermelha to Morro da Urca to Sugarloaf) costs about 130 BRL ($26). Sunset rides offer the best views — the city lights coming on across Guanabara Bay are worth the wait.
Time your visit for 1 hour before sunset
Hike the Claudio Coutinho trail at the base before heading up
Walk across the Lapa Arches (Arcos da Lapa)
This 18th-century aqueduct spans 270 meters with 42 arches. The Santa Teresa tram runs across the top — catch it from the Carioca station for a 20-minute ride through the hillside neighborhood above.
Visit Maracanã Stadium for a match or guided tour
Stadium tours run daily from 9 AM to 4 PM and cost about 65 BRL ($13). Attending a Flamengo match is far more memorable — tickets start at 40 BRL ($8) and the atmosphere of 78,000 fans is electric.
Check the match schedule on the Flamengo or Fluminense club websites
Take the metro to Maracanã station (Line 2) to skip game-day traffic
Beaches
Spend a day at Copacabana Beach
The 4 km crescent of sand gets packed on weekends — weekday mornings are calmer. Rent a beach chair and umbrella from a barraca vendor for about 20 BRL ($4) and order fresh coconut water for 8 BRL ($1.60).
Walk the full length of the mosaic-patterned promenade
Try a caipirinha from one of the beach kiosks
Relax at Ipanema Beach and catch the sunset at Arpoador Rock
Arpoador Rock sits between Ipanema and Copacabana — locals gather here every evening and applaud when the sun dips below the horizon. Arrive 45 minutes early to claim a spot on the rocks.
Visit the Hippie Fair at Praça General Osório on Sundays (600+ vendors)
Escape the crowds at Prainha Beach
This 700-meter pocket beach is 40 km west of the city center, tucked between forested hills. Buses from Recreio dos Bandeirantes take 30 minutes, or a taxi runs about 50 BRL ($10) one way.
Neighborhoods and Culture
Wander the cobblestone streets of Santa Teresa
This hilltop neighborhood sits 200 meters above the city center and is packed with art studios, galleries, and restaurants. The yellow Santa Teresa tram (bonde) costs 20 BRL ($4) and runs a 6 km loop through the neighborhood.
Visit the Selarón Steps — 215 colorful mosaic-covered steps connecting Lapa to Santa Teresa
Stop at Parque das Ruínas for panoramic city views from the rooftop
Experience Lapa's nightlife on a Friday or Saturday
Rua do Lavradinho fills with live samba and forró bands every Friday from about 7 PM onward. Cover charges at clubs range from 20-60 BRL ($4-12). Stick to well-lit streets and travel in groups after midnight.
Catch a live samba show at one of the Lapa clubs
Dance forró at a Lapa dance hall
Explore the street art in the port district (Boulevard Olímpico)
The 5 km waterfront promenade features enormous murals including Eduardo Kobra's 3,000 square meter "Etnias" piece — the largest spray-paint mural in the world. The Museum of Tomorrow (Museu do Amanhã) is at the end of the strip, 30 BRL ($6) entry.
Nature and Outdoors
Hike through Tijuca Forest
Tijuca is the world's largest urban rainforest at 32 square km. The Pico da Tijuca trail (3.3 km round trip, 2 hours) leads to the park's highest point at 1,022 meters. Entry is free and the park opens at 8 AM.
Hike to Pico da Tijuca for 360-degree views
Stop at the Cascatinha Taunay waterfall (30-meter drop, 10 minutes from the main entrance)
Take a boat to the islands in Guanabara Bay
Ferries to Paquetá Island leave from Praça XV terminal every 30 minutes and cost 7 BRL ($1.40) each way. The 70-minute crossing passes Niterói's Contemporary Art Museum. The island bans cars — rent a bike for 20 BRL ($4) to circle the 4 km perimeter.
Hang glide or paraglide off Pedra Bonita over São Conrado Beach
Tandem flights with a certified instructor run about 500-700 BRL ($100-140) and last 10-15 minutes. Takeoff is from 520 meters above sea level. Winds are best between 10 AM and 2 PM from March through October.
Food and Drink
Eat a fresh açaí bowl from a juice bar
A thick frozen açaí bowl with granola, banana, and honey costs 15-25 BRL ($3-5) at most juice shops. The açaí in Rio is served pure and thick — nothing like the watered-down versions found outside Brazil. Bibi Sucos and Big Nectar are reliable chains.
Try pastéis at a local feira (street market)
These crispy fried pastries stuffed with shrimp, cheese, or palm hearts cost 8-15 BRL ($1.60-3) each. The Feira de São Cristóvão (Northeastern Market) is open all weekend and has 700+ stalls serving regional food, music, and craft cachaça.
Eat a full feijoada (black bean stew) on a Saturday
Feijoada is traditionally served on Saturdays across Rio. A full plate with rice, collard greens, farofa, and orange slices runs 40-70 BRL ($8-14) at sit-down restaurants. Most places serve it as a lunch-only special between noon and 3 PM.
Drink chopp (draft beer) at a boteco bar
A 300 ml chopp costs 7-12 BRL ($1.40-2.40) at most botecos (casual bars). The Baixo Gávea area near PUC university has a cluster of popular botecos that fill up Thursday through Saturday evenings.
Practical Tips and Carnival
Get a Riocard for public transit
A Riocard costs 5 BRL to purchase and works on buses (4.30 BRL/ride), metro (6.90 BRL/ride), and BRT. The metro runs from 5 AM to midnight (1 AM on Fridays and Saturdays) and covers most tourist areas across 3 lines.
Use ride-hailing apps instead of street taxis
App-based rides cost 30-50% less than metered taxis for the same route. A ride from Copacabana to the airport (20 km) typically runs 60-90 BRL ($12-18) by app versus 120+ BRL by taxi.
Keep valuables hidden and stay aware in crowded areas
Leave jewelry and expensive watches at the hotel. Carry a photocopy of your passport instead of the original. Beach theft is common — never leave belongings unattended, and bring only what you need in a waterproof pouch.
Plan around Carnival if visiting in February or March
Carnival runs for 5 days before Ash Wednesday, drawing 2 million people daily to street parties (blocos). Hotel prices triple during Carnival week — book 6 months ahead. Sambadrome parade tickets range from 80 BRL ($16) for general admission to 1,200 BRL ($240) for box seats.
Book Sambadrome tickets through the official LIESA website
Join a free bloco street party — check the bloco schedule on Rio's city website
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Rio De Janeiro?
Three to four full days covers the highlights including iconic landmarks, beaches, neighborhoods and culture at a relaxed pace. Five or more days lets you dig into local neighborhoods and take day trips. Most first-time visitors find four days strikes the right balance between seeing enough and not feeling exhausted.
What is the best time of year to visit Rio De Janeiro?
Spring and early autumn typically offer the best weather with manageable crowds. Summer brings peak tourism pricing and longer queues at popular spots. Shoulder season travel saves 20-30% on accommodation and gives you shorter lines at top attractions.
How much should I budget per day in Rio De Janeiro?
A mid-range daily budget of $100-180 per person covers a comfortable hotel, two restaurant meals, and attraction tickets. Street food and local markets cut food costs significantly. Pre-booking tickets for popular sites online often saves 10-15% and lets you skip long queues.
What is the best way to get around Rio De Janeiro?
Public transit handles most tourist routes efficiently and cheaply. Walking between central attractions is often faster than waiting for buses or trains during peak hours. Multi-day transit passes pay for themselves after 3-4 rides per day and remove the hassle of buying individual tickets.
Do I need to book attractions in advance in Rio De Janeiro?
Top-tier attractions and museums frequently sell out during peak season so book 2-4 weeks ahead for guaranteed entry. Lesser-known sites and neighborhoods rarely require advance tickets. Morning time slots (before 10:00) are the most popular; afternoon slots after 14:00 often have shorter waits.