22 Nov 10 Of The Best Places To Visit In Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Looking for the best places to visit in Rio de Janeiro? The beautiful Rio de Janeiro is the second-largest city in Brazil and it has amazing spots to explore.
It is famous for its natural scenery and attractions such as Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ The Redeemer, Copacabana Beach, and Ipanema Beach, which are very popular destinations among visitors.
That’s right: a postcard from Rio de Janeiro is a must-have souvenir from Brazil!
This metropolitan hub has much to offer for those who want a taste of South America without traveling too far into the continent.
I recently visited Rio and was blown away by everything this city has to offer and, of course, by its beauty.
In this post, you will find the 10 top places to visit on a trip to Rio de Janeiro. These places are a must on any first-timer’s Rio itinerary.
Best time to visit Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro has a sub-tropical climate, which means it is hot and humid all year round.
The best time to visit Rio de Janeiro depends on what you prefer. If you love the sun and plan on staying for Carnaval, then go in summer (December through February).
On the other hand, visiting during the low season (May, October, and November) might be a good idea if you like fewer crowds and more affordable prices.
Avoid visiting Rio de Janeiro between June and August as this is the period of greatest rainfall in the city.
How many days in Rio de Janeiro?
Whether you want to explore the beaches, mountains or enjoy city life in Rio de Janeiro, five days is the perfect length of time for a holiday here.
This gives enough time to explore at least one of these attractions with some free time to wander around and explore your surroundings too.
However, keep in mind that Rio is one of those places where you could stay for months and still find brand new things to do every day.
What to pack for Rio de Janeiro
Most people visiting Rio de Janeiro will be staying by one of the beaches. If you plan to be near the beach all day, then wear comfortable clothes suitable for hot weather and bring plenty of sunscreens.
Flip-flops and hats are also a must.
If you plan on doing any outdoor activities or climbing Sugarloaf Mountain, then pack comfortable shoes as well as a light jacket if it’s wintertime – although there is not really such thing as winter in Rio.
How to get around Rio de Janeiro
There are several ways to get around Rio de Janeiro.
First of all, you can take a tour with a coach company that will give you a guided tour and drop you off at your destination.
This is probably the easiest way for most people to explore Rio de Janeiro as it is comfortable and doesn’t require much planning beforehand.
The second option would be to take public transport. There are buses throughout the city linking it with other areas in Rio de Janeiro state and beyond too. The metro system in Rio de Janeiro is also affordable but doesn’t go everywhere yet, so if you plan on going back and forth from somewhere far away from the city center, this might not be ideal for you either.
Another option – which is the one I recommend the most – is simply getting around with Uber.
Calling an Uber in Rio is very affordable and a safe way of getting anywhere you want to go in the city.
For safety purposes, I would avoid walking all around Rio, with the exception of the neighborhoods of Copacabana, Leme, Ipanema, and Barra da Tijuca – these are perfectly safe.
10 Best places to visit in Rio de Janeiro
1. Christ the Redeemer
Christ the Redeemer is undoubtedly the most famous landmark in Rio de Janeiro and is also one of the new 7 Wonders of the World.
It can be visited by train, van, or with a guided tour. My favorite option is the train, which offers incredible views of the Atlantic Forest on its way up Corcovado Mountain.
A visit to Christ Redeemer can be combined with other activities such as taking cable cars up Sugarloaf Mountain, visiting Corcovado’s observation deck for views over the city, or walking around Tijuca National Park.
You can read more about visiting Christ The Redeemer here.
2. Copacabana Beach
Copacabana Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world and attracts nearly 4 million visitors every year.
There are plenty of things to do at Copacabana, such as sunbathing, swimming, watching a game of “fut-volley” or having an ice-cold caipirinha.
Also, if you are looking for a little bit of glamour, it is possible to visit the iconic Copacabana Palace Hotel by visiting one of its restaurants or even getting a pool day pass.
3. Ipanema
Ipanema is an upmarket district with many high-rise buildings and fancy restaurants overlooking the famous Ipanema beach.
The district also offers museums, art galleries, and shops for those who want to explore more than just sand and the sea.
4. Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain)
A visit to Pão de Açúcar is a must for those wanting an incredible panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro.
To get to the top of the mountain, you can take the “Bondinho do Pão de açucar,” also known as the Sugarloaf cable car.
This is a must on any trip to Rio!
5. Jardim Botanico – Rio de Janeiro’s Botanical Garden
The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden is the largest in Latin America and has over 6,000 species of plants from around the world.
This garden is a cool, serene place to visit in the middle of scorching summer. Here you will get to observe a part of Brazil’s rich flora.
6. Maracana Stadium
A visit to the Maracana Stadium is a must for all sports and football fans.
This iconic stadium hosted 7 FIFA World Cup games, including Brazil’s 2-1 victory over Italy in the final match of the 1950 World Cup.
Tours of the stadium are available every day, but if you can catch a game, then that’s even better!
7. Selarón Staircase at Lapa
The Selarón Staircase is an 18-flight staircase in the bohemian neighborhood of Lapa that has been covered with over 2,000 tiles created by artist Jorge Selaron. This colorful mural covers both sides of the steps up to Santa Teresa and gives a great view over Rio de Janeiro.
8. Parque Lage
Parque Lage is a small park located in the Jardim Botanico area that feels like an oasis in the middle of the. The park contains a historic mansion with a coffee shop, bookshop, and art exhibitions on display throughout the year.
This is also a lovely place to have breakfast!
9. Copacabana Fort
The Copacabana Fort is one of several forts in Rio de Janeiro that were built along the entrance of Guanabara Bay to protect the city from pirates and foreign invaders during colonial times.
This fort has now become a military museum where visitors can discover more about its history.
10. Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa is one of Rio’s most charming neighborhoods. Here you will find many cool bistros, retro thrift shops, and cool bars to go out at night.
Also, there are some beautiful art galleries with unique pieces by Brazilian artists.
Wrap-up: The best places to visit in Rio de Janeiro
That’s a wrap! Now that you know all the best places to visit in the city, you might also enjoy this post about 10 great reasons to visit Rio de Janeiro.
I hope you enjoy this wonderful city as much as I did and have a lot of fun.
This is a post by Guest Contributor Camila Neves from www.travelcami.com.
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