Things to do in Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide

Things to do in Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide

Things to do in Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide: Rio de Janeiro is a city that combines large natural features with a wide metropolitan area. These attractions range from the world-famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema to the spectacular peak of Corcovado, which is crowned by the iconic Wonder of the World Christ the Redeemer. Given that it is home to more than 12 million people, the fact that it is one of the most popular locations in the world should not come as a surprise.

Rio de Janeiro was founded by the Portuguese in the 16th century. It is popular with backpackers, Carnival revellers, and luxury vacationers equally due to its ability to accommodate tourists of all types and budgets. Do not try to cram as much into your trip as possible since this vibrant city has so much to offer. There is really too much to see, particularly when one takes into account the number of languid days spent at the beach.

Although there is a high risk of petty theft and other types of crime in this area, if you use some common sense and stay alert, you should be able to enjoy your time in this exciting city without too much anxiety.

Time Zone of Rio de Janeiro

Brasilia Standard Time

The Best Time to Visit Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is a vibrant and contemporary beachside city that provides visitors with a wide variety of things to see and do, both on and away from the beaches, throughout the whole year. Temperatures in the 70s to the 90s and very little precipitation are typical throughout the summer months of Brazil, which are December through March, and the spring months of Brazil, which are September through November.

Crowds are inevitable in February or March due to Carnival, but mingling with other people is half the enjoyment. It should come as no surprise that Rio de Janeiro hosts some of the world’s most magnificent parties on New Year’s Eve.

Important Information

Brazilian Real as the currency.

Language: Brazilian Portuguese

Calling Code: +55 (Brazil) + 21 (Rio)

Things to do in Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide

Climb Sugarloaf Mountain

One of the most well-known attractions in the area, Sugarloaf Mountain is consistently ranked among the city’s top choices for vacationers. At its highest point, which is 396 metres (1,300 feet) above sea level, you can see the all of the city spread out below you and have breathtaking views of Ipanema and Guanabara Bay, particularly at dawn or sunset.

Beaches

The two beaches that get the most visitors are Ipanema and Copacabana. Both of these beaches are considered to be the most popular in Rio. Ipanema is known for its high-end dining and lively nightlife, while Copacabana is home to a wider variety of attractions. Barra de Tijuca Beach and Prainha Beach are two options for those looking for more seclusion.

Botanical Gardens

Visit the botanical gardens of the city when you need to take a deep breath and relax. Take a free guided tour of the gardens and walk along the winding walkways and trails that wind across the area.

This location was established in 1808 at the direction of the Prince Regent Dom Joo and is now home to approximately 8,000 different plant varieties. The highlights include a lake brimming with giant Vitória Régia water lilies, an enclosed area containing more than 600 different types of orchids, and a carnivorous greenhouse stocked with Venus flytraps and pitcher plants.

Go to Paquetá Island

Residents of Rio de Janeiro often go to Paquetá Island in Guanabara Bay on weekends in order to get away from the noise and bustle of the city centre. The island can be reached by boat from Rio in about an hour, and its primary attractions are its beaches and its charming old villages.

Walking, riding a bicycle, or going in a horse-drawn cart are the only ways to get about the island. Even though there isn’t much to do in this location, that’s sort of the purpose.

Santa Teresa

Since 1877, this electric train has been carrying passengers through the Santa Teresa neighbourhood, which gives it the distinction of being the oldest of its kind in Latin America.

From the heart of the city, it has traditionally travelled over the Lapa Arches and into Ruinas Park, which is located on a hilltop overlooking Rio de Janeiro. Due to the fact that the tram has open sides, passengers are able to lean out over the arches (which are the remains of a tiny aqueduct) while they go through them.

Selaron Stairway

This staircase can be found in the Santa Teresa area, and it has hundreds of steps that have been decorated with more than 2,000 pieces of multicoloured tiles, mosaics, and mirrors combined. Jorge Selarón, an artist, started collecting pieces from other artists all around the world in the early 1990s.

He eventually received contributions from artists in sixty different nations. He went to antique stores and rubbish heaps to collect components to add over time, and he worked on the building of the staircase for nearly 20 years until his death in 2013.

Arcos da Lapa

On a Friday night, this neighbourhood is a great place for those of you who like going out and experiencing the nightlife scene. The neighbourhood is dominated by bars, clubs, and food booths, and there are street parties that extend from the renowned arches all the way along Avenida Mem de Sá.

Circo Voador is an open-air performance venue that mostly features Brazilian bands and performers. If you want to hear live music, you should go there. Visit the three-story Rio Scenarium if you are interested in experiencing the nightlife of the club scene.

Admire the picturesque Arcos de Lapa if you’re not in the least bit interested in partying (Lapa Arches). Aqueducts were originally carried water via these arches, which date back to the middle of the 18th century.

Roberto Burle Marx’s Sitio

Roberto Burle Marx, widely regarded as Brazil’s preeminent landscape architect. This 100-acre property was established in 1949 and expanded over the period of more than 40 years, and it now contains more than 3,500 types of tropical and subtropical plant life.

The Burle Marx House Museum is home to an extensive collection of the artist’s personal artwork in addition to a Benedictine church that dates back to the 17th century.

Monastery of Sao Bento.

This colonial Baroque church was constructed between 1617 and 1641 and can be seen atop Morro de So Bentois, often known as St. Benedict Hill, in the centre of Rio de Janeiro. In contrast to the simple façade, the inside is lavishly decorated with gold ornamentation, wood carvings by Frei Domingos da Conceicao and Alexandre Machado, and paintings by José de Oliveira Rosa.

The monastery is still active in the modern day, and if you go to the Sunday service there, you will get the opportunity to listen to some authentic Gregorian singing. As this is a place of religion, please ensure that you are appropriately attired.

Hike at the Tijuca National Park

Tijuca National Park is the biggest urban rainforest in the world, spanning over 8,300 acres and being part of the world’s largest urban park. There are over 350 distinct kinds of animals, birds, and reptiles that call this place home, including howler monkeys, who just recently made their way back to the park after being absent for more than a century.

The ascent up Corcovado (also known as Christo), which passes through Parque Lage and ultimately leads to the summit of Corcovado, is strenuous but relatively short, taking just around three hours.

Beginning in Rio’s North Zone, the climb to Tijuca Peak takes hikers through a deep rainforest and through a number of waterfalls along the way. It only takes around two hours to finish, and along the way, you’ll enjoy stunning vistas of Guanabara Bay and Niteroi Bay.

Best Hotels in Things to do in Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide

Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel

Phone: 55 21 2548 7070

On Copacabana Beach, are you looking for a little taste of the French Riviera? The Copacabana Palace was constructed in 1923, and the majority of its original architecture and glamorous art deco style have been preserved to this day.

The majority of the hotel’s 239 rooms have views of the beach. Highlights include the three restaurants and the piano bar, but the true star of the show is the private beach, which comes replete with attendants who will guard your possessions while you enjoy yourself in the water.

Janeiro Hotel

Phone: 55 21 2172 1100

At the Janeiro Hotel, fashion and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive concepts. Ipanema-Leblon Beach is just across the street from the establishment, which can be found in the exclusive Leblon district. There are a total of 51 apartment-style suites, all of which, as well as some of the showers, provide views of the ocean and the Cagarras Islands.

Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro

Phone: 55 21 3202 4000

When the renowned hotelier Phillipe Starck moved a premium boutique hotel to the Ipanema coastline, he cleverly planned most of the hotel to view the beach, including the infinity pool. In addition to the breathtaking views, the property is designed to reflect the glitz and glamour of the Bossa Nova period of the 1950s and 1960s. Because of the breathtaking views of Sugarloaf Mountain, the rooftop bar is frequented by attractive individuals.

Weather in Rio de Janeiro

Rio is famous for its beaches, and because to the generally favourable climate, visitors may take advantage of them throughout the whole year. Temperatures in the low 90s may be expected from January through March, making it impossible to do much of anything other than swim.

The months of July, August, and September are the driest months but also the coldest months, with lows in the middle of the 60s. Rio de Janeiro is not often affected by hurricanes.

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