🇧🇷Brazil·Americas
Rio de Janeiro
The Marvellous City — where mountains meet the sea
dest.flightsFrom
£699
dest.hotelsFrom
£55/per night
dest.budgetPerDay
£90
dest.avgTemp
26°C
dest.bestTime
May to October (dry season)
dest.safety
6.8/10
dest.about Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is one of the world's most spectacular cities. Framed by jungle-covered mountains, iconic beaches, and the towering Christ the Redeemer statue, Rio is a city of extraordinary beauty and infectious energy. From the samba rhythms of Lapa to the golden sands of Copacabana and Ipanema, this is a destination that gets under your skin.
dest.topHighlights
Christ the Redeemer
One of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World — the iconic 38-metre statue atop Corcovado mountain with 360° views over the city
Copacabana & Ipanema
Rio's legendary beaches — 4km of golden sand, beach volleyball, caipirinhas, and the world's most famous beachside promenade
Sugarloaf Mountain
Take the cable car to the summit for breathtaking panoramic views over Guanabara Bay, the city, and the Atlantic Ocean
Rio Carnival
The world's greatest party — five days of samba parades, elaborate costumes, and street parties every February
Santa Teresa
Rio's bohemian hilltop neighbourhood — colonial architecture, street art, samba bars, and the best views of the city
Tijuca National Park
The world's largest urban rainforest — hiking trails, waterfalls, and exotic wildlife right in the heart of the city
dest.thingsToDo Rio de Janeiro
- Take the train to Christ the Redeemer at sunrise
- Cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain at sunset
- Spend a day on Ipanema and Copacabana beaches
- Explore Santa Teresa neighbourhood and Lapa
- Hike in Tijuca National Park
- Attend a samba show in Lapa
- Tour Maracanã stadium
- Day trip to Búzios peninsula
dest.weather Rio de Janeiro
dest.bestMonthsToVisit May to October (dry season)
5-dest.day Rio de Janeiro dest.itinerary
Arrival & Ipanema
- ·Check in to Ipanema hotel
- ·Ipanema beach afternoon
- ·Sunset at Arpoador Rock
- ·Dinner in Leblon
Christ & Sugarloaf
- ·Morning train to Christ the Redeemer
- ·Lunch in Santa Teresa
- ·Afternoon cable car to Sugarloaf
- ·Sunset cocktails at Sugarloaf summit
Copacabana & Lapa
- ·Morning walk on Copacabana promenade
- ·Forte de Copacabana
- ·Afternoon at Copacabana beach
- ·Lapa nightlife and samba
Tijuca & Culture
- ·Tijuca National Park hike
- ·Maracanã stadium tour
- ·Feira Hippie de Ipanema market
- ·Churrascaria dinner
Day Trip to Búzios
- ·Drive to Búzios peninsula
- ·Beach hopping by buggy
- ·Seafood lunch at Orla Bardot
- ·Return to Rio at sunset
dest.whereToEat Rio de Janeiro
Olympe
French-Brazilian Fine Dining · Jardim Botânico · $$$$
Aprazível
Brazilian · Santa Teresa · $$$
CT Boucherie
Churrascaria · Leblon · $$$
Azumi
Japanese-Brazilian · Copacabana · $$$
dest.practicalInformation
dest.visaRequirements
EU/UK citizens: visa-free. US citizens: eVisa required from 2025. Australian citizens: eVisa required. Always check current requirements.
dest.gettingAround
Metro (lines 1 & 2) for main areas. Uber is safe and affordable. Taxis from official stands. Avoid unlicensed taxis. Bus network extensive but complex for visitors.
dest.currency
BRL (Real)
dest.timezoneLanguage
GMT-3 · Portuguese
dest.frequentlyAskedQuestions
Is Rio de Janeiro safe for tourists?
Rio requires sensible precautions. Stick to tourist areas (Ipanema, Leblon, Copacabana, Santa Teresa), avoid displaying valuables, and don't venture into favelas without a guided tour.
When is Carnival in Rio?
Carnival falls in February or early March (dates change each year based on Easter). Book accommodation 6–12 months in advance as the city fills up completely.
What is the best neighbourhood to stay in?
Ipanema and Leblon are the safest and most upscale areas. Copacabana is more central and lively. Santa Teresa is great for boutique hotels and bohemian atmosphere.
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