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Things to see & do in Rio de Janeiro

Home to iconic landmarks such as the Christ the Redeemer statue, world famous beaches and a legendary nightlife scene that pulsates with rhythm, Rio de Janeiro is Brazil’s most popular visitor destination. Cosmopolitan, romantic and beautiful, as the old saying goes: “If God made the world in six days, he devoted the seventh to Rio.”

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Things to see & do in
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Even if you feel slightly underwhelmed by the idea of Rio Carnival – the ‘world’s biggest party’ – or the famed but built-up stretches of sand that are Copacabana and Leblon, it’s undeniable that Rio de Janeiro is geographically speaking one of the world’s most striking destinations. Fringed with dramatic, thickly forested mountains to which rickety favelas cling, Rio boasts golden Atlantic bays dotted with islands and bobbing yachts, and sunsets so gorgeous that it’s not unknown for them to earn a round of applause.

The ‘Cidade Maravilhosa’ is an unapologetically rambunctious place, a city that’s constantly moving to its own rhythms of samba, bossa nova, funk and hip hop. No excuse for a good time is ever turned down and many trip routes will naturally either begin or end here because, let’s be honest, if you haven’t seen Rio, then you haven’t really seen Brazil. There are several itineraries designed to culminate with joining the carnival, or celebrating New Year in Rio when cariocas (Rio residents) traditionally gather on the Copacabana beach, dressed in white and sharing around bottles of champagne.

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Of course this is also one of those cities where the astonishing gulf between the super wealthy and the extremely poor could hardly be more starkly demonstrated. Favela shanty towns perch within walking distance of millionaires’ mansions, and some tour organisers can provide eye-opening tours of these areas, guided by local residents, that may take in a visit to a community project where you can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges of living in places such as this.

A stay in Rio de Janeiro, whether you’re arriving for Carnival or heading beyond, perhaps west to the idyllic beaches of Ilha Grande or north to Manaus and the Amazon, is sure to feature some of the best-known landmarks, several of which we’ll go into more detail about below. But if you really want to get a feel for the rhythm of Rio, the chances are it will come from sipping caipirinhas on the beach among crowds of local sunseekers, wandering the electric samba clubs of the bohemian Lapa neighbourhood, or pausing for lunch at a roadside churrasquería (steakhouse).

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Highlights of Rio de Janeiro

Christ the Redeemer

The defining symbol of Rio, this Art Deco statue, 40m in height and one of the Seven New Wonders of the World, stands atop Corcovado Mountain, presenting superb views over the city and bays. It is reached via a steep rack railway dating to the late 1800s, that takes you through the Tijuca National Park, a popular location for trekking with some 30 waterfalls to discover.

Sugarloaf Mountain

Panoramic views across Rio de Janeiro make a trip up the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain a must. At the mouth of Guanabara Bay, the summit is reached by a two-stage bubble cable car from the Praia Vermelha. Each stage takes around three minutes and offers spectacular 360 degree views.

Carnival

The Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, held the week before Lent, is the biggest in the world, attracting some two million revellers every day. We’re not entirely sold on the carnival – it’s incredibly expensive even for dorm rooms and there are plenty of other celebrations in the area that feel more authentic, but if joining in the ultimate party is on your bucket list then look at a Brazil vacation that either begins or ends with Carnival.

Beaches

Three of Rio’s most famous beaches lie adjacent to each other: Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon. All have been immortalised in song, and all have their own character. Leblon is very cosmopolitan, with dozens of bars, restaurants and samba clubs strung out nearby. Ipanema is elegant and refined, while Copacabana is a 4km arc of golden sand, bookended by historic forts, and flanked with a promenade of Portuguese decorative tiles.

Botanical Garden

A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Rio Botanical Garden is a sanctuary of tranquility away from the often hectic city streets. So vast that many visitors choose to hire an electric cart to get around, the garden is thick with tall Amazon trees in which marmosets and toucans perch noisily. There are six lakes, a handsome Japanese garden with cherry trees, bonsai and Koi carp, and some 2,000 species of orchids to admire.

Selaron Steps

This epic and eccentric tribute to Brazil and its people is the work of a Chilean artist who saw it as a constantly evolving project. The staircase of 215 steps between the Lapa and Saint Teresa neighbourhoods is decorated with bright fragments of blue, green and yellow tiles, the colours of the Brazilian flag. Many of the tiles were donated by visitors from different countries, so in effect this is a global team effort.

Regua Ecological Reserve

Around 90 minutes from Rio de Janeiro, this area of the Atlantic Forest seeks to conserve one of the world’s top five biodiversity hotspots. It’s a superb place for birdwatching, with almost 500 species recorded, while the forest’s mountainous topography and relative isolation provides rich habitat for enormous numbers of butterflies, primates, amphibians and reptiles.

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The Iguazú Falls span the frontier between Argentina and Brazil, and what a sight it is - the largest waterfall system on Earth, a ceaseless spectacle of foaming river plunging over hundreds of cascades.

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The open marshland of the Pantanal wildlife reserve is unquestionably the best place for wildlife-spotting in Brazil, with an astonishing variety of flora and fauna to see here, including the elusive jaguars.

Things to see & do in Paraty & Ilha Grande

Situated on Brazil’s gorgeous Emerald Coast, Paraty is a popular destination for a laidback getaway, home to over 100 beautiful beaches and waters teeming with marine life from whales to penguins.

Rio Carnival

The Rio Carnival, held every year in the week before Lent, is the world’s biggest party, with millions of revellers taking to the streets to watch as flamboyant dancers parade alongside floats and bands.

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Discover activities for families in Brazil and what to do with little ones from experts like Guy Marks and Anna Scrivens who have been traveling in Brazil with kids and would happily return and do it all over again.

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Responsible tourism in Brazil

Responsible tourism in Brazil concerns the important issues affecting the environment, culture and the people living in the favelas within Brazil’s inner cities, and what you can do to travel better in Brazil.

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Written by Rob Perkins

ABTA member P7085 so you are fully protected

Photo credits: [Page banner: Agustin Diaz] [Top box: Alejandro] [Christ the Redeemer: Raphael Nogueira] [Beaches (Ipanema): Vani Ribeiro] [Selaron Steps: Steve Upton]

Things to see & do in Rio de Janeiro