Rio De Janeiro Travel & Vacation Guide

Being the largest aquarium in South America, AquaRio holds up to 8000 animals of 350 different species in their tanks. Stroll through tunnels amidst the marine animals to admire the colourful fish and corals. An exciting experience not only for families but also for anyone with an interest in wildlife.

The Aventureiro Sustainable Development Reserve is located southwest of Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro’s largest island, in Angra Dos Reis Bay. The reserve, established in 1990, features extraordinary unspoiled nature, and many animal species and is home to the ancient caiçaras fishing community.

Admire Rio's flora and fauna in the botanical garden which sits right next to the Tijuca National Park, naturally attracting different animal species to settle. If you check their schedule, you can participate in night strolls through the park or listen to an educational lecture in the green.

Standing on top of Corcovado Mountain, 710 meters above sea level, Christ the Redeemer overlooks the metropolis below with outstretched arms. The statue named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, embraces the whole city, welcomes and protects, yet appears to keep a watchful eye on locals and visitors. Venture up through the Tijuca Rain Forest to the top of the mountain for a closer look and be rewarded by fabulous views of the Sugar Loaf Mountain, Copacabana, Ipanema, the Maracanã Stadium, and the Serra do Órgãos mountain range. You can hike up to the statue or comfortably reach it by way of a twenty-minute tram/car ride.

Considered a must-see in Rio de Janeiro, the Escadaria Selarón is not an ordinary staircase, but rather the life's work of a Chilean painter named Jorge Selarón, his odd obsession and his romantic homage to the city that adopted him. The 'Escadaria' is made up of 250 steps and over 2000 tiles: stretch your legs and get ready to climb an astonishing cascade of colours.

The favelas are Brazil's gloomily famous shanty towns. Once a shelter for war veterans and freedmen, they have now become the symbol of social and economic inequalities in the country. A guided tour of these communities represents a unique opportunity to understand the locals' living conditions, their challenges and their daily struggles. If you have the chance, visit the famous favela named Rocinha to discover a whole different side of Rio de Janeiro. Visits are only recommended as part of a supervised guided tour and may be unsafe to do on one's own.

Hang gliding really is one of the best experiences the city has to offer. Take a flight from one of the many hills surrounding Rio de Janeiro and glide smoothly through the gentle Brazilian wind. There are different companies offering hang gliding in Rio de Janeiro, and even if the place of departure may change, all routes fly over the most important sights and attractions of the city.

This popular lookout point offers a beautiful view over the Christ the Redeemer statue and the Sugar Loaf Mountain. Given its proximity to the city, many photographers prefer to shoot from here rather than climb to the top of Corcovado. The two places, however, are very close and easy to visit on the same day.

Located in the picturesque neighbourhood of Santa Teresa and housed in a 1920s-style warehouse, Armazém São Thiago is a typical Brazilian bar, bearer of the city's history and traditions. Also known as "bar do Gomez", it serves refreshing cold beers and a variety of tasty appetizers.

Housed in a historic mansion, with a garden, vinyl record collection, and hookahs, Bar Bukowski is the oldest rock house in Rio de Janeiro. It offers several bars and dance floors in a large outdoor area and hosts concerts and artistic performances for the entertainment of its customers and is absolutely worth a visit–not only for fans of the genre.

This bar regularly hosts live acts of well-known carioca artists. Grab a beer, caipirinha, or another mixed drink and move your body along to some Brazilian samba or chorinho tunes.

Fun but sophisticated, Bla Blá combines Japanese food and a wide variety of high-quality champagne labels. Its proximity to the nightlife streets of Barra da Tijuca makes it the perfect place to enjoy a cheerful dinner and get ready for a night of partying.

Every weekend, Circo Voador hosts important names from the Brazilian and international music scene. Rock, samba, reggae, and funk music liven up the nights of this famous Lapa concert hall, where the intimate and informal atmosphere helps forge a real connection between the artists and the audience.

Located in the vibrant Lapa neighbourhood, Clube dos Democraticos is a great place to dance to the rhythm of Brazilian live music. Let the sound of Samba and Forró guide you through the night, find your dance floor partner and enjoy an authentic Carioca experience.

Nestled at the top of a small hill in the bohemian Santa Teresa neighbourhood, the Explorer Bar awaits you behind the leafy branches of its many trees. This restaurant-cocktail bar serves delicious fresh dishes and original signature cocktails in a warm, cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Located in an old safe factory, Fundição Progresso is a self-sustaining cultural centre, home to art schools, paintings exhibitions, theatre plays, circus performances, and great musical shows. The best time to visit this evocative building is definitely during the monthly live concerts, but you can come here at any time and still be able to enjoy its many other attractions.

The small Feira de Copacabana consists of a collection of clothes and souvenir stalls strategically located in front of the popular Copacabana beach. It opens late in the afternoon and goes on till midnight, giving tourists the chance to enjoy Rio's warm beaches during the day and go shopping in the evening cool.

Every first Saturday of the month, Rua do Lavradio hosts the Feira do Rio Antigo, an exciting multicultural event that attracts both locals and tourists. The street fills up with stalls, live bands, dancers and singers, marking the start of a diurnal celebration. The bustling market has all kinds of products, from handicrafts and antiques to vintage clothing, art, and food.

In 1968, a group of Brazilian artists started to sell frames at Praça General Osório to help pay the neighbourhood bars' bills. From that year on the event developed and expanded to become one of Rio's most glamorous fairs. At the Feira Hippie, you can find creative artwork, colourful clothes and various cheap handicrafts.

Head to the Mercado Uruguaiana, one of the largest flea markets in Rio, to find slashed prices and a wide variety of products, most of which are made in China. Put some 'reais' aside and get ready to bargain in order to get clothing, electronics, food, and even furniture at the lowest price possible.

When looking for a shopping experience, Rio de Janeiro offers plenty of alternatives, one of which being the many large shopping malls, home to major fashion brands, cinemas, and restaurants. Below is a list of the most noteworthy ones. Fashion Mall: Estrada da Gávea, 899, São Conrado, Rio de Janeiro +55 21 2111 4427 Mon–Sat 10am–10pm, Sun 2–10pm Barra Shopping: Avenida das Américas, 4666, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro +55 21 4003 4131 Mon–Sat 10am–11pm, Sun 12–10pm Village Mall: Avenida das Americas, 3900, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro +55 21 3003 4177 Mon–Sat 10am–10pm, Sun 12–8pm Shopping Leblon: Avenida Afranio de Mello Franco 290, Leblon, Rio de Janeiro +55 21 2018 2508 Mon–Sat 10am–10pm, Sun 1–9pm Shopping Nova America: Avenida Pastor Martin Luther King Jr. 126, Rio de Janeiro +55 21 3083 1000 Mon–Sat 10am–10pm, Sun 1–9pm

Located in one of the oldest areas of downtown Rio de Janeiro, the Saara flea market is certainly a pleasant surprise for those seeking an authentic Carioca shopping experience. Wander around the over six hundred stalls and find the perfect souvenir to bring home with you.

Are you in the mood for an excursion outside Rio de Janeiro? Head to the charming Búzios peninsula, a heaven on earth bounded by a volcanic coastline, diverse beaches and pristine waters. Here you can shop in several boutiques along Rua das Pedras, for anything from Brazilian bikinis, beachwear and surfboards to handicrafts and jewellery.

The streets of Rio are home to diverse shops, fairs, and markets. Ipanema has a mix of upscale and bargain shopping areas, the former being Rua Garcia d’Avila and Rua Maria Quiteria, the latter being Rua Visconde de Piraja and the famous Hippie Market. Head to Barra de Tijuca and Leblon to find bigger, more expensive brands and various shopping malls. To get a taste of the true Carioca shopping experience, visit the city's markets and fairs in Lapa, São Cristóvão, and Centro: there you will find, respectively, the Feira do Rio Antigo, the Feira Nordestina São Cristóvão, and the Mercado Popular da Uruguaiana.

Rio de Janeiro is characterized by hot, extremely humid summers and cool, cloudy winters; therefore, choosing the best period to visit the city depends mainly on individual preferences. Summer is the best period for hot weather lovers and party people willing to tolerate high humidity and frequent rainfall. From November to February, Rio's beaches are invaded by tourists, especially during the famous Carnival. From March to May, the Fall season offers Rio's best weather: hot and humid but without the drawbacks of the summer. On the other hand, visiting Rio from June to August, during the cloudy Carioca winter, will allow you to avoid high temperatures, humidity and rainfall; during this season, probably the busiest of the year, accommodation prices tend to increase.

Brasil can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Israel, UAE, South Africa and most countries in America. Visitors coming from most South American countries can enter the country with an identity document instead of a passport. Venezuelan visitors, however, need a visa in case of stays longer than 60 days. Visa-free entry for a period shorter than 30 days is granted to citizens of Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Singapore. Nationals of Panama, Malaysia, Namibia, Guatemala, Bahamas and Barbados can enter the country visa-free for tourism purposes only. Most African countries' citizens must obtain a visa in advance. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country.

Galeão International Airport (GIG), Rio’s primary international gateway, occupies Governador Island in Guanabara Bay, 20 kilometres north of the city centre. Its two terminals are connected to central Rio by the Linha Vermelha and Linha Amarela expressways, with transport options to suit all budgets. Public transport is efficient: the TransCarioca BRT line runs 24/7, linking Terminals 1 and 2 to Barra da Tijuca (via subway connections at Vicente de Carvalho station) and the Novo Rio Bus Terminal. For direct routes, regular buses depart every 10 minutes to Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) and downtown (40-minute journey). Taxis are plentiful: book official yellow (standard) or blue (executive) cabs at arrivals desks to avoid inflated fares. Facilities cover essentials: ATMs, currency exchange, dining options and paid parking. While the airport lacks rail links, its BRT integration simplifies access to ferries, light rail and metro lines.

Santos Dumont Airport, located eight kilometres downtown from Rio de Janeiro, operates only regional flights, connecting the main cities of the country. It has a range of facilities, including ATMs, telephones and car hire offices. There are two bus lines that operate from the airport: number 2145 runs to Rio de Janeiro International Airport and number 2018 runs to Rio de Janeiro International Airport and Alvorada. Taxis are also available.

Rio de Janeiro provides many different means of transportation to get around. The subway is the easiest, fastest and safest among them. It is open from 5am–12am from Monday to Saturday and from 7am–11pm on Sunday and consists of two lines (orange and green), linking all the main tourist spots of the city. Buses are practical, convenient and, above all, needed to get to the many hilly areas of the city. Just remember to be extra careful of pickpockets during rush hour! Night buses are also available. Trams and trains' limited network makes them less useful to tourists. They are, however, used to reaching a few tourist areas such as Mount Corcovado or the Santa Teresa neighbourhood.

There are plenty of taxis in Rio. They are usually fairly priced, but you must beware of the unlicensed ones and use only those associated with an accredited company: yellow, identified by stickers on the window and fitted with a meter. Sometimes taking a taxi may not be the best option: Rio is characterized by heavy urban traffic that may slow you down and make your rate increase significantly; on the other hand, during the night some drivers might quote you excessive rates. Taxis are usually found in the designated ranks outside hotels and airport terminals. When in doubt, ask the hotel or restaurant to call you a taxi, drivers often barely speak English. You can also request a ride with Uber. Nettaxi +55 21 98569 2648 Aerocoop +55 21 3078 5050 Aerotaxi +55 21 2467 1500

In Rio de Janeiro, plugs and sockets are of type N. The standard voltage is 110 / 120 V but many hotels also provide 220 V outlets. Standard frequency is 60 Hz.

Ferries connect the mainland with some of the nearby islands. They are a good way to avoid road traffic while enjoying the view of the city and its bays. One of the most popular itineraries is the one going towards the tropical Paquetá Island, in Guanabara Bay. Bicycles are allowed on board if you wish to explore when you disembark.