Best Things to do in Rio de Janeiro
We had the chance to stay in Brazil’s most iconic city for the past two months. Brazil has been on our bucket list for quite some time, and we can confidently say Rio lives up to the hype. Brazil is so unique and there’s really not another place like it on Earth, both culturally and geographically. While many have a conception that Rio de Janeiro is dangerous, I would say that this is and isn’t true. There are dangerous areas, especially in the North Zone, (near the airport and center of the city) but in the more touristy area near the south zone (where all the beaches are), it is a bit safer as there is usually always police presence. Just like any other big city, it’s important to remain vigilant of your belongings and surroundings. Rio is a massive city with so many things to do and places to see. So, we’ve compiled a list of the best things to do for your trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Sugarloaf Mountain or Pão de Açúcar
When you arrive in Rio, you’ll notice how many mountains the city has. One of the most famous mountains is Sugarloaf Mountain or Pão de Açúcar in Portuguese, and this is the one you really can’t miss out on. To reach the summit, you take a series of two cable cars. The first one up to Morro da Urca and then the second up to Sugarloaf. The view at the top looks over Rio and Christ the Redeemer and it is seriously one of the best sunsets you can witness in your life. The ticket is a bit expensive coming in at about 31 USD (as of September 2023), but it’s absolutely worth it.
Copacabana Beach
This is the most iconic beach in Latin America sprawling with life and beauty. Stretching over 4 kilometers, Copacabana offers incredible views of Sugarloaf Mountain as well as its impressive coastline. There’s so many stands that sell drinks, chairs, umbrellas with street vendors selling all kinds of delicious food. The sun rises over Copacabana and it is the best place to see the sunrise in Rio. The water is blue and the sand is super soft with shallow water that gradually gets deeper. It’s an amazing beach for families.
Ipanema Beach
Located a bit further south than Copacabana, Ipanema sits under a different mountain that we will talk about next. Ipanema is a smaller beach than Copacabana, but in terms of natural beauty, it’s a clear winner. The water at Ipanema is unreal and the waves are absolutely perfect for surfing. Just remember, sunrises in Copacabana and sunsets in Ipanema. Ipanema is also a slightly nicer neighborhood and we also found the beach to be cleaner than Copacabana.
Arpoador
Dividing the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, there is a natural rock formation called Arpoador. “Arpão” means harpoon in Portuguese. The name Arpoador comes from the fact fishermen used to hunt whales using harpoons near the coast. Here at Arpoador, you can watch another beautiful sunset in Rio. Safety tip: There are some strange people hanging around Arpoador, but there is always a police presence. It should be more or less safe there even after sunset, so be sure to stay alert.
Two Brothers Mountain or Morro Dois Irmãos
The mountain that overlooks Ipanema beach is The Two Brothers Mountain (Morro Dois Irmãos in Portuguese). Located behind a massive Favela, this is an amazing hike you can do in the city. I advise you to do this on a guided tour as you have to take a motorcycle taxi up the favela and hike about an hour through the rainforest. There’s plenty of guided tours that will organize this for you. On the way you’ll see insane views over Rio and of Rocinha Favela, the biggest Favela in Brazil. At the top you’ll be rewarded with a sweeping view over Ipanema Beach. Sunsets here are also fantastic. I will say that the hike is incredibly steep. It’s not a super difficult hike but just be advised that it is really steep.
Vidigal
Favelas are a tricky topic. I feel like most of the western world associates Favelas with drugs, crime, and poverty. While this may be true in certain areas, some Favelas communities are getting safer and working hard to change their reputation. The Favela sitting under the Two Brothers Mountain is called Vidigal. We went on a Favela tour through this place with a local guide and learned about the truth of living in one. Vidigal is a much nicer Favela compared to others and the guided tours are done by locals who give back to the community. Even if not Vidigal, I highly recommend going on a Favela tour with a local in Rio, there are many to choose from. I will say though that walking top to bottom through a Favela is one of the craziest experiences in my life.
Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading
All the places mentioned so far are located in the South Zone. I found the city center of Rio to be a bit sketchy and not the best place to be; however, one place in the center you have to visit is the Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading. This is seriously one of the most impressive libraries I’ve ever set my eyes upon. It’s something straight out of a history book and you won’t regret going to see it. It’s also completely free to enter.
Christ the Redeemer
You didn’t think we’d write a blog about Rio without including Christ the Redeemer right? Here’s the truth; it is overrated, BUT you still have to visit it. Located at the top of Corcovado Mountain in the middle of the Tijuca Forest, Christ the Redeemer is the most iconic symbol of Rio de Janeiro. Everyone has seen Christ in photos, all the souvenirs have Christ as the main character, the restaurants have Christ in their logos. There’s 3 ways to get up here. Hike, bus, and train. We highly recommend taking the train as it is the safest and most efficient option. It’s so crowded at the top at any time of day, but can you really say you’ve been to Rio without going to see Christ the Redeemer?
