Location: Zona Sul (South Zone)
Top Things to do in Zona Sul (South Zone)
Countries
Top 10 Nature & Parks in Zona Sul (South Zone), State of Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
With its plentiful beaches, dramatic mountains, and backdrop of samba and bossa nova rhythms, it's easy to fall in love with Rio de Janeiro. Made famous in song, Ipanema Beach is still the place to stroll, sunbathe, and be seen. The largest Art Deco statue in the world, Christ the Redeemer, beckons visitors to Corcovado Mountain. Rio’s annual Carnaval celebrations are bacchanalian extravaganzas of feasting, music, dance, and costumed revelry.
Restaurants in Rio de Janeiro
1. Trilha do Pao de Acucar
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By MarcioHaraguchi - Sao Paulo, Brazil
Please notice that there is a very easy and free trail to the Urca hill (the first cable car station) . NOTE : the Urca Hill trail is different from the exposed (although easy) and technical climbing route that goes right to the top of Sugar Loaf. If you are not a climber, I srtrongly reccomend hiring a guide ( the Costão route)
2. Trilha do Morro da Urca
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By livemoretravelmore - Sao Paulo, Brazil
Urca has an amazing view! Hiking up the mountain instead of taking the cable car is a great way to save money, save huge cable car lines and to enjoy the nature. This trail is safe as far as some locals said and I experienced, and it takes about 40 minutes to reach the top. Tip: If you would like to watch the sunset, you can hike up and after 7:30pm the cable car is free to go back down.
3. Sugarloaf Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55,956 reviews
One of the most beautiful attractions in Rio de Janeiro and one of the most famous in Brazil. Our mission is to take people to an enchantment, fun and entertainment journey – providing happy and unforgettable experiences as well as valuing Brazilian culture. We constantly invest in safety, comfort and innovative technologies. Our locations constitute natural, geological, historical, and touristic landmarks in the city of Rio de Janeiro. As a natural landmark, it reminds us of our reference to the sailors who come to Guanabara Bay. As a geological landmark, it reminds us of our geological site precisely dating the history of our planet. We also talk about historical landmark because on March 1, 1565, Estacio de Sa founded the City of Sao Sebastiao in Rio de Janeiro literally on its feet. And, finally, touristic landmark because the Cable Car opened on Sugarloaf projected Brazil’s name worldwide. It has been the first cable car installed in Brazil and the third in the world.
Reviewed By myom624 - Coquitlam, Canada
A different vantage point from the top of Corcovado with more land views than water views (or water seen past land), the top of this so-called 'Sugar Loaf' is actually kind of an "opposite nature" with more views of water than land from its two viewing areas (each of which kind of double-decked): one area facing north with a great wide view of Guanabara Bay & the "long bridge" at some distance straight ahead and from which there's also a view of a good-sized portion of the city (with a pretty nice skyline actually in a big sprawling area of modern high-rises) to the left & across the water with also some nice-looking beaches on that side; and another area facing south with the "open sea" & really quite a phenomenal view of the "entire length" of Copacabana Beach from the hill of Forte Duque de Caxias just shortly from this mountain to Forte de Copacabana on the other end about 3 km away (which is actually what to me was the "most worthwhile" view from this mountain top). I would just say a bit on the downside though is "not much" of ground to walk around up here, but yes there's Morro da Urca shortly below (just about a 5-minute cable car ride away which you have to come through to get up to this mountain top) which is "like a small park" for a nice walk around with also some old cable cars displayed outdoors, a small building with some cable car machinery on display, a small forest trail on a raised platform or such & yes the same views as from above (except for that of Copacabana to the south which cannot be seen from this "lower top") but actually kind of better I would say when it comes to some views such as that of the high-rises to the west across the water & that of the boats in the water also to the west (quite a number of those pleasure vessels to see actually!). And also, pretty nice for browsing and enjoying time up here (on the tops of both Sugarloaf & Morro da Urca) are some nice souvenir shops & restaurants & even a gemstone shop with beautiful sculptures of birds & such made of those stones (quite pricey ones though). And with no metro station close by, one way to not have to spend too much for taxi getting here is by taking the metro to Botafogo Station (both Lines 1 & 2) where you can take a cab outside for just a short ride of 5 to 10 minutes to the cable car station on the bottom of Morro da Urca where you start your "two-part" cable car ride (each just for about 5 minutes) first to the top of Morro da Urca then all the way up to the top of this mountain (which yes resembles a loaf of sugar but a "green one").
4. Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21,828 reviews
Two 800-yard-long rows of towering royal palm trees are a highlight of this massive garden containing thousands of plants and trees, including every variety of palm tree imaginable.
Reviewed By lizlubee - Newburyport, United States
After spending time at the top of Sugarloaf Mountain and Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer), with their attendant hoards of visitors, we enjoyed the calm oasis of Jardim Botanico. In addition to the large and diverse variety of trees and plants we also saw several small family groups of Slaty-breasted Wood-rails, a couple of Rufous Hermits, several Green-headed Tanagers, and a roving band of Channel-billed Toucans. It can be quite hot and humid so visiting early and late in the day is best, but there are spots to shelter from the sun in a cafe, or sitting beside the pond. They also have a nice gift shop.
5. Parque Lage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,662 reviews
Reviewed By vanwilder_za - Cape Town, South Africa
One of the best places to have a morning brunch with a "wow" view when in Rio de Janeiro. Other places I can think of is Confeitaria Colombo in Copacabana, Hotel Fasano and Copacabana Palace, to name just a few. What makes this place so unique is its really old architecture with Tijuca forrest, Corcovado mountain and Cristo Redento as a backdrop. Food (breakfast options) is exquisite and you definitely feel like you're rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous. Speaking of which, the place has been made famous by Pharrell Williams and Snoop Dogg as its where they recorded their famous no1 hit, Beautiful.
6. Copacabana Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24,943 reviews
For sunning, relaxing and people watching, join the thousands who flock each year to this lively, world-famous beach lined with shops, bars, restaurants and hotels.
Reviewed By MissHolders - Accrington, United Kingdom
Our hotel was opposite Copacabana beach so we were well within reach of all the sights and sounds. It seemed to be busy all times day and night, with beach sellers and beach front bars & cafes all along the promenade. The sellers didn't hassle us (even the ones pretending to sell handbags but really offering drugs!), a simple 'no thank you' and they went on their way. Similarly, there are ALOT of homeless people, but again they never troubled us for money or anything. We never saw anyone begging. The beach is floodlit at night, but it's still advisable not to walk on the actual beach after dark. Copacabana beach slopes down towards the sea so there is always a blind spot from the main road/promenade. Considering the amount of people who visit the beach, its relatively clean; though there are people who litter pick, possibly as a means of income. There are various sand sculptures along the beach front, it is etiquette to give the sculptors a little money if you want to take photos; they have a tendency to be quite gruff if you don't. Generally, we felt quite safe walking along the promenade, but always be aware of your surroundings and don't go out flashing expensive items, just in case.
7. Ipanema Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18,967 reviews
Popularized by the song "The Girl from Ipanema," this world-famous beach gives foreign visitors a sense of life in Rio, displaying a cross-section of different lifestyles, chic boutiques and eateries and luxurious apartment buildings.
Reviewed By vonvoyageButterfly - Sao Paulo, Brazil
There are lots of selling drinks caipirinha , coconut,there's a lots of people so extra careful of your belongings, and yes the beach so beautiful to swim ???? just big waves ???? beautiful beach indeed ????
8. Leblon Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,679 reviews
Reviewed By kapaniris - Athens, Greece
This is maybe the best beach in Rio, amazing people, wonderful bars, breathtaking with superb beach volley fields !!
9. Claudio Coutinho Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,439 reviews
Reviewed By 1leobrasil - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
From start to the end of the trial and back, it.s a quiet walk with very nice views. Also, half-way you can go into the bush to climb to the Sugar Loaf, great experience.
