What to do and see in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: The Best Places and Tips

February 2, 2018 Leonardo Torrence

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. Sugarloaf Mountain

Av. Pasteur, 520, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 22290-255, Brazil +55 21 2546 8433
Excellent
78%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 49 reviews

Sugarloaf Mountain

Reviewed By JollyScotland - Scotland

Went as part of an organised tour but it appeared to be easy to do individually. Quite quiet when we were there but imagine it could get busy in high season. Very well organised attraction, est appreciated on a cloudless day.

2. Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro

Praca Floriano, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 20031-050, Brazil +55(21)2332-9191
Excellent
76%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9 reviews

Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro

Whether to attend a show or take a tour, it’s worth seeing this lavish 1909 theater, filled with gilded mirrors, statues, murals, stained-glass windows and sparkling chandeliers.

Reviewed By Shocker14 - Wichita, Kansas

A tour of this theater should not be missed. We were told that they gave the tour in English at a certain time & when we got there, they had cancelled the English tour. Fortunately, there was another tour guide there & he offered to take us & another person on an English-speaking tour. The theater is patterned after the Paris Opera House. It is beautiful. Our guide was terrific & very proud of this building. It is located in Centro & there are other buildings to see in the neighborhood.

3. Corcovado Christ the Redeemer

Parque Nacional da Tijuca | Cosme Velho, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 22241-330, Brazil
Excellent
72%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 57 reviews

Corcovado Christ the Redeemer

Reviewed By Tyler S - Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

It’s a great place to take pictures, but it is very crowded. The ticket booth opened around 7:45, but those with online vouchers got to go first. My friends started lining up around 7:15, but if you have the online voucher, you won’t have to worry about that. Still, the earlier you go in the day (I believe the first train is at 8:00) the less people you will have around you.
We took the train instead of hiking from Parque Lage because of recent robberies on the trail.

4. Botanical Garden (Jardim Botanico)

Rua Jardim Botanico 1008, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 22460-000, Brazil 2138741808
Excellent
66%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

Botanical Garden (Jardim Botanico)

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 Linda B - Wiltshire, United Kingdom

This botanical garden has a lot of tree’s from the rain forest. The garden is well kept and is very relaxing as well as interresting to visit. We had lunch in the restaurant just inside the gate which we enjoyed.
Can reccomend the Botanical garden as a good place to visit in Rio.

5. Arpoador beach

Avenida Francisco Bhering, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 22080-050, Brazil
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14 reviews

Arpoador beach

Reviewed By Janie6061 - Monterey, California

Got there to see the sunset and chill. The view is beautiful however the smell of urine and the trash was so distracting that the sunset did not seem that important. The place did not feel safe either and after about 15 minutes we left wihout seeing the sunset.

6. Rodrigo de Freitas Lake

Avenida Epitacio Pessoa, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 22471-001, Brazil 1746
Excellent
57%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9 reviews

Rodrigo de Freitas Lake

Primarily a recreation area for Cariocas, the 5-mile pathway circling the lake is popular for walkers, skaters, and cyclists. In the evening there may be live music, and kiosks serving drinks and food.

Reviewed By Haydn D

Great place to spend an afternoon. Lots of place to eat and drink around the lagoon. Stunning backdrop of the Mountains against the city. We hired two bikes for £3 each for an hour and cycled the 7km round.
You can even hire a pedalo for the lake if that takes your fancy.

7. Ipanema Beach

Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Excellent
59%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 16 reviews

Ipanema Beach

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 Matt G - London, United Kingdom

Just be careful if you go swimming here, the wave can get very big and the current can really take you by surprise.

8. Maracana

Av. Pres. Castelo Branco, Portao 3, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 20271-130, Brazil
Excellent
64%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Maracana

World's biggest soccer stadium

Reviewed By Ana A - Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Went to Maracanã for PC's show (wonderful, btw).
The stadium was remodeled (almost rebuilt, except for its shape) for the World Cup , but it seems like there is no maintenance.
Chairs look old. Dirty. Restrooms smell bad.
Other than this, the metro is the best way to get there.
There are food stands.
Security that day was excellent. Dont know if it is the same during other events.

9. Copacabana Beach

Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Excellent
53%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 20 reviews

Copacabana Beach

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 YoungFunTravelers - Washington DC, District of Columbia

We went to the beach on a Sunday morning and left early that evening. We stayed the entire day. It was restful. We had plenty of drinks, conversation, naps and played in the water a few times. There are lots of people selling food, drinks, chairs, umbrellas — you name it. Everything you need is being offered to you on the beach. The peddlers aren’t pushy, and very kind even if you turn them down. So don’t be thrown off by them. We will be returning to the beach before our trip ends!

10. Pedra Bonita

Estrada da Cascatinha | Tijuca National Park, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 20531-590, Brazil
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 2 reviews

Pedra Bonita

Reviewed By Miguel2770 - Lisbon, Portugal

went to pedra bonita for an hang gliding and the overall experience was amazing. pedra bonita is located nearby s. conrado and pedra da gavea, and the route towards there where you can appreciate also the house of Brazil #1 architect Oscar Niemeyer, is amazing.

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