What are the Best Things to do in Rio de Janeiro?

If you’re wondering what the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro are, I’ve got you covered.

I first spent a week in this famous city in October 2022, before returning in 2025 and seeing what else it had to offer.

Rio is infamous for high crime rates and its notorious favelas. These certainly can’t be ignored, and I will touch on them later in this post, but you can definitely visit this city safely with a few extra precautions.

It is admittedly a very weather-dependent city, with rain making the beaches unenjoyable, and fog sometimes obscuring the best viewpoints, including Christ the Redeemer.

However, Rio at its best is magnificent, with a lot of activities, and plenty to see and do.

Here I will cover the best things to do, as well as when you should visit, how to stay safe, costs, transport logistics and more. This guide will cover everything you need to know to plan your own Rio trip.

When is the Best Time to Visit Rio de Janeiro?

October and November are the best months to visit Rio. This is because they average a pleasant 24°C-25°C (75°F-77°F), whilst avoiding the horrible wet months that follow.

When I first visited Rio in October, it was lovely with the sun shining most of the time and zero rain.

When I next visited in January, there was a lot of rain and fog to contend with.

Avoid Rio from December-April which is during the wet season. After two months in Brazil over December and January, I can tell you it’s a pretty miserable place to be in this time. Go when it’s dry.

Winter lasts from June-September. Don’t be scared off by the word “winter” because things are different in Rio. It’s a warm city all year-round, and the winter offers a more refreshing and comfortable kind of warmth. The summer (December-February) is unpleasantly humid.

The Best Things to do in Rio de Janeiro

This city is a lot of fun, with plenty to keep you busy. If you’re overwhelmed trying to research how to see all the attractions, book a tour online with a guide who can sort the logistics for you.

I recommend doing all of the below from personal experience. This is a unique city with some attractions that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world including a World Wonder and tours of the gritty favelas.

I’ve listed all useful information with each attraction, including costs in Brazilian reais (R$), British pounds (£) and US dollars (US$).

See Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor)

Cost: Adults: R$128/£17/US$22. Children (aged 7-11): R$102/£14/US$17. Children (aged 6 or under): no cost. People with disabilities: R$102/£14/US$17. IMPORTANT: Foreigners are not eligible for discounted elder or student tickets

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday 8am-6pm

Official website: tremdocorcovado.rio

Time required: 1 hour

Who would enjoy this: Anyone with an interest in seeing Rio’s most significant attractions

Christ the Redeemer is famous for being one of the Seven Wonders of the World. I must admit that the likes of Tikal in Guatemala, or Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, or the Moai of Easter Island… they’re more deserving of a place on that list than Cristo Redentor (to use the local name).

But it is still a cool thing to do. The statue is pretty impressive to look at. I’ve also heard there are great views of the city from here (although I can’t vouch for that, as I’ve been to Christ the Redeemer twice, and both times it’s been foggy).

I have to be honest with you. The crowds are ridiculous and you can barely move, let alone take a picture without dozens (sometimes hundreds) of people in the background. I don’t want to mislead you by withholding some of the facts.

The prices listed above are for a train up to the statue. The train runs every 20 minutes and is by far the best way to visit Christ the Redeemer.

The train can be found here at Cosme Velho station.

Do not even attempt to hike up to the statue. Whilst technically possible, it is very dangerous, not a particularly scenic hike anyway, and criminals often hide in the woods waiting for victims to rob.

Take a Cable Car up Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar)

Cost: Adults: R$195/£26/US$33. Anyone under 21, over 60, students and those with disabilities including carers: R$97/£13/US$16. Note: more expensive tickets are available for sunrise and fast-track tickets to beat the long queues

Opening hours: 8:30am-8:30pm with the last cable cars going up at 7pm. Sunrise tours start at 4am

Official website: bondinho.com.br

Time required: 3-4 hours (1-2 hours for viewing, and 2 to get in as the queues are very long)

Who would enjoy this: Anyone who loves great views, and bucket list attractions

Sugarloaf Mountain is cool. To get there you need to go to this spot at the end of Avenida Pasteur and take a cable car up to Morro da Urca. From there you take a second cable car (included in the same ticket) up to Sugarloaf Mountain itself.

The main attraction is the views of Rio from above, and the views are pretty awesome. Even more so when the sun is shining. It’s one of my favourite viewpoints in Brazil.

There’s a lot going on up both Sugarloaf Mountain and Morro da Urca. Plenty of stalls selling snacks and drinks are available.

You may even spot some wildlife including monkeys or lizards if you’re lucky.

Chill on Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches

Cost: Free

Opening hours: 24/7

Time required: Anything from a few minutes to several hours

Who would enjoy this: Beach lovers, swimmers, sporty individuals, and anyone who enjoys a good sunrise or sunset

The beaches are some of Rio’s most famous places. But I’ll share a little secret with you: you want to go for sunrise.

If you go during the day, the beaches are packed full of tourists and vendors. It’s hard to find any space amongst all the swimmers, the drinkers, the sunbathers, the footballers, the beach volleyball players, the food carts, the sea of tents and everyone and everything else.

At sunrise however, there are so few people you can count them on your fingers. And the spectacular sun coming out for the morning is a magical moment to experience.

I had concerns about safety when we came out at 5am, but there was no need to worry. Aside from one rude chap who tried to pester us for money, called us “son of a b…” in Portuguese when we ignored him, then disappeared further down the shore, there was nothing to worry about.

Copacabana is the better beach for sunrise. Ipanema on the other hand has spectacular sunsets, including the purple skies I saw during my first visit which are pictured below. This is a rare phenomenon however, but the sunsets are still cool regardless.

Don’t stay out after dark on these beaches. That’s when they become dangerous. From 5am-sunset are the hours I would recommend being here.

The beaches are among the best free things to do in Rio.

Take a Favela Rocinha Tour With an Experienced Local Guide

Cost: Varies depending on tour agency, but generally starting from R$150/£21/US$26

Hours: Tours generally run for an average of 3 hours. Start times vary by agency

Time required: Around 3 hours

Who would enjoy this: Adventurous travellers, and people with an interest in learning more about the local culture

One of my favourite things to do in Rio de Janeiro was a tour of Favela Rocinha. The largest favela in Brazil is also one of the safest… but that does NOT mean safe, and you should absolutely not consider going here without a local guide.

If you take photos of a drug dealer, weapons, or a lookout, you’re in trouble here. And that’s why a guide is essential. They know who to look out for and will tell you when you have to put your camera away.

You can see art displays, people playing football, locals selling cheap street snacks to each other…

My group never felt in danger, because we listened to our guide at all times, and never took photos where we weren’t supposed to.

On very rare occasions, tourists have been shot whilst on tours. I mention this not to scare you, but because it is important to be aware of the dangers before signing up to an activity like this.

These incidents are very rare however, and the favelas are very interesting places to visit and see a different way of life within. I recommend doing this if it’s the sort of thing you may like. This is definitely a unique Rio experience.

Watch a Football Match at the Famous Maracana Stadium

Cost: Generally from R$50/£7/US$9-R$200/£27/US$34

Hours: Check out the Fluminense fixtures and the Flamengo fixtures for match details

Official website: estadiodomaracana.com.br

Time required: 90 minutes + stoppage time!

Who would enjoy this: Football fans

At the time of writing I’ve been to watch football in 38 different countries from those I’ve visited. And in none of them, the atmosphere has been as good as it was for Fluminense vs Botafogo at the Maracanã back in October 2022.

Only Colombia (at Independiente Medellin) comes close.

The Maracanã is the biggest ground in Brazil. It is home to Fluminense, Flamengo and the Brazil national team.

It’s one of the world’s most historic stadiums having opened to host the 1950 World Cup and eventually being where Brazilian legend Pele made a name for himself on the international stage.

The fans are incredibly passionate. Brazil is a nation of football lovers, and they really get into watching their team.

To get tickets for a game, turn up the day before and it should be pretty easy to purchase tickets at the office. Do not wait until match day to do this.

The only exceptions are for major fixtures such as the Fluminense vs Flamengo derby, which sells out and will be hard to get tickets for as a foreigner.

Take a Free Walking Tour Around Rio’s Historic Centre

Cost: Free (although free walking tours are generally paid for with tips)

Hours: 10:30am-1:30pm

Official website: None, but I booked this tour through Guruwalk

Time required: 2 hours

Who would enjoy this: History lovers and anyone who wants to see a side of Rio away from the major sites

There’s more to Rio than the world famous sites such as Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain. It also has an interesting historic centre that offers a great chance to get off the main tourist trail.

Highlights include the Imperial Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian which looks unusual with its giant cone shape.

The centre is well away from the more popular spots, so it’s much quieter round here.

Indulge in the Local Speciality Guaravita

Cost: Starting from R$1 (£0.14/US$0.18)

Who would enjoy this: Anyone with a sweet tooth, and those who love trying new flavours

Some people love to travel specifically for new foods and drinks. I’m not one of these people, but I did fall in love with a Rio favourite when I first came to the city.

Guaravita is a soft drink made from the guarana fruit which is found in the Amazon Rainforest.

Whilst guarana-based drinks are found all over Brazil, Guaravita is specific to Rio and surrounding areas. Even in not-too-distant Sao Paulo I couldn’t find it.

Yet this sweet drink tastes amazing. And drinking it is certainly one of my Rio highlights. Sure, it’s no Christ the Redeemer, but it’s still an enjoyable thing to do in Rio.

Sample the Famous Brazilian Dessert Acai

Cost: It varies a lot, but let’s say R$25 (£3/US$4) as a ballpark figure

Who would enjoy this: Foodies, and anyone else interested in trying an exotic dessert

Another Brazilian favourite is acai, a purple-coloured dessert often covered in a variety of sweet and savoury toppings ranging from fruit, to granola, to nuts and more.

Acai is actually a berry, but when people talk about “going for acai”, they are often referring to an acai bowl. This is where the berries have been mashed into a pulp, which is what people eat alongside toppings of their choice.

There are loads of acai shops in Rio. I don’t have any particular recommendations. Just walk around your local area and you will find one sooner rather than later.

Here’s one I had with strawberries and granola. Some places give you a lot of options for the toppings.

Find a Good Churrascaria

Cost: Varying, but usually from R$45 (£6/US$8) and above

Opening hours: Varying, but many will open for lunch only. This roughly means around 11am-3pm

Time required: 1-2 hours

Who would enjoy this: Foodies, but especially meat lovers

A churrascaria is a steakhouse. The way they often work in Brazil, is that you will find a buffet which is either all-you-can-eat (buffet livre) or pay by the kilo (por kilo). With the buffet, you can choose from a selection of meats to put on your plate directly from the grill.

The majority of cuts are from a cow, but there are other meats available too.

Popular options include vacio (flank), costela (ribs), cupim (hump, specifically from zebu cattle), frango (chicken) and suino (pork).

Brazil has some of the cheapest steakhouses in the world, so I’d thoroughly recommend finding one during your Rio trip. You won’t be disappointed.

And One Thing Not Worth Seeing… Escadaria Selaron

Cost: Free

Opening hours: 24/7

Time required: 5 minutes

Who would enjoy this: Ummm… I guess Instagrammers might

These colourful steps in Rio’s Lapa neighbourhood were created by Chilean artist Jorge Selaron. As time went on, they became a massive tourist attraction and even featured in music videos from the likes of Snoop Dogg and U2.

However, they suck if I’m honest with you.

The stairs are absolutely crowded with tourists. And as you try walking around, you will constantly be pestered by local vendors trying to sell you art and other goods.

You won’t get a nice picture here without people in the background, because it’s just so busy.

And at the end of the day, these are just stairs…

How to Get to Rio de Janeiro

There are two ways you should consider using to get into Rio. You should either fly, or catch a bus.

Driving can be dangerous if you don’t know the area well. This is because favelas are never signposted to say what they are, and there have been incidents of people being shot because they drove into a favela by mistake.

In Rio, you should never take risks with driving. Do not rent a car here, instead take the bus or fly.

By Plane

There are two airports in Rio de Janeiro.

For international flights, you will most likely be heading to Galeao International Airport (GIG) on Ilha do Governador, an island around a 30-minute drive from the main tourist hotspots around Copacabana and Ipanema Beach.

They have an Uber pickup point by door D of the departures area for international flights. For domestic flights there are specialist Uber lounges by the domestic arrivals area. They are categorised as the purple, orange and green sectors.

The other airport in Rio is Santos Dumont Airport (SDU). This one mostly hosts domestic flights, but not solely. I flew here from Uruguay’s capital Montevideo in 2022 during my first Rio trip.

They also have an Uber lounge, which is clearly signposted at the airport and safe to wait by.

Santos Dumont is closer to the areas of interest in Rio, being based by the historic centre, a 15-minute drive from Copacabana.

By Bus

If you don’t fly into Rio, you should take the bus. The main bus station is Terminal Rodoviario do Rio de Janeiro located here.

We were there a couple of weeks before I wrote this article, and it’s fairly safe in the terminal, with lots of facilities including restaurants and stands selling tickets to other destinations.

It does have an Uber lounge which you can reach by heading downstairs and following the signs that say “Uber”. Unfortunately it’s a bit of a mess and numerous drivers cancelled on us which turned estimated 3-10 minute waits into a 40-minute wait…

It’s frustrating, but I’d still recommend Uber as your transport method to get out of here. This is Rio and safety comes before irritating logistics I’m afraid.

How to Get Around Rio de Janeiro

The best way to travel around Rio de Janeiro is with Uber.

Do not use the buses, these are unsafe and anyone who looks remotely “rich” or like a tourist as at even greater risk than locals. Robberies are frequent and can involve weapons. Locals told us to stay well clear of Rio’s buses.

Whilst safer than buses, Rio’s metro should be used with caution. If you are going to use it, do not bring a backpack or anything else that makes you stand out as a tourist, and do not speak English (or any language that isn’t Portuguese).

Based on advice local friends gave us, I would also avoid the metro to err on the side of caution.

Uber on the other hand is safe and cheap. And safety is the most important thing here.

Unfortunately Rio’s Uber drivers are pretty terrible, they cancel often and tend to take unnecessarily long routes at times (this is sometimes needed for safety reasons, but some of them do it for fun).

But Uber is the best of a bad bunch of options here.

How to Stay Safe in Rio de Janeiro

I may risk sounding like a broken record here, but safety should be your number one priority in Rio. Having a good time should only be a secondary goal in this city unfortunately. We aren’t talking about Tokyo here.

Here are some important safety tips to follow in Rio de Janeiro:

• Take Ubers everywhere. As mentioned a moment ago, they are the safest transport method. You don’t want to end up in a favela by mistake, and sometimes the favelas are literally one wrong turning away from the nice spots.
• Go inside a shop, cafe or restaurant to use your phone. A very important safety tip for Latam (not just Rio, but it’s vital to follow it here). Always go inside a business and step away from windows and doorways to check maps, order Uber, or do anything else with your phone.
• Stay in Copacabana, Ipanema or Leblon. These are the safest parts of Rio, and they’re also where the majority of tourists gather. Which also means they’re where the highest police presence is found.
• Do not stay in the North Zone (north of Centro) or any favela. Really it’s not wise to stay anywhere other than the three places mentioned above. But these are some of the worst parts. I did spend one night in Centro after arriving from the airport, and I’d advise against doing the same.
• Stay inside after dark. At night, the police won’t be around, the holidaymakers will be resting and the criminals will come out to pick on easy targets. This is especially true around Copacabana and Ipanema beaches which become dangerous when the sun sets.
• Do your research before going anywhere. As I said earlier, you are potentially one wrong turning from a favela. Speak to staff at your accommodation, talk to any local contacts you may have, and look online before you decide to explore (although speaking to locals is the best option).
• Dress down and hide valuables. Another standard Latam safety tip. But it’s even more important here in a city where a lot of villains know there are a lot of tourists. My girlfriend’s aunt had her jewellery snatched in Rio whilst she was wearing it.
• Only visit a favela on a tour with a reputable guide. Research tour guides thoroughly online to be sure they have been doing this a while and have a good track record. Don’t even think of entering a favela without a guide.

Brazil is no joke when it comes to danger. I have a friend of a friend who was shot and paralysed in this country in 2024 alongside his Brazilian fiance who was killed in the same incident.

Whilst that occurred in Brazil’s notorious north, Rio is risky as it attracts significant numbers of tourists who aren’t familiar with Brazil’s crime. This city is still pretty unsafe, so you do need to be very careful here.

Nothing has happened to me on either visit to the city. I want to tell you this, as I’m not trying to scare you into not going. But I cannot reiterate enough that there is a real need to take extra precautions here, especially during your first time in the city when it’s all brand new to you.

Is Rio an Affordable City?

If you’re coming from the USA or Western Europe, then Rio is a pretty affordable city.

It is however fairly expensive compared to much of South America, and even Brazil.

Rio costs more than most major South American cities including Sao Paulo, Bogota and Buenos Aires.

Accommodation is the biggest expense here. An okay hostel in a safe area costs from £13/US$16 a night for a basic dorm bed. An okayish private room in a similar area starts from at least double that.

Food and Ubers are still relatively cheap here. Head back a block or two from the beaches and you will find budget restaurants fairly easily.

Activities will be the other budget basher, with the likes of the train to Christ the Redeemer (£17/US$22) and the cable car up to Sugarloaf Mountain (£26/US$33) adding up the expenses quickly. Not to mention any tours you take within the city.

In total you should average around £60/US$75 per day for a trip to Rio de Janeiro. You can do it cheaper, but you won’t get the full experience.

Is Rio Worth Visiting?

It’s a cool city with a lot to do, so it’s definitely worth coming along to and seeing the attractions with your own eyes.

Unfortunately, the safety aspect does put a dampener on it, and you do have to watch your back here which gets exhausting pretty fast.

If we judge Rio only on its positives, this is one of the best cities in the world. Unfortunately, it has a lot going against it, which does bring it down.

But I would say it’s a city worth visiting once. Come down for a few days, grab a guaravita, enjoy a bowl of acai, and spend some time exploring the best of what Brazil’s most iconic city has to offer.