Would you like to know the best places to visit and the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro?
To help you plan an incredible trip to the so-called “wonderful city,” we have chosen six tips on the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to share with you about our hometown. And yes, if you didn’t know about this before, we were both born and raised in Rio. On this list, we have also included hidden gems we both, Cariocas*, love!
* Carioca: a person who was born in Rio de Janeiro.
So let’s dive in and find out the best places to visit in one of the most beautiful cities in the world!
Best things to do in Rio de Janeiro
Cristo Redentor, aka Christ the Redeemer
First things first. Essential pieces of information.
Christ the Redeemer is well known worldwide and is one of the first places it comes to mind when we think about Rio de Janeiro. It’s almost like an instant vision of that giant concrete statue with open arms pops up in our heads. Not visiting Christ the Redeemer in Rio is the same as not seeing the Statue of Liberty in New York.
National Park of Tijuca
It is located inside the National Park of Tijuca, one of the most extensive urban forests in the world, on top of a mountain called Morro to do Corcovado. The statue is 38 meters high and receives thousands and thousands of tourists daily from different parts of the world.
How to get to Christ the Redeemer?
To access the monument, it’s super easy, and there are two ways you can do so:
1- Authorized transportation such as vans. These vans depart from specific places around the city. Ideally, go online and check for those places.
2- The famous ‘Corcovado tram.’ This is the way we usually take it and the one we recommend. The views on the way up are already a show to be seen. Tickets to the tram can be bought online or at the cashier.
Mirante Dona Marta
The Mirante Dona Marta is one of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro – Brazil. The place offers one of the best views in the city. From there, it’s possible to see famous landscapes such as the Sugar Loaf ( Pão de açucar), Christ the Redeemer, the Maracana Stadium, etc.
How to get to Mirante Dona Marta?
To get there, you need to drive in the direction of Christ the Redeemer and follow the signs to the Mirante. If you are like us and need to get the best shot with no one around, we recommend going during sunset.
Sunset at Arpoador
We had previously discussed this when we mentioned the “Five best places to watch the sunset in the world.”
Sunset at Arpoador is one of the best things you can do in Rio de Janeiro. This is something locals love to do.
The best time to do so is during Summer when the sun sets on the ocean, and the view will leave you speechless. It can get crowded during summer, but it’s worth it.
Praia do Leblon – Leblon Beach
This is an extension of the famous Praia de Ipanema. It’s considered a noble and less crowded beach compared to its neighbor.
On top of enjoying the beach itself and the kiosks around it, the street is closed for cars on Sundays and holidays. That means pedestrians can take advantage of the place and practice outdoor activities.
Praia do Grumari
Considered one of the hidden treasures in Rio de Janeiro, the Grumari beach is located in the east of the city, a little bit more outside of the central area.
It’s located inside an environmental reserve, ideal for those who like to be in direct contact with nature and enjoy less crowded places. The environment has a rustic style meaning there are fewer ‘’fancy places around’.
Grumari beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Rio. It’s also the best place to snap some gorgeous shots! The contrast between the forest and the ocean will surely make you wow.
How to get to Grumari?
As this is a hidden gem and one of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – There’s no public transportation to get there. You either need to get an Uber, a taxi, or rent a car.
On weekends the place can get very crowded, and the police restrict the number of people visiting the famous beach. So make sure you plan and go very early in the morning.
Brazilians love to spend the day at the beach on weekends, ensuring they get up early. Sometimes at 8:30 am, the police have already closed the ways to get there.
Pedra do Telegrafo – One of the most instagrammable places in Rio de Janeiro.
You probably have seen this place all over the internet and maybe almost had a mini heart attack when seeing it for the first time.
The Pedra do Telegrafo will give you one of the best and most unique shots in the city because when photographed from a specific angle, it creates an illusion that you are on the edge of a cliff.
Nothing more than a rock on top of another rock gem makes that illusion. It is the perfect place to get an amazing, fantastic shot!
If you don’t have a camera or don’t have someone to take a picture for you, don’t worry. People are working there that will do that for you. They take the image with the perfect angle for the illusion and charge only a small fee.
They even print them right away! They are also very friendly and take pictures with your cell phone if you don’t want to buy the printed one or wish to have it on your phone. Either way, purchasing the image won’t cost you an arm and a leg; it’s nice to help those guys make their living.
How to get to Pedra do Telegrafo?
It would help if you hiked to get to Pedra do Telegrafo. It’s a medium-level hike that takes around an hour – 2 hours round trip. The walk is neither rugged nor too steep but can be a little overwhelming, especially in the summer, with temperatures reaching as high as 40ºC.
Another essential thing to say here is that this is a famous place in Rio, and there’s usually a line to take that Instagram-perfect picture. The line can take up to 3 hours sometimes.
Go early
So make sure you come earlier in the morning and don’t forget to bring a hat, sunscreen, food and lots of water. You do not want to get dehydrated!
Bonus:
Some curiosities and characteristics of Cariocas – those who were born in Rio.
1- Temperatures in Rio can reach 40ºC or high during Summer, and we suffer from that
2- When the temperature is as low as 19ºC, we prepare fondue at home and go out wearing our best winter sweaters and jackets.
3- The Carioca people treat everyone, even people we had never met as if they were our best friends!
4- We are always walking, jogging, biking, or playing football and volleyball at the beach
5- Cariocas LOVE Açaí!
6- We never miss the chance to make ‘clever jokes.’
7- Cariocas pronounce the S as an X-like. For example, Vasco turns out to be “Vaxco.”
8- We use HAVAIANAS to go everywhere. It’s like Summer’s official shoe
9- We Cariocas drink mate and eat biscoito globe at the beach – a must try when in Rio
So tell us, did you like the tips above? Have you ever been to Rio de Janeiro?
If you haven’t been there yet, it’s worth the visit. Despite what we see in the media, it is a beautiful city with an incredible vibe!
