Choose how many days you have and we'll lay out a day-by-day plan built around the experiences and flavors you can only get here. Pick your trip length below.
Do the two summits on the clearest day you get — Christ at opening, Sugarloaf at sunset, weather permitting; if a day is cloudy, swap them around. Both reward going early or late, never midday.
This is the slow beach day — Cariocas treat the beach as a way of life, not a sight. Keep valuables minimal on the sand, and don't miss the communal sunset clap at Arpoador.
Centro is liveliest on weekdays (quiet on weekends). Lapa is the place for live samba but stay street-smart at night — go with a group and keep to the busy, lit blocks.
17 pinned stops across the route. Tap a pin to open it in Google Maps. Hold Ctrl and scroll to zoom the map.
Carioca food revolves around the beach, the corner botequim bar, and the national feijoada, brightened by tropical fruit and threaded with Afro-Brazilian flavor.
Every place along the selected itinerary, plus the dishes, ingredients, and goods to take home. Tap any photo to enlarge.
Rio spreads along its beaches and hills, linked by a clean metro that connects the main tourist zones; buses fill gaps but the metro plus rideshare is the easy combination for visitors. From Galeão (GIG), pre-booked transfers or rideshare are simplest. Stick to well-populated, well-lit areas and keep valuables low-key, especially after dark.
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Each of these is a comfortable there-and-back day. Travel times are one way, by the route most visitors actually take.
The emperor's mountain summer palace, cool air, and Alpine-ish architecture. A genuine change of climate.
Tours & tickets ›Car-free island with jungle trails and Lopes Mendes beach. Really an overnight, not a day.
Tours & tickets ›Niemeyer's flying-saucer art museum, and the best view of Rio — which is, of course, from outside Rio.
Tours & tickets ›A 10% service charge is usually included on the bill and is customary to pay. No further tip needed.
Tap water is treated but most residents and visitors drink filtered or bottled.
Take only what you need to the beach — no phone, no watch, minimal cash. Don't walk deserted stretches or favela edges without a guide, and avoid displaying valuables anywhere after dark.
Dates shift from year to year, so these are anchored to their season — always confirm the exact dates before you book flights around one.
The greatest party on earth — the Sambadrome parades plus hundreds of free street blocos. Book accommodation six months to a year ahead; prices multiply.
Two million people in white on Copacabana beach, fireworks over the water, offerings to Iemanjá.
Country-themed street parties with bonfires, quadrilha dancing, and corn everything.
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