For many who’ve been keen to find Rio nevertheless don’t know the place to start out out, then look no further than this Rio de Janeiro journey info: we’ve got now put collectively the right itinerary so that your three days in Rio are full of thrilling experiences and unforgettable places. With this itinerary, you are going to get to find the proper of Rio de Janeiro, from seashores to landmarks and all the colorful metropolis custom in between — all of the best points to do in Rio de Janeiro (inside a short time physique, as you possibly can merely replenish a complete month of your life proper right here, significantly all through Rio de Janeiro Carnival).
Rio de Janeiro, recognized by Brazilians as Cidade Maravilhosa (Nice Metropolis), is a paradise of beautiful seashores, vibrant custom and distinctive sights. Whether or not or not you’re looking for journey or leisure, Rio has one factor to produce all people – and do you have to solely have three days to find this unbelievable metropolis, we’ve got now the right itinerary to your weekend getaway to Rio de Janeiro. As a Brazilian nationwide, I’ve been to Rio over eight cases and have offer you this 3-day itinerary that may help you profit out of your weekend in Rio de Janeiro.
This 3-day Rio De Janeiro itinerary will take you to the city’s must-see sights, along with historic places, seashores, and viewpoints like Sugarloaf mountain, Corcovado and the Christ Redeemer statue, Selaron stairs, Ipanema seaside and Copacabana seaside. Moreover, you’ll have time to find a variety of the metropolis’s cultural sights identical to the Lapa Arches, Botanical Gardens, and the Parque das Ruinas — plus only a few hidden gems that solely locals discover out about.
Sooner than shifting on to the rest of this Rio de Janeiro journey info, let’s cowl a variety of the basics, like the proper time to go to Rio de Janeiro, the place to stay in Rio de Janeiro and the best way to get spherical in Rio de Janeiro.
Top-of-the-line time to go to Rio de Janeiro
Top-of-the-line time to go to Rio de Janeiro is all through the summer season months (December-March). I don’t sometimes counsel visiting places in peak journey months, nevertheless there’s really nothing like experiencing Rio in summer season. It’s merely the right time to go to Rio de Janeiro on account of that’s when this magical metropolis comes alive! December is in the event you get basically essentially the most specific clear sunsets over the ocean (sooner than the photo voltaic strikes and items behind the Morro dos Dois Irmaos); in January, you get to be in Rio for NYE, and by February and/or March, it’s Carnival, and there is so many avenue occasions, sambas, and events to go to. So do you have to’re searching for to get the proper of Rio, then the proper time to go is all through the summer season months! Be warned, temperatures do attain spherical 40c some days, and Rio is a extremely humid metropolis, so put collectively to sweat.
However, if one thing or all of the issues I mentioned above seems like an extreme quantity of, then Rio may also be a metropolis you probably can go to almost all 12 months spherical. Rio temperatures are very mild all through their winter months, circa 15-18c, making it a satisfying temperature to journey in all through off-peak or shoulder seasons. Prices for lodging and flights may even drop pretty a bit, so this is usually a good risk in the event you want to get further bang to your buck!
The best technique to get to Rio de Janeiro
Rio has two airports: Santos Dumont (SDU) and Galeão Worldwide Airport (GIG). Every are comparatively close to the city centre, nevertheless GIG is farther away.
Public transportation from every airports, similar to taxis, buses and shuttles, is obtainable. Reaching downtown Rio takes about 45 minutes by taxi from GIG and 15-20 minutes from SDU.
Getting spherical in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is a relatively easy metropolis to get spherical. The popular answer to get throughout the metropolis is by foot, uber, metro and tram.
As a foreigner, uber is actually essentially the most cost-beneficial transport to take throughout the metropolis if travelling transient (40mins) distances. However, website guests can get pretty heavy at certain cases of day (rush hour, after heavy showers and thru carnival). So counting on the place you’re going, the metro may be sooner, cheaper and further reliable.
A metro ticket costs R$ 6.50 for a single ticket. You may discover all the metro prices proper right here. Rio has launched contactless charge for the metro system so that you probably can merely use your journey card or cellphone to pay.
A tram ticket costs R$ 4.05 for a single ticket. These have to be bought on the machines on the tram stops. These machines don’t take financial institution playing cards, so that you just’ll need some cash with you to purchase it and excessive up.
As a standard rule of thumb, do you have to’re staying down Copacabana and Zona Sul (“South Zone”), you’ll be getting spherical by foot or by uber. If you happen to want to head to the outdated centre of metropolis (Lapa and Santa Teresa), it’s less complicated to utilize the metro and tram system.
The place to stay in Rio de Janeiro
Relying in your funds and preferences, there are numerous places to stay in Rio de Janeiro. There is a assortment of hostels for these travelling on a funds, plus some good mid-range selections similar to AirBnBs or resorts with sea views. However, in the event you’re a traveller travelling on, a funds, then peak season might nonetheless be on the pricey side, even for hostels. Rio de Janeiro is form of a troublesome metropolis to hunt out funds lodging, nevertheless my largest tip is to information upfront and look into Airbnb! These are sometimes basically essentially the most cost-efficient selections when looking for the place to stay in Rio de Janeiro.
As that’s solely a weekend itinerary for Rio de Janeiro, the one space I’d counsel staying at is Zona Sul, spherical Ipanema, Copacabana, Lapa and Santa Teresa.
For many who’re looking for a hostel, you’ll have to attempt the hostel lodging in Rio de Janeiro beneath:
And for mid-high-range resorts, attempt these beneath:
With out further ado, listed below are Top-of-the-line points to do in Rio De Janerio.
Day 1 in Rio De Janeiro
Rio will probably be an intimidating metropolis, so day one must be about attending to grasp it and discovering your toes a bit. And there’s no greater methodology of attending to know your methodology spherical than alongside together with your toes! So to your first train of the day, be part of the free strolling tour in Lapa & Downtown Rio. It’s a 3-hour strolling tour that will take you via just a few of Rio’s most iconic landmarks and sights, such as a result of the Arcos da Lapa and Selaron Steps.
After the tour, stroll as a lot as Santa Teresa, an outdated neighbourhood with its distinctive custom, for lunch. It has develop to be a hub for these looking for up-and-coming consuming locations and gastronomy lovers. There’s every kind of cuisines proper right here. Nonetheless, as this is usually a neighbourhood the place the first Italian immigrants settled, there are numerous Italian restaurant selections, however as well as many Botecos (this is usually a kind of restaurant that Brazilians go to for typical Brazilian meals and drinks). The street the place most consuming locations are located is rua do Lazer. Take a stroll up the street and easily take your resolve! Among the many hottest consuming locations are:
Proper right here you can also uncover art work galleries, craft retailers and way more, so it’s a satisfying neighbourhood to walk spherical.
I provides you two selections for the rest of the afternoon: each keep in Santa Teresa and head to Parque das Ruinas, an outdated house turned into a park with a stupendous view of the city. It’s normally dwelling to a small amphitheatre, the place you probably can attend attention-grabbing cultural events or reside reveals. See what’s on proper right here. Alternatively, make your methodology once more by the use of the centre of metropolis to make your answer to Museum do Amanha (Museum of Tomorrow). The Museum of Tomorrow is probably going some of the iconic futuristic buildings in Rio and is located immediately on the waterfront. The museum focuses on sustainable development, showcasing distinctive ideas which may kind our future ambiance. It was among the many best museums I’ve been to in a really very long time, and I extraordinarily counsel it. Tickets worth R$ 30, and you can purchase them on-line on this website online. The ultimate entry is at 5 pm, so be sure to get there a minimal of 20 minutes sooner than closing time to make sure you’ll get in.
Day 2 in Rio De Janeiro
Early start for day 2, however it absolutely’ll be worth it as you’ll go to in all probability essentially the most iconic areas in Rio: The Christ Redeemer! That’s arguably among the many best points to do in Rio de Janeiro and arguably among the many best points to do in Brazil.
Each information your self onto a tour with a tour info or simply make your methodology your private answer to Christ Redeemer. There are 4 strategies to get to the Christ Redeemer:
- By van – merely uncover the closest pick-up degree (Largo do Machado, Praça do Lido or Paineiras), information your tickets on-line (R$ 117 in extreme season and R$ 95 in low season) and remember to be a part of the earliest pickup time 8 am. Tickets can be found for buy on-line proper right here.
- By observe – pre-book your tickets on-line (R$ 109,50 in extreme season, R4 87,50 in low season), and head to Cosme Velho observe station for the first observe that departs at 8 am. You can purchase tickets on-line proper right here.
- By uber or taxi – that’s for people who’re desirous to beat the first observe or vans that arrive to be on the queue for 8 am to stay away from crowds or people. You’ll nonetheless should pay for a van or observe ticket as there usually are not any separate tickets for the christ.
- Tour operators – these are organised excursions which have their very personal private van that takes travellers as a lot because the Christ. These excursions sometimes embody totally different areas like Mirante da Dona Marta and/or the Sambodromo
From 8-9am, take the time to find the christ redeemer, take postcard pictures, and profit from the view from the very best. The views from listed below are undoubtedly breathtaking, nevertheless there’s one different viewpoint comparatively shut by that I wanted to embody on this Rio de Janeiro journey info: Mirante da Dona Marta (Dona Marta viewpoint).
Even do you have to haven’t booked a tour that encompasses a go to to this viewpoint, you probably can nonetheless make your methodology there your self. It merely means a little bit little bit of a back-and-forth in the event you want to make your methodology once more down alongside together with your van/observe ticket. Take an uber to the drop-off degree of the perspective, and it’s solely a quick stroll from there. The views are unbelievable! What I like basically essentially the most about this express viewpoint is that you could be see an unrestricted view of Pão de Açucar (Sugarloaf Mountain) and Gloria Bay. That’s almost definitely one among my favourite spots in Rio and, in my opinion, among the many best points to do in Rio de Janeiro.
After a morning of view on views on views, you’ve almost definitely labored your self up an urge for meals, so the next stop for the day is brunch! And by no means any brunch, brunch at Parque Lage in Jardm Botanico (Botanical Gardens). Parque Lage is an outstanding mansion with big open grounds and gardens near the Botanical Gardens. You probably can see their menu and website online proper right here. Although the cafe is technically inside the botanical gardens, you don’t wish to buy a ticket to the Botanical Yard to eat there (nevertheless you’ll shortly research this Rio de Janeiro Journey info will take you to the Botanical Gardens anyway!).
As an unlimited brunch fan, having brunch at Plage Cafe is probably going one of many best points to do in Rio de Janeiro! The scenario is epic, the menu is delicious, and it’s undoubtedly insta-worthy! It’s first come, first serve, so have the ability to queue.
After an unlimited brunch and a full morning, there’s nonetheless a number of the day left to find. Take an hour or two of the afternoon to find the Botanical Gardens. That’s merely among the many best points to do in Rio de Janeiro. The first sights contained in the park are the orchid and cactus greenhouses and the ‘imperial’ palm timber that stretch as a lot as 40 metres extreme!
Tickets for foreigners worth R$ 67, and faculty college students can get half-price tickets. Naughty tip: do you have to’re in a gaggle with Brazilians and even merely one different Brazilian, you probably can attempt to buy a Brazilian resident ticket for R$ 27. No one on the doorway really requested for documentation.
The rest of the afternoon is yours to benefit from by the seaside! Each Copacabana or Ipanema seaside. As a Brazilian native, my favourite metropolis seaside is Ipanema; it’s a further gorgeous seaside and lesser vacationers. Top-of-the-line “posts” to stay at are between Posto September 11.
Seize a chair and umbrella, sit once more and settle down and order your self a caipirinha. Oh, and undoubtedly try the following meals that they promote on the seaside:
- Queijo coalho na brasa (a kind of cheese grilled with oregano)
- Chá matte
- Milho (corn a on cob)
- Açai
*For many who wanted to Copacabana, keep in mind to go to Copacabana Palace Resort as the proper gelateria in town has a retailer beneath the resort; it’s known as Momo Gelato. There’s moreover one near Leblon do you have to’re in Ipanema, however it absolutely’s only a few streets up from the seaside.
Maintain your eyes on the time, though, as you’ll have to make your answer to Arpoador about 45mins sooner than sunset so you’re going to get the proper spot on the rocks to have a look at the proper sunset in Rio! It’s a literal current, and all people claps the minute the photo voltaic goes down!
Day 3 in Rio De Janeiro
In all probability essentially the most in model points to do in Rio is paragliding. If that’s one factor you’ve wished to do, then that’s the morning to do it (albeit this depends on the winds), nevertheless most tour operators have morning and afternoon slots. It costs wherever between R$ 650- R$ 800 reais to take a flight, nevertheless all people says it’s so worth it! Beneath are some tour companies you’re going to get involved with to information your paragliding experience:
Paragliding takes place in São Conrado, which is a few 40-minute drive from Ipanema seaside; it’s the seaside on the alternative side of Morro dos Dois Irmaos.
If paragliding isn’t your issue, nevertheless you might want to do one factor adventurous and outdoorsy, there’s moreover a hike you possibly can take for daybreak: the Morro dos Dois Irmaos hike. It’s a 2-3hr hike (there and once more) and is form of steep, so it’s an easy-moderate hike. This hike have to be carried out with a info because the path isn’t that obvious, and the hike begins on the favela do Vidigal. There’s one info I do know who takes travellers on this hike. You probably can WhatsApp Alexandre proper right here. (Obs. I’m unsure of his stage of English, nevertheless he can probably counsel English-speaking guides!).
7. Revenue from the nightlife
If every of the alternatives above sound like an extreme quantity of, then one among my favourite points to do on a Sunday morning in Rio is to go for an early morning stroll throughout the Lagoa or Ipanema sidewalk. On Sundays, the freeway is closed to cars and open to most of the people to walk, expertise their bikes and skateboard!
Most of your ultimate day must be spent having enjoyable with the ocean by the seaside. That’s really among the many best points to do in Rio de Janeiro, as a result of the seashores there are Caribbean-like, and the vibe is solely on-point. Town seashores in Zona Sul are excellent and easy to get to, so each head once more to Ipanema/Copacabana or, do you have to actually really feel like together with one different seaside to your itemizing, Praia Vermelha or Praia do Leme.
For many who fancy heading a bit further out, then heading to Praia da Barra da Tijuca is an outstanding risk in an effort to spend your ultimate day. Barra is about an hour’s automotive expertise from Copacabana/Ipanema house. This seaside is in model amongst surfers, kites and windsurfers. Praia da Barra stretches for 6km, certainly one of many cleanest seashores in Rio. Identical to the Postos, in Ipanema, Kiosks are elements of reference on the seaside. Kiosk 8 is a popular degree and a very good house to base yourselves for the day.
If looking is your issue, then I’d counsel heading just a bit bit further up the coast from Barra to Prainha. That’s the function of looking, and several other different surf schools lease surfboards and supply courses. The seaside may also be beautiful and much quieter than totally different seashores, so not only for surfers!
As you probably can see, all you’ve acquired to do in your ultimate day is take your resolve of what seaside you might want to go to, and that’s you for the day.
The one totally different issue to depart time for is to take the cable automotive to Pão de Açucar (Sugar Loaf Mountain). Sugarloaf Mountain is an iconic picture of Rio and cannot be left ou this Rio de Janeiro journey info! Tickets worth R$ 150, and the ultimate entry is at 6:30 pm within the summertime months, you can purchase tickets immediately by way of their website online proper right here. As there are usually queues, arrive circa 45mins sooner than the ultimate entry to verify you’re going to get on!
And there you may need it! A full-on 3-day itinerary in Rio de Janeiro. From climbing inside the early morning to paragliding and sunset walks alongside the seaside, it’s a metropolis that has tonnes to produce and is the right trip spot for a weekend away (and an prolonged journey!).
That’s all for this Rio de Janeiro journey info; I hope your time in Rio de Janeiro is as excellent as mine was! Profit from the seashores, music, vibes and journey – you gained’t regret it!
Have you ever ever been to Rio de Janeiro?
What are your excessive points to do in Lençóis Maranhenses? One thing you’d add to this Brazil bucket itemizing?
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