Rio de Janeiro

Know before you go

Best time & quick facts

Best time: May–September for cooler, drier days and clearer viewpoints.

• CurrencyBRL (Brazilian real)
• LanguagePortuguese
• Power plugsType N (also C), 127/220V
• Tap waterPrefer bottled
• Time zoneBRT (UTC−3); Rio

From the trip

Rio highlights (sample from a 2-week trip)

1. 1

   Day 1

   Arrival and Copacabana

   Settle near Copacabana or Ipanema; sunset stroll on the wave-patterned promenade with coco gelado and a beachfront caipirinha.

2. 2

   Day 2

   Christ the Redeemer and Santa Teresa

   Cog train up Corcovado to Christ the Redeemer, then wander bohemian Santa Teresa’s colorful streets, galleries, and Ruins Park views.

3. 3

   Day 3

   Sugarloaf Mountain and Urca

   Morning in quiet Urca, cable car to Sugarloaf for Guanabara Bay panoramas timed for sunset, then a waterfront stroll.

4. 4

   Day 4

   Tijuca National Park

   Guided hike in the urban rainforest — waterfalls like Cascatinha or Pico da Tijuca views, monkeys, and a picnic among the trees.

5. 5

   Day 5

   Lapa, Centro, and samba energy

   Metropolitan Cathedral and Theatro Municipal in Centro, Selarón Steps in Lapa, and evening samba if the mood strikes.

6. 6

   Day 6

   Bay or island day trip

   Ferry to Niterói for Niemeyer’s MAC and quieter beaches, or a day trip to car-free Ilha Grande and Lopes Mendes Beach.

7. 7

   Day 7

   Ipanema, Leblon, and soft landing

   Lounge at Ipanema (Posto 9), browse Leblon, and leave room for one last favorite café or beach walk before farewell.

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