Rio

You can't go to Rio without seeing the iconic Christ the Redeemer Statue, which is one of the new 7 wonders of the world. I suggest going early in the morning before the crowds; it gets very hot. It's recommended to check the weather as it can be windy. Pack a light jacket as the wind can be a little cold, especially if visiting in winter during June to September. You can get up to the statue in a few ways: hike, private tour or the train. The train is easy and cheap, and you can relax and enjoy the views of the rainforest. Everything can be booked and paid for at the entrance, but I'd suggest booking online to avoid long waits in the lines. At the bottom, you will find a link to purchase your return train ticket, including admission. Once you reach the end of the train line, there is a scenic walk upstairs. It's worth it for the views of Rio; take your time and enjoy all the views. There's a lift up if needed instead of the stairs. Typically, it takes 2-3 Hours.

A 20-minute Uber from Christ the Redeemer, you will find this hidden gem, Parque Lage. It is a Gorgeous public botanical park with an old palace. It's a fantastic place to relax in the gardens and check out this historic building with a view of the Christ the Redeemer statue in the background. There's a cafe inside called Plage Café that's worth checking out.

Sugarloaf Mountain Adventure is a cable car that takes you up two mountains to soak in panoramic views of the ocean and the city. It is a must-see attraction in Brazil. Make your way to the foot of Sugar Loaf Mountain (Bondinho Pão de Açúcar). Cable cars run every 20 minutes from morning to night and can accommodate 65 people. You can book there, but I'd recommend booking online to skip the large lines. Below, you will find a link to book with Viator. It takes three minutes to reach the first mountain, Morra da Urca and another three minutes to reach the summit. Allow 2- 3 hours for this but no limit take as long as you want.

Grab a beer or a caipirinha with your friends, and climb up the Arpoador rock, aka Arpex, to enjoy the sunset behind Dois Irmãos mountains and live a breath taking moment.

great views

sunset spot

amazing views

carnival costume museum

incredible library

MUST GO beautiful botanical graden

MUST GO only open sundays food, souveniers

The highlight of this Zoo was the parrot enclosure that had Macaw Brazilian parrots. They have over 1,300 species, including lions, tigers, and elephants. Pack a hat, sunscreen, and some water; it can get hot there. There are a few places around the Zoo where you can buy drinks and snacks. You exit through the shop, where you will find toilets and a restaurant. The staff are very friendly and mostly speak English. I'd recommend buying tickets in advance as it took a lot of work to figure out the self-service ticket machine. If you have a pre-paid ticket, you will save the trouble and skip the big lines. Below, you will find a link to pre-book your tickets, which includes a Free hotel pickup and drop-off. Allow 3- 4 hours to complete.

VERY steep & difficult 40 minutes to an hour to climb up to the main viewpoint

epic 3 mile hike takes 2.5hrs to reach top

Giant's Crossing trail, which crosses from Pedra Bonita to Pedra da Gávea, which are two famous trails in Rio de Janeiro. +-10km.

quieter than Copacabana upscale

While in Rio, you must visit the world's most famous beach. It will be busy, but enjoy the vibe and you can do lots of people watching. There are many things to do here: sunbathing, swimming, cycling, walking along the boardwalk, playing or watching volleyball. There are many restaurants and bars close by. You can spend as long as you wish here and party into the night. However, being a tourist hotspot, it's also a target for robberies. Avoid walking alone at night, and don't walk after 9 pm. Just get an Uber instead.

Ipanema Beach is another world-famous beach you can't miss when visiting Rio. This beach is considered one of the leading centres of activity for Rio. You will find beautiful white sandy beaches with sunbeds or relaxing spaces on the sand. It is gorgeous with the sea, beach, and mountain backdrop. It is less busy than Copacabana but still alive enough. You will find many restaurants here, bars and nightclubs.

juice / acai

best acai

best coffee

Plage Café is worth visiting. It is located in a historic palace hidden in the Tijuca forest. They serve Hearty breakfasts & light meals served in the courtyard of the classical Parque Lage mansion.

Take advantage of this restaurant at the Christ the Redeemer statue Restaurante Corcovado. Here, you can enjoy a drink and some food while being wowed by stunning views of Rio. You can get cheaper food elsewhere, but the views are worth it. They sell great coffee and a large selection of alcoholic beverages. The food is a little average; it's better for a snack and drink. They do have a full menu if you are hungry for lunch.

amazing bar snacks

iconic local bar known for its feijoada, pastéis & cachaça

great views & food

tapas bar

live music great burgers & beer

The food and service were plentiful here and reasonably priced since it's a restaurant on a mountain. Also, it's a great spot to drink and relax before the next cable car up to Sugarloaf Mountain. The cocktail menu is extensive and is perfect on a hot day. The food menu is quite extensive and accommodates all tastes.

live bossa nova bar

2 stars one of best restraunts in the world. $100USD tasting menu

contemporary brazilian book 120 days out

one of best tasting menu & restaurants all of brazil tasting menu USD $120 accepts resy 60 days in advance

$145 USD tasting menu 12 seats closed sundays Claud Troisgros French Seafood restaurant MUST GO accepts resy 45 days out

local samba bossa nova on wednesday

live music

hotel cocktail bar inside Hotel Arpoador

hotel cocktail bar

Mythical samba place of Lula’s partisans, the energy is insane in here.

restaurant / night club / bar

cocktail bar

cocktail bar

Saturday flea market