Rio de Janeiro in 5 days

THIS IS BRAZIL- just kidding, just a small part of it. In this guide, you'll combine iconic Rio landmarks, scenic viewpoints, cultural experiences, and nature retreats, offering a well-rounded experience of the city's vibrant and diverse attractions.

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Updated ago

You don't need much just the sea and the vibrancy of Brazil's Rio de Janeiro :D I've been coming back for three years because I just love it here- the people, the culture, the music, the laid-back vibes... Rio always welcomes me back with open arms!

If you have limited time in the city, here's a 5 day guide to get you started - enjoy!

DAY 1- Lagoons and Beaches

Jardim Botânico

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Start day 1 with a delicious breakfast at Jardim Botanico! Afterward, you'll experience scenic viewpoints of Christ the Redeemer and tranquil spots like the Japanese Garden, it's a great introduction to the city- especially for nature lovers and photographers

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Parque Lage

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A charming park at the base of Corcovado hill, an iconic mansion that now houses an art school. You'll find tropical gardens, winding trails, and calming ponds

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Mirante do Leblon

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Explore the vibrant upscale neighborhood of Leblon and take a lunch in one of the many restaurants-afterwards start here for one of the most amazing bike rides in Rio. Download the "Bike Itaú" app for an easy bike rental service

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Ipanema Beach

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After your bike ride, come down to Posto 9 or 10- Ipanema's beach, famous for attracting young, stylish locals, social influencers, and international visitors. This area has a lively, trendy vibe with great people-watching. And while at it, enjoy a caipirinha, cheese on a stick, sugary mate or milho, corn with butter and other spices

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Arpoador

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End your day at Posto 7 – Near Arpoador, this area is famous for incredible sunsets and a scenic view of the “Two Brothers” mountains. Surfers flock here for the waves, and it’s a prime spot for watching the sun dip below the horizon.

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Day 2- Iconic Landmarks and culture

Christ the Redeemer

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Take the early morning train to the top of Corcovado Mountain to see Rio’s most famous landmark! You can also hike up- very rewarding :D Enjoy panoramic views of the city from one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

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Mirante Dona Marta

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Shortly after Christ the Redeemer, this lookout point offers breathtaking views of Rio, including Sugarloaf Mountain, Guanabara Bay, and Christ the Redeemer from a different angle.

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Estação Curvelo - Bondinho Santa Teresa

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Hop on the traditional tram that takes you through the charming neighborhood of Santa Teresa, famous for its colorful buildings and bohemian vibe.

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Parque das Ruinas

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Here you'll find a cultural center and viewpoint with a mix of historic architecture and modern art installations, offering scenic views of the city.

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Museu da Chácara do Céu

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Featuring modern Brazilian art and beautiful views of the surrounding area :)

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Day 3- Downtown Rio and sunrises

Parque Natural Municipal Dois Irmãos - Dois Cariocas - Sérgio Bernardes e Alfredo Sirkis

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If time permits, I HIGHLY recommend to wake up early and catch the sunrise from Moro Dois Irmaos- you'll take an Uber to Rocinha and then a motorbike to the highest point in the favela to begin your hike. It's breathtaking and medium-level hike

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Royal Portuguese Reading Room

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One of the most beautiful libraries, here you'll find ornate interiors, housing an extensive collection of Portuguese literature.

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Comitê Brasileiro de Barragens - CBDB

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Here you'll find a cultural center for exhibitions on Brazilian art, film, and more, set in a beautiful historical building.

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Museu do Amanhã

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A futuristic museum dedicated to science and sustainability. The architecture alone is a spectacle!

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Escadaria Selarón

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Visit the famous mosaic steps created by Chilean artist Jorge Selarón. Each tile tells a story!

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Aterro do Flamengo

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Largo de São Francisco da Prainha

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A charming historical square located in the heart of Rio de Janeiro’s Porto Maravilha district, near the revitalized waterfront area. It’s one of Rio’s most culturally rich spots, offering a mix of colonial architecture, local art, and vibrant nightlife.

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Day 4- Connect with Nature

Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas

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In Rio you can rent bikes easily thorough the Bike Itaú app and set it up for a day- then explore this picturesque lagoon, surrounded by mountains or take a leisurely walk

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Trilha Pedra do Telégrafo

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Located in Barra de Guaratiba, about an hour from Rio’s city center, this spot offers stunning views over the beaches and surrounding forests of Rio’s western coastline. The hike to the top is moderate and takes about 40-60 minutes, rewarding visitors with a unique photo opportunity and breathtaking vistas- relatively easy hike!

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Parque Bondinho Pão de Açúcar

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Totally recommended for sunset, take the cable car up to Sugarloaf Mountain for spectacular views of Rio’s coastline. You can also hike up!

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Mureta da Urca

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Another option to end the day by watching the sunset with locals, enjoying snacks and a drink by the water.- there's also music played

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Day 5: Copacabana goodbyes

Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Rio de Janeiro

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End your trip with a special morning treat, this is perfect for a leisurely morning that feels indulgent and quintessentially Carioca!

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Copacabana Fort

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Tour this historical fort with military exhibits and a small café with coastal views.

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Duque de Caxias Fort

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Here you can hike up to this fort in Leme for scenic views of Copacabana Beach and Sugarloaf Mountain.

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Praia do Leme

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Posto 2 – Located near Leme, this area is more relaxed and less crowded, popular with locals to wind down the trip, you'll find a quieter beach experience here

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Mureta do Leme - Pedra do Leme

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End your day at the Mureta for a relaxing view of the beach as the sun sets.

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And there you have it! Rio is one of my favourite cities in the world, it always resets things for me and I hope some of that love of the city is transmited through this guide!

Quick additional notes:

- you can pay with card almost everywhere, no need to have cash on you but it will always help to have some

-Download the App Bike Itaú for easy bike rentals. You can also now use Uber!

- Download Mude app, a program in Brazil that offers free workouts through different points in the city. There's a lot of support for healthy quality life!

- You can pay the Metro or Subway using your bank's card or Apple pay, no need to buy the metro card itself.

-There are two airports in Rio, GIG and Santos Dumont. You can absolutely order Uber from both- people inside the airport will tell you no, but keep walking and use your transportation app.

-Santander and Itaú are good banks with low comission rates (24 R, about 4.5 USD) per money withdrawal. Avoid Caixa

-You can download Airalo for an e-SIM for easy internet access, if your phone doesn't support e-sims, you can visit Shopping Rio Sul, Claro shop, where they sell sim cards to foreigners (otherwise you need a CPF, or a Brazilian ID)

Enjoy a cidade maravilhosa and write me if you have any questions!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jessica Carreon

Available for hire

Hi! I'm Jess. I'm Mexican, a digital nomad/writer, and I've been traveling mostly full-time since 2021 :) More than 30 countries later, I've curated great spots for my friends and myself, and now I get to share them with you! Find the best spots for food, remote working, accommodation, and "must-see" landmarks, as well as local and off-the-beaten-path gems. A few more things- 🪄I specialize in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and parts of India. 🪄 A foodie and a fan of cozy coffee shops to work from. 🪄 Slow traveler and volunteer 🪄 Brand Manager at an e-commerce agency, Yoga Instructor 🪄 Spontaneous travel is the best in my opinion but it got me in sticky situations 🤭so, through experience (the hard way) I learned about visa requirements, exchange rates, phone service, and so forth. It's all compiled with me, so feel free to pick my brain about anything. See you soon!

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