Here is a Free 3 day Guide of Rio De Janeiro in Brazil.
I spent 3 weeks exploring Brazil, and spent 1 week in Rio. I wish I had stayed longer as this beautiful city has so much to offer.
However, Rio is such a large city and so you get the most out of your trip and don't miss the most iconic spots, I've put together a 3 day Guide for you.
What's included:
- An overview of all the areas you will visit in this guide.
- Recommended things to do
- All the practical information you need: how to get around, how to stay safe, travel tips and more.
- An interactive Map to get directions with Google Maps
Don't forget to download Thatch free app to get easier access.
Any question? DM me on Instagram or send an email to travelswithjana@gmail.com
From December to March, summer is an excellent time of year to visit, as perfect conditions for swimming and tanning as the days are hot. Keep in mind prices will be higher, and carnival is in February. April and May are usually cheaper months to visit. Winter and spring are mild but still warm enough to see the beaches.
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.
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.
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After Christ the Redeemer Statue check out Parque Lage and it's free to enter.
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.
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.
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Spend the Afternoon at the worlds most famous beach Copacabana
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.
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.
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When you reach the first mountain Morra da Urca take your time here, the views are fantastic take heaps of photos and soak it all in. Check out the shops, have a drink or some food.
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.
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When your ready catch the next cable car up to Sugarloaf Mountain. Once at the top of the 1300 feet high mountain, you’ll have panoramic views over the whole city.
I'd recommend you spend the afternoon at the Rio Zoo. If that's not your thing head to the beach and check out Ipanema Beach.
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.
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When you finish at the Zoo the best way to relax after a big day is with drinks and food by the beach watching the sunset. Check out another iconic place in Rio called Ipanema Beach.
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.
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Day 3
Spend the day exploring Barra da Tijuca, known as Barra. It's a modern, upmarket part of Rio de Janeiro famous for its Barra Shopping Mall, Brazil's biggest mall. You can also enjoy 17km of long white sandy beaches. It is a popular spot for surfing, kite surfing and swimming.
Here you will find lovely ocean and mountain views and kilometres of white sandy beaches. There are a few restaurants where you can grab coffee or food.
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You can hire a bike or walk along the beach or esplanade, about 20 minutes to the main beach, Praia da Barra da Tijuca. Along the way, you will find many eateries and beach bars. You can also hire beach chairs and umbrellas along the beach in many spots.
It's far from Copacabana and tourist beaches in Rio, but it is still a unique, beautiful place. It can be more expensive, but the beach is much safer and more relaxing. You can hire an umbrella, chairs, and a bucket filled with ice to keep coldrinks / beers cold. Vendors walk up and down selling food, drinks, sunglasses, hats, food and drink and will only approach you if you call them over; if you don't buy anything, they don't mind.
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Once you are ready to get out of the sun, head to Barra Shopping Mall. Largest Shopping Mall in Brazil. It's an hour's walk or 5-minute Uber from Praia da Barra da Tijuca beach.
A great way to top off a fantastic day is with a beautiful dinner; check out Barra Grill. It's far to walk from Barry Shopping Mall at night. I'd recommend getting an Uber. It's about a 10-minute drive.
This restaurant offers an all you can eat Brazilian BBQ meat and also a salad buffet. They bring as much BBQ-grilled meats to your table as you want. It's such a great experience and a beautiful restaurant. Dinner is reasonably priced; just watch the prices of the alcohol.
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Getting around Rio
The easiest and safest option is to catch an Uber or Yellow taxi, which is pretty cheap. I prefer Uber as some taxis only accept cash, so ask if they will take a card. Rio's leading public transport is the metro subway. There are also many buses available, but it can be tricky to find the right bus and waiting at the bus stop is risky as many robberies occur there.
Safety Tips
The key to staying safe is simply being aware and careful.
Keep an eye on your belongings at the beach, and don't take valuables. Many robberies happen at Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, so never leave your stuff unattended.
Snatch and grabs happen when you are filming on your phone, and someone rides past on a bike and snatches your phone. So be aware when pulling your phone out on the esplanade.
Pickpocketing does happen, so leave your flashy jewellery at home. Everyday things they grab are phones and gold jewellery.
Don't enter the Favela alone; only enter the Favela with a local guide. They can be very dangerous and regularly have police raiding areas, and there's a lot of gun violence.
My name is Jana I'm an Australian living abroad in Poland for the last year. I live for exploring new destinations, road trips, and adventure travel. Countries I've visited are Indonesia, Singapore, Brazil, Slovakia and Poland.
I plan and research these adventures on my own and fund them with my own savings!
I love hopping on planes, no matter the destination, no matter the season. Something about experiencing new cultures, learning new languages, trying new foods, roaming empty streets, and meeting kind people from all over the world just exhilarates me as nothing else can! My passion is to help everyday travellers and adventurers like you live out your travel dreams without the need for private jets, influencer status, or millions of dollars!
