Rio de Janeiro Vacation Guide

Going on a Rio de Janeiro vacation has been on my travel bucket list for years! After several failed attempts to visit the vibrant city, it finally worked out! The challenge was that we wanted to travel in December and January, Brazil’s peak season, but we didn’t want to pay over $1000 for flights. Monitoring flights to Rio became part of Phenesse’s and my daily routine. On a glorious mid-October day, the stars finally aligned,q and a cheap flight ticket emerged. I received a text from Phenesse saying, “Girl, flights are $756 on Momondo, but we can also book using points from our Chase Sapphire card!” And in a matter of seconds, I went from thinking this trip wouldn’t happen to purchasing my flight to Rio de Janeiro for $198!

Here’s a guide and travel tips for spending 6-days in Rio de Janeiro:

Brazil Climate

When I think of Brazil, I think about all the things I was craving during my winter escape: the bright sun, warm weather, and beautiful beaches. During my trip planning phase, I learned Rio’s summer weather is often hot, humid, and “a little rainy.” In my optimistic head, “a little rainy” meant some showers at night when I’m in the comfort of a hotel bed or quick rain showers during the day that don’t disrupt any activities. Well, of course, Mother Nature doesn’t operate on convenience. The majority of our time in Rio was extremely cloudy and rainy. While it wasn’t my ideal vacation weather, we made the best of it and lived it up!

Language

Portuguese is Brazil’s official language. I found that, beyond Portuguese, most people felt more comfortable speaking Spanish before English. Phenesse speaks Portuguese and Spanish conversationally, which was incredibly useful when navigating the city. I would recommend learning some key phrases in Portuguese to have a more fruitful trip.

Rio de Janeiro Safety

One of the most helpful comments about safety in Rio came from one of our Uber drivers, Leonardo. He said Rio has a reputation for crime, and they have earned it for a reason. However, it would be best if you didn’t let this fear stop you from enjoying the city. Most crimes are crimes of opportunity, so just be smart and alert. When in doubt about the safety of a particular area, ask the locals. They will be honest and give you pointers. Overall, I felt safe in Rio. There were a lot of police officers and security guards throughout the touristy areas. One key safety measure I always use when traveling is keeping my cross-body bag towards the front of my body and the flap facing me. 

Where to stay in Rio

While in Rio we had an enjoyable time at the Slaviero Lifestyle Hotel. The staff was extremely helpful and friendly, the rooms were comfortable, and the complimentary breakfast was delicious! The Slaviero Hotel is located in the Lapa neighborhood of Rio. We enjoyed Lapa’s local feel, which was a short walking distance from key landmarks. I would say that most tourists choose to stay in the Copacabana area, which is minutes away from the beach. Lapa is a little grungier than Copacabana, but we didn’t mind. Food and drinks are more affordable in Lapa than in Copacabana. You can get a Caipirinha from a street cart in Lapa for 5 Brazilian Real (BRL)/ 1.56 USD, but this will cost you 22 BRL/ 6.88 USD in a restaurant in Copacabana. 

Rio de Janeiro Transportation

Rio has extensive public transportation options, including city buses and a metro system. We traveled throughout Rio exclusively on Uber or by walking. Uber is extremely affordable in Rio, and Uber Pool is available. The majority of our rides averaged around $5.

Communication

If you don’t have a global data plan, I recommend purchasing a SIM card upon arrival. There are also a few free Wi-Fi networks planted throughout the city, covering the edge of the Zona Sul of Rio, Copacabana, Leme, Leblon, and Ipanema beaches, and part of downtown, from Cinelandia to Presidente Vargas Ave.

Iconic Places to Visit

Parque Lage

Address: Rua Jardim Botânico 414, Rio de Janeiro
Opening Hours: Every day from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm
Admission Price: Free

“Beautiful, I just want you to know you’re my favorite girl…” If you are familiar with Pharell and Snoop Dogg’s hit Beautiful, you probably instantly recognized the colonial-style mansion of Parque Lage. It’s one of the most famous places in Brazil to visit. The park graciously sits at the foot of the Corcovado Mountain. The mansion of Parque Lage was remodeled into an art school and a courtyard cafe. Beyond pretending to be an extra in the Beautiful video, my favorite experience at Parque Lage was walking along the lush tropical vegetation trails surrounding the mansion.

Pro-tip: Despite being far from other tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro, people are starting to catch on to this gem. Plan to arrive early to avoid crowds trying to take pictures in the courtyard.

Escadaria Selarón Mosaic Steps

Address: R. Joaquim Silva, S/N – Centro, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 20241-110, Brazil
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Admission Price: Free

These iconic steps, also featured in the Beautiful video, were created by Chilean painter and sculptor Selarón. They have 256 colorful steps decorated with over 2000 tiles collected from over 60 countries worldwide. It’s one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Brazil.

Pro-Tip: As you can imagine, these stairs are extremely popular, and the area gets crowded. During my visit, there was a tourist-managed line where you could take pictures in the center of the steps. Even with this system, it was virtually impossible to get a clear shot. Also, I’ve witnessed a few curse-out sessions where people asked others to move out of their pictures. To avoid large crowds and photo-turf wars, arrive early morning or late evening.

Santa Teresa Neighborhood

The Selarón steps lead to the artsy hilltop district of Santa Teresa. We visited Santa Teresa hoping to stop by the Parque das Ruinas, a small park with a ruined mansion home, but it was closed for the New Year’s holiday. Walking to Santa Teresa was a calf workout (the steep, sloped cobblestone roads are no joke) with a charming view. The neighborhood is a great place to sample traditional dishes from across Brazil.

Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer)

Address: Parque Nacional da Tijuca – Alto da Boa Vista, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, Brazil
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Admission Price: Varies

I refused to leave Rio without seeing one of the world’s new seven wonders–Christ the Redeemer Statue. We attempted to get to the statue two times before we were successful. The first time, we went to the Corcovado train station around 8 am, but the clouds made the visibility of the statue poor. On our second try, we arrived around 10 am, and the only available train tickets were for 4 pm. We ultimately decided to go with a van option. Here’s a brief overview of the most popular ways to get to Cristo Redentor:

Cog Train

The cog train to Christ the Redeemer departs from Corcovado Station every 30 minutes between 8 am and 8 pm. The train was originally used to transport parts of the statue. It is a 20-minute scenic ride to the top of Corcovado Mountain through the world’s largest urban forest, Tijuca National Park. Because of the incredible scenery, this is the preferred transportation choice for many travelers. Tickets are R$ 62 (19.40 USD) during the low season and R$ 75 (23.47 USD) during the high season. Tickets can be purchased at Corcovado Station, via the Corcovado Train website, or at official kiosks in the nearby Laranjeiras district.

Van/Car

We went online and booked seats on a van with Paineiras-Corcovado. They depart from multiple locations throughout Rio from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The van took us most of the way up the mountain, and from there, we took an official van of Tijuca National Park right to the top. The cost of the transportation-admission combo is roughly the same as the train, but there are no long waiting times.

Another option is to drive most of the way to the summit and then catch the official van for R$18 (5.63 USD). You can purchase these tickets from Largo do Machado subway station or online.

Hiking

Several hiking trails pass through Tijuca National Park and lead up to the statue. The primary trail begins in the gorgeous Parque Lage and continues through Tijuca for two hours, following the rails of the Corcovado Tramway for the last half hour. 

Copacabana Beach

Rainy and cloudy weather isn’t my go-to beach weather, but that didn’t stop many people from indulging in a dip in the infamous Copacabana beach. We instead opted for a nice stroll and people-watching along the boardwalk.

Sugar Loaf Mountain Cable Car

Address: Av. Pasteur, 520 – Urca, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22290-240, Brazil
Opening Hours: 8 am -9 pm
Admission Price: Adults- 80 BRL (25 USD) Students with ID- 40 BRL (12.51 USD)

Sugar Loaf Mountain was the first iconic site we visited in Rio. We initially went to catch a colorful “welcome to Rio” sunset, but the clouds weren’t having it. Nonetheless, it was still an incredible experience. Taking the cable car into a cloudy Sugarloaf Mountain was like being transported into a Twilight Zone. The ride was divided into two stages. The first stage goes from Praia Vermelha (Red Beach) to Morro da Urca (Urca Hill). The second stage goes from Morro da Urca to Sugarloaf Mountain. At the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, we enjoyed a mesmerizing panoramic view of Rio’s beaches, mountains, and forests.

Rainy Day Activities

We made the best of our rainy days by shopping and eating.

Havianas

I couldn’t leave Rio without getting a pair of Havianas, Brazil’s original flip-flop.

Confeitaria Colombo

Confeitaria Colombo is a stunning 120-year-old cafe in the heart of Rio. It’s a cultural gem that attracts many visitors. It was extremely crowded when we visited, but since it was raining, we didn’t mind standing in line for 20ish minutes to be seated. The alternative was to order at the cashier and wait for some standing dining space to open up. The pastries were really tasty, and besides the long wait, the service was quick (once we sat down).

Hiking in Rio de Janeiro

It’s become a tradition of mine to take a hike during my trips. Hiking the Trilha do Morro Dois Irmãos was the perfect way to enjoy a view of Rio without a large crowd.

Things to do in Rio de Janeiro at Night

Besides celebrating NYE in Copacabana, we spent most of our nights turning up in Lapa. There was so much happening in this neighborhood! We never went inside a venue to party because there were always immense crowds on the streets dancing. The energy was unforgettable!

Despite the weather, I was still captivated by Rio’s beauty and charm. My time in Rio was everything I had imagined! 

Have you been to Rio? What were some of the highlights of your visit?

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