Rio de Janeiro is an amazing city with such incredible beauty and culture
Rio is one place we could see ourselves settling down at for a year or two. We found the Cariocas to be incredibly welcoming, the beaches amazing, a city with so many things to explore and the caipirinhas addicting! Here are some things to do with or without kids in Rio.
Christ the Redeemer Statue
Such an iconic statue; I have dreamed of going here my whole life. It's the symbol of Rio since 1932 on top of Corcovado mountain. Just getting to the top is an experience. Take the Cog train to almost the top and walk the remaining stairs to the statue. The stairs seems to go on forever so look for the escalators and elevators that everyone seems to miss, we did. The view of Rio is stunning atop the hill and the over 100 foot high Redeemer is massive. Arrive very early and don't go on weekends to avoid crowds. If lines are too long opt for the minivan ride to the top and train ride down. Train tickets 45Real Adult, under 6 free
Sugar Loaf Mountain
Hello Mr. Bond... Jaws, enjoying the ride!?! So the 3 minute ride on each cable car was uneventful the view and thrill was amazing. The highest mountain is 1300 feet above the harbor and the views from each mountain are incredible. We spent hours up top just soaking in all of Rio and enjoyed the birds, monkeys and lizards. 44Real Adult, under 6 free. You could take a helicopter up as well, but you're on your own to figure out how...
Copacabana Beach
If I did nothing else our entire trip to Rio de Janeiro but people watch all day long on Copacabana beach from my comfy lounge chair I would call my trip the most wonderful vacation ever! The beaches of Rio are filled with all different types of amazing people that you could sit and watch all day long. Thongs are the thing to wear and no one seems to have any body issues so don't over dress. Seriously, I never realized there were so many thongs until I started going back through our pictures and I now see how many photos my husband too of thongs, I mean people! You can tell the locals from the tourists by how much clothes they have on. Oh, and if you can peel yourself away from the beach long enough, enjoy the boardwalk of Avendida Atlantica that runs along the beach. It is a black and white, wave shaped mosaic that is a famous landscape of Rio.
Ipanema Beach
The song ran through my head the entire time I was there. Ipanema beach is as crowded and as fascinating as Copacabana. Food and drink vendors galore. We enjoyed the biscoitos globo (powdered biscuits) and shrimp on a stick the most and of course the coconuts! Another place I could easily spent all my days at!
Hippie Market
Once a week and only on Sundays is a huge hawker market with lots of local handcrafts and souvenirs. One thing about Rio I found distressing was the lack of cheap souvenirs stands. Even the airport lacks souvenirs so don't wait until your heading home to buy souvenirs.
Praca General Osorio Hippie Market has plenty so go there if you can and don't wait to buy gifts at the airport or you will be going home with nothing! Thank goodness there are an endless supply of hawkers walking the beach through the crowds. Remember, everything is negotiable.
Favela Tour
One tour I highly recommend is a tour of Rio's slums. It's such an enlightening and fun tour that you will regret not going on one. Read more about
Let's go pay money to stare at poor people!
Tandem Hang Gliding
Flying like a bird as you are surrounded by Rio's beautiful mountains and beaches is such an incredible feeling. The wind blowing through your hair and the rush of trotting of the hillside, of course, this is all happening with an instructor safely strapped close to. You have to be a bit flexible on the day you want to go as the wind is not always right for flying. A bit on the pricey side but well worth the splurge! Prices vary around $100USD This is one of those once in a lifetime adventures.
Santa Teresa Walk & Trolley Ride
Just remember, it's easier to go down then to go up so start at the top! A beautiful hilly district hosts an eclectic array of art and architecture. Stroll along the cobblestone streets and view the beautiful mansions and sidewalk mosaics. Catch a ride on the trolley to take you around the neighborhood and view the famous Escadaria Selaronsteps which were featured in the Snoop Dog video "Beautiful". Unfortunately, the trolley was not in service when we were there so we got plenty of exercise!
Samba Shows
Watching the stealth moves of some stunning Brazilian dancers wishing you could move like them while enjoying the music andcaipirinhas sounds like a fabulous afternoon to me. Brazilians do have some incredible dancing skills. In preparation for Carnival several of the Samba schools organize rehearsals for the public all year long. It's like a mini Carnival. To save money avoid the package deals your hotel offers and grab a taxi and head to the local favorite Mangueira school. The closer to Carnival the most refined and colorful the acts become. Check with the school for date and times before you head out. You will be so glad you went.
Soccer Game
You will never know the true passion of a Cariocas until you've sat next to them at a soccer game. Soccer is a worldwide religion so why not go watch a game at the largest church? Estadio Do Maracan is the largest stadium in the world. Nose bleed will run you about 15USD and get you next to some of the wildest sports fans ever!
Rio is home to the 2016 Olympics so it will be extra crowded but still a super fun time!
Have you been to Rio? What did you love the most? We'd love to hear you comments below!
1, 3, or 7 day pass? The 3 day pass is good for a week and the 7 day pass can be used over a month. Kids under 12 are free. Your picture is printed on the pass and gets checked at every site. No sharing passes! Three days over a week gives some days of rest, which you will need. Whatever amount of time you have, plan for some resting time to cool down. It gets pretty hot pretty fast.
Time of year - we visited the first week of May which is the hottest time to visit (surprise). However, it is the best time to visit without crowds. In January, you can be shoulder to shoulder walking through the temple hallways. Our kids were freer to run around
Finally, think long and hard about giving money to children selling cheap junk or simply begging you to buy. If you do, you are teaching them to rely on handouts, paying them to stay out of school. Instead, talk to them. Where are they from? What subject do they like in school? How many siblings do they have? How old are they? Quiz them on the capitols of various countries.
