Brazil's South-East Region
Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide
Culture and history. Beaches and nature. Cuisine and nightlife. Rio de Janeiro proves you really can have it all.
Rio de Janeiro is one of Brazil’s most iconic cities, famous for its stunning natural landscape and the world-renowned Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. The city is home to the Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and the must-visit Sugarloaf Mountain. Rio de Janeiro famously hosts the world’s largest Carnival celebration. With a vibrant nightlife culture blending samba, bossa nova, and Brazilian funk, and a rich arts scene, Rio offers a dynamic mix of urban and natural attractions.
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Top 10 Things to See & Do in Rio de Janeiro
Visit the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue (how-to guide / train ticket)
Take a cable car ride to the top of Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) (how-to-guide)
Relax at Copacabana and Ipanema beaches
Visit the Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden)
Tour the Santa Marta Favela safely with a local resident guide (tickets)
Hike to Morro Dois Irmãos for panoramic views over Rio
Go on the Lapa Pub Crawl - dance samba and try cachaça (tickets)
Watch a football match at Maracanã Stadium (tickets)
Go on a sunset sailing trip around the Guanabara Bay (tickets)
Take a helicopter ride to see Rio from above (tickets)
Find more things to see & do:
Travelling with family? See this list for more ideas of things to do in Rio de Janeiro with kids
On a budget? Check out my list of 14 things to do for free in Rio de Janeiro
Where is Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Closest airport
- Galeão International Airport (GIG)
- Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
Main bus terminal
Novo Rio Bus Terminal
N/A
Main ports
How to get to Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, one of Brazil's most iconic cities, is well-connected internationally and often offers competitive arrival options for international travelers.
How to get to Rio de Janeiro by Plane
Rio de Janeiro is a well connected city in Brazil for both international and domestic flights.
Rio de Janeiro is served by two major airports:
Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport (GIG), located about 20 kilometers from the city center, is the primary international gateway, handling the majority of the city's long-haul flights and offering extensive global connections.
Santos Dumont Airport (SDU), situated within the city itself, focuses on domestic flights and is known for its more convenient location.
The main airport (GIG) has numerous direct international connections with Europe (Lisbon, Paris, Madrid, London), South America (Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, Lima, Bogota), the USA, and Dubai. '
Rio also has frequent domestic flights to many large and smaller cities in Brazil.
How to get to Rio de Janeiro by Bus
Rio de Janeiro's main bus terminal is called Novo Rio (map). Click here to see available tickets and timetables for busses to and from Novo Rio.
There are regular long-distance bus connections to popular tourist destinations such as Paraty, Ilha Grande, Buzios, as well as to other major cities including São Paulo and Belo Horizonte.
How to get to Rio de Janeiro from Paraty
There are regular busses running directly from Terminal Rodoviario de Paraty (map) to the Novo Rio bus terminal. The trip takes around 5 hours (tickets & timetable).
How to get to Rio de Janeiro from Buzios & Cabo Frio
Take a bus directly to Novo Rio from either Terminal Rodoviário de Búzios (map) or Rodoviaria de Cabo Frio (map). The trip takes around 3.5 hours (tickets & timetable).
How to get to Rio de Janeiro from Ilha Grande
There are three main ways to travel independently from Ilha Grande to Rio de Janeiro. There are also convenient transfer services available.
Option 1: Conceição de Jacareí
First, take a speedboat from Ilha Grande to Conceição de Jacareí (15-20 minutes).
Take a bus from Conceição de Jacareí to Novo Rio bus terminal (2.5 hours).
Option 2: Mangaratiba
First, take a speedboat or ferry from Ilha Grande to Mangaratiba (1.5 hours)
Take a bus from Mangaratiba to Novo Rio bus terminal (3 hours).
Option 3: Angra dos Reis
First, take a speedboat (30 minutes) or ferry (1.5 hours) from Ilha Grande to Angra dos Reis.
Take a bus from Angra dos Reis to Novo Rio bus terminal (3 hours).
The busses connecting the ferry terminals and Rio de Janeiro is operated by the company Costa Verde Busses run frequently, however it is recommended to book your bus ticket in advance to ensure you get a ticket at your desired time.
Not sure which option to chose? For more detailed information on the ferries and speed boats, including prices and timetables, see the travel guide for Ilha Grande.
How to get around Rio de Janeiro
Getting around Rio de Janeiro is relatively straightforward, with several transportation options available. The city's public transportation system includes a bus and subway system that connects various areas of the city, beaches, and the airports. Ride-sharing services like 99 and Uber are also widely available and inexpensive, are a safer way to travel after dark.
Fares for Public Transport in Rio de Janeiro, 2024
Rio's public transport payment card is called the RioCard, which can be purchased in subway stations and news stands for R$3. It allows you to pay for your journeys conveniently by tapping the card when you enter the metro or bus. The card also provides discounted fares.
Subway (Metro): R$7.50 / R$5 with Rio Card
Train: R$7.10
Bus: R$4.30
Light Rail (VLT): R$4.30
Up to date routes and timetables are can be found on Google Maps by searching for directions.
How to get to the Airport in Rio de Janeiro, 2024
Santos Durmont (SDU): The public bus 483 running from the Ipanema to SDU airport charges the standard bus fare (R$4.30).
RIOgaleao (GIG): MOBI-Rio runs regular busses from from Rio Novo Bus terminal to GIG for R$5. However, if you are not staying nearby the bus terminal, taking public transport to GIG airport is inconvenient and time consuming. Ridesharing apps, like Uber and 99, offer an inexpensive and faster alternative.
Things to know before you go
Stay Safe and Be Cautious with Valuables: Like any large city, it’s important to be mindful of your belongings while exploring Rio, especially at the beach and at night. Pickpocketing and petty theft can happen in crowded tourist spots, so avoid carrying expensive valuables with you. Leave jewelry and large sums of money at your accommodation. While Rio is an incredibly welcoming city, taking safety precautions will help ensure you have an enjoyable trip.
- Stick to well-traveled, tourist-friendly areas, such as Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Botafogo, and Flamengo. Have fun and use common sense - for example, do not leave your belongings unattended on the beach.
- Avoid the Centro area, and take exceptionally high care if visiting Lapa.
- Use ride-sharing apps such as Uber or 99 (set up with credit card payment before going out) to move around the city at night.
Tourist Police: If you find yourself in need of assistance, Rio has a Special Police Support Tourism Unit (DEAT), located in Leblon, where English-speaking officers are available to help tourists.
Sunday Festivities: On Sundays, the road all from Ipanema to Copacabana transforms into pedestrian zone. You can enjoy the atmosphere along the beachfront in Copacabana and Ipanema or explore the historic Santa Teresa neighborhood.
Festivals and Events: Even outside of the famous Carnaval season, Rio regularly hosts festivals and events, such as the famous Rock in Rio. For the full Carnaval experience, time your visit to coincide with the official celebration in February, but be prepared for massive crowds.
Experience Local Cuisine: Rio offers an amazing culinary scene that blends Afro-Brazilian, Portuguese, and indigenous influences. Be sure to try local specialties like "feijoada" (black bean stew) and fresh açai bowls. There are also numerous beachfront kiosks where you can enjoy snacks and cold drinks with a view of the ocean.
Ready to plan your trip to Rio?
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