Happy Saturday! If you’ve been following my previous posts on here, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram, then you know that I was in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a little over a month ago. Rio is a beautiful city, and there’s plenty of things to do while you’re there.
I’ve laid out eight activities to do if you’re planning a trip to Rio below.
Ipanema Beach, photocred: Ashley Anderson
1. Go to the beach
Rio is known for it’s beautiful beaches. The two most popular beaches are Copacabana and Ipanema. Both have beautiful views with mountains in the background.
On these beaches, you’ll of course find people swimming, surfing, playing volleyball, and paddle boarding (my 2nd suggested thing to do while in Rio).
You’ll also find vendors walking up and down the beach, selling everything from food and drinks, to handmade jewelry, to sunglasses, to beautiful beach scarves, etc.
If you’re of age, be sure to enjoy a couple of caipirinhas (Brazil’s signature, and very delicious, cocktail) while you’re soaking up the sun.
Everything is priced very reasonably, so be prepared to bring plenty of reals (Brazilian currency) to spend frivolously!
2. Go Paddle Boarding
The cost of paddle board lessons in Rio is significantly cheaper than in most other places, so you might as well go paddle boarding while you’re on the beach! You’ll get an instructor, and you can choose how long you want to be out in the water, and how far out you want to go.
Paddle boarding in the waters of Ipanema Beach
Paddle boarding with the instructor in the waters of Ipanema Beach
There will be several different paddle boarding companies lined up along the beach, so you can’t miss them!
3. Go see Cristo Redentor
By now, I’m sure you’ve seen so many pictures of the Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) statue. It’s located on Corcovado Mountain, and you definitely have to see it for yourself! You take a cab to the bottom of the mountain, and then you pay a fee to take a train up to the top of the mountain to get to the statue. The views on the train on the way up to the statue are breathtaking in themselves. So have your camera ready!
Once you get off of the train, there will be other great spots to take in the views before heading up to the statue. There is also a restaurant and souvenir shops on the mountain.
Front view of Cristo Redentor
Back view of Cristo Redentor
View of Rio de Janeiro from Corcovado Mountain
Tip: If your attempts at trying to get the perfect shot of yourself and the statue aren’t working out, there is a professional photographer set up in front of the statue who will take the shot for you using your SD card. He has a reflector that helps you get the perfect lighting. He charged our group 50 reals total, and gave us several shots. There’s also an option to get photos printed out with a souvenir “Cristo Redentor” frame on them.
4. Go to Sugarloaf Mountain
Sugarloaf Mountain is also known for it’s breathtaking views of Rio de Janeiro. You reach the mountain by taking glass enclosed cable cars, which provide you with panoramic views of the city while you make your way back and forth from Sugarloaf.
View of Sugarloaf Mountain, photo source: http://www.rio-de-janeiro-travel-information.com/sugarloaf.html
Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car photosource: http://brazilcarnivalclub.com/
Rock climbing is also available on the mountain.
5. Go to Escadaria Selaron
The Escadaria Selaron in Lapa is another landmark that you just have to see when you go to Rio. The stairs are vibrant and colorful, and you’ll feel like an extra in Snoop Dogg and Pharrell’s “Beautiful” video for sure! 😉
Escadaria Selaron photocred: Ashley Anderson
Lapa also has plenty of restaurants that you can pop into before or after you visit the steps.
6. Samba with the locals
There are plenty of great restaurants in the Lapa area, some of which feature Samba dancing at nighttime. Rio Scenarium is one of the those restaurants. Grab a late dinner there, then head out to the dance floor! They feature live music, and the locals will warmly welcome you to join them!
Rio Scenarium Restaurant/Lounge, photosource from http://www.rioscenarium.art.br
*If you’re younger than 35, you’re probably going to want to find another spot in Rio to go out to afterwards in order to really turn up.
7. Go to the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden (Jardim Botanico)
This park contains over 6,000 different tropical and sub-tropical species of plants and trees,and features an orchid farm, cactus garden, and the Row of Palms. Have your camera ready to capture the beauty of it all! It costs 9 real to enter.
8. Go to Parque Lage
Located not too far from the Jardim Botanico is the Parque Lage, another public park in Rio. The main feature of the park is it’s beautiful mansion, that operates as a performing arts school, and has it’s own cafe open to the public (Café du Lage). In front of the cafe, is a gorgeous swimming pool, and behind the cafe, is an amazing view of Corcovado with Cristo at the top. This makes for an amazing backdrop when you first walk into the mansion. The park also features walking trails with more beautiful greenery.
Part of Snoop Dogg’s “Beautiful” was filmed here as well.
This park is free of charge.
Places to eat:
There are plenty of places to eat in Rio, but I wanted to highlight two places that stuck out to me and my friends:
- Zig Zag – Dive bar with delicious traditional Brazilian fare.
- Zaza’s – Nicer restaurant that serves amazing Mediterranean and Asian fusion meals.
So if you’re planning a trip to Rio, be sure to refer to this list, and I guarantee you’ll have an awesome experience!
Thanks for reading! Are you planning a trip to Rio, or have you visited in the past? Let me know below!
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Looks like you had an awesome time! I would do most of these things, save for the paddle surfing. You are not getting me out in the water 🙂 . You ladies were styling. Good for you. I still can’t decide if l want to visit Rio or not. I have heard so many conflicting reports. Maybe someday.
Thanks Kemkem, it was awesome!!! Yes, I’d recommend you check it out for sure!
Fun times indeed! My fave was def paddle boarding and Cristo!!
Yes!!!
Looks like you had a great time, checking out the sights. I would love to get to Brazil.
Yes, it was great! You should go!
Wow! Amazing. Just amazing. I’m so jealous and inspired. I’ve always wanted to travel abroad, I need to just do it. I’ll definitely keep your list for reference should I find myself in Rio.
Thanks CeCe! Yes, you should definitely do it! Plan and save your money in advance, get a traveling partner or traveling crew, and go! You’ll love it! 🙂
Glad you had such a good time in one of my fave cities. I’d love to try SUP sometime. I also need to get to Parque Lage and the botanical garden during my next visit. And samba of course!
Thanks Dana! Yes, you’ll love them all!
Great overview of Rio de Janeiro. I love the paddle board photo.
Thank you!
Lovely pics! I’ve been wanting to go to Rio since they announced the Olympics would be there. So cool you got to experience the beauty that I’ve only seen on TV/pics.
Thanks Christine! Yes, it was so beautiful!
You guys look fabulous! The photos are great. The photographer is smart to be right at the attraction and ready to go!
Thanks Eva! Right!
I loved your recap of Rio Brazil. I wanna go this year but probably wont due to the Olympics…well I am supposed to go to Manaus Brazil but thats hours from Rio. love all the tips and I pinned for later! I need a fun group of travel friends who wanna do international travels like your gals…all of my friends still make excuses.
Thanks Kiwi! Yes, I love that about my girls, they are always down for international trips!
Amazing! Brazil is on my bucket list and this makes me even more excited to go!!! Fantastic recap!
Thanks Valerie!
#ThoseDrinksThough! You guys look like you had an amazing time. I want to go with my girls now. Lol thanks for sharing.
Yes it was great! Lol, the drinks were amazing! You should definitely go!
Awesome girls trip. I went to Rio solo, and my experience was a little different but I’m glad you all enjoyed yourselves. It’s a beautiful yet terrifying place that has a lot to atone for. Awesome, awesome photos.
Thanks Keisha! I hope you enjoyed your solo trip there as well! I agree, it is beautiful, but there are some parts that can be scary!
I love your gladiator sandals. I had to get that out of the way.
Brazil, used to be on my bucket list. I think I will, for now, just admire it from afar. It looks like you and your friends had a great time though.
Thanks Kim! 🙂 You should definitely add it back to your list, you’d enjoy it!
Oh Kasi, how much I have been enjoying being Rio through your eyes! Amazing photos and outfits, I really love everything you’ve shared! Parque Lage has climbed to the first place of my photo shooting bucket list haha! You look divine in all looks, my favourite is the one with the romper and gladiator sandals, what a goddess! <3
I hope you are having a great start of July so far!
Kisses!
xx
Stella
http://www.stellaasteria.com
Thanks Stella! XOXO!
Looks like you had a great time. I would love to visit Brazil.
Ann-Marie | http://facetocurls.com
Thanks Ann-Marie!
Looks like an awesome trip, Rio is amazing!
Yes, it was! Thanks!
Another beautiful trip! I love the picture of you in front of the Christo Redentor.
Thanks Stacie!
Rio’s landscapes would be a dream for me. My camera and I would have an amazing time.
Yes, for sure!
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