Feature image Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro
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Top 10 Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Discover the top things to do in Rio de Janeiro, from iconic landmarks and beaches to vibrant neighborhoods and unforgettable experiences.


Welcome to Rio de Janeiro, the heart of Brazil! Known for its vibrant culture, breathtaking beaches, and stunning landscapes, Rio has something for everyone. Here’s a guide to help you explore the top 10 things to do in Rio de Janeiro on your next vacation.


1. Christ the Redeemer Statue

One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, this statue stands atop Mount Corcovado.

Tip: Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds.

Mount Corcovado 1 of Top 10 Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro

2. Sugarloaf Mountain

Take a cable car to the top for one of the most incredible views in Rio.

Tip: Time your visit for sunset to capture breathtaking colors over the city.

Cable cars and the city below

3. Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches

Relax at these world-famous beaches, ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and people-watching.

Tip: Try a refreshing coconut drink from one of the beach vendors.

Rooftop view over Copacobana, Rio de Janeiro

4. Lapa Arches and Escadaria Selaron

See the colorful, iconic steps of Selaron and the historic Lapa Arches.

Tip: This area is best visited during the day to appreciate the colors and vibrant atmosphere.

the colorful, iconic steps of Selaron and the historic Lapa Arches

5. The Carnival Experience

Visit during the Carnival season (February) to see the world’s largest and most famous celebration.

Tip: Book tickets early if you plan to attend, as accommodations fill up fast.

Costumed dancers and crowds enjoying the carnival parade atmosphere

6. Botanical Garden (Jardim Botanico)

Discover an oasis of plants and wildlife, with over 6,500 species of flora.

Tip: Perfect for a peaceful afternoon or a picnic.

Botanical Garden

7. Tijuca National Park

Explore the world’s largest urban rainforest, filled with waterfalls, trails, and wildlife.

Tip: Wear comfortable shoes and bring water for hiking.

Tijuca National Park

8. Santa Teresa Neighborhood

Known for its artistic charm, cobblestone streets, and eclectic shops.

Tip: Ideal for art lovers and those seeking authentic Brazilian culture.

Santa Teresa Neighborhood for 10 top places in Rio de Janeiro

9. Maracana Stadium

Experience Brazil’s passion for football with a tour of this iconic stadium.

Tip: Catch a local game if one is happening during your visit!

Maracana Stadium Rio de Janeiro

10. Feira de Sao Cristovao

A large open market where you can sample Brazilian food, music, and crafts.

Tip: Try local treats like feijoada (black bean stew) and tapioca snacks.

Feira de Sao Cristovao

Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro

When it comes to accommodations in Rio, there’s something for every budget. Here are some options:

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  • Please choose both minimum and maximum prices to find hotels in that range.
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Hotel Atlântico Business Centro

Hotel Atlântico Business Centro

★★★★
Rating by Guests: 83/100
Distance from center: 3.28 km
Price per night: $50
Windsor Florida Hotel

Windsor Florida Hotel

★★★★
Rating by Guests: 89/100
Distance from center: 4.17 km
Price per night: $100
Américas Granada Hotel

Américas Granada Hotel

★★★★
Rating by Guests: 86/100
Distance from center: 2.64 km
Price per night: $62
ibis budget Rio de Janeiro Nova America

ibis budget Rio de Janeiro Nova America

Rating by Guests: 85/100
Distance from center: 7.16 km
Price per night: $54
Hotel Atlântico Rio

Hotel Atlântico Rio

★★★★
Rating by Guests: 83/100
Distance from center: 8.25 km
Price per night: $76
Vila Galé Rio de Janeiro

Vila Galé Rio de Janeiro

★★★★
Rating by Guests: 89/100
Distance from center: 2.68 km
Price per night: $104
Windsor Guanabara Hotel

Windsor Guanabara Hotel

★★★★
Rating by Guests: 89/100
Distance from center: 2.88 km
Price per night: $88
Rio Othon Palace

Rio Othon Palace

★★★★★
Rating by Guests: 85/100
Distance from center: 8.50 km
Price per night: $228
ibis Rio de Janeiro Nova America

ibis Rio de Janeiro Nova America

★★★
Rating by Guests: 86/100
Distance from center: 7.16 km
Price per night: $70
Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Rio de Janeiro

Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Rio de Janeiro

★★★★★
Rating by Guests: 94/100
Distance from center: 7.73 km
Price per night: $1,718
Selina Lapa Rio de Janeiro

Selina Lapa Rio de Janeiro

★★★
Rating by Guests: 89/100
Distance from center: 3.24 km
Price per night: $125
ibis Rio de Janeiro Botafogo

ibis Rio de Janeiro Botafogo

★★★
Rating by Guests: 84/100
Distance from center: 6.02 km
Price per night: $122
Prodigy Santos Dumont

Prodigy Santos Dumont

★★★★
Rating by Guests: 88/100
Distance from center: 4.46 km
Price per night: $142
Hilton Copacabana Rio de Janeiro

Hilton Copacabana Rio de Janeiro

★★★★★
Rating by Guests: 91/100
Distance from center: 7.72 km
Price per night: $181
Casa Nova Hotel

Casa Nova Hotel

★★★★
Rating by Guests: 84/100
Distance from center: 2.76 km
Price per night: $0
Days Inn by Wyndham Rio de Janeiro Lapa

Days Inn by Wyndham Rio de Janeiro Lapa

★★★★
Rating by Guests: 87/100
Distance from center: 2.43 km
Price per night: $77
Hotel Atlantico Prime

Hotel Atlantico Prime

★★★★
Rating by Guests: 79/100
Distance from center: 2.43 km
Price per night: $50
Américas Copacabana Hotel

Américas Copacabana Hotel

★★★★
Rating by Guests: 87/100
Distance from center: 7.78 km
Price per night: $114
Hotel Regina Rio de Janeiro

Hotel Regina Rio de Janeiro

★★★
Rating by Guests: 89/100
Distance from center: 4.34 km
Price per night: $81
ibis Copacabana Posto 5

ibis Copacabana Posto 5

★★★
Rating by Guests: 84/100
Distance from center: 8.30 km
Price per night: $132

Final Tips for an Amazing Trip

Weather: Rio is warm year-round. The summer months (December to March) are the hottest.

Getting Around: Taxis, buses, and the metro are all good options for navigating the city.

Safety: Stick to well-known areas, especially at night, and keep your valuables secure.

Rio de Janeiro offers unforgettable memories for every traveler. With so many amazing things to do in Rio de Janeiro, this city will capture your heart and keep you coming back for more! Enjoy your adventure in the Marvelous City!


Pick the Ideal Hotel for You

If you don’t find the perfect match in our Low Budget, Middle Budget, or High Budget hotel selections, use this section to pick the ideal hotel for you. Browse more great options and choose the stay that best fits your travel plans!

Find the perfect hotel based on your budget and preferences!

Hotel Atlântico Business Centro
Hotel Atlântico Business Centro
★★★★
Rating by Guests: 83/100
Distance from center: 3.28 km
Price per night: $76 View Hotel
Windsor Florida Hotel
Windsor Florida Hotel
★★★★
Rating by Guests: 89/100
Distance from center: 4.17 km
Price per night: $168 View Hotel
Américas Granada Hotel
Américas Granada Hotel
★★★★
Rating by Guests: 86/100
Distance from center: 2.64 km
Price per night: $55 View Hotel
ibis budget Rio de Janeiro Nova America
ibis budget Rio de Janeiro Nova America
Rating by Guests: 85/100
Distance from center: 7.16 km
Price per night: $51 View Hotel
Hotel Atlântico Rio
Hotel Atlântico Rio
★★★★
Rating by Guests: 83/100
Distance from center: 8.25 km
Price per night: $75 View Hotel
Vila Galé Rio de Janeiro
Vila Galé Rio de Janeiro
★★★★
Rating by Guests: 89/100
Distance from center: 2.68 km
Price per night: $222 View Hotel
Windsor Guanabara Hotel
Windsor Guanabara Hotel
★★★★
Rating by Guests: 89/100
Distance from center: 2.88 km
Price per night: $84 View Hotel
Rio Othon Palace
Rio Othon Palace
★★★★★
Rating by Guests: 85/100
Distance from center: 8.50 km
Price per night: $295 View Hotel
ibis Rio de Janeiro Nova America
ibis Rio de Janeiro Nova America
★★★
Rating by Guests: 86/100
Distance from center: 7.16 km
Price per night: $50 View Hotel
Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Rio de Janeiro
Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Rio de Janeiro
★★★★★
Rating by Guests: 94/100
Distance from center: 7.73 km
Price per night: $3885 View Hotel
Selina Lapa Rio de Janeiro
Selina Lapa Rio de Janeiro
★★★
Rating by Guests: 89/100
Distance from center: 3.24 km
Price per night: $118 View Hotel
ibis Rio de Janeiro Botafogo
ibis Rio de Janeiro Botafogo
★★★
Rating by Guests: 84/100
Distance from center: 6.02 km
Price per night: $86 View Hotel
Prodigy Santos Dumont
Prodigy Santos Dumont
★★★★
Rating by Guests: 88/100
Distance from center: 4.46 km
Price per night: $146 View Hotel
Hilton Copacabana Rio de Janeiro
Hilton Copacabana Rio de Janeiro
★★★★★
Rating by Guests: 91/100
Distance from center: 7.72 km
Price per night: $361 View Hotel
Casa Nova Hotel
Casa Nova Hotel
★★★★
Rating by Guests: 84/100
Distance from center: 2.76 km
Price per night: $999999 View Hotel
Days Inn by Wyndham Rio de Janeiro Lapa
Days Inn by Wyndham Rio de Janeiro Lapa
★★★★
Rating by Guests: 87/100
Distance from center: 2.43 km
Price per night: $104 View Hotel
Hotel Atlantico Prime
Hotel Atlantico Prime
★★★★
Rating by Guests: 79/100
Distance from center: 2.43 km
Price per night: $68 View Hotel
Américas Copacabana Hotel
Américas Copacabana Hotel
★★★★
Rating by Guests: 87/100
Distance from center: 7.78 km
Price per night: $150 View Hotel
Hotel Regina Rio de Janeiro
Hotel Regina Rio de Janeiro
★★★
Rating by Guests: 89/100
Distance from center: 4.34 km
Price per night: $109 View Hotel
ibis Copacabana Posto 5
ibis Copacabana Posto 5
★★★
Rating by Guests: 84/100
Distance from center: 8.30 km
Price per night: $999999 View Hotel
Novotel RJ Porto Atlantico
Novotel RJ Porto Atlantico
★★★★
Rating by Guests: 87/100
Distance from center: 0.68 km
Price per night: $98 View Hotel
Miramar By Windsor Copacabana
Miramar By Windsor Copacabana
★★★★★
Rating by Guests: 92/100
Distance from center: 8.84 km
Price per night: $411 View Hotel
Rede Andrade Lapa
Rede Andrade Lapa
★★★
Rating by Guests: 85/100
Distance from center: 2.31 km
Price per night: $104 View Hotel
Windsor Leme Hotel
Windsor Leme Hotel
★★★★
Rating by Guests: 90/100
Distance from center: 7.71 km
Price per night: $410 View Hotel
Atlantis Copacabana Hotel
Atlantis Copacabana Hotel
★★★
Rating by Guests: 86/100
Distance from center: 9.43 km
Price per night: $117 View Hotel
Hotel Astoria Palace
Hotel Astoria Palace
★★★★
Rating by Guests: 85/100
Distance from center: 7.78 km
Price per night: $288 View Hotel
Windsor Excelsior Copacabana
Windsor Excelsior Copacabana
★★★★
Rating by Guests: 88/100
Distance from center: 7.76 km
Price per night: $257 View Hotel
Hotel Astoria Copacabana
Hotel Astoria Copacabana
★★★★
Rating by Guests: 83/100
Distance from center: 7.46 km
Price per night: $168 View Hotel
ibis budget RJ Copacabana
ibis budget RJ Copacabana
★★
Rating by Guests: 83/100
Distance from center: 8.01 km
Price per night: $122 View Hotel
Fluminense Hotel
Fluminense Hotel
★★★
Rating by Guests: 85/100
Distance from center: 2.61 km
Price per night: $102 View Hotel


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