Rio de Janeiro — the city’s name alone conjures up images of pristine beaches, lush forests, and thrilling celebrations. Sitting on top of the Corcovado Mountain, Christ the Redeemer watches over the two-faced party capital of Latin America, split between a bustling urban landscape and an outstanding natural environment. Rio is a city like no other, known worldwide for its magnificent New Year firework display on Copacabana beach, its explosive carnival, its joyful people, and its exquisite multicultural cuisine.
Rio de Janeiro, which translates to "river of January", sits on the Atlantic coast of Brazil and is the country's second-largest city just behind São Paulo. For over two centuries, it was the bustling capital of Brazil, and it is still, to this day, one of the most important commercial and political centres in the country.
Cariocas' sense of fun is matched only by the spectacular natural environment Rio boasts. The city is surrounded by green hills, nature trails, and large urban forests like Floresta da Tijuca. Its beaches are among the most beautiful in the world, and its crystal-clear waters are home to an abundance of marine life. Besides the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, located in the heart of the city, other idyllic corners of the coast can be found in the nearby Barra da Tijuca, Prainha, and Urca. Rio de Janeiro has famous landmarks too. Alongside the endless beaches and the massive statue of Christ the Redeemer, the city features The Sugar Loaf Mountain and the iconic favelas.
In addition to its many natural wonders, Rio is renowned for its fascinating and joyful culture, to be admired in its many museums and in its vibrant streets, always flooded with music, dances, and celebrations.
Football is obviously an integral part of the local culture. Head to the Maracanã Stadium, home of the two main teams of the city, Flamengo and Fluminense, to enjoy football as only the Cariocas do.
Visiting Rio feels like coming home. A home that looks different than usual, but where everyone can reunite with a part of themselves they didn't know existed. Among the myriad of activities available, the places to be discovered and the people to meet, the throbbing Rio de Janeiro is able to satisfy everyone's needs and hopes, inadvertently providing a tailor-made experience.
Christ the Redeemer
Sugarloaf Mountain
Rio de Janeiro Carnival
Botanical Garden
Museu do Amanhã
Monastery of São Bento
The Beaches of Rio de Janeiro
Escadaria Selarón
Samba Schools
Mirante Dona Marta
Hang Gliding over Rio de Janeiro
AquaRio
Rio das Ostras Jazz & Blues
Aventureiro Sustainable Development Reserve
Favelas
Municipal Theater
Sitio Roberto Burle Marx
National History Museum
Rio's cultural diversity is reflected in the wide and heterogeneous range of restaurants spread throughout the city. Whether you plan to satisfy your hunger with a hearty traditional meal of picanha and feijoada, tickle your taste buds with European delicacies, or explore Middle Eastern cuisine, you will surely find a restaurant that suits your food preferences and budget.
Cais do Oriente
Amir
Hachiko
Braseiro da Gavea
Oro
Zazá Bistrô Tropical
Galeto 183
Org Bistrô
Quitéria Café
Gurumê
Marius Degustare
Prana Vegetariano
The cafés of Rio de Janeiro are part and parcel of the city's history and remarkable culture of hospitality. Whether it is an elaborate nineteenth-century venue or a small, trendy hangout, Rio's cafés will delight your taste buds with the typically light Brazilian breakfast, delicious freshly baked pastries, and their coffee's intense aroma.
Confeitaria Colombo
Café Hum
Da Casa da Táta
Talho Capixaba
Polis Sucos
Casa Cavé
Confeitaria Kurt
Empório Jardim
Not many cities can stand up to Rio de Janeiro's lively nightlife scene. The city provides all kinds of entertainment, from sophisticated cocktail bars and fancy nightclubs to nocturnal circus performances and underground samba shows. Find the place that suits you best and enjoy a night of unforgettable experiences.
Rio Scenarium
Bla Blá
Clube dos Democraticos
Circo Voador
Fundição Progresso
Explorer Bar
Bar Armazém São Thiago
Bar Carioca da Gema
Bar Bukowski
When it comes to shopping, Rio de Janeiro proves to have many opportunities. The city provides a dual shopping experience: modern and international in the big shopping malls and traditional and folkloric in the open-air markets and fairs around the city.
Shopping Streets
Shop in Búzios
Rio's shopping malls
Feira Hippie de Ipanema
Mercado Uruguaiana
Saara
Feira de Copacabana
Feira do Rio Antigo
International Airport Galeão (GIG)
Most flights arrive in Rio de Janeiro via International Airport Galeão. The airport is on Governador Island, the largest one in Guanabara Bay, and is located around twenty kilometres from the city centre. The airport is served by a good road network, including the Linha Vermelha and Linha Amarela freeways and Avenida Brasil.
International Airport Galeão has a range of facilities including ATMs, banks, restaurants, telephones, parking and car hire offices.
There are four bus lines (2018, 2101, 2145 and 2918) that run to and from the city centre and Rio’s other airport, Santos Dumont Airport. The buses run every ten minutes and journey times, which usually take around 40 minutes.
For regular taxis, there are two companies at the airport, Aerotaxi: +55 21 2467 1500 and Aerocoop: +55 21 3078 5050. There are also VIP taxis available.
Address: Avenida Vinte de Janeiro, Ilha do Governador, Rio de Janeiro
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Website: www.riogaleao.com/passageiros
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Passport / Visa
Brasil can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Israel, UAE, South Africa and most countries in America.
Visitors coming from most South American countries can enter the country with an identity document instead of a passport. Venezuelan visitors, however, need a visa in case of stays longer than 60 days.
Visa-free entry for a period shorter than 30 days is granted to citizens of Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Singapore.
Nationals of Panama, Malaysia, Namibia, Guatemala, Bahamas and Barbados can enter the country visa-free for tourism purposes only. Most African countries' citizens must obtain a visa in advance.
If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country.
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Best Time to Visit
Rio de Janeiro is characterized by hot, extremely humid summers and cool, cloudy winters; therefore, choosing the best period to visit the city depends mainly on individual preferences.
Summer is the best period for hot weather lovers and party people willing to tolerate high humidity and frequent rainfall. From November to February, Rio's beaches are invaded by tourists, especially during the famous Carnival.
From March to May, the Fall season offers Rio's best weather: hot and humid but without the drawbacks of the summer. On the other hand, visiting Rio from June to August, during the cloudy Carioca winter, will allow you to avoid high temperatures, humidity and rainfall; during this season, probably the busiest of the year, accommodation prices tend to increase.
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Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
Santos Dumont Airport, located eight kilometres downtown from Rio de Janeiro, operates only regional flights, connecting the main cities of the country. It has a range of facilities, including ATMs, telephones and car hire offices.
There are two bus lines that operate from the airport: number 2145 runs to Rio de Janeiro International Airport and number 2018 runs to Rio de Janeiro International Airport and Alvorada.
Taxis and rental cars are also available.
Address: Praça Sen. Salgado Filho, Centro, Rio de Janeiro
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Public Transport
Rio de Janeiro provides many different means of transportation to get around. The subway is the easiest, fastest and safest among them. It is open from 5am–12am from Monday to Saturday and from 7am–11pm on Sunday and consists of two lines (orange and green), linking all the main tourist spots of the city.
Buses are practical, convenient and, above all, needed to get to the many hilly areas of the city. Just remember to be extra careful of pickpockets during rush hour! Night buses are also available.
Trams and trains' limited network makes them less useful to tourists. They are, however, used to reaching a few tourist areas such as Mount Corcovado or the Santa Teresa neighbourhood.
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Website: www.metrorio.com.br
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Ferries
Ferries connect the mainland with some of the nearby islands. They are a good way to avoid road traffic while enjoying the view of the city and its bays. One of the most popular itineraries is the one going towards the tropical Paquetá Island, in Guanabara Bay. Bicycles are allowed on board if you wish to explore when you disembark.
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Taxi
There are plenty of taxis in Rio. They are usually fairly priced, but you must beware of the unlicensed ones and use only those associated with an accredited company: yellow, identified by stickers on the window and fitted with a meter.
Sometimes taking a taxi may not be the best option: Rio is characterized by heavy urban traffic that may slow you down and make your rate increase significantly; on the other hand, during the night some drivers might quote you excessive rates.
Taxis are usually found in the designated ranks outside hotels and airport terminals. When in doubt, ask the hotel or restaurant to call you a taxi, drivers often barely speak English.
You can also request a ride with Uber.
Nettaxi
+55 21 98569 2648
Aerocoop
+55 21 3078 5050
Aerotaxi
+55 21 2467 1500
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Post
There are many post offices around the city of Rio de Janeiro. The name of the national post agency is Correios. Post office branches are quite easy to locate thanks to their blue and yellow sign.
Address: In Copacabana: Avenida Nossa Sra. de Copacabana, 540, Rio de Janeiro
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Phone: +55 21 2256 1439
Website: www.correios.com.br
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Pharmacy
Rio de Janeiro has a number of pharmacies around the city. Large pharmacy chains to look for are Drogaria Pacheco, Droga Raia, Drogaria Pop and Drogaria Venancio.
These chains can be easily found everywhere in Rio and are usually open from 7am–11pm.
The following pharmacies are open 24 hours a day:
Drogaria Pacheco
R. Marquês de Abrantes, 144 - Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro
+55 21 3237 1044
Droga Raia
Av. Nossa Sra. de Copacabana, 919 - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
+55 21 97195 8296
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Telephone
Country code: + 55
Area code: 21
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Electricity
In Rio de Janeiro, plugs and sockets are of type N. The standard voltage is 110 / 120 V but many hotels also provide 220 V outlets. Standard frequency is 60 Hz.
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