Rio de Janeiro holidays

Brazil’s beachside metropolis is ringed by an almost continuous ribbon of sand that beckons bikini-clad revellers from around the globe. But holidays in Rio de Janeiro are about more than sun and skin. From tropical hikes and mountaintop views to stunning architecture and the world’s most famous street celebration, see why this South American city will stop at nothing to seduce you.

Rio de Janeiro holiday highlights

Rio De Janeiro
Rio De Janeiro

World famous landmark

The Christ the Redeemer statue presides over Rio’s skyline. To get up close to the landmark during your holiday to Rio de Janeiro, hop on the Corcovado Train for a 20-minute ride up the mountain (book online in advance to avoid queues). Or take a two-and-a-half-hour hike to the top through the Tijuca Forest National Park. Arrive early for fewer crowds, or time your visit with spectacular sunsets.

Beach culture

When booking flights and hotels to Rio de Janeiro, many choose to stay at the popular all-inclusive resorts lining Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. But be sure to stroll outside these tourist zones to feel the true spirit of the city by the sea. Join surfers catching dawn waves at Arpoador, and see kids balancing footballs in the air with games of ‘altinha’ at Leme Beach.

Outdoor adventures

Whether you ride the cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain or find serenity on forest hiking trails, holidays to Rio de Janeiro offer outdoor thrills to suit everyone. Paraglide over the city, or set sail at sunset for incredible views of the skyline. It’s fun to take the kids to Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, with its paddle boats on the lake and wide cycling paths. Pack your binoculars for birdwatching.

Rio de Janeiro: Know before you go

Language

Portuguese

Currency

Brazilian real (R$)

Time zone

UTC-3 (BRT)

High season

December – March

Low season

June – August

Find the best time to go to Rio de Janeiro

Weather in Rio de Janeiro

March – May: Autumn is temperate and relatively relaxed in Rio,plusit’s a lovely time to explore Lage Park and the Botanical Garden. You’ll rarely need more than a T-shirt and shorts.

June – August: The start of the dry season brings cooler temperatures, though it hardly ever dips below 15°C. And even in winter, the water is balmy.

September – November: Spring temperatures rarely drop below 26°C. It can be humid, but it’s still a great time to hit the beaches or visit Tijuca National Park.

December – February: Summer peaks in February, averaging 30°C, but afternoon rains ease the heat. Be prepared for Carnival crowds and higher prices.

Events in Rio de Janeiro

Rio Carnival (February or March): Mardi Gras is about partying before you fast for Lent. And no city does it better than Rio. Join two million revellers as the streets fill with spectacle and samba music.

Festa Junina (June): Second in size to Carnival, this harvest festival has been celebrated since the 17th century. Locals indulge in their traditions, wearing rustic clothing and dancing to forró music.

Réveillon (December): New Year’s Eve celebrations are focused on Copacabana. Huge crowds gather at the beach for live performances, DJ sets and fireworks. Dress in white to invite peace and prosperity for the year to come.

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The best neighbourhoods in Rio de Janeiro

Santa Teresa

If you’re deciding where to stay in Rio de Janeiro for cultural activities, look no further than bohemian Santa Teresa. The hilltop neighbourhood features art studios in the old mansions that line cobbled streets. Check the schedule for live concerts in Parque das Ruinas, or find boho cocktail bars near Largo dos Guimaraes square. This is also where you’ll catch the historic tram down to Centro.

Good for: Art galleries, bars, hillside views

Lapa

This former red-light district is the best neighbourhood to stay in Rio de Janeiro to be near samba bars and nightclubs. By day, discover the colourful street art that decorates heritage buildings, and take selfies on the tiled Selaron Steps. The 18th-century Carioca Aqueduct’s white arches are a popular meet-up point for bar-hopping.

Good for: Nightlife, samba, historical landmarks

Copacabana

World-famous Copacabana is a beach lover’s neighbourhood. You don’t even have to change out of your swimwear to dine at many of the local restaurants. Hire a Bike Rio share bike to cycle along the mosaic-tiled promenade. Visit the art deco Copacabana Palace hotel and take photos from the impressive Copacabana Fort.

Good for: Beach restaurants, biking, seaside promenade

Things to do in Rio de Janeiro

Rio De Janeiro
Rio De Janeiro
f11photo

Family friendly things to do

Find great things to do with family in Rio de Janeiro in Ipanema and Leblon, where it’s easy to walk along the beachfront for shops and restaurants. Watch or join a capoeira class on family-friendly Leblon Beach. Take a ride on the VLT light rail to the Utopia Aquario stop to visit AquaRio. Wander wide-eyed through the aquarium’s tunnel with sharks and rays swimming overhead.

Shopping

Shopping in Rio de Janeiro is as easy as buying handmade jewellery and ornaments from vendors while you’re at the beach. Splurge on designer Brazilian brands in Ipanema along Rua Visconde de Piraja, or escape the heat in the air-conditioned Rio Design Leblon centre. Looking for bargains? Shop with the locals in Centro around Rua Buenos Aires and Rua Uruguaiana.

Take in the culture

Combine a stroll through the waterfront gardens of Flamengo Park with a visit to the Museum of Modern Art (MAM). See imperial coaches and a model of a colonial pharmacy at the National History Museum. Many museums in Rio de Janeiro offer free entry days. Check with venues before visiting as days can change. 

Nightlife

Nightlife in Rio de Janeiro starts with spectacular sunsets at beachfront bars around Ipanema and Copacabana. Move on to bar-hopping in Lapa, where local favourite Casa da Cachaca has served sweet and spicy cachaca shots since the 1960s. Then it’s time to put your dancing shoes on for samba at Lapa 40 Graus or Rio Scenarium. For street parties, especially on big football game nights, join the student crowds in Baixo Gavea.

Places to eat

Eat ‘salgados’ (fried finger food) and chat with the locals at classic Rio eateries such as Copacabana’s Pavao Azul bar. Avant-garde Brazilian cuisine is on the menu at Michelin-starred Oro in Leblon. And if you can’t decide which restaurants in Rio de Janeiro to try first, Ipanema offers a little bit of everything. Choose between beach clubs, health food cafes and family-friendly restaurants where you can sample Brazil’s bean stew speciality, ‘feijoada’.

Beaches

The beaches in Rio de Janeiro are divided by 12 lifeguard stations called ‘postos’ and are often used as meeting places. Get panoramic shots of the coastline from the Fisherman’s Path near posto 1. At posto 12 is Baixo Bebe, a sandy playground with slides for children in Leblon. The beach bars and prime tourist zones extend from Copacabana at posto 2 to glamorous Ipanema at postos 8 and 9.

Plan your holiday to Rio de Janeiro

Budget

For a cheap holiday in Rio de Janeiro, check out the neighbourhood restaurants. You can usually find a good dinner for as little as 40 Brazilian reais (R$) and a beer or a coffee for R$10. A short taxi ride costs R$20, but the metro and buses offer cheaper options. And be prepared to hear plenty of free music wherever you go.

Day trips from Rio de Janeiro

Famed for its fish market and art museum, Rio’s sister city of Niterói is just a short bus ride over the bridge crossing Guanabara Bay. Enjoy the island life at car-free Ilha de Paquetá, whose peaceful, golden sands are an hour away by ferry. Surfers can hop a bus to Prainha, a tropical beach an hour west, renowned for its reef break.

Getting around Rio de Janeiro

If you’re staying in Copacabana or Santa Teresa, it’s easy to walk or cycle to most attractions. Buy a prepaid card from stations to use the excellent transport system, including the VLT light rail. On the metro, the Orange Line services most of the tourist stops. Hail taxis on the street, or download apps including 99Taxis or Uber for more convenience.

FAQs about Rio de Janeiro holidays

Portuguese is the language you'll encounter most often while on a city break in Rio De Janeiro.
Make the most of your holiday to Rio de Janeiro with a five- to seven-day itinerary that includes cultural attractions, beach activities and adventure sports.
It’s best to stay in the brightly lit tourist areas at night in Rio de Janeiro. You’ll find plenty of safe nightlife options near beachfront hotels in Copacabana and Ipanema.
July is the coolest time of year to visit. Set off on your Rio De Janeiro holiday then and you can anticipate lows of 17ºC (63ºF).
You'll be using the Brazilian real (BRL) while on your trip to Rio De Janeiro. Besides your cards, consider bringing some cash for things like small purchases and getting around.
February is the warmest month in Rio De Janeiro, with temperatures reaching highs of 33ºC (91ºF).
With around 18 cm of rainfall, January is the wettest month. If you're going on your Rio De Janeiro holiday then, you might want to include some indoor fun in your plans. Eat at one of the city's top restaurants, visit a museum, or indulge in a shopping spree.
The cost of your city break in Rio De Janeiro will differ according to factors like where you're coming from, when you want to go, and the type of hotel you choose. Rio De Janeiro flights and hotels typically cost more during busier periods, but you can enjoy savings by booking in the off-peak months.
From Christ the Redeemer to Sugarloaf Mountain, this city knows how to impress. Start the countdown to your next big adventure by researching the best things to do in Rio De Janeiro.
Outside of national holidays, September to November tends to be the cheapest time to book flights and hotels to Rio de Janeiro. You’ll enjoy warm, sunny weather without the crowds and avoid festival season prices from December to February.

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