Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
Beaches and granite peaks wrapped around a sprawling city. Stay 4 days. We have mapped 4 sights, 3 outdoor spots and 2 places to eat here, each with a reason to go.
- Places
- 10
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Apr – Jun, Sep – Nov
- Warmest month
- February
- Coolest month
- July
- Wettest month
- December
4 See · 3 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink
Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty
from our route notes
29°C / 84°F avg high
24°C / 76°F avg high
about 232 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Rio de Janeiro
10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
4 sights worth building a day around across Cosme Velho, Urca and Lapa.
Photo: Arne Müseler · CC BY-SA 3.0 deSeeChrist the Redeemer
Art Deco statue atop Corcovado, reached by a cog train through Tijuca forest.
Tip Book the first train of the day for clear views and smaller crowds.
Photo: Arne Müseler · CC BY-SA 3.0 deSeeSugarloaf Mountain
Two-stage cable car up Pão de Açúcar for views across Guanabara Bay.
Tip Ride up an hour before sunset and stay for the city lights.
Photo: Imanol Gallego · GoogleSeeSelarón Steps
Staircase covered in tiles from around the world by artist Jorge Selarón.
Tip Go early before tour groups crowd the steps.
Photo: Lenara Hanisch · GoogleSeeMuseu do Amanhã
Science museum by Santiago Calatrava on the revived Praça Mauá waterfront.
Tip Closed Mondays.
Outdoors
3 outdoor spots for fresh air across Ipanema, Alto da Boa Vista and Jardim Botânico. 2 of them are free.
Photo: Sadam Jraibah · GoogleOutdoorsIpanema Beach
Famous beach divided by lifeguard posts, with Dois Irmãos peaks at the far end.
Tip Watch sunset from Arpoador rock; locals clap when the sun drops.
Photo: Halley Pacheco de Oliveira · CC BY-SA 3.0OutdoorsTijuca National Park
One of the world's largest urban forests, with waterfalls and trails to Pico da Tijuca.
Tip Hike with a guide or in a group.
Photo: feliven · CC BY 2.0
Eat
Where we would book a table in Rio de Janeiro across Centro and Santa Teresa.
Photo: Confeitaria Colombo · Google
Photo: Aprazível · GoogleEatAprazível
Treehouse-like terrace restaurant in Santa Teresa serving Brazilian dishes with bay views.
Tip Book a terrace table for sunset.
Drink
Our picks for a drink in Rio de Janeiro in Urca.
Photo: Bar Urca · GoogleDrinkBar Urca
Neighborhood bar where locals sit on the seawall with beers and snacks at sunset.
Tip Order empadas and a cold chopp, then grab a seat on the wall.
How to fit Rio de Janeiro into a trip
Rio de Janeiro is stop 1 of 3 on our Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty route. Follow it as-is or lift Rio de Janeiro into your own plan.
Stop 1 of 3
Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty
Beaches, rainforest and colonial streets
- Trip length
- 9 days
- Best season
- Apr – Jun, Sep – Nov
- Pace
- moderate
- Next: Ilha Grande
Getting here and onward
- Rio de Janeiro to Ilha GrandeIlha Grande is about 105 km / 65 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Rio de Janeiro month by month
Average daily highs run from 24°C / 76°F in July to 29°C / 84°F in February. December is the wettest month, with about 232 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan29° / 83°F average high
- Feb29° / 84°F average high
- Mar28° / 82°F average high
- Apr27° / 80°F average high, in our recommended season
- May25° / 77°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jun25° / 76°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jul24° / 76°F average high
- Aug25° / 77°F average high
- Sep26° / 78°F average high, in our recommended season
- Oct26° / 79°F average high, in our recommended season
- Nov26° / 80°F average high, in our recommended season
- Dec28° / 82°F average high
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Rio de Janeiro weather and the best time to visit →
Near Rio de Janeiro
2 other destinations from our guides within about 200 km (124 mi), measured in a straight line.
Rio de Janeiro questions, answered
How many days do you need in Rio de Janeiro?
Our route notes suggest 4 days in Rio de Janeiro. On our Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty route it is stop 1 of 3 in a 9-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 22 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Rio de Janeiro best known for?
Beaches and granite peaks wrapped around a sprawling city. Stay 4 days. Standouts on our list: Christ the Redeemer (Art Deco statue atop Corcovado, reached by a cog train through Tijuca forest); Sugarloaf Mountain (Two-stage cable car up Pão de Açúcar for views across Guanabara Bay); Selarón Steps (Staircase covered in tiles from around the world by artist Jorge Selarón).
When is the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
Our Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty route is best Apr – Jun, Sep – Nov. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in February (29°C / 84°F), the coolest in July (24°C / 76°F) and the most rain in December (about 232 mm).
What are the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro?
Start with Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Selarón Steps, Ipanema Beach and Tijuca National Park. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 4 sights, 3 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.
Where should a group eat in Rio de Janeiro?
Our picks: Confeitaria Colombo (Centro); Aprazível (Santa Teresa). Book a terrace table for sunset (Aprazível).
What is near Rio de Janeiro?
The closest destinations in our guides are Ilha Grande (about 105 km / 65 mi) and Paraty (about 161 km / 100 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Rio de Janeiro with your crew
Open the Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.