The best places to visit in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

One of the main destinations in Brazil, the capital of Rio de Janeiro is a beautiful place full of things to do! There are trekking, beaches, bars, parties, climbing, paragliding and the place with one of the New Wonders in the World, the: Christ the Redeemer

TIJUCA NATIONAL PARK: Christ the Redeemer

The most famous point in Rio de Janeiro: Christ the Redeemer

Address: Parque Nacional da Tijuca – Alto da Boa Vista

Value: R$ 74 (high season, holidays and weekends) and R$ 61 (out of season and during the week).
R$ 48 children of 5 to 11 years old. Under 5, free.

Opening hours: Every day 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Book a tour here

GRUMARI BEACH – The 6th best beach in Brazil

The beach is kind of far away from the center of Rio de Janeiro, at the west part, and access is only by car. It has a beautiful environmental reserve, with a sea of clean and transparent waters, with a color between blue and green depending on the weather.

Activities: surfing, bodyboarding, water sports in general

PRAINHA BEACH – The 9th best beach in Brazil

Also with access only by car, you will find good waves and a spectacular natural beauty here. The beach has 700 meters that are protected by hills covered by Atlantic Forest.
It is located just after the beach of Macumba

Activities: surfing

IPANEMA BEACH

One of the most famous and busiest beaches in Brazil, the Ipanema beach is located in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro, between Arpoador and Jardim de Alah. This is the beach that inspired one of the world’s best known songs, Garota de Ipanema, one of the greatest classics of Bossa Nova by composer Vinícius de Moraes.

Tip: Post 9 is considered the main meeting place for young people and also visited by artists and celebrities.

Activities: hiking, cycling, frescobol, football, football, skiboard surf, volleyball. And nightlife.

ARPOADOR BEACH

Definitely the most appreciated sunset in town. And as it is a continuation of Ipanema beach it has an excellent infrastructure as well. 

Activities: surfing, walking, cycling, scuba diving

Location: Between Ipanema Beach and Devil’s Beach.

LAPA

Synonymous with the Rio bohemia, the neighborhood has a place for fans of all musical styles, but of course, samba is the flagship and dominates the programming in the houses of the region;

Check out the hundreds of options you have: Link

Book a free walking tour!

HIPPIE MARKET – IPANEMA

The Hippie Market of Ipanema is the largest gallery of arts and crafts in the world outdoors.

It works from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Sunday, with no exception since 1968

Location: Praça General Osório, s / n – Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro

POINTVIEW: LEBLON

The viewpoint is beautiful too, but in compensation the bathroom is lousy, the bars in the area are expensive, with poor service, food, and drink.

MOUNTAIN: GAVEA ROCK – PEDRA DA GÁVEA ( Hang gliding)

Known for its natural beauty, the city of Rio de Janeiro is known worldwide as a perfect place to fly from Hang Gliding. The landing is at Pepino Beach, in São Conrado, a place with a beautiful look. The flight is carried out by instructors with thousands of experience flights, and certified by the Brazilian Association of Free Flight.

The takeoff ramp is at Pedra Bonita, at almost 600 m altitude. From there you can see Pedra da Gávea, Dois Irmãos hill, the famous Corcovado, and have a panoramic view of the Tijuca Forest National Park, simply the largest urban forest in the world.

PEPINO BEACH

Located at the end of São Conrado, the beach is the landing place for Hang gliding and paragliding that left Pedra Bonita.

POINTVIEW: PÃO DE AÇÚCAR (Sugarloaf) & trek

The easiest and most famous trail in Rio de Janeiro. It’s easy and safe.
To get there it is also not difficult, you’ll go to Praia Vermelha in the neighborhood of Urca (where the train station is located), there is a square with an obelisk, on the right side, if you’re looking at the beach, there is an IME building, and on the left side is the ECEME building. At the end of the ECEME building, there is an entrance to the Cláudio Coutinho Lane, also known as the Caminho do Bem Te Vi. Go through the gate and follow the path until halfway. At 1,250 meters, there are signs indicating the beginning of the trail and the climb takes a maximum of 45 minutes.

And the best, if you wait for the last cable car the way down is free.

Book a tour here!

STAIRCASE SELARON

Built by a Chilean artist named Jorge Seraron who lived on the slope, the staircase is decorated with numerous tiles from various parts of Brazil and the World.

Address: R. Joaquim Silva, s/n, Center

BICO DO PAPAGAIO – SPOON OF THE PARROT

Great place for trails, caves, everything. Here is a summary about the place:

What to see?
West Zone: When you reach the stone wall, almost at the top, you can see the interior of the Tijuca National Park, with Tijuca Peak, Anhanguera, Pedra do Conde, Sumaré to Corcovado, Pedra da Gávea , and even Niterói and the sea in the background. It’s indescribable! It does not stop there! Climbing up another short throw of stones, you’re in the beak of the Parrot. From the top of 987m, we can see the west zone of Rio de Janeiro, with all the lowland of Jacarepaguá, Barra, Recreio, the massif of Pedra Branca and Marambaia.
Attention on the way: The whole trail is punctuated by rocks and roots, making walking difficult and making it necessary, often, to use the hands to assist the climb.
Caves: Enjoy the Caves of the Ship and the Parrot. There are several areas of the trail in a state of regeneration, because they were devastated by the rains of 1996.

WHAT TO DO?
Do not be fooled. The Parrot’s Beak Path begins in a shaded section, with soft and medium slopes for about 30 minutes, but the final step to the peak is demanding, quite steep and it is indispensable to hold on stones, roots and staples. The trail lasts 1: 30h with a total course of 3,345m, that is, it requires considerable effort, so do not save on water and light snacks.
Do not have experience? Choose the weekends to do this trail, since there is more people traffic that can help in your orientation and even in your motivation.
Do you already have experience and preparation? Visit the main peaks whose trail starts in Bom Retiro, the same day. Start early, the park opens at 8am. It is possible to visit Pico da Tijuca, Morro do Archer, Morro da Cocanha and Bico do Papagaio. Attention: take this route only accompanied by an experienced guide. The marathon is long, but the adventure is worth it.

WHAT TO KNOW?
First steps: The first stage of the trail begins in the leisure area of ​​Bom Retiro and goes to the bifurcation with the Pico da Tijuca. Take the left path, which leads to a 30 minute walk on a gentle land. The trail passes through two caves on the left, crosses a bamboo tree and reaches the last bifurcation. The left goes to Pico do Cocanha and the right to the Bico do Papagaio.

Parrot Legends: There are several stories about Parrot Beak, but few sources of confirmation. It is said that this trail was more frequented than Pico da Tijuca until the construction of the staircase in 1920. There is also the story that the team of Fluminense once went up to the Parrot to celebrate a state cup in the early twentieth century . Finally, like many stones in Rio de Janeiro, the Papagaio Beak was also reputed to be the abode of evil spirits, and was feared by the natives, who called it “Tooth Rock.”


Book a free walking tour on the historical center!
Book a free walking tour on the street art!
And another Tours and Guides here!

Contribute to the environment

  • Take your trash
  • Collect rubbish if possible
  • ALWAYS PRESERVE THE NATURE

Sources:
Qual viagem InfoMoney
Catraca Livre
E Trilhas
Rio Turismo
Feira Hippie Ipanema

Praias 360
Back2Black Festival
Ferias Brasil
Guias de Praias
AirBnb
Trip Advisor

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