Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Rio de Janeiro. Christ the Redeemer watching from above, no pressure, an Art Deco statue that's become one of the most recognisable landmarks on Earth, a beach immortalised in song, and the biggest annual Carnival celebration anywhere in the world. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Rio de Janeiro: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the sand between your toes. Three main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Christ the Redeemer
Rio's most iconic landmark, a giant Art Deco statue, overlooks the city from Corcovado mountain, one of the most recognisable landmarks anywhere, standing over 30 metres tall, the statue offers a striking backdrop and, from its base, sweeping views over Rio's beaches, mountains, and harbour all at once.
It's worth going early or booking a specific time slot, the summit gets crowded and cloud cover can obscure the view entirely at certain times of day, worth checking current weather forecasts before committing to a specific visit time.
Hours Daily, roughly 8am–7pm
Getting there Train from Cosme Velho station, about 20 minutes to the summit
Rio Carnival
Rio hosts the world's largest annual celebration of Carnival, held each year in the lead-up to Lent, the parade at the Sambadrome, a purpose-built stadium for the event, features elaborate floats and costumes representing months of preparation by competing samba schools.
If your visit lines up with Carnival season, book accommodation and Sambadrome tickets well ahead, prices spike considerably and demand is real, the parades themselves are worth the crowds if you can manage the logistics.
Best time The weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday, check current dates each year
Copacabana Beach
A famous crescent-shaped beach, one of Rio's most iconic stretches of sand, is called Copacabana, both worth a proper day, beach volleyball, football, and vendors selling everything from coconut water to grilled cheese all part of the everyday scene along the sand.
It's worth simply spending an unhurried afternoon here rather than treating it as a quick photo stop, this is how Rio residents actually spend their leisure time, worth joining in rather than just observing from the sidelines.
Best time Any time; sunset for the classic view
Address Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro
Best time to visit Rio de Janeiro
September through March gives the warmest weather for the amount of beach and outdoor time this list involves, though this also spans Rio's Southern Hemisphere summer and Carnival season. For the full seasonal breakdown, see our Best Time to Visit Rio de Janeiro guide.
The cooler months (April through August) offer fewer crowds and lower prices for those specifically wanting to avoid the peak season, though the weather remains mild year-round given Rio's coastal position.
Getting around Rio de Janeiro
Rio's metro covers the city reasonably well, and taxis or ride-hailing apps are the practical way to reach Christ the Redeemer or move between beach neighbourhoods. If you're mapping out exactly how to spend your time, our 24 Hours in Rio de Janeiro and 2 Day Rio de Janeiro Itinerary guides lay out an hour-by-hour and day-by-day plan.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Rio de Janeiro worth visiting?
- Yes, easily, Christ the Redeemer and the beaches together offer some of the most photographed scenery anywhere in South America, and Carnival, if the timing aligns, is a singular experience.
- How many days do you need in Rio de Janeiro?
- Four days covers Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana, and Ipanema comfortably; longer if Carnival is part of your trip.
- Is Rio de Janeiro expensive?
- Moderate, generally affordable for local food and beach time, though Carnival season accommodation runs considerably higher.
- What is Rio de Janeiro famous for?
- Christ the Redeemer, one of the most recognisable statues in the world, hosting the largest annual Carnival celebration anywhere, and Copacabana and Ipanema beaches.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
