Rio de Janeiro

Day by day

The plan

Times are suggestions. Opening hours and seasons change, so check before you go. Once it’s in your trip, move anything you like.

1. Day 1

   Copacabana and Arpoador

   1. 10:00

      Copacabana beach and promenade

      Activity

      Walk the wave-pattern sidewalk and watch the beach volleyball and footvolley games.

   2. 12:30

      Lunch: grilled fish at a beach kiosk

      Food & drink

      Kiosks along the sand serve grilled fish, coconut water and cold drinks.

   3. 14:30

      Forte de Copacabana

      Activity

      An old fort at the end of the beach with views back along the whole curve.

   4. 17:00

      Sunset at Pedra do Arpoador

      Activity

      Locals gather on the rock and clap when the sun drops behind the Dois Irmãos hills.

   5. 19:30

      Dinner in Ipanema

      Food & drink

      Tree-lined streets a block from the beach, busy in the evening.

2. Day 2

   Christ the Redeemer and the lagoon

   1. 08:00

      Cog train up Corcovado

      Getting around

      The train climbs through forest to the statue; take the first departures before the crowds and clouds.

   2. 09:00

      Christ the Redeemer

      Activity

      The statue on the summit, with the whole city, the bay and Sugarloaf spread out below.

   3. 12:00

      Botanical Garden

      Activity

      Avenues of royal palms and greenhouses at the foot of Corcovado.

   4. 13:30

      Lunch: a prato feito near the garden

      Food & drink

      The everyday Brazilian plate of rice, beans, meat and salad.

   5. 16:00

      Walk or bike around Lagoa

      Activity

      A flat path around the lagoon, with Christ the Redeemer watching from above.

3. Day 3

   Santa Teresa, Lapa and downtown

   1. 09:30

      Santa Teresa

      Activity

      A hillside neighborhood of old mansions and artists’ studios; the historic tram still runs up from downtown.

   2. 11:30

      Escadaria Selarón

      Activity

      Steps covered in tiles from around the world, linking Santa Teresa and Lapa.

   3. 13:00

      Lunch: feijoada downtown

      Food & drink

      The black bean and pork stew, traditionally served on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

   4. 15:00

      Theatro Municipal and Praça Mauá

      Activity

      Downtown’s grand theater, then the revived port square and the Museum of Tomorrow.

   5. 21:00

      Samba in Lapa

      Activity

      Live samba bars around the white Lapa Arches. Take a taxi or ride app there and back.

4. Day 4

   Tijuca forest and Sugarloaf

   1. 08:30

      Tijuca National Park

      Activity

      One of the world’s largest urban forests, with waterfalls, monkeys and toucans on the trails.

   2. 10:00

      Vista Chinesa and Cascatinha Taunay

      Activity

      A pagoda lookout over the lagoon and a waterfall by the road, both easy with kids. Hikers can climb Pico da Tijuca with a guide.

   3. 13:30

      Lunch: açaí and pão de queijo

      Food & drink

      Frozen açaí bowls and warm cheese bread, a light lunch on a hot day.

   4. 16:00

      Praia Vermelha and Urca

      Activity

      A small beach and a quiet neighborhood at the foot of Sugarloaf.

   5. 17:00

      Sugarloaf cable car at sunset

      Activity

      Two cable cars, via Morro da Urca, to the top as the city lights come on.

5. Day 5

   Ipanema and Leblon

   1. 09:00

      Morning on Ipanema beach

      Activity

      Rent a chair and umbrella from the beach vendors and swim before it gets busy.

   2. 11:30

      Feira Hippie de Ipanema (Sundays)

      Activity

      A craft and art market on Praça General Osório.

   3. 13:00

      Lunch in Leblon

      Food & drink

      A relaxed neighborhood at the western end of the beach.

   4. 15:30

      Head to the airport

      Getting around

      Galeão handles international flights; allow plenty of time for traffic.