About Rio De Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, also known simply as Rio, is the capital and largest city of the state of Rio de Janeiro. It is the second-largest city in Brazil after São Paulo, and the largest by number of international tourists. It has a population of 6 million in the city proper, and 13 million in its metropolitan area as of 2025. It is also the sixth-most-populous city in the Americas.
Places to visit in Rio De Janeiro
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Christ the Redeemer
Landmark · 3 mi from centreA giant Art Deco statue of Jesus on Corcovado mountain overlooking the city. Take the cog train early in the morning to beat the clouds and crowds.
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Sugarloaf Mountain
Viewpoint · 4 mi from centreA granite peak rising from the mouth of Guanabara Bay, reached by a two-stage cable car. Go up in the late afternoon and stay for sunset, when the city lights come on below you.
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Copacabana
Beach · 4 mi from centreA famous crescent of sand stretching about 4 km, with a wave-patterned promenade and beach kiosks. Bring only what you need to the beach and rent a chair and umbrella from the vendors.
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Ipanema
Beach · 5 mi from centreA stylish beach and neighborhood framed by the Two Brothers mountain, with numbered lifeguard posts that mark different crowds. Stay until sunset, when locals often applaud from Arpoador rock at the eastern end.
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Tijuca National Park
Park · 6 mi from centreOne of the largest urban rainforests in the world, covering the mountains behind the city with trails, waterfalls, and viewpoints. Hire a guide for longer hikes, such as the climb up Pico da Tijuca.
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Escadaria Selarón
Landmark · 2 mi from centreA stairway covered in colorful tiles from around the world, created by a Chilean artist. Visit early in the morning for fewer people in your photos.
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Maracanã Stadium
Entertainment · 2 mi from centreA legendary soccer stadium that hosted two World Cup finals and the opening of the 2016 Olympics. Catch a local derby for the atmosphere, or take a stadium tour that includes the locker rooms.
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Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden
Park · 4 mi from centreA historic garden founded in 1808, with avenues of tall royal palms, orchid houses, and a pond of giant water lilies. Combine it with a walk or bike ride around nearby Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas.
Top experiences in Rio De Janeiro
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 85 available.
Sugar Loaf, Selaron Steps and Christ Redeemer by Van - with Lunch
From $104 per adult
Christ the Redeemer by Van and Selarón Steps
From $53 per adult
Full-Day - Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Maracanã, Sambadrome, Cathedral and Selarón with Lunch
From $156 per adult
Transfers to and from the airport with Corcovado and City Tour
From $57 per adult
Rio de Janeiro Sunset Speed Boat - Small Group Tour
From $60 per adult
Helicopter Ride over Rio de Janeiro - From 2 people
From $264 per adult
Samba Show & Transfer with Dinner Option
From $121 per adult
Angra Dos Reis Tour with Lunch
From $57 per adult
The Best of Rio de Janeiro and Sunset in Sugarloaf
From $107 per adult
Discover Buzios with Boat Tour and Lunch - Full-Day Tour
From $67 per adult
Rio Express - Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf
From $109 per adult
Petropolis City Tour with optional Bohemia Brewery and Lunch
From $41 per adult
Where to stay in Rio De Janeiro
Popular hotels in Rio De Janeiro, out of 450 properties you can book.
Rede Andrade Lapa
From $36 per night
JANEIRO Hotel
From $629 per night
Augusto's Rio Copa Hotel
From $82 per night
Hotel OK Rio de Janeiro
From $44 per night
Rede Andrade Canada
From $78 per night
Rio Design Copacabana Hotel
From $106 per night
Ibis Copacabana Posto 5
From $89 per night
Americas Barra Hotel
From $54 per night
Gamboa Rio Hotel
From $26 per night
Arosa Rio Hotel
From $52 per night
B&B Hotel Rio de Janeiro Norte
From $44 per night
Rio Aeroporto Hotel Galeao
From $89 per night
Best time to visit Rio De Janeiro
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Rio De Janeiro is May to June, when average daytime highs are around 79–81°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Rio De Janeiro weather forecast
- Wed 11 Nov 78° 67° 0%
- Thu 12 Nov 81° 68° 55%
- Fri 13 Nov 82° 70° 96%
- Sat 14 Nov 77° 70° 76%
- Sun 15 Nov 79° 68° 6%
- Mon 16 Nov 83° 69° 20%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Brazilian real (BRL)1 US dollar ≈ R$5.55
- Language
- Portuguese
- Calling code
- +55
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/Sao_PauloUTC−3
- Capital
- Brasília
Upcoming public holidays in Brazil
- Republic Proclamation DayProclamação da República
- Black Awareness DayDia da Consciência Negra
- Christmas DayNatal
- New Year's DayConfraternização Universal
- Good FridaySexta-feira Santa
- Easter SundayDomingo de Páscoa
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Rio De Janeiro
These are the airports closest to central Rio De Janeiro. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- SDU Santos Dumont Airport3 mi (4 km) from the city centre
- GIG Rio de Janeiro/Galeão – Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport8 mi (12 km) from the city centre
Getting around Rio De Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro possesses an extensive and complex, highly multi-modal public transportation system, adapted to the city's unique topography – large areas covered by mountains surrounded by pockets of densely populated flat lands. Among the public transportation modes, there is subway, heavy rail, light rail, bus rapid transit, local buses, microbuses, cable cars and ferry boats.
By bus
Buses are still the cheapest and most convenient way to get around the South Zone (Zona Sul) of the city due to the high number and frequency of lines running through the area. For the adventurous or budget traveller, it is worth asking your hotel or hostel employees how to navigate the system or which routes to take to arrive at specific locations. However, you should be mindful of questionable characters and your belongings.
By Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
The BRT is a mass rapid transit system based on multiple-car buses running on exclusive lanes, inspired by similar systems in Curitiba, Bogota and Jakarta. There are three BRT lines:
By subway
The Metrô Rio subway system is very useful for travel from Jardim Oceânico (in Barra da Tijuca) to Downtown and beyond, passing through the Zona Sul beaches including Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana (the extension to Leblon and Barra da Tijuca shall be inaugurated before the 2016 Summer Olympics). It closes after midnight (24 hours during Carnaval). The air-conditioned subway is safe, clean, comfortable, and quick, and has much better signage than most transport in Rio, making the lives of foreign tourists easier.
Rio De Janeiro travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Rio De Janeiro?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Rio De Janeiro is May to June, when average daytime highs are around 79–81°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
What is the weather like in Rio De Janeiro?
February is usually the warmest month in Rio De Janeiro, with average highs of 89°F (32°C). July is the coolest, with average lows of 64°F (18°C). The wettest month is typically March, with about 155 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Rio De Janeiro?
Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) is the closest airport, about 3 miles (4 km) from the centre of Rio De Janeiro. Other nearby airports include Rio de Janeiro/Galeão – Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG, 8 mi).
What currency is used in Rio De Janeiro?
Rio De Janeiro uses the Brazilian real (BRL). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ R$5.55.
What time zone is Rio De Janeiro in?
Rio De Janeiro uses the America/Sao_Paulo time zone (currently UTC−3). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Rio De Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro possesses an extensive and complex, highly multi-modal public transportation system, adapted to the city's unique topography – large areas covered by mountains surrounded by pockets of densely populated flat lands.
What are the best places to visit in Rio De Janeiro?
Top sights in Rio De Janeiro include Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana and Ipanema. A giant Art Deco statue of Jesus on Corcovado mountain overlooking the city. Take the cog train early in the morning to beat the clouds and crowds.
What are the top things to do in Rio De Janeiro?
Popular experiences you can book in Rio De Janeiro include Sugar Loaf, Selaron Steps and Christ Redeemer by Van - with Lunch, Christ the Redeemer by Van and Selarón Steps and Full-Day - Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Maracanã, Sambadrome, Cathedral and Selarón with Lunch. Destina Holidays offers 85 tours and activities here.
Where should I stay in Rio De Janeiro?
Popular areas for hotels in Rio De Janeiro include Rio de Janeiro - Centro, Leblon - Gavea and Copacabana – Leme. Well-reviewed options include Rede Andrade Lapa and JANEIRO Hotel.
How many hotels can I book in Rio De Janeiro?
Destina Holidays currently lists 450 properties in and around Rio De Janeiro, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
