Location: Rio de Janeiro
Top Things to do in Rio de Janeiro
What to do and see in Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro (RJ): The Best Things to do Good for Adrenaline Seekers
With its plentiful beaches, dramatic mountains, and backdrop of samba and bossa nova rhythms, it's easy to fall in love with Rio de Janeiro. Made famous in song, Ipanema Beach is still the place to stroll, sunbathe, and be seen. The largest Art Deco statue in the world, Christ the Redeemer, beckons visitors to Corcovado Mountain. Rio’s annual Carnaval celebrations are bacchanalian extravaganzas of feasting, music, dance, and costumed revelry.
Restaurants in Rio de Janeiro
1. Pedra Bonita
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,743 reviews
Reviewed By 210canae
This was my first time hang gliding, and I could not think of a better location to have done it! Between the views the adrenaline, I cannot describe how amazing this experience was. Well worth the money! As a first time jumper, I was admittedly overrun with adrenaline, but Ricardo was very professional, calm, and clear in his instructions. This made the experience smooth and free of any issues. Highly recommend you check this off your bucket list, if you make it down to Rio.
2. Trilha do Pao de Acucar
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By MarcioHaraguchi - Sao Paulo, Brazil
Please notice that there is a very easy and free trail to the Urca hill (the first cable car station) . NOTE : the Urca Hill trail is different from the exposed (although easy) and technical climbing route that goes right to the top of Sugar Loaf. If you are not a climber, I srtrongly reccomend hiring a guide ( the Costão route)
3. Parque Nacional da Tijuca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,259 reviews
You’ll find historical spots, spectacular views, a beautiful waterfall, a small chapel and unusual trees in this dense, tropical national park, probably best explored by jeep tour.
Reviewed By EvanBocaFL - Boca Raton, United States
If you can't go to the Amazon, enjoy one of Rio's jewels, an authentic tropical forest, nicely preserved in a mountain setting, with ponds, waterfalls, and small animals like monkeys and birds.
4. Sugarloaf Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55,956 reviews
One of the most beautiful attractions in Rio de Janeiro and one of the most famous in Brazil. Our mission is to take people to an enchantment, fun and entertainment journey – providing happy and unforgettable experiences as well as valuing Brazilian culture. We constantly invest in safety, comfort and innovative technologies. Our locations constitute natural, geological, historical, and touristic landmarks in the city of Rio de Janeiro. As a natural landmark, it reminds us of our reference to the sailors who come to Guanabara Bay. As a geological landmark, it reminds us of our geological site precisely dating the history of our planet. We also talk about historical landmark because on March 1, 1565, Estacio de Sa founded the City of Sao Sebastiao in Rio de Janeiro literally on its feet. And, finally, touristic landmark because the Cable Car opened on Sugarloaf projected Brazil’s name worldwide. It has been the first cable car installed in Brazil and the third in the world.
Reviewed By myom624 - Coquitlam, Canada
A different vantage point from the top of Corcovado with more land views than water views (or water seen past land), the top of this so-called 'Sugar Loaf' is actually kind of an "opposite nature" with more views of water than land from its two viewing areas (each of which kind of double-decked): one area facing north with a great wide view of Guanabara Bay & the "long bridge" at some distance straight ahead and from which there's also a view of a good-sized portion of the city (with a pretty nice skyline actually in a big sprawling area of modern high-rises) to the left & across the water with also some nice-looking beaches on that side; and another area facing south with the "open sea" & really quite a phenomenal view of the "entire length" of Copacabana Beach from the hill of Forte Duque de Caxias just shortly from this mountain to Forte de Copacabana on the other end about 3 km away (which is actually what to me was the "most worthwhile" view from this mountain top). I would just say a bit on the downside though is "not much" of ground to walk around up here, but yes there's Morro da Urca shortly below (just about a 5-minute cable car ride away which you have to come through to get up to this mountain top) which is "like a small park" for a nice walk around with also some old cable cars displayed outdoors, a small building with some cable car machinery on display, a small forest trail on a raised platform or such & yes the same views as from above (except for that of Copacabana to the south which cannot be seen from this "lower top") but actually kind of better I would say when it comes to some views such as that of the high-rises to the west across the water & that of the boats in the water also to the west (quite a number of those pleasure vessels to see actually!). And also, pretty nice for browsing and enjoying time up here (on the tops of both Sugarloaf & Morro da Urca) are some nice souvenir shops & restaurants & even a gemstone shop with beautiful sculptures of birds & such made of those stones (quite pricey ones though). And with no metro station close by, one way to not have to spend too much for taxi getting here is by taking the metro to Botafogo Station (both Lines 1 & 2) where you can take a cab outside for just a short ride of 5 to 10 minutes to the cable car station on the bottom of Morro da Urca where you start your "two-part" cable car ride (each just for about 5 minutes) first to the top of Morro da Urca then all the way up to the top of this mountain (which yes resembles a loaf of sugar but a "green one").
5. Maracana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13,070 reviews
World's biggest soccer stadium
Reviewed By SamuelPugh25 - Newport, United Kingdom
Fantastic stadium! Felt lucky to have had the opportunity to visit such and iconic stadium and would recommend to the football fans!
6. Claudio Coutinho Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,439 reviews
Reviewed By 1leobrasil - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
From start to the end of the trial and back, it.s a quiet walk with very nice views. Also, half-way you can go into the bush to climb to the Sugar Loaf, great experience.
7. Arpoador beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15,934 reviews
Reviewed By Delanuit11 - Geneva, Switzerland
Arpoador has 2 sides before to reach a small peninsula which is a rocky hill. It certainly has the most beautiful sunset in town. The north beach with its wild waves is the paradise for surfers. The south beach also has its surfers along the usual beach public. Said to be dangerous, avoid to climb the beautiful green park. Have a fresh coconut and enjoy the view.
8. Avenida Atlantica
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,952 reviews
Avenida Atlantica, with the iconic wavy sidewalk mosaic of Roberto Burle Marx, is ideal for strolling along Copacabana Beach. It is lined with beachside kiosks offering refreshments such as a chilled coconut, and at the far end is a quaint area where fishermen bring their fresh catch ashore.
Reviewed By straightjohnbull
WE stayed in a Copacabana hotel on Avenue Atlantica near post 5. Avenue Atlantica is a busy two-way dual carriageway which separates shops, hotels and restaurants from Copacabana Beach. There are numerous safe crossing points to get from one side to the other and we preferred walking and running along the beach side. We had planned to take taxis to restaurants locally at night but felt very secure throughout even late at night and so walked there and back. The avenue is very well lit and is invariably never deserted.
9. Corcovado - Christ the Redeemer
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64,954 reviews
In the top of the City is installed Christ the redeemer the most wanted touristic sides of Brazil and Rio de Janeiro. Biggest and most famous scripture Art Deco of the world, the Christ statue started to be planned in 1921 and it was developed by the engineer Heitor da Silva Costa over 6 years of job, from 1925 to 1931, the opening year of the monument. Located at Parque Nacional da Tijuca, 710 meter above the sea level, where anybody can appreciate one of the most beautiful views of the city. Over all 220 steps that lead to the famous statue feet, it was elected one of the Seven Wonders of the World made by formal voting in 2007 by the Swiss Institution New 7 Wonders Foundation. The monument is accessible by train, van or car. To get into the monument, there’s a nice ride by train that, during 20 minutes, it crosses Mata Atlantica until Corcovado’s top. The internet connection up there is good fre wi-fi and is a very safe place and LGBT friendly.
Reviewed By travelfoxYork
Don’t care wether the weathers good or bad you can’t come to Rio and not do this excursion- usually part of a multi experience ie Sugar Loaf - to stand there and see this magnificent sculpture with absolutely stunning views is breathtaking You can visit the small chapel at the bottom or just take in the views - selfies are obligatory mind-
10. Pedra da Gavea
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,874 reviews
Reviewed By R4692BZmikec - Atlanta, United States
This hike was an amazing experience. It was without a doubt the most challenging hike I've ever done. But, I'm so glad I did it. The varied terrain along the way was beautiful and the views were out of this world. The vertical nature of the majority of the trail was more challenging than I anticipated and the group had to make multiple stops along the way in order for all of us to catch our breath. But, I loved the fact that there was climbing involved, including ropes and permanent cables attached to cliff faces. Not anything beyond the capabilities of most people, but, you must be in good physical condition to make this hike. Upper body strength is important on the way down as you often have to support yourself with your arms in order to lower your feet down to the next foot hold. Your legs will be jelly by the end. One of our hikers threw up several times on the way up. And another had issues with vertigo on some of the more exposed and cliff side trails at the higher elevations. But, the views from the top are incredible and a great payoff for all the hard work.
