Azul VoyagesYour Travel Experts
Brazil · Rio de Janeiro
Rio, Where Mountains Meet the Sea
A city built into granite peaks and wrapped around a bay, with samba spilling out of Lapa at midnight and Christ the Redeemer watching over all of it from above the clouds.
4.7 (5.6k travelers)·Best for: beaches, hiking, nightlife
Best Time to Visit
Apr – Jun
Flight Time
1 Stop (11h 20m)
Currency
Brazilian Real
Language
Portuguese
Overview
Rio packs beach, mountain, and forest into a single afternoon if you plan it right.
Mornings belong to Corcovado or Sugarloaf before the haze rolls in, afternoons to Copacabana or Ipanema, and evenings to a plastic table on the sidewalk with a cold chopp and someone playing guitar two seats over.
Things to Do
Curated moments that make Rio unforgettable
From £35
Corcovado at Sunrise
Christ the Redeemer before the tour buses arrive
From £28
Sugarloaf Cable Car
Two cars, two peaks, one view over the whole bay
From £45
Tijuca Forest Hike
The world's largest urban rainforest, waterfalls included
From £0
Santa Teresa Tram & Studios
A rattling yellow tram through Rio's artist quarter
Handpicked Stays
Hotels our travel experts vouch for
Limited Time Offer
Save on Rio Escapes
Book by October 31 and add a private sunrise Corcovado tour to any 5-night Rio itinerary.
16%Off Select Stays
Travel Guide
What our travel experts want you to know before you go
01
Skip Carnival If You Want the City to Yourself
February and March mean parade crowds and triple-digit hotel prices. April through June gets you the same beaches without either.
02
Leave the Jewelry at Home
Petty theft on the beach and in crowded areas is common, so bring a copy of your ID, not the original, and carry a decoy wallet.
03
Buses Beat Rentals
Rio's traffic and street layout punish drivers unfamiliar with the city. Ride-share and the metro cover almost everywhere you'll want to go.
04
When to Go
December through March is hot, humid, and crowded with holidaymakers. April to June and September to November trade a few degrees for empty sand.