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Rio de Janeiro is located in the southern hemisphere, along the southeastern coast of the largest country in South America – Brazil. We spent one week in Rio de Janeiro and collected a lot of travel tips along the way. Rio de Janerio is full of iconic landmarks, remarkable food, highly contrasting neighborhoods, and is an overall energetic city full of cultural diversity.
Copacabana, Ipanema, and Barra da Tijuca were all iconic neighborhoods we stayed or ventured in during our stay in Rio de Janeiro. Each area carried a lot of pros and cons, all of which will be shared as an initial travel guide if you’re planning a trip to Rio de Janeiro Brazil.
The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.
Saint Augustine
How to Prepare For a Trip to Rio de Janeiro Brazil
When planning any trip, I always “VET” my trips – “V” – Vaccine requirements, “E” – Entry and visa requirements and “T” for Temperature and travel times. This rule is the baseline for all travel!
Vaccination Requirements – Prior to entering any foreign country, always check the vaccination requirements for each country of entry. I typically reference the CDC website or any government website.
Entry & Visa Requirements – As of 10 January 2024, you will NEED A TOURIST VISA to enter Brazil if you are from the United States, Canada, or Australia. This should be obtained prior to arrival. You can learn more from iVisa here. Tourists from the aforementioned countries will also need to provide financial proof of having at least $2,000 USD in order to enter Brazil. More can be found on your country’s relevant embassy website.
Temperature & Weather – The best time to visit Rio de Janeiro is in the summer. Since Brazil is in the southern hemisphere, their summer months are December, January, and February. During this time period, you can expect longer daylight hours, pleasantly warmer temperatures, less rain with plenty of outdoor activities available.
Airport Information – If you’re planning to visit Rio de Janeiro, I recommend flying into the RIOgaleรฃo – Tom Jobim International Airport (airport code GIG). The address for this airport is: Av. Vinte de Janeiro, s/nยบ – Ilha do Governador, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 21941-900, Brazil.
Currency – The Real (BRL) is the main national currency of Brazil. I recommend bringing cash in the local currency to maximize exchange rates / fees.
Tipping โ Tipping is customary in Brazil. After receiving a service, or being served food, a gratuity of around 10% – 15% is normal.
Learn Basic Portuguese – This is soooo important! I would say around 85% of individuals we ran into spoke only Portuguese, and little to no English. This applied to tourist areas as well. Some could speak some Spanish, but this was far and few in between. If you’re unable to learn any Portuguese in time for your trip, then Google Translate will be your friend, or you could order an AI translator here from Amazon. I used this on our trip and it was great!
Quick Travel Tips For Rio de Janeiro Brazil:
Safety Tips for Visiting Rio de Janerio Brazil
If you’re planning a trip to Rio de Janerio, be sure to stay in the southern zone (zona sul) or Barra de Tijuca (our favorite area). These are the safest areas to stay in. However, even though we stayed in zona sul, someone in our group was still pickpocketed and had their phone stolen. So always stay alert regarding your belongings. Zona sul is located in the yellow area shown below in Rio:
Do Not Have Your Cell Phone Out – As mentioned earlier, someone in our group had their phone stolen by someone fake bumping into them. We were told by many locals to not have our phones out filming. If you have your phone or other electronics out filming, be aware that these may be snatched away. We actually met one local who told us he keeps his iPhone at home, and leaves the house with a cheaper phone to be safe. Keep an eye on your pockets as well.
Dress Down – Do not wear any flashy designer clothing, loud tropical clothing, or attention grabbing jewelry. We have heard reports of people having their chains snatched and cab drivers warned us to not have jewelry visible. When we traveled to crowed places, I chose to wear a different ring other than my real wedding ring just to be safe.
Try to Use Uber – We were told that most assaults happen on public buses in Rio. So I recommend using Uber or a taxi while commuting around Rio de Janeiro. Do not walk around by yourself at night.
Overall, I just be aware of your surroundings when traveling to Rio de Janeiro. If you’re traveling alone, try to find someone to link up with upon arrival. We did not feel fearful during our travels in Rio, however as with any large city, you definitely need to stay alert at all times when visiting here. Your main threat when visiting Rio will be theft.
Exploring the Copacabana
While you’re in Rio de Janeiro, you have to carve out time to visit Copacabana beach. Copacabana is one of the most famous neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (renowned from the famous song by Barry Manilow). The most iconic hotel to stay at on this beach strip is the Copacabana Palace. Copacabana Place opened in 1923 and has hosted a number of celebrities and politicians in the past.
Copacabana beach is also well-known for its art deco style, famous concerts, and events. We stayed in this area for a few days, and it was honestly not our favorite neighborhood to stay the night in, but certainly a great area to visit.
- Visit Sugarloaf Mountain: While you’re in Copacabana, take a 10 minute car ride over to the famous Sugarloaf Mountain. Sugarloaf Mountain is a ginormous peak that rises from the waters of Guanabara Bay. Sugarloaf Mountain is said to resemble the shape of an actual sugarloaf. It is also considered a natural wonder. Many locals recommended taking a cablecar and visiting here at sunset.
- Relax on Ipanema Beach: Ipanema has a nicer beach area in my opinion when compared to Copacabana. You can travel to Ipanema from Copacabana in 7 – 10 minutes. If you’re looking for a great beach day, I recommend relaxing on Ipanema Beach or traveling further out to Barra da Tijuca.
- Visit the Iconic Mosaic Boardwalk: While you’re in Copacabana, take time to visit and take photos near the popular black and white mosaic boardwalk. This famous pattern was designed by Roberto Burle Marx.
- Enjoy Local Food Cuisines in Copacabana: Below you will find a list of some of our favorite restaurants while visiting the Copacabana neighborhood:
S Bistrรด LEME
Address: Av. Atlรขntica, 994 – loja b – Leme, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22010-000
Bistro Restaurant on Copacabana Beach Video Review:
Fogo de Chรฃo
Address: Av. Repรณrter Nestor Moreira, s/n โ Botafogo, 22290-210
Fogo de Chรฃo Rio de Janerio Brazil Video Review:
Cantรณn – Peruvian & Chinese Food – Copacabana
Address: R. Rodolfo Dantas, 26 – Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22020-040
Cantรณn Restaurant Video Review:
Exploring Barra da Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro
Barra da Tijuca (also known as just Barra) was our favorite neighborhood during our stay in Rio de Janeiro. Barra felt safer, cleaner, and way more laid back than Copacabana and Ipanema. Barra is known by locals as the Miami of Rio de Janeiro with the best beaches and restaurant experiences.
As you explore Barra, you can relax more and explore with your electronics more freely.
If you decide to stay in Barra da Tijuca, I recommend booking a room at the Grand Hyatt Rio De Janeiro. This hotel is conveniently located near multiple beach areas and beach clubs in Barra da Tijuca. Their property is very beautiful, clean spacious rooms, and the service was wonderful.
Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro Video Review: Coming Soon!
Shopping in Barra: If you enjoy shopping on vacation, Barra da Tijuca has multiple shopping locations. Village Mall is the area’s upscale luxury destination. BarraShopping is a step down from Village Mall, with a lot more affordable shopping options, and multiple food options.
There’s an endless amount of amazing food options to discover in Barra da Tijuca. I recommend walking the longest beach in Rio, and spontaneously discovering one of their many beach huts, and also trying some of these amazing food destinations:
Pineapple
Address: Av. Olegรกrio Maciel, 207 – Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22621-200
Pineapple Restaurant Video Review:
Pobre Juan
Address: Av. das Amรฉricas, 3900 – Loja 301 – Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22640-102
Other Fun Activities in Rio de Janeiro Brazil
There are a lot of other fun iconic places one should see when visiting Rio de Janeiro. Some of these include:
- Step into the Escadaria Selarรณn. Escadaria Selarรณn is where you can find the famous staircase located in the Lapa neighborhood of Rio. Discover fun places to eat, drink, shop, and explore the beautiful street art. This is a must visit location in Rio de Janeiro.
- Visit One of the New 7 World Wonders: Christ the Redeemer: This world wonder is located on the top of Corcovado Mountain. The statue stands 98 feet (30 meters) tall, and can be seen from almost anywhere while driving around Rio de Janeiro.
- Escape to Parque Lage: Take time to explore the beautiful botanical gardens at Parque Lage and take an iconic photo in front of the architectural gem – Lage Mansion. You can also visit the cafe inside of the mansion as well for something to eat or a beverage.
- Book a Caipirinha Cocktail Class: You cannot visit Brazil and leave without trying Brazil’s signature cocktail – The Caipirinha. The Caipirinha is internationally renowned. The Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro hotel offers classes on their property, or you can book a class within the city.
I agree, knowing basic Portuguese would really enhance the experience. I always tell people to try to pick up very basic phrases from the country they are visiting just as a common courtesy. Would love to visit Rio!
Having a basic knowledge of the language is so important when you’re traveling. I feel like people forget that they’re guests when they visit a new place.
These are all very useful tips. Having a phone showing is something many of us are learning to to avoid doing when we are out and about on holiday. It does help to be warned where there are issues. I tend not to take jewellery on holiday as it just invites trouble having anything that might have a value on display.
Thank you for sharing your experience in Rio de Janeiro. This is a city we’ve long hoped to visit so I appreciated all the tips!
This looks like it was an amazing trip! I’d love to visit one day, so these tips are definitely worth keeping in mind.
This is such a helpful post for first-time travelers like me. Thank you for the safety tips. Will just be selective of the areas that we will visit. Sorry to hear that someone from group was still pickpocketed.
Thank you! Great life lesson! lol!
Hello! ๐ด Your tips and travel guide to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is a fantastic resource! ๐ง๐ท From the must-visit landmarks to practical advice on safety and local customs, you’ve covered it all. Your personal insights and recommendations add a wonderful touch, making it feel like a friend sharing travel secrets. Thanks for putting together such an informative guide โ it’s sure to help anyone planning a trip to this vibrant city. Obrigado for sharing your expertise!
Thank you so much for your kind words!
Oh, I hope I`ll go to Rio de Janeiro one day. As a teenager, I watched many Brazilian series, and it was so fun. From movies, I remember long beaches and the big Jesus statue.
Such a beautiful country! I have always wanted to visit and hope that I get to one day. Thanks for the tips!
I have heard mixed reviews about visiting. Smart to be aware of your surroundings and what a good idea to bring a cheaper phone.
Wow, so cool. can’t wait to visit De Janeiro brazil again with my partner. This is informative and fun to read.
This is a good list of tips. There is a lot of information here that I need to keep in mind. Your sharing is greatly appreciated.
Uh-oh…didn’ t know Rio people don’t speak English on a regular basis. 20th Century fox had me fooled! LOL! Just kidding, but thanks for the tip. I’ll have to learn the language to be able to go around Brazil! (And I’m awful at learning languages!)
Oohhh…now, I am ready to visit Rio! Rio has always been on my radar of places to visit.
We went to Ecuador many years ago, and I have wanted to return to South America to explore some more. Brazil sounds like an amazing place. Your photos are wonderful!