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Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Rio de Janeiro Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
Brazil – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
127 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type C , Type N
Type C:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Brazilian Real (BRL) £1 ≈ R$7.11 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 4/5
Cashless payment is widely accepted in urban areas but less so in remote regions.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not customary in Brazil. Restaurants often include a 10% service charge. Additional tips are optional. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is generally allowed in Brazil, and it is common in social settings. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces, with designated outdoor areas. |
| Carnival (February/March) |
Expect parades and heavy crowds. |
|---|---|
| Independence Day (September) |
National celebrations occur. |
| Christmas (December) |
Family gatherings and public celebrations are common. |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Numbers: 190 (Police), 192 (Ambulance), 193 (Fire) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | 99, Uber, Cabify |
| Other: | Brazil is known for its natural beauty, vibrant culture, and Carnival celebrations. Avoid travelling alone in remote areas for safety. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Carnival takes place in February or early March; hotels book out and prices peak
New Year's Eve (Réveillon) on Copacabana beach, 31 December; book accommodation months ahead
Heavy summer rains December to March can cause flooding and landslides
Don't miss
- 🚠 Take the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain for breathtaking views
- ✝️ Stand before Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain
- 🏖️ Relax on the iconic sands of Copacabana Beach
- 🎭 Join the samba celebrations during Rio Carnival
- 🌳 Explore the lush trails and waterfalls of Tijuca National Park
- 🍹 Watch the sunset from Ipanema Beach with a caipirinha in hand
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Rio de Janeiro?
Rio offers the perfect mix of natural beauty, urban excitement and rich traditions. From the world-famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches to the towering Christ the Redeemer statue, every corner of Rio feels like a postcard. The annual Carnival is an absolute must-see, but even outside of that season, the city's music, street art and warm hospitality make it an incredible destination. Just keep an eye on safety, particularly in certain neighborhoods and enjoy the city with a bit of street smarts.
🏯Places worth seeing
-
1
Sugarloaf
This iconic mountain offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and coastline from its cable car stations. The summit features a historic observatory, while trails provide access to lush forests and stunning rock formations for adventurous visitors. -
2
Copacabana Beach
This iconic sandy beach curves along Rio's coastline, offering breathtaking ocean views and vibrant energy. Its golden sands stretch for kilometers, drawing visitors with palm-lined promenades and a lively atmosphere that defines Brazilian coastal life. -
3
Cristo Redentor
This iconic statue stands atop Corcovado Mountain, overlooking Rio's sprawling cityscape. Its open arms embrace visitors from afar, symbolizing peace and welcoming tourists to Brazil's vibrant capital of culture and natural beauty. -
4
Sítio Roberto Burle Marx - IPHAN
A private estate in Rio's Tijuca Forest, designed by landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. The property features lush gardens, a historic house and panoramic views overlooking the city and Guanabara Bay. -
5
Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden
-
6
Museum of Tomorrow
-
7
Praia de Ipanema
-
8
Journalist Mário Filho Stadium
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
🎈Events
-
Rio Carnival
-
New Year's Eve at Copacabana
-
Rock in Rio
-
Festival do Rio (Film Festival)
-
Paraty Literary Festival
-
Anima Mundi (Animation Festival)
-
Lavradio Fair
-
Virada Cultural
-
Rio Gastronomy Festival
-
Festa Junina
Knowledge before you go
- Stay in Ipanema or Copacabana for beach access and safety.
- Prebook visits to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, timing one for sunset to maximize city and coastline views.
- On the beach, leave valuables at your accommodation, use small notes and follow locals’ lead on safe areas.
- Join an organized favela or samba-focused night tour with reputable operators to experience local culture while staying street-smart and well accompanied.
How to travel to Rio de Janeiro
Fly into Galeão International Airport (GIG) or Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) for domestic and short regional flights. Buses connect Rio with other Brazilian cities and cruises occasionally stop here too.
Access summary
- From Galeão (GIG): BRT/bus or taxi to South Zone, about 40–70 minutes.
- From São Paulo: Very frequent direct flights to Rio, usually about 1–1.5 hours.
- From Buenos Aires: Direct international flights to Rio, typically around 2.5–3 hours.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro
Accommodation ranges from luxury hotels in Copacabana and Ipanema to budget-friendly hostels in Lapa and Santa Teresa. There are also many charming guesthouses and Airbnb options.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Rio de Janeiro
Public transport options include buses, metro and trams. Taxis and ride‑sharing apps are widely available and safer, especially at night. The metro is clean and good for getting to major sights.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in Rio de Janeiro are around 59% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to BRL) is 6% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is cheaper compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
While tourist areas are generally safe, petty crime can occur. Avoid displaying valuables, be cautious in crowds and take taxis at night.
Health & Medical
Medical facilities in Rio are generally good, especially in private hospitals. Tap water is not recommended for drinking; opt for bottled water instead.
Accessibility
Major attractions have good accessibility, but some steep streets and older areas may present challenges for those with mobility issues.
Tap water
Tap water is not considered safe for drinking. Bottled water is widely available and staying hydrated is important, especially in the hot season.
Packing recommendations for Rio de Janeiro
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
🚰
Reusable water bottle
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🧥
Light jacket
for cooler evenings
🕶️
Sunglasses
🎒
Small rucksack
🪰
Insect repellent
🩱
Swimwear
👜
Anti-theft bag
🔋
Power bank
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
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