Rio de Janeiro
O Rio de Janeiro continua lindo… This is a famous Brazilian song, and it translates to Rio de Janeiro continues to be beautiful. And that describes the feeling this special city sends out into the world 100%! Rio de Janeiro is that kind of place that catches you and makes you fall in love. With the city, with the people, the food, the atmosphere, with yourself! There is a certain magic in the air that is hard to describe - you just have to experience it!
Rio de Janeiro has it all - from sandy beaches, over a vibrant nightlife, lots of culture and splendid nature just on the outskirts of the city. No wonder it is one of the most famous cities in the world. If you ever wondered what the fuss is all about, you will know when you walk along the stretch of Copacabana, stand on the Sugarloaf, look up to the Corcovado or when you dance the night away in the bars in Lapa.
- Our favorite beach: Praia do Ipanema
- Our favorite restaurant: Churrasqueira
- Our favorite boat tours: Speedboat ride in Rio de Janeiro
Language and Currency in Rio de Janeiro
The language spoken in Rio de Janeiro is Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese to be precise. If you speak some Spanish, it might help you when reading Portuguese, but spoken Portuguese might be a bit harder to understand. But with some good will, Spanish-speakers will also be able to communicate basic things with Brazilians. English is spoken in the most important tourist areas, but don’t expect too much!
The local currency in Brazil is the Brazilian Real. The exchange rate with € is usually around 1-4 or 1-6 (for 1€ you get between 4-6 Real, depending on the current exchange rate). You can use the exchange places in Airports, Train Stations or similar, or simply get money at the ATMs.
Getting around in Rio de Janeiro
There are a few ways of getting around in Rio de Janeiro. With all of these you need to have in mind, that they are quite safe in the usual tourist areas, and less safe if you move further away from these!
Bus
There are hundreds of bus lines all across the city, and it’s quite easy finding the right one for you. They are very cheap, but you pay more for busses with air-con than for the ones without. Also, it should be pointed out that the busses are quite safe during the day, but not recommended at night.
Metro
The Metro is also very well connected to the tourist places around the city and again, very easy to find your way around. The fare is very cheap (around 4 Real) and again, is very safe during the day!
Taxi/Uber
Yellow cabs are found everywhere in the city, and quite easy to arrange for pick-up in advance (although you pay a bit more than if you just stop on at the street). Uber is also widespread in Rio de Janeiro and also a bit cheaper than the usual taxis.
Best things to do in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is such a vibrant city that it gets hard to decide what you want to see and do during your stay in this magical place. Let us help you by listing the best things to do during your holidays in Rio de Janeiro!
Two of the most important Must-Sees when in Rio are the Christ Statue and the Sugarloaf. Since these two are quite close to each other, you can visit them on the same day. Or, what’s even more special: You can do a helicopter ride in Rio de Janeiro, flying over the Christ the Redeemer Statue, Sugarloaf and across Copacabana beach. It might be a bigger investment than just taking the Cablecar up, but trust us, it is absolutely worth every penny!
Talking about Copacabana Beach, spending some time at this epic beach is also one of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro. Bring a towel, lie on the white sand and watch the colorful life happen right in front of you. Copacabana is a melting pot of so many interesting people from all over the world. Pretty much any hour of the day you will find a group playing Beachsoccer, and if there’s some waves you can even watch the surfers catch some wave. Grab a cold coconut and a buttercorn at the sidewalk and simply enjoy the fact that you’re sitting at Copacabana Beach!
Another famous beach you should spend some time at is Ipanema Beach. It’s just a short walk away from Copacabana Beach, but already offers a different flair. The famous peninsula Arpoador in the background of your Ipanema Beach photo is iconic, so make sure to bring a camera when you visit this beach. Why not bring your running shoes and join the locals running along the beach? Or rent a surfboard and try your luck catching some yummy waves.
Talking about photos, if you want to visit another hotspot for photos in Rio de Janeiro, take a metro to Lapa to visit the famous Escadaria Selarón. You probably already saw some photos of this colorful stairway in the streets of Rio de Janeiro, full of mosaic tiles. Oh, and at the same time you can take a stroll around the bars of Lapa, and enjoy the vibrant life of this part of town!
The best boat tours in Rio de Janeiro
Not only the city itself is surround by water, but also the surrounding region. Around Rio, you can find many fantastic places to visit by boat. We have the best boat tours in Rio de Janeiro that will take you to some truly magical places.
If you want to explore the city skyline, hop on this fun
speedboat trip in Rio de Janeiro. This way you can really enjoy the view over some of the most famous landmarks of the city, while also enjoying the fresh waters of Brazil. If you prefer a private tour for your family and friends, why not try out the private boat tour in Rio de Janeiro to enjoy a cruise around the city and some quality time. You can also book a private tour to visit Ilha Grande, and escape the city for a day!
The best watersports in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is famous for its surfing! Even in the centre of the city, at Copacabana beach, you can go surfing if the swell is right! You can also go surfing at Ipanema Beach, or take a short drive outside of the city and go search for some wilder beaches with amazing waves.
SUP, short for Stand-Up Paddleboarding is also very popular in Rio de Janeiro. Paddle in front of the city skyline in the sun, or rent a kayak to do the same but sitting down instead of standing up!
Where and what to eat
One of THE most famous food in Rio de Janeiro is the BBQ! Visit one of the many many churrascarias spread all over the city to enjoy some of the delicious meat. But there is so much more to Brazilian cuisine than meat. Make sure to also try out Feijão com Arroz (Rice with black beans), Pão de Queijo (Cheese bread), and some delicious pastries. One of the best places to try all of the above is the Churrascaria Palace at Copacabana for example.
Another thing Rio de Janeiro is really famous for is the big variety of fresh juices. Being a tropical country, Brazil has a lot of exotic fresh fruits that make for amazing juices and smoothies. After a day at the beach, head over to Polis Sucos in Ipanema for example!
Enjoy the beautiful beaches in Rio de Janeiro
As we already said, Copacabana and Ipanema beach are the most famous beaches of Rio de Janeiro and definitely worth spending some time at! But there are also many more beaches you can visit during your stay in Rio.
Praia do Arpoador, at the end of Ipanema beach, is also an amazing place to visit. Watch the sunset standing on the rocks, together with so many other people and appreciate the beautiful colors at the end of the day, promising a summer night full of fun and laughter.
Another one of the beautiful beaches in Rio de Janeiro is Prainha. It is just behind the area of Barra, and a true paradise for surfers. But also landrats will enjoy the beautiful lush landscape just behind this paradisiacal beach. You can also take a bus from the city to this quick escape from everyday life.
Lastly, another great city beach is Praia do Leme. Here you can enjoy some time off from at the white sandy beach, jump from rocks or even catch some small waves at the beach. Just like the other beautiful beaches in Rio de Janeiro, Praia do Leme will give you that special beach atmosphere the city is so famous for.
Whatever you decide to do during your trip to Rio de Janeiro, we promise you will love this part of Brazil! Sunshine and a lot of fun are guaranteed! For any further tips or requests, feel free to contact us anytime.