Rio Guide

Category: 10 top things to do in Rio

  • Lapa Steps (Selarón’s Staircase): Visit the Masterpiece of Rio Street Art

    Lapa Steps (Selarón’s Staircase): Visit the Masterpiece of Rio Street Art

    This crazy and colorful tiled stairway is the work of Chilean artist Jorge Selarón, self-taught. Having traveled the world, Selarón moved to Rio in 1983, in a tiny house just in front of the desolate stairway connecting the areas of Lapa and Santa Teresa. 215 steps that he entirely covered with majolica collected in urban areas of Rio or donated by visitors from all around the world. Since 1990, Selarón has laid over 2000 tiles, mainly red-colored: unique pieces representing a “tribute to the Brazilian people”. He also planted greenery and never finished to embellish the stairway. If you come here in the morning and you will probably see him, at work as usual. If you want, bring your own tile and he will add it to his work*.

    Nowadays Selarón’s Staircase (Escadaria Selarón) is a famous place in Rio, set of international spots and videoclips. Jorge Selarón became an honorary citizen of the city of Rio de Janeiro.

    Where
    Lapa Steps runs from Rua Joaquim Silva and Rua Pinto Martins (Rio de Janeiro)

    *To collaborate with the project, send your tile to:
    Jorge Selarón
    Rua Manoel Carneiro 24, Lapa
    Rio de Janeiro-RJ
    CEP: 20021-360

  • The Botanical Garden: Walk among tropical trees and orchids

    The Botanical Garden: Walk among tropical trees and orchids

    Rio Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico) is one of the biggest tropical gardens in the world. With more than 6.500 species of plants and 140 of birds, it is home to a huge biodiversity. Greenhouses and fountains, orchids and carnivorous plants embellish this wide nature reserve, created in 1808 by John VI of Portugal and opened to public in 1822. Jardim Botânico is located at the foot of Corcovado Mountain, close to Lagoa. It opens every day in daylight hours, except December 25th and the 1st of January.

    Jardim Botânico
    Rua Jardim Botânico 1008

  • Ipanema Beach: Enjoy the Sexiest Beach in the World

    Ipanema Beach: Enjoy the Sexiest Beach in the World

    Considered the sexiest beach in the world, Ipanema became popular thanks to the bossa nova song The Girl from Ipanema, by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes (1962). Delimited by the Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers Mountain) and Ponta Arpoador, the beach is divided into stretches of sand called Posto. Posto 9 (9th lifeguard tower) is the coolest and more attractive space, the one where you can admire the most beautiful bodies in Rio. People come here every day to hung out, play football, volleyball or footvolley (a freestyle mix of the two). Come here in day time, have a swim, rent a sun umbrella with deck chairs or drink a beer (you can buy one at one of the many kiosks along the beach). And don’t miss Ipanema during weekends, when the road along the beach (Avenida Vieira Souto) is closed to traffic: among skates, bikes and rollerblades, you will experience a primary side of Carioca lifestyle.

    Security tips: don’t leave your stuff unattended while you swim and don’t walk on the beach at night.

  • Tijuca Forest Hiking: Discover the biggest urban forest in the world

    Tijuca Forest Hiking: Discover the biggest urban forest in the world

    This is the biggest urban rainforest in the world, covering an area of about 32 km2 in Rio city center. Home to hundreds of species of plants and animals, this nature reserve is crossed by tens of jungle hiking trails, where you can see exotic trees, monkeys, lakes and waterfalls (the most impressive is the Cascatinha de Taunay). An easy path is the one to the Cachoeira das Almas (Waterfall of the Souls), where you can have an idyllic swim. Good hikers can climb up to Pico da Tijuca (1012 mt) and food lovers can enjoy a picnic in the park. Close to the entrance you can take also a jeap up to the top.

  • Lapa at night: Spend a wild night watching samba and drinking caipirinha

    Lapa at night: Spend a wild night watching samba and drinking caipirinha

    Looking for a place to spend a wild weekend in Rio? Lapa could be the answer. Traditionally home to samba music, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night Lapa becomes the temple of nightlife. Crowded of people and full of music, is a must to be for young people. Have a drink at one of the many restaurants on the streets or dance in a nightclub until dawn (the best is Rio Scenarium).

  • Have a walk in Centro (Downtown) among skyscrapers and colonial buildings

    Have a walk in Centro (Downtown) among skyscrapers and colonial buildings

    Inhabited since 1567, the historic center of Rio is today the business district of the city, a tropical New York with skyscrapers and period buildings, such as the Belle Époque Municipal Theatre and National Library, the National Museum of Fine Arts, Tiradentes Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral and Pedro Ernesto Palace. During the week this area is full of life, with good restaurants and shops. We suggest an immersive walk in the life of Downtown Rio, among deco buildings, historic churches and busy people.

    Safety tip: avoid Centro in weekends and at night, when offices are closed.

  • Arpoador at Sunset: Greet the sun setting over the marvelous city

    Arpoador at Sunset: Greet the sun setting over the marvelous city

    Ponta Arpoador is the cape dividing Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, a rocky headland where surfers play with big waves and people come to enjoy the view. From here the view on Ipanema beach and the Two Brothers Mountain is outstanding, especially at sunset, when the city colors in rose. Come here with a beer (Brahma is a typical one) and discover why Rio is called the marvelous city.

  • The Statue of Christ: Have a look at the view from Corcovado Mountain

    The Statue of Christ: Have a look at the view from Corcovado Mountain

    Literally dominating the city, the Art Deco statue of Christ was built in 1931 on the top of Corcovado Mountain (710 mt.), in Tijuca Forest National Park. Nearly 40 metres tall, known to be one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, the statue embraces the city with its arms wide open. If you want to see the Christ closely, enjoying a breathtaking view of Rio, be ready for a long line. If you don’t like crowded places, you can stop at one of the stunning viewpoints on the street (Belvedere Marta is one).

    You can reach the statue also by train (the train access is located at Rua Cosme Velho 513. The ticket office opens every day between 8.30 am and 6.30 pm. The trip takes 20 minutes).

  • Sugarloaf (Pão de Açucar): Jump on the cable car and admire Rio

    Sugarloaf (Pão de Açucar): Jump on the cable car and admire Rio

    Rising 396 mt above the sea level and located at the entrance of the Bay of Guanabara, the Sugarloaf is one of the symbols of Rio. Two cable cars (teléferico in Portuguese) lead up to the top of the mountain – the first stretch to the hill of Urca (Morro da Urca) and the second to the very top of the Sugarloaf, where a spectacular 360° view of Rio will astonish you.

    The ticket office is located in the district of Urca, opening at 8.00 am and closing at 7.50 pm. The two trips take 3 minutes each, running every 20 minutes.

  • Helicopter Tour: Fly over Rio!

    Helicopter Tour: Fly over Rio!

    Once in your life you must fly over Rio! From the sky the city is simply sublime, with its green cliffs and islands against the blue of the Ocean. Helicopter tours last from 6 to 60 minutes and leave from Lagoa. The basic helicopter tour fly over the lagoon, Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, the Sugarloaf and, of course, the statue of Christ the Redeemer. Longer trips also fly over Pedra da Gávea and Tijuca Forest. The tour is quite expensive (about 200BR$ for 6 minutes) but it is worth the price.

    Helisight
    Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (near Parque dos Patins)
    +55 21 2511 2141
    +55 21 2542 7935

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