Things To Do In Rio De Janeiro - Christ The Redeemer

Things To Do In Rio De Janeiro – Christ The Redeemer

When you think of the hottest destinations on Earth, the South American country of Brazil will always top the lists. And Brazil means it when they say, “hot” – gorgeous people, beautiful beaches, amazing cities, delicious food, and a whole lot more. What more could you ask for? For instance, there are several things to do in Rio de Janeiro, one of Brazil’s famous cities. 

Brazil is more than just being familiar with things that have been associated with the country – Brazilian waxing, Brazilian blowout, you can continue the list. This country in South America is endowed with beauty both in its metropolises and natural paradises. One of the best cities to explore in Brazil is Rio de Janeiro. We’re zooming in to Rio in this guide.  

You may have seen a glimpse of Rio in the famous animated movie, “Rio,” and it’s pretty accurate. Rio de Janeiro is a huge seaside city in Brazil, known around the world for its beaches, the Christ the Redeemer statue on Mount Corcovado, and the Sugarloaf Mountain, a granite peak with cable cars to the summit. In all perspectives, Rio is indeed a “Cidade Maravilhosa” (“Marvelous City”).

Best Things To Do In Rio De Janeiro: Visit And Love Brazil 

Without further ado, let’s jump right in and get to know the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro.

1. Marvel At The Christ The Redeemer Statue

Brazil was colonized by the Portuguese for, note this, 322 years, and one of the biggest inheritances that Portugal left Brazil is the Catholic faith. This is evident in many monuments found in Brazil, such as the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. 

Christ the Redeemer is a must-see attraction whenever you are in Rio. Belonging on the list of the Seven Wonders of the World, this statue of Jesus stands with his arms outstretched to the city from above the towering Corcovado Mountain. 

This statue was conceived to express Christ’s divinity and the unsearchable riches of his Paschal Mystery, a concept in Catholic faith that teaches believers that living, dying, and rising are a part of their experience as Christians. Hence, the statue got its name. 

Started in 1922 and finished in 1931, Christ the Redeemer, made of concrete and covered in soapstone mosaic tiles, has been the religious and cultural symbol of the Brazilian people’s warm and welcoming traits. It is visited by millions of people each year. It is highly recommended that you visit Christ the Redeemer on a day with clear skies to see beautiful sights of the city from this vantage point. 

2. People-Watch At Copacabana

Whenever you are in Brazil, don’t forget to take a tour “at the copa (co) Copacabanaaa…” Yes, that’s the lyrics to Barry Manilow’s song that might play in your head when you think of Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana. There are a lot of things to do in Rio de Janeiro from here. 

Summertime is almost here, and if you are looking for beautiful beaches to visit where you can swim the waters and cool down, include Copacabana Beach on your list. It is one of the famous beaches in Rio. 

A magical confluence of land and sea, the long, scalloped Copacabana Beach extends for some four kilometers, bursting with activities around, those that are not present in other beaches of the world. You can see soccer players singing their team’s anthem, Cariocas or Rio’s residents and tourists queuing up for caipirinhas or cocktails at kiosks, kids from the favelas flaunting their soccer skills, and beach vendors offering their products to the beachgoers. 

Brimming with lavish lodging spaces, authentic food, and the beautiful Avendia Atlantica sideway, Copacabana Beach is really more than just its powdery sands. Avid travelers say people-watching is best in this area. 

Things To Do In Rio De Janeiro - Copacabana

Things To Do In Rio De Janeiro – Copacabana

3. Live The Beach Life And Party At Ipanema

Like what the yellow canary bird in the animated movie “Rio” would say as he opens the song “I Wanna Party,” “Party in Ipanema, baby!” The beach life in Rio de Janeiro does not end at Copacabana. Beach hop to Ipanema after enjoying the things to do in Rio de Janeiro in Copacabana. 

While Copacabana is considered the more beautiful of the two, Ipanema, on the other hand, is the more chic of these two. It is a scenic spot for a late-night drink. At this beach, you’ll find scores of kiosks selling food and drinks. And at night, these kiosks buzz with party people, and there are regular live music events held here. 

Ipanema Beach has attracted tourists since the 1960s. Its two-mile stretch of sand boasts beautiful mountain views and cobalt waters. There are also several things to do in Rio de Janeiro while you are at Ipanema. As you sunbathe, you can watch games of futevolei or the Brazilian version of volleyball without using hands, and smell fresh shrimp skewers being grilled around the area. Then, you can keep exploring to immerse further into the local culture at the restaurants, shops, and art galleries in the place.

Obrigado (Brazilian Portuguese word for “thanks”) for reading our “things to do in Rio de Janeiro guide”! You can read more related stories like this: Best Photography Spots In Rio De Janeiro Brazil

4. Participate In The Carnival Festival

When you think of Brazil, you’ll also think of all those feathers, feathers that line the colorful costumes of Brazilians dancing. Yes, many of them can be found at the Carnival event in Rio.

First held at some point during the 18th century, the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is a festival conducted each year before Lent. The Carnival is touted as the biggest carnival event in the world, drawing millions of people per day watching the festivities on the streets.

This event is marked by exaggeratedly colorful costumes, samba music and dancing, grand parades, and of course, food festivals. Some of the things to do in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival include taking part in the parades, attending a Carnival ball, partying at the Arcos de Lapa, and taking a favela tour. 

Things To Do In Rio De Janeiro - Ipanema

Things To Do In Rio De Janeiro – Ipanema

5. Dance The Samba!

How’s your list so far? You’ve known so far that Brazil is equated to magnificent beaches and the Carnival, among others. But there’s another thing that the country is known for – yes, the samba. 

With its hypnotic rhythms and beats, spectacular and dazzling costumes, and fast-paced choreography, samba never fails to win the hearts of many tourists exploring the things to do in Rio de Janeiro. Rio is the perfect place to experience samba, Brazil’s national dance. Samba is a lively dance of Afro-Brazilian origins in two-fourths time danced to hypnotic samba music. 

The best way to experience samba is by participating in the Carnival festival where much of this dance is performed. But if in case you missed the Carnival event, you can still take part in dancing the samba by enrolling in samba classes or watching samba shows. 

6. Learn More About Rio’s Culture By Exploring The Favelas 

Nothing could perhaps be better than visiting the places where people live if you want to immerse more into their culture. And in Rio de Janeiro, there’s a community that champions what living like a true Carioca really means. 

If you wish to learn more about Rio de Janeiro’s culture, include this on your list of things to do in Rio de Janeiro: taking a favela tour to visit the local communities. Favela is an umbrella term for several types of working-class neighborhoods in this South American nation. There are around 800 favelas in Rio and nearly 1.5 million people live in these shanty neighborhoods. One of the famous favelas that offer tours is the Santa Marta Favela. 

Keep on reading for more things to do in Rio de Janeiro. But we’re pausing here for a bit to offer you more interesting articles to read from our blog: 21 Best Photography Spots In Argentina 

Things To Do In Rio De Janeiro - Neighborhood

Things To Do In Rio De Janeiro – Neighborhood

7. Ride A Cable Car To The Summit Of Sugarloaf Mountain

Another one of the various things to do in Rio de Janeiro is visiting Sugarloaf Mountain. Towering high above the bustling city of Rio at 1,299 feet is Sugarloaf Mountain, cascading over the picturesque Guanabara Bay. While hiking trails are available, if you cannot endure this activity, you can instead take a wonderful cable car ride to the mountain’s summit. From the glass-enclosed trams, you’ll also be treated to dazzling views of the city from above. 

For the best panoramic views, it is highly suggested that you arrive by sunset. Also, Sugarloaf Mountain’s park has an exhibit, the interactive Cable Car Plaza that displays the original cable cars used. You may also head over to the Baía de Guanabara Space that houses restaurants and shops if you wish to have a food and retail therapy. 

8. Watch A Soccer Game – Who Knows? You Might Catch Neymar Playing 

Aside from Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana, and the samba, another never-to-miss activity while you are in Rio de Janeiro is watching a soccer game. Soccer has been tied to Brazilian culture. In 22 FIFA World Cup tournaments since the first edition was held in 1930, Brazil had 76 victories out of 114 matches. They also won the cup as champions five times. Now, that’s a huge number. 

So, what better way to enjoy your Rio experience and the things to do in Rio de Janeiro than by watching a soccer game. Who knows? You might even catch Neymar playing. If you are arriving in Rio outside the soccer season, you can instead take a soccer stadium tour at Maracanã Stadium. It is the principal soccer venue in Rio, and the second stadium in the world to host two World Cup finals, in 1950 and 2014. 

Maracanã Stadium offers a behind-the-scenes tour of the venue, where you can take a peek into the locker rooms and press room, take a seat on the players’ benches, and be like a true soccer player by walking up the entry ramp. 

Things To Do In Rio De Janeiro - Sunset

Things To Do In Rio De Janeiro – Sunset

9. See Rio From A Unique Angle By Hang Gliding Or Paragliding

If you want to see Rio from a whole new different perspective and don’t mind conquering your fears, include this on your things to do in Rio de Janeiro list: hang gliding and paragliding. 

Hang gliding is an air sport wherein a pilot flies a light and non-motorized foot-launched heavier-than-air aircraft, or the hang glider. Paragliding, meanwhile, uses parachutes. 

There are various private hang gliding and paragliding tours such as this offered by Viator where you can take in unparalleled views of Rio’s major attractions like the Copacabana Beach, Christ the Redeemer statue, and Sugarloaf Mountain.

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10. Take A Tijuca Forest Tour

This forest tour happens at Tijuca National Park, perfect for every outdoorsy traveler. Spanning 8,300 acres, Tijuca National Park is the largest urban rainforest anywhere in the world. It features various terrains and waterfalls, as well as thousands of plant species and over 350 different species of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. 

In this tour, you will wander through the caves and waterfalls, marvel at the wildlife, and witness Brazilian biodiversity. Make sure to bring your camera, hiking shoes, and of course, your Brazilian beach-tanned legs.

11. Go Malling In Rio De Janeiro

Last but not least on this things to do in Rio de Janeiro list is shopping. Yes, after so much adrenaline rush from Rio’s outdoors, heading to the mall is the best way to relax and cool down. 

Shopping malls in Brazil are more than just a place to buy everything you need under one roof. These malls are also social hubs where people meet with friends, dine, drink wine, and watch the latest movies. Rio de Janeiro has plenty of shopping malls, ranging from the more affordable to the luxurious options. 

Some of the best shopping destinations in Rio are the New York City Center, Shopping Nova America, Shopping Tijuca, and Shopping Rio Sul. 

We hope you liked this “things to do in Rio de Janeiro” article. You can read more related stories from our website. 

Things To Do In Rio De Janeiro - Baia De Guanabara

Things To Do In Rio De Janeiro – Baia De Guanabara

More Things To Do In Rio De Janeiro: Best Outdoor Experiences

Rio de Janeiro is known for its beaches, but did you know there are many other outdoor experiences you can try here? Here are more things to do in Rio de Janeiro. 

  • Scuba diving at Arraial do Cabo
  • Three-hour sailing experience in Rio
  • Rock climbing at Morro da Urca
  • Surfing at Prainha
  • Hiking at Morro da Urca, Pedra Bonita, Pedra da Gavea, and Pico da Tijuca
Things To Do In Rio De Janeiro

Things To Do In Rio De Janeiro

Rio De Janeiro: A True Brazilian Getaway

Nothing beats Rio de Janeiro when it comes to offering what every adventurous traveler wants. No visit to Rio is ever complete without experiencing its beach life and walking along the promenades of those magnificent coasts. 

But aside from Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, there are more things to do in Rio de Janeiro. You can explore the Marvelous City further by visiting the Tijuca National Park and Sugarloaf Mountain. You can also venture into charming neighborhoods such as Lapa and Santa Teresa to get a real taste of Carioca culture. Come visit and love Brazil. Obrigado!