Sunshine, samba, and sports: these three words are pretty perfect when it comes to describing one of the most popular cities in South America; Rio de Janeiro! Though, if I’m honest, these are only the tip of the iceberg of all the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro.
It’s a city that has something for everyone.
Rio is famed for its beautiful beaches, annual carnival and stunning natural vistas which intertwine with the city. This all means that there’s more than enough reason to find yourself wanting to visit.
This is why I wanted to share some of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro when you visit next. Though, as with all destinations, always listen to local advice on safety and don’t wear anything too overt or mountains of bling.
They say Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro is the ultimate party…and they aren’t lying! We spent six days in the thick of it all–street parties, grand-stand parades, costume balls, and somehow we even managed a little sightseeing.
For a little culture amongst the madness, we snuck to the stairs of Escadaria Selarón. It’s a project that has been in motion since 1990, where artist Jorge Selarón has gathered tiles from 60 countries around the world to bring them to his multi-flight masterpiece.
When you visit Rio, a trip up Pao de Acucar (Sugar Loaf) is a must. We hiked the first half called Urubu mountain, which we HIGHLY recommend. Great views, exotic fruit trees, and tons of monkeys…What more could you ask for?
