Copacabana
- ✓ Long beachfront promenade
- ✓ Large choice of hotels
- ✓ Convenient transport connections
Discover Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide
Mountains, beaches, iconic viewpoints, lively neighbourhoods and one of the world’s most recognisable coastlines. Discover the best things to do, tours and places to stay across Rio de Janeiro.
Beaches, viewpoints and unforgettable neighbourhoods. Plan your Rio trip.
Copacabana · Ipanema · LeblonBeaches & mountainsRio de Janeiro, Brazil
Book your Rio trip
Rio’s Most-Popular Experiences
Explore six Rio experiences through GetYourGuide’s official booking widgets. Check current details and availability for the dates you want to travel.
Rio de Janeiro tours →
Your Rio stayIpanema, Rio de JaneiroThe beach is just the beginning.
Your Rio stay
Stay close to the
best of Rio.
Beach mornings. Sunset walks. Restaurants, nightlife and some of Rio’s most famous neighbourhoods. Choose a base that fits the way you want to experience the city.
Where to stay in Rio →Explore places to stay
Find your stay in Rio
Choose your dates and guests to compare accommodation around Copacabana, Ipanema and the rest of Rio de Janeiro.
Choose dates, guests and rooms in the map for a live price. It changes with your search and availability; card prices are dynamic snapshots updated regularly.
Explore the Rio hotel guide →Plan your Rio trip
Start with the Rio essentials
Christ the Redeemer tickets
Plan your visit to Rio’s most famous landmark.
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Sugarloaf Mountain tickets
Compare ways to reach one of Rio’s best-known viewpoints.
Read the guide →Rio Beaches
Explore Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and other beaches.
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Where to Stay
Compare Rio neighbourhoods and find the right base.
Read the guide →Best Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro
Ride to iconic viewpoints, spend time on Rio’s beaches, explore historic neighbourhoods and experience the city’s food, music and nightlife. A varied trip combines organised experiences with time to explore independently.
Discover the best things to do →See Rio from above
Rio’s dramatic geography is one of the city’s defining features. Sugarloaf Mountain, Corcovado and several viewpoints offer very different perspectives across the beaches, bay and surrounding mountains.
Compare Rio viewpoints and tours →Choose your base
Copacabana or Ipanema?
Both neighbourhoods place you close to the beach, restaurants and many of Rio’s main attractions, but each offers a slightly different experience.
Ipanema
- ✓ Famous beach and sunset views
- ✓ Restaurants, cafés and shopping
- ✓ Easy access to Leblon and Lagoa
Stay by Rio’s most famous beaches
Copacabana and Ipanema are two of the most popular areas for first-time visitors, with beaches, restaurants, nightlife and convenient connections to many of Rio’s main sights.
Check the exact location, distance from the beach and nearby transport when choosing your hotel.
Explore Rio hotels →
A city unlike anywhere else
Rio de Janeiro sits between mountains, Atlantic beaches, forest and Guanabara Bay. Neighbourhoods with very different personalities are connected by one of the most dramatic urban landscapes in the world.
Beaches, viewpoints, historic streets, music and outdoor experiences offer different ways to discover the city.
Rio de Janeiro travel guide →Plan your visit
Make the most of Rio
How many days?
Four or five days gives a first Rio trip room to breathe: the big viewpoints, beach time and a few neighborhoods without racing across town every morning.
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Rio itinerary
A 3-day route through Corcovado, the South Zone and Downtown Rio, with options to extend it to 5 or 7 days.
Read the guide →Best time to visit
The best time to visit Rio de Janeiro depends on what you want from your trip, but April to May and September to October are particularly good choices for many first-time visitors.
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Where to stay
Compare Ipanema, Copacabana, Leblon, Botafogo, Santa Teresa and Barra to choose the right base for your Rio trip.
Read the guide →Explore more
Practical guides for your Rio trip
Rio safety
Practical, calm advice for exploring Rio with confidence, including beaches, transport, nightlife and choosing where to stay.
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Rio airports
Compare GIG and SDU, then plan Uber, taxi, transfer or public transport into Copacabana, Ipanema and the rest of Rio.
Read the guide →Rio map
Understand Rio’s geography, from the Zona Sul beaches and major viewpoints to Centro, Lapa, Barra and Tijuca National Park.
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Rio restaurants
Compare ten real Rio restaurants across Santa Teresa, Gávea, Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and Barra da Tijuca.
Read the guide →Beaches, neighbourhoods and hotels
More ways to plan your stay
Best beaches
Discover Rio’s best beaches, from Ipanema and Copacabana to Prainha, Leblon, São Conrado and Praia Vermelha.
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Neighbourhoods
Compare Rio’s main neighbourhoods for beaches, restaurants, nightlife, sightseeing and choosing where to stay.
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Copacabana vs Ipanema
Compare Copacabana and Ipanema for beaches, hotels, restaurants, nightlife, safety and a first visit to Rio.
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Solo travel
Plan a solo trip to Rio with practical advice on where to stay, safety, beaches, nightlife and meeting people.
Read the guide →New Rio guides
Hotels, Carnival and Copacabana dining
Beach hotels
Compare eight Rio beach hotels in Ipanema, Copacabana, Leblon and Barra, from landmark luxury stays to relaxed resort bases.
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Cheap hotels
Find affordable hotels in Leme, Copacabana and Ipanema with useful transport links and beach access.
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Copacabana hotels
Compare ten of the best hotels on and near Copacabana Beach, including luxury landmarks, rooftop pools and better-value alternatives.
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Ipanema hotels
Compare nine hotels in Ipanema and around Arpoador, from Hotel Fasano and beachfront favourites to practical stays near the beach.
Read the guide →Food, tours and day trips
More ways to experience Rio
Leblon restaurants
Compare ten Leblon restaurants for sushi, steak, Japanese small plates, Italian food and classic Rio botecos.
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Barra restaurants
Compare ten Barra da Tijuca restaurants, from Jardim Oceânico and VillageMall to the Grand Hyatt and Ilha Primeira.
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Lapa bars
Discover eight bars and music venues in Lapa for samba, live Brazilian music, cocktails and a proper night out in Rio.
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Rio food tours
Learn what Rio food tours include, which neighbourhoods they visit, typical duration and whether to choose a group tour, private tour or cooking class.
Read the guide →Transfers, seasons and Carnival
Plan the practical details
Rio to Paraty
Compare buses, shared transfers, private cars and self-drive options from Rio to Paraty, including journey time and onward plans.
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Rio to Búzios
Compare shared transfers, buses, private cars and rental cars from Rio to Búzios, with journey times and advice on how long to stay.
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Airport shuttle
Compare private shuttles, shared transfers, Uber, official taxis, BRT and buses from RIOgaleão into Rio de Janeiro.
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Airport transfers
Compare Uber, official taxis, private transfers and public transport from GIG and Santos Dumont to Rio's main neighbourhoods.
Read the guide →Worth knowing
Before you book
Book major attractions ahead
Popular times for attractions such as Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain can sell out, particularly during busy periods.
Journey times vary
Rio is geographically spread out and traffic conditions can significantly affect travel times between neighbourhoods and attractions.
Choose your neighbourhood carefully
Where you stay can make a major difference to beach access, nightlife, transport and journey times.
Check tour inclusions
Pickup areas, attraction tickets, transport and meals vary between operators. Review the individual listing before booking.
Useful answers
Rio de Janeiro FAQ
Rio combines Atlantic beaches, forested mountains and distinctive neighbourhoods in one city. It suits a trip that balances major sights with time by the sea and evenings of food or music.
Four or five days make a useful starting point for a first visit. That leaves room for the main viewpoints, beach time and a weather buffer. With three days, focus on fewer areas.
Copacabana is a practical starting point for hotel choice and transport. Ipanema suits a beach-focused stay with restaurants nearby. Compare the exact street, transport access and accommodation before booking.
Start with Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain and the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. Add Santa Teresa, the historic centre, a bay trip or a music experience according to your interests.
Booking ahead helps you secure your preferred time. Check the official ticket channel or your chosen operator for current availability, transport arrangements and cancellation terms.
Choose dates around your priorities. Summer is warmer and generally wetter; winter is usually milder. Major holidays and Carnival can affect crowds and accommodation, so compare your exact dates.