Christ the RedeemerAttraction
Christ the Redeemer
The great statue on top of Corcovado mountain, reached by cog train or van, with views over the whole city.
Guide and ticket optionsView
Things to do in Rio de Janeiro
Compare tickets, tours, transfers, hotels and flights for Rio de Janeiro in one place, and see who provides each one before you book.
Photo: Arne Müseler, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, Wikimedia Commons
AirportsGaleão International (GIG), Santos Dumont (SDU)
Getting aroundMetro, taxis and ride-hailing apps
CurrencyBrazilian real (BRL)
Best monthsMay to October
Rio de Janeiro in brief
Rio de Janeiro is Brazil’s best-known city, set between forested mountains and the Atlantic. Few cities have a more dramatic setting.
Visitors stay in the South Zone, along the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. Above them stand Sugarloaf Mountain and the statue of Christ the Redeemer.
Beach life, music and football are part of every day. Carnival, in February or early March, is the busiest time of the year.
Top attractions in Rio de Janeiro
Tickets and guided visits for the city’s best-known sights.
Christ the Redeemer
Sugarloaf MountainAttraction
Sugarloaf Mountain
A granite peak at the mouth of the bay, reached by cable car in two stages. Best at sunset.
Guide and ticket optionsView
Copacabana BeachAttraction
Copacabana Beach
Four kilometres of sand along a wave-patterned promenade, lined with kiosks and hotels.
Guide and ticket optionsView
Ipanema BeachAttraction
Ipanema Beach
A fashionable beach with a view of twin peaks, known for its sunsets from Arpoador rock.
Guide and ticket optionsView
Selarón StepsAttraction
Selarón Steps
A long staircase covered in bright tiles from around the world, between Lapa and Santa Teresa.
Guide and ticket optionsView
Maracanã StadiumAttraction
Maracanã Stadium
Brazil’s most famous football ground, open for tours and, in season, for matches.
Guide and ticket optionsView
Photo: Christ the Redeemer — Donatas Dabravolskas (CC BY-SA 4.0); Sugarloaf Mountain — Diego Baravelli (CC BY-SA 4.0); Copacabana Beach — Wilfredor (CC0); Ipanema Beach — chensiyuan (CC BY-SA 4.0); Selarón Steps — Donatas Dabravolskas (CC BY-SA 4.0); Maracanã Stadium — Leandro Neumann Ciuffo (CC BY 2.0) · Wikimedia Commons
Tours and day trips
Guided tours, day trips and experiences, with photos, reviews and prices.
Powered by GetYourGuide
More tours and experiences
Rio's Full Day: Selarón Steps, Christ & Sugarloaf – Tickets & Lunch Included
★ 4.9 (3,077) · 8 h
From$75
Getting there and around
Airport transfer from Galeão International Airport (GIG)A pre-booked car from arrivals to your hotel. Alternatives are the official taxi desks in the arrivals hall, a ride-hailing app or the airport bus.
Getting around Rio de JaneiroThe metro links the centre with Copacabana and Ipanema and is clean and simple to use. Ride-hailing apps are cheap and the best choice at night.
Car rentalNot recommended in the city. Traffic is heavy and routes are confusing. Driving is on the right.
Flights
Compare real fares and book your ticket here on Ontripo.
Secure payment. Your booking confirmation arrives by email.
Where to stay
Pick a neighbourhood first, then compare hotels.
1
Copacabana
The classic choice, with the widest range of hotels, the beach and the metro.
2
Ipanema and Leblon
Smarter and calmer, with good restaurants and the best beach for sunset.
3
Botafogo
Between the centre and the beaches, near Sugarloaf, with bars, cafés and lower prices.
4
Santa Teresa
A hilltop district of old houses and small guesthouses, with views but no beach.
Hotels in Rio de Janeiro with live prices
Choose your dates, compare prices with taxes included, and book online.
See hotels and pricesSecure payment. Your booking confirmation arrives by email.
Rio de Janeiro day by day
- Day 1: Christ the Redeemer and Santa TeresaThe statue early, before the crowds, then Santa Teresa and the Selarón Steps in the afternoon.
- Day 2: Copacabana and SugarloafA morning on Copacabana Beach, then the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain for sunset.
- Day 3: IpanemaThe Botanical Garden in the morning, an afternoon on Ipanema Beach, then sunset from Arpoador rock.
- With a fourth dayTake a day trip to Petrópolis, or walk in the Tijuca forest with a guide.
Local tips
- Go up to Christ the Redeemer on a clear morning. Cloud often hides the statue and the view.
- Take only what you need to the beach, and leave valuables at the hotel.
- Keep your phone out of sight in the street.
- Use a ride-hailing app at night instead of walking.
- Book months ahead for Carnival and New Year.
Before you go
Travel insuranceCover for medical costs and cancellations.
Luggage storageLeave bags near the station or the sights.
Flight delay compensationCheck whether a delayed or cancelled flight qualifies.
Everything for Rio de Janeiro
Ten services for the trip, all in one place.
Travel guide
Rio is hot and sunny for most of the year, with May to September cooler and drier, and 4 days covers the main sights and beaches. Galeão Airport is about 40 to 60 minutes from the beach districts by road.
Members save 5% on tours we run
A free account lets you save experiences, compare them later and keep your bookings in one place.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
May to October is drier and milder. December to March is hot and humid, with heavy showers, and includes New Year and Carnival.
How many days do I need in Rio de Janeiro?
Four to five days cover the main sights, with time for the beach.
Is Rio de Janeiro safe for visitors?
Most visits to the main areas are trouble-free. Take normal big-city care: carry little, keep phones out of sight and use ride-hailing apps at night.
How do I get from the airport to the centre?
Galeão is about forty-five minutes from Copacabana, and longer in traffic. Use the official taxi desks, a ride-hailing app or a pre-booked transfer. Santos Dumont, for domestic flights, is beside the city centre.
When is Carnival in Rio de Janeiro?
In February or early March. The dates change each year, and hotels fill many months ahead.