Destination
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio sets beaches, samba and a wild nightlife against granite peaks and rainforest, with Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf watching over it all.
Trips to Rio de Janeiro from every city
No live trip to Rio de Janeiro right now. Ask for one and we price it for your city.
When to go
| Month | Season |
|---|---|
| January | fine |
| February | fine |
| March | best |
| April | best |
| May | best |
| June | best |
| July | fine |
| August | fine |
| September | best |
| October | best |
| November | best |
| December | fine |
- February, March: Carnival (the week before Lent, usually February or early March): Sambadrome parades and hundreds of street blocos; book months ahead.
- December, January: Réveillon New Year's Eve on Copacabana draws two million people dressed in white.
- December, January, February, March: Hot, humid summer with afternoon downpours; peak beach season.
Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro
- Ipanema: The classic beach, good restaurants and the safest stretch of the Zona Sul.
- Leblon: Quieter, upscale end of the same beach with the city's top dining.
- Copacabana: Grand old beachfront hotels and the New Year's Eve fireworks.
- Santa Teresa: Bohemian hilltop neighbourhood of mansions, studios and views over the bay.
- Barra da Tijuca: Long modern beach strip with resorts, 30 minutes from the centre.
What to do in Rio de Janeiro
- Ride the cog train up Corcovado to Christ the Redeemer
- Cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain at sunset
- Hike the Dois Irmãos trail above Vidigal
- Samba night at Pedra do Sal or Rio Scenarium in Lapa
- Caipirinhas at a kiosk on Ipanema's Posto 9
- Hang-glide from Pedra Bonita onto São Conrado beach
Good to know
| Airports | Rio de Janeiro Galeão – Tom Jobim International (GIG), Santos Dumont (SDU) |
|---|---|
| Passport for US citizens | yes |
| Price level | mid-range |
| Time zone | America/Sao_Paulo |
| Kind of trip | beach, city, nightlife, culture, nature |
Questions about Rio de Janeiro
When is the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
March, April, May, June, September, October and November.
Do US citizens need a passport for Rio de Janeiro?
Yes. Rio de Janeiro is in Brazil; bring a valid passport.
How expensive is Rio de Janeiro on the ground?
Rio de Janeiro is mid-range by US standards: plan about $90 per person per day for food, getting around and tickets.