Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
- Christ the Redeemer
- Sugarloaf Mountain
- Copacabana
- Ipanema
- Selarón Steps
About Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro sits on Guanabara Bay, squeezed between granite peaks and the Atlantic Ocean. It was Brazil's capital from 1763 to 1960, and its landscape between mountain and sea is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado, Sugarloaf Mountain, the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema and the annual Carnival are its emblems.
How many days do you need?
Allow at least four days: one for Christ the Redeemer and the Tijuca Forest; one for the Sugarloaf cable car and Urca; one for the Copacabana and Ipanema seafront with sunset at Arpoador; and one for Centro, Lapa, the Selarón Steps and Santa Teresa. Viewpoints can be hidden on cloudy days, so wait for a clear one.
Where to stay
- Copacabana — Right on the beach and on the metro, with plenty of hotels.
- Ipanema and Leblon — Quieter and more upmarket, with restaurants and the beach.
- Botafogo — On the metro line, with Sugarloaf views and a more local feel.
From the airport to the city
International flights arrive at Rio de Janeiro/Galeão Airport (GIG) on Governador Island, about 12 miles north of the centre. The BRT Transcarioca line runs to the Gentileza terminal, where you change to the VLT light rail; taxis and ride-hailing are also available. Most domestic flights use Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) in the centre, served directly by the VLT.
Getting around
Metrô Rio lines 1, 2 and 4 connect Centro, Botafogo, Copacabana, Ipanema and Barra da Tijuca. The VLT light rail runs in Centro. In the evening, a taxi or ride-hailing car is the safer choice.
Good to know
- Reach Christ the Redeemer by the Corcovado rack railway from Cosme Velho or by official vans; Sugarloaf is reached by a two-stage cable car from Praia Vermelha.
- Don't leave phones and valuables in view on the beach or in crowds, and avoid deserted streets at night.
- Summer (December–March) is hot, humid and stormy; Carnival takes place before Lent and accommodation fills early. The currency is the Brazilian real.
Useful links
- City of Rio de Janeiro prefeitura.rio
- MetrôRio metrorio.com.br
- RIOgaleão Airport riogaleao.com
When to go?
Best time to visit for the weather: May–September. The warmest month is February (average high 84 °F); the wettest is December (9.2 in).
Monthly climate
| Month | Avg. high °F | Rain in | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 83.5 | 8.67 | Cool or rainy |
| February | 83.8 | 6.57 | Good |
| March | 82.6 | 6.66 | Good |
| April | 80.2 | 4.09 | Good |
| May | 77.4 | 2.40 | Ideal |
| June | 76.5 | 1.72 | Ideal |
| July | 76.3 | 1.23 | Ideal |
| August | 77.7 | 1.54 | Ideal |
| September | 79.5 | 2.46 | Ideal |
| October | 80.1 | 4.71 | Good |
| November | 79.7 | 8.46 | Cool or rainy |
| December | 81.9 | 9.15 | Cool or rainy |
Source: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), 2005–2024 monthly averages of daily high temperature and total rainfall. Values are estimates for an area of about 50 km and may differ from the city-centre weather station.
Public holidays 2027
- New Year's DayJanuary 1
- Good FridayMarch 26
- Tiradentes' DayApril 21
- Labour DayMay 1
- Independence DaySeptember 7
- Our Lady of AparecidaOctober 12
- All Souls' DayNovember 2
- Republic DayNovember 15
- Black Awareness DayNovember 20
- Christmas DayDecember 25
Sources: date-holidays and python-holidays open data projects; for Northern Cyprus, its public holidays law.
Practical info
- CurrencyBrazilian Real (R$)
- Dialling code+55
- Plugs & voltageType C, N · 127/220 V · 60 Hz
- EmergencyPolice 190 · Ambulance 192 · Fire 193
- DrivingOn the right
Sources: IEC plug types, Wikidata, Wikipedia; unverified details are left blank.