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Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide: Where to Stay, What to Do, Where to Eat

  • Writer: Itallo Olimpio
    Itallo Olimpio
  • Dec 29, 2025
  • 7 min read

This is my Rio de Janeiro travel guide for first-timers who want the full experience without falling into tourist traps or unnecessary drama. I was in Rio for a week in mid December, peak heat, peak energy, peak everything. Rio is intense, beautiful, chaotic in the best way, and very easy to love if you understand how it works.


This guide is built around my real experience, classic must-sees, and places I would actually recommend to friends. It is aimed at travelers who value comfort, good food, walkability, and smart choices, and if you're a backpacker, don't worry cuz this article is also for you.



Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro

Choosing where to stay in Rio matters more than people admit. Neighborhood choice affects your budget, your daily logistics, and how safe and relaxed you feel.


Botafogo

This is where I stayed, and I would choose it again.


Botafogo is central, well-connected, and still underpriced compared to beach neighborhoods. It has a metro station, quick access to Copacabana, Ipanema, downtown, and even Santa Teresa. Hotel prices are easily 40 percent lower than Copacabana, especially outside high season.


The area feels local but lively. Supermarkets, pharmacies, bars, restaurants, gyms, bakeries, all within walking distance. At night, Botafogo is active without being chaotic. For mid-range travelers, this is one of the smartest bases in Rio.


Copacabana

Copacabana is iconic, crowded, loud, and convenient.


If waking up next to the beach is your priority, this is still a solid choice. It has excellent metro coverage and everything you need is nearby. The downside is price and crowds. Hotels here cost more, especially in December, January, Carnival, and New Year’s Eve.


Copacabana is also very mixed. Some blocks feel great, others feel tired. Choosing the right hotel matters. Rio Othon Palace offers the best mix of services-location, in my opinion. Prices are higher, of course.


Ipanema

More polished, trendier, and generally more expensive.


Ipanema feels younger, more stylish, and more curated. Restaurants are pricier, hotels are pricier, and the beach vibe is more upscale. If budget allows, it is a great option. If not, staying nearby and visiting is enough.


Santa Teresa

Charming, artistic, and not for everyone.


Santa Teresa is beautiful, full of character, colonial houses, and great restaurants. The downside is access. You rely more on Uber, taxis, or walking steep streets. I recommend it if ambiance matters more than convenience.


Overall, when we're talking about prices in Rio, expect around 40 to 50 USD per night outside high season, 80 to 90 USD in high season, and significantly more during Carnival and New Year.


What to Do in Rio de Janeiro

There is no shortage of things to do in Rio. The key is pacing yourself and accepting that you will not see everything in one trip.


Christ the Redeemer

Even if I did not go up myself, it belongs in every Rio de Janeiro travel guide.

It is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. Go early to avoid crowds. Expect lines. Expect views that make it worth it anyway.



Museu do Amanhã

Even if you are not big on museums, this one works. Go for the architecture first, content second. It is interactive, well curated and gives a solid overview of climate, technology and the future without being boring. Combine it with a walk around Praça Mauá and the port area. Easy half morning, no rush.


Maracanã Stadium

You do not need to be a football fanatic to understand why this place matters. A guided tour is the easiest way to get context, walk through the locker rooms and stand pitch side. On match days, the energy outside already makes the visit worth it. If there is a game, go.



Selarón Steps and Arcos da Lapa

Do both together. Selarón is quick. Take photos, move on. Early morning is best unless you want crowds. From there, walk to the Arcos da Lapa. It is one of those spots that look better in real life than in photos. Come back at night if you want to see Lapa alive, loud and messy.



Sugarloaf Mountain and Morro da Urca

This one I did, and I loved it. You can take the cable car (I'd recommend getting your tickets beforehand) or hike part of Morro da Urca. I did a trail there and stayed for sunset with a DJ set. Views over Guanabara Bay are unreal. This is one of those experiences that actually lives up to the hype.



Beaches in Rio

Copacabana and Ipanema are the stars. They are crowded, expensive, and still worth it. Beaches in Rio are divided by postos, lifeguard stations, and each area has its own vibe. Chairs and umbrellas are paid separately. Prices vary. If you do not want to deal with that, bring a towel or a Brazilian canga and you are fine. Praia Vermelha is a personal favorite. Smaller, calmer, and right next to Sugarloaf. São Conrado is beautiful and often overlooked. Barra da Tijuca is far, but quieter and more spacious if you have the time and budget. If you're at the beach, you also need to try mate and fried cheese. No need to think twice, just go for it.



Pedra do Sal

Monday nights only. Very packed, if you don't like crowds, this is def not for you. This is one of the most authentic samba experiences in Rio, tho. No stage per se, just people, music, caipirinhas, and movement. Go early, stay aware, enjoy it for what it is.


Caos in Pedra do Sal. Grab your Caipirinha, baby
Caos in Pedra do Sal. Grab your Caipirinha, baby

Gabinete Português de Leitura

A hidden gem, and one of the most beautiful libraries I have ever seen. It takes less than 30 minutes, costs nothing, and feels like stepping into another century.


Favela Tours

I did a favela visit in Vidigal on a motorbike. Favelas are not one thing. They are many, very different from each other, and part of Rio’s reality. People who live there do not make drama about it. Outsiders do. Go with a local guide. Respect the place. Do not take photos randomly. It is eye-opening and worth doing when done right.



Helicopter & Parasailing Tours

Yes, they are touristy. Yes, they are expensive. Still worth it if you want a different perspective. Helicopter flights give you the full picture of Rio in minutes. Beaches, mountains, favelas, everything makes sense from above. Parasailing is lighter, more relaxed and great on a clear day over Copacabana or Barra. Not essential, but memorable.



Niterói

Take the ferry across the bay and you're in a completly diferent vibe. Museums, beaches, and a completely different perspective of Rio (the state of Rio, at least). BistroMAC alone makes the trip worth it. No need to book a tour here. Just go directly to the CCR Barcas terminal and buy your ferry ticket for under USD 1.


Where to Eat in Rio de Janeiro

Food in Rio is better than many people expect, especially if you leave the obvious tourist spots.


My Picks

Bar Meiuca Atlântica for picanha. Best I had in Rio.

Tempo Bistrô in Botafogo. Best service, great food, relaxed atmosphere.

SambaSky Rooftop in Copacabana. One of the best views from Rio, great food.

Armazém São Joaquim in Santa Teresa. Incredible ambiance and very solid food.

Desjejum Padaria Artesanal. Convenient, tasty, slightly overpriced but worth it.

Quiosque do Arvrão. Pricey, but the feijoada is exceptional. And the views.. the views!

BistroMAC in Niterói. Worth crossing the bay for.

Breakfast at Forte de Copacabana is also a classic for a reason. Views plus history.



Getting Around Rio

Use the metro. Seriously.


It is safe, cheap, efficient, and you can tap your credit card directly at the turnstile. You will save money and time. Uber is cheap too, but traffic can be brutal and prices jump at night.


I felt safe on the metro at all times.


Safety in Rio de Janeiro

Rio requires awareness, not paranoia.


Do not wear jewelry. No necklaces, no bracelets. Small earrings and rings are fine. Non-flashy watches are fine.


No phone in your hand while walking. No camera hanging from your neck. No wallet in your back pocket.


I use a money belt. Passport or just a copy, one emergency credit card with a low limit, and some cash. Everything else stays digital. I pay almost everything using tap on my phone or watch.


This is also where travel insurance matters. I always travel with Nomad Travel and Health Insurance. I used it on my Southeast Asia trip and never needed to file a claim, but their support and global coverage are solid. In a city like Rio, it is peace of mind, not paranoia.


Rio LGBTQ+ Guide

Rio is one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly cities in Latin America.


Ipanema is the heart of it, especially around the beach. Copacabana is also very inclusive. Nightlife ranges from bars to clubs like Pink Flamingo, Retro Lapa PubDance, and TAU. (wich is not a gay club per say), which I went to twice and really liked. More Latin vibe, good energy, mixed crowd.


You can be yourself here. Just apply the same street awareness you would anywhere else.


When to Visit Rio de Janeiro

December to February is peak season. It is hot, humid, energetic, and expensive. That is the point.


If you are coming to Rio, you want heat. Period.


I was unlucky with two days of rain due to a cyclone warning, which is rare. Normally, it is pure summer. Bring sunscreen, drink water, and accept the sweat.


How to Plan Your Trip to Rio

Rio rewards preparation and flexibility.


Choose the right neighborhood. Use public transport. Eat beyond the obvious. Respect the city’s rhythm. Do not overthink safety. Do not underestimate distances.


If you do that, Rio gives back more than most cities ever will. And yes, you will want to come back.



Extra: my personal must-have travel gear (prices as of Dec 2025)


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