Explore Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro Tourism: Best of Rio de Janeiro
Essential Rio de Janeiro
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Rio de Janeiro Is Great For
Iconic beaches
Nights full of music and dance
Plates piled sky-high with churrascaria
Travelers' pro tips for experiencing Rio de Janeiro



In the words of those who've been there before ...



What is the best way to get there?
Flying:
The main airport that serves Rio de Janeiro is the Rio de Janeiro-Antonio Carlos Jobim/Galeão International Airport, known simply as Galeão International Airport.
Bus:
The Rodoviaria Rio Novo station is the main bus terminal in Rio de Janeiro and hosts the majority of long-distance buses.
Driving:
If arriving in Rio by car, you’ll likely come from the BR116, which is the highway that connects the city with Sao Paulo.
Do I need a visa?
If you’re visiting from Brazil overseas, see if you need a visa using this website.
When is the best time to visit?
December to March: Undoubtedly, the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro is between December and March, when the weather is optimum for exploring the city’s beaches. Additionally, the summer months deliver two of the city’s best celebrations: New Year’s Eve, when crowds cram onto Copacabana Beach for a 15-minute fireworks display, and the world-renowned Carnaval, during which the spirit of samba overtakes the city.
For more information on Rio de Janeiro’s weather and when to go, check out some tips here.
Metro
Rio’s metro spans three air-conditioned lines. Line 1 goes from Ipanema-General Osório to Uruguai; Line 2 travels from Botafogo to Pavuna, passing Maracanã football stadium en route; Line 3 travels between Ipanema-General Osório and the eastern end of Barra da Tijuca at Jardim Oceânico. You can purchase a rechargeable card at any of the metro stations. Find out more here.
Taxis and rideshare
Apps such as Uber and Cabify are the main rideshare operators in Rio. Most of the public cabs are metered and are readily available and therefore easy to hail from the street.
Bus
Rio’s BRS (Bus Rapid System) overlaps the metro and covers popular city zones such as Ipanema, Leblon, Barra, and Copacabana.
Are there local customs I should know?
- We recommend staying at one of the most popular hotels in Rio de Janeiro, which include:
- Some of the most popular restaurants in Rio de Janeiro include:
- Rio de Janeiro is known for some of its popular attractions, which include:
- We recommend checking out these popular tours when looking for something to do in Rio de Janeiro:
- Full Day in Rio: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Maracana and Selaron with Lunch
- Full Day Tour to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande
- Rio's Full Day: Selarón Steps, Christ & Sugarloaf – Tickets & Lunch Included
- The Best Half Day in Rio with Christ Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Hill
- Skip the Line Christ the Redeemer Admission Ticket
- If you're a more budget-conscious traveler, then you may want to consider traveling to Rio de Janeiro between September and November, when hotel prices are generally the lowest. Peak hotel prices generally start between June and August.