3 days in Rio de Janeiro! I was thrilled to be in Brazil for the first time. Such a big piece of land that I have heard so much about. Growing up in Lebanon, there was a huge community of Lebanese people that were big fans of Brazil during the world cup season. Our streets would be filled with Brazilian flags during the competition. So I grew up with a lot of curiosity about that country and I was excited to be able to step food in Rio de Janeiro first. I was flying from Peru and was looking forward to be next to the beach. From my window seat I could see the big mountains of the city bordering the huge sea.
3 days in Rio seemed so short, but I was able to see and do the main landmarks, as well as immerse myself in the Brazilian culture. Follow this guide for the perfect 3 days in Rio de Janeiro!
Snapchots from my first moments in Rio
BEST TIME TO VISIT RIO
Rio is always good to visit. But if you want to make sure you are seeing it in the best season, go there between December and March. If you are a fan of the carnival and wish to attend that, then go in February (although the dates change slightly every year).
I visited the city in January and it was perfect. The weather was great: warm. sunny, and perfect for beach. Unfortunately, it was a bit cloudy on the day I toured the Christ statue, but overall the time of my visit was great.
WHERE TO STAY IN RIO
One of the best areas to stay in Rio de Janeiro is Ipanema. During my trip, I visited many neighborhoods in the city and Ipanema was by far my favorite, in terms of vibe and location.
I stayed in an Airbnb with my friends and I absolutely loved the local experience. But if you prefer being in a hotel, here are some options Ipanema Inn hotel, Bossa Nova Ipanema and Hotel Arpoador.
HOW TO GET AROUND RIO
Rio has extensive public transportation options including a metro system and city buses. The metro is safe and efficient and travels across almost all areas of the city. It operates from Monday to Saturday from 5 AM to 12 AM. On Sundays and holidays, the metro runs from 7 AM to 11 PM. The bus is also a good option. It goes around the whole city at a very cheap price.
I personally traveled around mostly walking or using ubers. Ubers are also very cheap and accessible. My trips averaged 5$ or less.
3 DAYS IN RIO DE JANEIRO – DAY 1
Rio de Janeiro is a huge city and has so much to offer. You can easily spend a month, exploring something new everyday. But with only three days, I would definitely recommend taking a full-day tour to see the main landmarks of the city.
1. START BY VISITING THE ESCADARIA SELARON
This is one of the most famous staircase you would ever visit. It was designed by the artist Jorge Selaron who dedicated the last few years of his life to create this piece of art. This project was a tribute to Rio and the Brazilian people that the artist loved so much. It is said that the artist would run out of money during his project and he would go around search for new tiles in antique shops. But as his project grew, people would send him pieces from all over the world. The stairs now make up 125 meters of steps, and are covered in tiles, from 60 different countries, of mostly blue, yellow and green color, in honor of the flag. The walls are mostly red and signed by the artist: ‘Brasil Eu Te Amo Selarón’ – ‘Brazil I love you – Selarón’.
These vivd mosaic pieces are now a source of optimism and inspiration for the city. This piece of art transformed the area from a poor neighborhood to a now a creative hub, full of visitors and locals.
Escadaria Selaron
2. VISIT THE Catedral Metropolitana de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro
The catedral metropolitana de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro is one of the most unique cathedrals I have visited. It has the shape of a Mayan pyramid with a modern twist. Inside, it has four stained glass windows of different colors. The cathedral is huge as it can hold around 20,000 people making it one of the biggest in the world.
The cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop in Rio. Currently, it attracts many tourists due to its unique architecture.
The catedral metropolitana de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro
3. GO UP TO THE CHRIST THE REDEEMER STATUE
You can’t go to Rio without seeing the Christ statue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the world. The statue is huge, around 30 meters high. It is known to be the largest art deco-style sculpture in the world. The statue is built on a base that is 8 meters high, on a deck atop the mountain’s summit. You can find the most beautiful views of the city, the bay, and Sugarloaf Mountain from there.
The statue was build between 1922 and 1931, to commemorate the independence of Brazil from Portugal’s colonialism. It was built as a symbol of protection but also served as a reminder for Brazilians about the importance of faith.
You can get to the statue by train or by van at the official pick-up points which are at Praca do Lido in Copacabana and at the Citta America in Barra de Tijuca. The vans leave every 15 minutes and the ticket cost includes the return transport and entrance fee. I would warn you that the place is always full of tourists so definitely go with a tour agency or buy the tickets in advance to avoid long waiting times.
Unfortunately, when I visited the statue, it was very gloomy. The statue was being hidden by clouds and I only had brief moments where I was able to see the Christ clearly. Check the weather before heading there. It definitely is nicer to go when the sky is clear and sunny!
4. PASS BY SANTA DONA MARTA FOR MORE BEAUTIFUL VIEWS
If you are a sucker for views, like me, then you can’t miss this spot. Santa Dona Marta has the most amazing views of the Sugar Loaf mountain, the most famous mountain in Rio. This mountain has such an iconic shape that in 2012 it was made a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is right next to Copacabana beach and is surrounded by Morro da Urca, another smaller hill. Besides touring the mountain, looking at it from afar is a must-do. Stop by the Dona Marta viewpoint, you won’t regret it!
5. VISIT the Cascatinha TAUNAY WATERFALLS
What’s so nice about Rio is that it has tropical forests and waterfalls in the middle of the city! While there are plenty of attractions in the city to explore the culture and nightlife of Rio, not many mention the green environment that this place provides.
30 minutes away from the Dona Marta, you can visit the highest waterfall of the national park of Tijuca: the Cascatinha Taunay. The waterfall is located in the Tijuca forest which is part of the Tijuca National Park. This park is famous for being an urban national park in the mountains of the city. It is huge and has several attractions including the Christ statue and many waterfalls as well as different hiking trails.
The beauty of the waterfall and the forest are definitely worth to see!
the Cascatinha taunay waterfalls
6. END YOUR DAY WITH A DINNER AT THE TOP OF SUGAR LOAF MOUNTAIN
What else than a delicious dinner, with a beautiful view to end a long day of exploration?
I highly recommend keeping the Sugar loaf mountain for the evening, where you could ride the cable car and go up the mountain to watch the sunset. The mountain is called sugar loaf due to the similarity of its shape to the sugarloaf, the form in which refined sugar was produced and sold in the 19th century.
The mountain is around 390 meter high, making it another outstanding viewpoint in Rio. The view from the top includes the sparkling blue ocean, the rainforest in Rio, and the Copacabana and Ipanema beaches directly below the mountain.
Take the cable car around 6pm and head to the Classico Beach Club Ucra at Ucra Mountain. The restaurant provides a breathtaking view of the landscapes in Rio as well as a variety of Brazilian cuisine treats and drinks. I had an amazing time watching the sunset and eating with friends there. I can’t think of a better way to end the day.
View from Classico Beach Club
3 DAYS IN RIO DE JANEIRO – DAY 2
On your second day you should head to the beach and enjoy the waters of the city.
1. WALK ALONG THE COST OF COPACABANA BEACH
Copacabana beach is 4km long and has so many beach bars to offer. You will also notice that the beach has so many activities, particularly volleyball seems to be popular there. But you can also find football courts and spots with training equipment to work out.
Spend an afternoon walking along the beach, grab a drink or a coconut, tan a bit or get yourself wet in the waters.
2. PASS BY IPANEMA
After Copacabana beach, there is the Ipanema beach that faces the Ipanema neighborhood. You can choose to spend your beach time on that part of the coast. Otherwise, Ipanema district is known for its hip vibe. It has so much to offer such as shopping stores and boutiques selling local handcrafts. The area also offers cultural attractions such as the Ipanema Art Gallery and Amsterdam Sauer Museum.
3. BOOK A SUNSET CRUISE TOUR
What better way to spend another Brazilian sunset than through a boat cruise? Book yourself a sunset cruise from Guanabara Bay. The boat will take you around and allow you to see the cities landmarks from the waters. The guide will explain some of the sights you go around as well as provide rounds of drinks and snacks throughout the ride.
Pictures from the sunset cruise
4. SPEND THE NIGHT DANCING SAMBA
Can you go to Brazil without trying out a local samba place?
For your second night in Rio, I recommend going to Rio Scenarium. This place is very famous, mainly because it spams across several floors, with a unique decor filled with antiques and chandeliers. There is also a live band that plays samba music and a large dance floor for those who would like to experiment their samba moves. This place was super fun, I enjoyed dancing with the locals or the tourists visiting. Try to get your tickets in advance, sometimes the queue to enter the restaurant is really long!
The decor and dance floor at Rio Scenarium
3 DAYS IN RIO – DAY 3
1. TRY OUT THE AÇAÍ
Over the years, acai has become an integral part of Brazilian diet. In the north it is prepared in its rawest form (making it bitter), whereas in Rio it is usually mixed with different syrups or sugar.
You definitely need to start your day by trying one of the Brazilian acai bowls in Rio. Some of the best places that offer it are: Casa do Açaí, Amazônia Soul, ASA açaí and Tacaca do Norte.
2. EXPLORE THE CARNIVAL EXPERIENCE
One of the things that Brazil is most known for is its carnival. The carnival happens in the major cities of Brazil, but mostly popular in Rio. They are done before the Lent and constitute a big celebration of the food and pleasures that one has to give up during Lent. During the carnival, people are off of work and are on the streets watching the parades or attending the parties that run for 6 straight days. The Carnival is a really big deal in Brazil and people plan months in advance for it.
So one of the things you should do while in Rio, the capital of the carnival and go on a carnival tour where you’ll get to see the behind-the-scene work of the carnival. You will see the dressing rooms, try on some costumes, and learn about the history and production of Rio’s samba and carnival.
3. STROLL DOWN THE OLYMPIC BOULEVARD
Head to the Olympic boulevard of the city, the place where you will get to discover the legacy of the olympic games. You area is nice because it is home to some of the nicest street art in the city.
The olympic boulevard housed the olympic games during summer 2016 and because of that the city went through a series of structural and artistic enhancements to better host the worldwide event. Among those works, the most famous is the huge mural painting by Eduardo Kobra. The painting showcases faces of the indigenous people from the 5 main continents of the world, representing the 5 rings of the Olympics.
4. SPEND THE NIGHT IN LAPA
You can’t leave Rio without experiencing the local Brazilian nightlife one more time. There is no better place for that than Lapa street. The street is full of vibrant restaurants, bars, clubs and open air jam sessions. Grab a bite somewhere and start hopping around the different places. And of course, don’t hesitate to join one of the samba sessions on the streets!
