Rio de Janiero, Brazil - Things to See and Do

What to see and do in Rio de Janiero, Brazil

Visited March 2023

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Rio de Janiero is the second-largest city in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is a vibrant city located in southeastern Brazil, known for its stunning natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and lively atmosphere.

We ended our cruise on the Norwegian Star in Rio de Janeiro on 3/18/2023. But remained on the ship in port for an additional night. The first day, we took a bus tour of the city and it included a trip the cable cars to the top of Sugarloaf, went to Cocacabana Beach, and visited a few other places including the Cathedral of St Sébastien. On Morro de Urca, people were rappelling down and we saw several monkeys there. One cable car takes you up to to the top of Morro de Urca and then you ride a second one to the top of Sugarloaf. The next day, we departed the ship on a bus that took us to view more of the city, a visit to the Christ the Redeemer statue and then it dropped us off at the airport to fly home. There is a 15 minute train ride up to the statue and then after you visit it, a 15 minute train ride back down the mountain.

One of the most iconic landmarks of Rio de Janeiro is the Christ the Redeemer statue, which stands atop Corcovado Mountain and offers stunning views of the city. Another popular attraction is Sugarloaf Mountain, which can be reached by cable car and also provides panoramic views of the city.

Rio de Janeiro is also famous for its beautiful beaches, including Copacabana and Ipanema. These beaches are popular spots for sunbathing, swimming, and people-watching, and are lined with bars, restaurants, and shops.

Carnival is one of the biggest events in Rio de Janeiro, drawing millions of visitors to the city each year. The festival is known for its colorful parades, samba music, and street parties, and is considered one of the largest and most spectacular carnival celebrations in the world.

The city also has a rich cultural heritage, with a blend of Portuguese, African, and indigenous influences. Visitors can explore the historic city center, which features colonial-era architecture, museums, and art galleries, as well as enjoy the vibrant music and dance scene in the city's many bars and clubs.

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The cable car to the top of Morro de Urca

View of Sugarloaf from the top of Morro de Urca

View of Christ the Redeemer from Morro de Urca

Train to Christ the Redeemer statue

Christ the Redeemer statue

Stairs to the Christ the Redeemer statue

View from the Christ the Redeemer statue

View of Rio de Janeiro from the harbor at night

Museu do Amanhã science museum

Cais do Valongo is a World Heritage site listed by UNESCO. The stone pier was built in 1811 as one of the most important ports for slavery traffic in the Atlantic. The pier from the 1600s is now 1,000 feet from the harbor. When Tereza Cristina was engaged to Dom Pedro. He renovated this pier to receive her, and named it the Empress Pier.