Brazil is one of the top places on my bucket list. I finally got the chance to visit. One of the places I visited was none other than Rio de Janeiro. It's a beautiful coastal city but has earned a reputation as a dangerous place to visit.
Keep on reading to learn more about my trip.
Travel Guide Budget and Itinerary for Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro has dream-like landscapes and beachscapes. Its beautiful beaches will allure you and would want you to stay longer than you originally planned. Rio is a vibe of its own. It dances to its own beat and will enthrall you with all that it has to offer. However, it also has a dark side that can make it a nightmare for those living in the city and visitors. There's visible poverty and homelessness. The income gap between the rich and the poor creates palpable social tensions that come and go. Stories of armed robberies and the usual pickpocketing are passed on from traveler to traveler. Despite these contrasts, I fell in love with Rio and wouldn't mind returning (again and again if my budget allows it).
The Portuguese arrived on January 1, 1502. They mistook the bay for the mouth of a river, hence the word "rio" in the city's name. Rio de Janeiro was the country's former capital and is an economic, cultural, and financial hub in the country.
Do You Need a Visa for Brazil?
Filipinos don't need a visa to enter Brazil. I'm a Filipino passport holder. It was a relief to not apply for a visa to enter one of the countries atop my bucket list. However, I had to get a visa for the Schengen zone when I spent a few days in Spain and Portugal before going to Brazil. Several other countries can enter Brazil visa-free. You can check online for a list.
How to Get to Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is a major city in South America. You can find multiple flights coming from various cities in Europe or North America that go to Rio. There are some direct flights from Europe (specifically Portugal), but in many cases you'll have to layover in one or two cities depending on the airline. There are direct flights from other cities within Brazil. You can also travel by land (your own vehicle or by bus) to get into Rio from other cities in the country.
Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro
You can easily spend a week or so in Rio because of the many attractions you can visit. You can spend a couple of days sightseeing and spend a few more hanging out in one of the city's beaches. When planning your budget and itinerary for Rio de Janeiro, here are some of the things you can do.
Cristo Redentor or Christ the Redeemer
This colossal statue is one of the most recognizable attractions in Rio. I think it's overhyped but it's still a noteworthy attraction to include in your budget and itinerary for Rio. Perched on Mt. Corcovado, the statue rises to 30m high with its open arms measuring 28m. Construction of Cristo Redentor or Christ the Redeemer concluded in 1931. It can get really crowded during your visit. For me, the best part of the trip to the statue was seeing the stunning panoramic views of the surroundings. You have the option to join a tour to make logistics simpler and get to see more places in one day or you can DIY.
You don't have to book online, but if you want to here's the link for the train up and down the mountain: click here.
As of this writing, the entrance for for Christ the Redemeer is BRL 85.
Sugarloaf Mountain
Sugarloaf Mountain is another Rio de Janeiro icon. This monolith's location provides visitors with spectacular views of the city. It's one of the best spots to watch the sunset. However, everyone else is thinking the same thing. I suggest going up as early as 3-4pm so you don't miss out. The cable car ride takes two stages to finish. The cable car ride is scenic with plenty of gorgeous views along the way. There's plenty of shops and places to eat in.
You can book your tickets online here. You can also show up at the first station but the lines can get long.
Copacabana
Rio's location along the coast makes it an ideal beach destination. One of the most popular beaches in the city is Copacabana. This area is also one of the most expensive to buy property in. The fine, golden sand and azure waters will allure visitors. The beach is often full of people swimming, jogging, walking, sunbathing or whatnot. There's plenty of beachside vendors and stalls for food and drinks. There's also a lot of restaurants nearby.
Ipanema
If you like old songs, you must've heard of "The Girl from Ipanema." I couldn't help but think of the lyrics of the song when I walked along Ipanema. I found this beach more scenic because of the views of the mountains from afar. This beach area is just as developed as nearby Copacabana with restaurants, hotels, shops, and others near the shore.
Praia Vermelha
This quaint beach that's a short walk from the cable car station going up to Sugarloaf is a little piece of paradise. It has a lovely beachscape and inviting waters. You can sit back and relax with a cold drink in hand while here. You can go swimming and/or sunbathing as well.
Botafogo
Rio is home to beautiful beaches another one you can visit is Botafogo. When I went here there were only a handful of people. There might be more people during a different time of the year.
Escadaria Selaron
These colorful steps is a popular attraction. There's often a huge crowd here taking selfies and pictures. Jorge Selarón worked on the stairs in the 1980s. He collected tiles and installed them on the steps over the years. I settled on taking a selfie at a spot that wasn't as crowded as the first few steps. Avoid visiting this place too early or too late at night.
Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian
This Mayan pyramid-inspired is an attention grabbing piece of architecture. Architect Edgar Fonseca designed this church. Construction began in the early 60s. The colorful stained glass windows are the interior's main feature.
São Bento
This centuries old church has pretty good carvings and beautiful religious art. The altar is elaborately decorated and eye catching. You can spend a few minutes here contemplating, saying a prayer, or simply as a short break from the hustle and bustle happening in Rio.
Municipal Theater
This theater is one of the city's architectural gems. It dates to the early20th century. It's architect drew inspiration from the Palais Garnier in Paris. Its luxurious and elaborate interiors make visitors stop and stare. You can watch a cultural show here or join a guided tour.
Museo do Amanha
It was raining during one of the days when I was in Rio. I didn't want to go to Cristo Redentor and Sugarloaf Mountain with the views obscured by clouds and fog. I decided to visit the Museo do Amanha. Santiago Calatrava (a neo-futuristic architect from Spain) designed the museum. This museum's objective is to project a future and delve into the present. The displays and interactive exhibits focus on the Anthropocene, Cosmos, Earth, Us, and Tomorrows. The museum has an interesting concept. You can spend a few hours here during your visit.
Arcos da Lapa
This relic of the past contrasts with the modernization of Rio. Centuries ago, Rio's residents needed clean water so the local authorities at the time decided to build an aqueduct. The construction of the aqueduct completed in the mid-18th century.
Valongo Wharf
Valongo Wharf is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's located in the city's former harbor area. Rio used to be one of the landing ports of African slaves. The construction of the wharf took place in the early 19th century. An estimate of 900,000 slaves arrived in Valongo. When planning your budget and itinerary for Rio, consider including this historic site.
Pedra do Sal
Samba is a popular and beloved music genre born and cultivated in Rio de Janeiro. Pedra do Sal is the place to be when you want to get a taste of good live samba music. The live bands usually play from Friday to Monday at around 8pm until around 2am.
Rocinha
Other attractions you might be interested in include:
- Tijuca National Park
- Maracanã
- Jardim Botânico
- Quinta da Boa Vista
Getting around Rio de Janeiro
Rio has its own metro and bus network that makes it easy to explore the city. However, you need to be mindful of your surroundings because you might run into opportunistic (or even armed) robbers. Avoid walking around dark alleys at night. Stay near tourist spots or anywhere with a crowd. I often used the metro to get from point A to B. You can purchase one of the top up cards when you explore the city. Uber is also a handy app to use while in Rio. It's affordable and safely gets you to your destination.
Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro
Rio is one of the most expensive places to visit in Brazil. However, it's still cheaper compared to many European cities, Singapore, Japan, and other first-world countries. You can find different types of accommodations that fit your budget. Most tourists stay in Copacabana or Ipanema. You can go all out and stay at a luxurious hotel or stay in a hostel's dorm. I usually look for a place to stay at www.booking.com. You can browse other websites or book directly with your chosen accommodation.
Budget for Rio de Janeiro
Rio's an affordable city if you know how to budget effectively. I didn't go the cheapest way possible all the time during my visit. I was willing to spend a bit more for better accommodation whether it was in a hostel dorm or private room. I didn't dine in fancy places nor eat street food all the time. I took Uber quite frequently but also took the metro as often as possible. I struck a balance between outright splurging and sticking to a budget. I spent roughly BRL 390 a day including accommodation, food, tours, and transportation around the city. You can spend less than that if you want to. Sky's the limit if you have an unlimited budget or one that's higher than mine.
If you want to read more about my trip to Brazil, you can check out these other posts:
Itinerary for Rio de Janeiro
Here's a sample itinerary for Rio:
Day 1
Christ the Redeemer
Metropolitan Cathedral
Escadaria Selaron
Arcos da Lapa
Sugarloaf Mountain
Day 2
Copacabana
Ipanema
Day 3
Rocinha favela tour
Day 4
Museo do Amanha
Municipal Theater
Valongo Wharf
You can add or remove places depending on your interests. You can easily spend one day (or two, or three, or more) in one of the beaches in Rio if you don't feel like sightseeing. You can spend a week in Rio and just scratch the surface.
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