Overview
To wake up on a sparkling, sunny morning in Rio and take in your first views across iconic Copacabana beach is one of Brazil’s standout experiences. Indeed, Rio’s setting, among the most beautiful of any world city, is reason enough to visit. However, there’s much more to this quintessentially Brazilian oceanside metropolis. And whilst Rio seems to be changing all the time, the magnetic warmth of the Cariocas is a constant. Rio deserves a few days to explore as well as time to sit back and share the outdoor life of its welcoming inhabitants.
Sugarloaf Mountain and the statue of Christ on Corcovado overlook the sprawling city, where the legendary golden beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema bustle with prom-side bars. Venture into the busy colonial centre to see literary cafés spilling out onto car-free lanes, the National Theatre all a-glitter, and boutique hotels that nestle in arty Santa Teresa.
The lagoon behind Ipanema beach is circled by a pretty path and cycle route and the Botanical Gardens are luscious and serene. Vibrant street art, beach football, spontaneous musical events and lively bars all add to a joyous experience for visitors. Rio confounds, surprises and excites and should not be missed. Whatever impressions you may have before you go, it’s quite likely you’ll crave a return visit.
Holidays Rio de Janeiro
From expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted holidays.
Group - Discovery
/ Guyana / French Guiana / Suriname
Coq of the Rock: Trailblazing the Guianas
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Group - Classic
Brazil / Iguazu Falls / Argentina / Bolivia / Lake Titicaca / Peru
Hummingbird: Ocean to ocean
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Group - Discovery
Peru / Lake Titicaca / Bolivia / Paraguay / Iguazu Falls / Brazil
Jacana: Crossing the continent
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Things to do
Sugar Loaf mountain, Christ the Redeemer and the Maracana stadium are some of the iconic sights of Rio. To discover more speak to an expert now.
Accommodation
Accommodation in Rio is as cosmopolitan as the city itself. Choose from no-frills, mid-range and high end, luxury hotels in enviable locations.
Where to go when - our guide to Rio de Janeiro
The weather in Rio de Janeiro is wide and varied
Of the world’s great iconic cities, Rio is the most captivating. Enjoy its vibrant street art, beach football and spontaneous musical events. With a tropical climate, Rio is hot, humid and prone to some spectacularly heavy rain showers between November and March. This period includes the busy local holiday season, January and February. So if you revel in the heat, enjoy spectacular thunderstorms, and like the beaches and pavement bars to be brimming with animated people, choose those months to visit. April and September offer slightly cooler, quieter conditions both weather and visitor-wise. Winter (May - August) appeals to those who don’t like high temperatures, but it can be cool and drizzly at times.
View our Rio de Janeiro weather guidePapagaio
Your edit for Latin American inspiration
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
View Extraordinary Inspiration
