Four Days in Rio: Balancing Sights and Fun
Rio de Janeiro has one of the most recognizable coastlines in the world. With the famous Copacabana & Ipanema Beaches to lounge around. To Sugarloaf Mountain on one side. And of course Christ the Redeemer watching over the whole city! Four days in Rio will take your breath away. And wishing you could just stay a bit longer.
A good game plan is a must. The city is known for its legendary traffic congestion.
But the laid back vibe, non-stop party atmosphere, and beautiful beaches will keep you entertained.
In addition, there are some famous sights that you will want to put on the itinerary.
I am not quite sure why it took me so long to visit Brazil? Fortunately, a friend was getting married in Rio and we started planning for the trip.
My wife & I decided to do two days in Sao Paolo. And then spend four days in Rio for sights and fun. One extra day was reserved for the wedding.
We wanted to have a mix of relaxing by the beach, and fitting in the sights. Plus, there is no shortage of nightlife and parties to enjoy.
As with any large city, you will want to do some research and pick which sights are most important to you.
Having just four days in Rio means some attractions, restaurants, and bars just have to wait until the next visit.
Jump ahead to:
Four Days in Rio 7 Things to Do:
- Sugarloaf Mountain
- Christ the Redeemer
- Parque Lage
- Jardim Botanico (Botanical Gardens)
- Copacabana Beach
- Ipanema Beach
- Escadaria Selaron
Pro Tip: Scout out your weather and plan your sights accordingly. For clear days you will want to see/plan Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain. The pictures and Instagram moments will be worth it!
Additional clear and sunny days will be good for the famous beaches. Parque Lage and the Jardim Botanico are ok for any overcast days.
Day One: Arrival
We left Sao Paolo on a late morning flight. The flight to Rio was only 45 minutes. However, the trip from the airport to our hotel took about 1.5 hours.
As in Sao Paolo, I do recommend pre booking a private airport transportation. It really made the arrival much easier. The company was waiting for us outside of the baggage area.
We stayed at the LSH Hotel in the Barra da Tijuca area of Rio. It is the western portion of Rio and we found it less touristy.
The wedding reception was also held at this hotel and it just made the most sense for us.
As a reference point the zona sud (south) is where Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches are located.
Day One: Sugarloaf Mountain
By the time we arrived to the hotel and unpacked, it was already close to 3pm. We grabbed a quick and late lunch. But it made most sense to head off to see Sugarloaf Mountain.
Sugarloaf Mountain is a must visit on your Rio vacation. The panoramic views of Rio from the top are magical. Make sure to go on a clear day.
Although anytime of day would be great, I highly recommend going for sunset. It ended up being one of the most enchanting and unforgettable sunset experiences in the world.
We used Uber to get around for everything. We found it easy and inexpensive to use. For Sugarloaf use Pao de Acucar and Uber will drop you off right where you need to buy your cable car tickets.
As mentioned before, the traffic in Rio is quite heavy. So plan accordingly and leave enough time to get to Sugarloaf. As well as the time it takes to get to the top.
Sugarloaf: Getting to the Top
Sugarloaf Mountain is located in an area called Urca. Getting to the top is a two step process.
I recommend taking the cable car which costs about R$76 (Brazilian Reals). The ride is quite a thrill. The first peak is Morro da Urca.
The views and picture taking are great at the first stop. So definitely make time to enjoy the views of Guanabara Bay and the surrounding area.
There is also a snack bar to get a drink and relax and take in the incredible views. You also get great up-close views of Sugarloaf Mountain.
But remember, there is another cable car ride to catch and reach the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. 396 meters at the top.
Each cable car ride is about 3 minutes long. The cars run about every 20 minutes.
From the top of Sugarloaf Mountain you will appreciate how big and beautiful Rio is. There are amazing views of Corcovado & Christ the Redeemer.
Both Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches are laid out in plain view. In addition, the immediate views of the Bay and Atlantic Ocean are breath taking.
A full 360 degree Rio experience is worth every penny. The Rio sunset is incredible and something not to be missed.
The area by Sugarloaf Mountain is known as Urca. There is a nice beach called Praia Verhmelha to enjoy.
As well as the famous Bar Urca where you can enjoy drinks and enchanting views. All of this with the famous backdrop of Morro da Urca.
Day Two: Christ the Redeemer
Christ the Redeemer is one of the most recognizable statues in the world. It is a must see when you are in Rio.
Towering at over 2300 feet above the city, the statue stands watch over Rio. It sits atop Mount Corcovado in the Tijuca National Park & Forest.
The statue measures 98 feet (30 meters) tall by 92 feet (28 meters) wide. And the view from the base overlooking all of Rio is another breath taking excursion that you must experience.
Christ the Redeemer: Getting to the Top
We booked an Uber from our hotel to take us to the park entrance. Travel time was closer to one hour from our hotel.
It is a nice drive through the National Park. There are many photo opportunities as you wind up the mountain.
Once inside the park, you will need to buy tickets at the tourist office that will provide transport to the statue. Tickets are based on a specific time. So make sure to pay attention to your group time.
There is also a nice souvenir shop at the tourist office. Grab some nice momento’s and gifts.
Once we arrived at the base, it was a few more stairs before arriving at the top. But I can’t stress how breath taking the views are from the top. A full panaromic view of Rio.
The sensation is also amazing. The immense size of the Christ Statue is mind blowing.
After taking plenty of pictures and admiring the whole view, we headed back down to the statue base.
However, I would recommend grabbing a drink or a bite to eat at Restaurant Corcovado.
The views from the restaurant are also amazing. Plus it was nice to relax and appreciate the whole visit to Christ the Redeemer.
A few additional details:
Grabbing an Uber to get back to the city wasn’t so easy. There is not an Uber stand for the drivers to hang out. So you could be waiting quite a bit if a driver isn’t nearby the park summit.
We were able to buy a transportation ticket from the Tijuca National Park vans. The vans drop off was closer to the city center (not our hotel area). From there we grabbed a taxi and headed to Copacabana Beach.
Plan about at least 5-6 hours (including round-trip transportation) for this excursion.
It is best to head up in the morning which is less crowded. Also the temperatures are lower and views can be clearer.
If possible, review the weather forecast and pick a clear day. The endless views of Rio are hard to beat. It was a trip I’ll never forget.
After wrapping up a trip to Christ the Redeemer, we headed to Copacabana Beach.
Day Two: The Beaches
We wrapped up a relaxing and awe inspiring visit to Christ the Redeemer. We still had half a day to explore and headed down to Copacabana and Ipanema Beach.
The Tijuca Park vans meandered through the famous Santa Teresa neighborhood. Santa Teresa has smaller narrow streets and cute trams that criss-cross the area.
The final drop-off was in Botafogo. We enjoyed a refreshing acai smoothie and grabbed a cab to Copacabana Beach.
Copacabana Beach Highlights
Copacabana is a must visit as it’s one of the most famous and beautiful beaches in the world. The beach is full of people and activities. It’s vibe is unmistakable.
We strolled along the beautifully designed Copacabana promenade that runs along the beach and Avenida Atlantica.
Along Avenida Atlantica is one of my bucket list hotels. The Belmond Copacabana Palace.
The art-deco hotel is a crown jewel in Rio. I recommend dropping in for a bite and unforgettable view.
Even just a drink or caiprihina to relax and enjoy the laid-back luxurious vibe. We hope to book a stay on our next Rio vacation.
Ipanema Beach Highlights
Ipanema Beach was just a short Uber ride away. Equally as beautiful and breath taking. We wandered along its grid like streets and found plenty of shopping and bars.
We grabbed a fresh coconut to walk around and stay hydrated. Almost every beach vendor/snack bar has fresh coconuts. It was a great and tasty way to keep hydrated.
We also stumbled upon my wife’s now favorite store: FarmRio. One of its signature stores is in Ipanema.
We spent quite a bit of time here. It was a great find and certainly reminds us of the fabulous Rio experience.
One of the central gathering spots is the Praca Nossa Park. And not far away you can find many bars and restaurants along Rua Garcia d’Avila.
We stopped in for some tasty tapas and fun drinks spot at Venga Bar and Tapas. Wander through the area and you will be sure to find a fun spot to chill and relax.
Day Three: Parque Lage & Escadaria
Parque Lage is a former mansion that sits in an ideal spot in the Jardim Botanico. We went for a group lunch at the cafe that sits inside the mansion.
The mansion sits at the base of Mount Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer Statue. It is nestled amongst lush gardens and tress from the surrounding Botanical Gardens.
The open air cafe is a wonderful spot to enjoy the natural scenery. You can head up to the rooftop to take some great photos.
After lunch we strolled through the gardens and trees. For the more fit and adventurous types you can hike the trails that will take you to the top of Corcovado.
Escadaria Selaron
Jorge Selaron’s tribute to Rio & Brazil. His passion project has made the 125 meter staircase world famous.
The colorful tiles were carefully placed. Many tiles have come from all over the world. Eventually, the colors of the Brazilian flag became the dominant theme.
I had known about the stair case but didn’t realize the history until we planned our vacation. I remember seeing it in the video/song Beautiful, by Snoop Dogg and Pharell.
Their video became a dedication to Rio. Parque Lage was also featured in the video.
The Selaron is located at the cross section of the Santa Teresa and Lapa neighborhoods.
There are many restaurants and coffee shops in the area. Consider riding one of the historic tram lines up through the Santa Teresa neighborhood.
Day Four: Food and Fun
After covering all the sights we had and mind, and then some. It was time to focus on food, drinks, and fun. The wedding was a blast and now the group could relax and let loose.
For lunch, we booked Fogo de Chao, Botafogo location. This is their signature location and it is quite the restaurant.
The backdrop is Sugarloaf Mountain and Guandabara Bay. So the setup is amazing.
The food is endless and features grilled meats that is influenced from Brazil, Argentina, and Uraguay.
They have locations around the world, but I would say it was worth going to this location. It was a lot of fun with a large group.
A Dinner to Remember
For dinner, we booked Bagatelle Rio. A true one-of-a-kind experience. We were anticipating this evening and we were not disappointed.
Bagatelle is known for its dinner that turns into a club atmosphere. The food was really good too.
But once dinner was done, the dj’s get going and the remaining dinner guests party the night away.
If lucky, five or more tables will order signature shots, or magnum bottles of champagne. The servers bring them out with flair and themed presentation matched up with the dj. Our group ordered up the magnum champagne.
Watch some videos on You Tube or follow them on Instagram to get an idea of the fun to be had.
The night went down as the best memory (after the wedding party) our group had of Rio de Janeiro.
Four Days in Rio Notes
On a return trip, we would most likely stay in Copacabana or Ipanema Beach.
While we enjoyed the Barra de Tijuca area, most of our dinners and nightlife were spent closer to the two main beach areas.
Rio’s vibe, beauty, culture, food and people made for an unforgettable trip. It’s a city that exceeded all of my expectations.
Four days in Rio is enough for a first time visitor. Just do some advance planning for the sights. After that, just go with the flow and feel the vibe of this great city.
No matter how much time you have, Rio will keep you wanting more and planning a return.
Thanks for reading and following!
Foody.Tipsy.Traveler | Kevin
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