Rio de Janeiro Things to Do

Who hasn’t imagined waking up one morning (or afternoon) and walking out the front door only to be greeted by the sun, sand, and surf of Ipanema Beach? With all the available apartments for rent in the oceanfront districts of Rio de Janeiro—Ipanema, Copacabana, Leblon, Leme, Arpoador, and Barra da Tijuca—snagging your own space and becoming a denizen of the Marvelous City for a few days, weeks, or even months has never been easier.

Rio de Janiero, like most of Brazil, is riding a wave of economic prosperity that makes more developed nations sigh with envy. Last month, Brazil eclipsed the UK to become the world’s sixth largest economy—larger than the rest of South America combined. The favelas, or urban slums, that famously cling to the hillsides overlooking Rio proper, have historically been home to the poorest of the poor. But as this city rises to international star status, even these neighborhoods are being integrated into the festivities.