Rio de Janeiro Things to Do

Perched high above the Marvelous City, along the mountainous slopes eventually leading up to Corcovado, Rio de Janeiro’s unique and lively neighborhood of Santa Teresa has long been the haunt of the city’s bohemian denizens, with artists, musicians, and intellectuals hobnobbing among the atmospheric drinking establishments and ambling up and down the cobblestone streets.

Of all the cities in all the countries in all the world, none is more identified with “the Beautiful Game” of soccer—futebol—than Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Home to one of the world’s most famous soccer stadiums, Maracanã, and home to some of the world’s best-known soccer clubs, not to mention the splendid, one-of-a-kind natural setting and infectious tropical culture, Rio is a soccer-lover’s dream.

Songs tout the beauty of Rio de Janeiro’s beaches and beachcombers, and for good reason. Brazil’s “Marvelous City” boasts nearly 50 miles of powdery beaches, stretching south and west from shimmering Guanabara Bay and patrolled intermittently by Sugar Loaf, Christ the Redeemer, and Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers in Portuguese) like immense, natural lifeguard stations. An abundance of beaches in turn means an abundance of beach bodies, and nothing says tall and tan and young and lovely like the leggy lovelies occupying prime real estate along Rio’s silvery strands.

Embraced lovingly by emerald mountains and azure seas, Rio de Janeiro offers the perfect setting for precious romance. True, unadulterated sex in the sultry city is easy to come by, but don’t underestimate the power of the Marvelous City to seduce in more subtle ways.

Second only to Carnival as Brazil’s biggest bash, New Year’s Eve in Rio de Janeiro—called Reveillon—brings over two million people to Copacabana Beach to ring in the coming year with music, fireworks and champagne raining down on the crowds like glitter. The celebrations along the beach are free, while many hotels and nightclubs host private parties for the true VIPs. Regardless of whatever set you claim, no place gets down on New Year’s Eve like Rio.

Rio de Janeiro is known for a few high-profile events that command the world’s attention every year, and some of the biggies are even free. Still, Rio’s got a few more rockin’ street festivals that you might want to pencil in your agenda.

While the wet and wild city of Rio has plenty to entertain you, it also makes a most festive base for exploring Southern Brazil. So, never mind the night’s excess; instead grab a pack of Engove (the “patented Brazilian hangover cure”) and explore. When, after all, will you be back in the beautiful corner of the world?

Rising above Rio de Janeiro’s Sao Conrado and Leblon skyline from Tijuca National Park is a shear granite monolith known as the Pedra de Gavea. Sailors, who still use it for coastal navigation, named the massive 842-mile (2762-foot) peak “Topsail Mountain,” for its squared-off silhouette.

While Rio de Janeiro is one of the world’s favorite destinations for beach lovers, party people and culture lovers who like it hot, not everyone comes prepared to make the most of their visit. A little preparation can save you time, money and make a great vacation spectacular.

Of course, there are times when you’ll need to plan almost every detail of your visit well in advance—specifically, Carnival. Rooms fill, rates rise, and everything from restaurant reservations to car rental bookings becomes a major hassle. Plan accordingly. Other festivals, such as those during the Christmas and New Years high season, may not be quite as jam-packed, but you’d do well to make major decisions early on.

Rio de Janeiro, the marvelous city, is where “the world comes to party.” The nightlife is absolutely fantastic all year round, though the best time for party people to come is during one of its city-wide extravaganzas, most famously Carnival, but also New Year’s Eve and various music festivals. Even if you can’t make it for Fat Tuesday, book a colorful Samba Show anytime, with all sequins and rhythms you need.