Rio de Janeiro Things to Do

While Rio de Janeiro is growing rapidly—the metropolitan area now clocks in at some 6.3 million inhabitants—it has preserved, at its heart, one of the largest and loveliest urban greenspaces in the world. This gentle swath of Atlantic rainforest, one of the last remaining tracts in the state, is well worth exploring, particularly if you won’t get a chance to visit rural Brazil on your trip.

Though Rio is one of Latin America’s largest cities, with some 6.3 million people in the city proper, and (in)famous for its security problems, it also happens to be outstandingly bicycle friendly. The Cidade Maravilhosa now has more than 160km (99mi) of paved bicycle paths, second in Latin America and set to double this year.

Rio’s world-famous landscape is a vision to fly above, though most of us will see it only from the famous cable car up to Sugar Loaf Mountain and the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer. More adventurous travelers seeking to slip the surly bonds of earth, however, have another option.