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Rio de Janeiro: A 10-Day Adventure

Amanda Lima

Amanda Lima

18 Nov 2023

Join me on a thrilling 10-day journey through the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Explore iconic landmarks, soak up the sun on stunning beaches, and immerse yourself in the rich culture of this captivating destination.

Trip to Rio de Janeiro

Day 1
+

$19

Museu da República (Palácio do Catete)
Former headquarters of the Republic of Brazil, this site has art, documents, a theater & gardens.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
$19
10 - 15 min

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Directions

Parque Brig. Eduardo Gomes (Aterro do Flamengo)
Sprawling city park with sports fields & a beach, plus a modern art museum, theaters & restaurants.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Free
Day 2
+

$57

·

$ 3

Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí
Home of the Rio Carnival renovated to host Olympic & Paralympic archery & the end of the marathon.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
$56
13 - 16 min

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Directions

Parque das Ruínas
Park with an art gallery built around the ruins of a mansion, plus live outdoor concerts & a cafe.
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Free
6 - 9 min

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Directions

Escadaria Selarón
Landmark public stairway adorned by artist Jorge Selarón with colorful & hand-painted tiles.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Free
4 - 6 min

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Directions

Arcos da Lapa | Aqueduto da Carioca
18th-century aqueduct with 2 rows of arches, now serving as a bridge for a tram.
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Free
Day 3
+

$129

·

$ 3

Christ the Redeemer
Giant, 30-m-tall mountaintop statue of Jesus Christ, accessed by train & offering city views.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
$99
24 - 36 min

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Directions

Parque Lage
Park with wooded trails, Christ the Redeemer statue views & a cafe & art school in an old mansion.
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
$11
18 - 22 min

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Directions

Copacabana Fort
Fortress backdrop for the triathlon & paratriathlon transition area, road cycling & the marathon.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
$19
12 - 18 min

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Directions

Pedra do Arpoador
Rocky peninsula & a busy surfing spot, offering sunset views from its walking paths.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Free
Day 4
+

$19

·

$ 3

Leblon Beach
Well-known sandy stretch of beach with kiosks renting lounge chairs & selling food & drinks.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Free
18 - 22 min

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Directions

Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro
Historic park featuring diverse flora & fauna, a scientific research institute & garden trails.
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
$19
Day 5
+

$92

·

$ 6

Mirante do Leblon
Seafront observation deck on a beachside boardwalk, with palm-shaded cafes & sunset panoramas.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Free
32 - 39 min

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Directions

Sugar Loaf cable car
Rising above Guanabara Bay, this stone mountain is reachable by gondola & offers expansive views.
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
$54
18 - 22 min

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Directions

Catedral Metropolitana de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro
Distinctive, modern Catholic cathedral resembling a pyramid, inaugurated in 1979.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Free
10 - 15 min

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Directions

Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro
Storied, Parisian-style theater from 1909 offering ballet & classical-music performances plus tours.
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
$38
Day 6
+

$45

·

$ 6

Parque Madureira
Long, narrow park with various sports fields & courts, plus streams, gazebos, trails & play areas.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Free
41 - 50 min

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Directions

Maracanã
Legendary home of Brazilian soccer hosting Olympic games, plus the opening & closing ceremonies.
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
$45
15 - 18 min

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Directions

Centro Luiz Gonzaga de Tradições Nordestinas
Handicraft stalls & restaurants serving Northeastern dishes at a sprawling market with music.
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Free
Day 7
+

$94

·

$ 3

Tijuca National Park
Urban rainforest with hiking, waterfalls, birdwatching & vista points of Rio's iconic sights.
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
$19
59 - 71 min

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Directions

Rio Star
Giant observation wheel measuring 88 meters high, with vistas over Rio & its landmarks, plus a cafe.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
$75
Day 8
+

$38

·

$ 3

BioPark of Rio
Family-friendly zoo with native & exotic birds & animals like tigers, lions, bears & alligators.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
$38
12 - 17 min

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Directions

Quinta da Boa Vista
Municipal park featuring a zoo & an archaeological museum housed in former royal palaces.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Free
13 - 16 min

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Directions

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Candelária
Stately church with a mix of baroque & Renaissance styles, featuring bell towers & marble interior.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Free
Day 9
+

$95

·

$ 6

Museu de Arte Moderna do Rio de Janeiro
Contemporary art museum with striking architecture & a water garden, plus a theater & lecture halls.
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
$23
7 - 9 min

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Directions

Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil (CCBB)
Art galleries, cinema & theater in a 1906 neoclassical building, managed by the Bank of Brazil.
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Free
8 - 10 min

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Directions

AquaRio
Landmark interactive aquarium with 28 enclosures plus a surf museum, food outlets & gift shop.
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
$72
Day 10
+

$78

·

$ 3

Niterói Contemporary Art Museum
Large collection of modern art in an iconic building by the renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer.
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
$30
41 - 50 min

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Directions

Museu do Amanhã
Waterfront applied science museum exploring humanity's future challenges & opportunities.
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
$21
4 - 6 min

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Directions

Museu de Arte do Rio
Unique Brazilian art exhibits are showcased in a striking complex of historic & modern architecture.
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
$26

Budget breakdown: $696 In total

Activities & Food:$663
Transport:$34