A Week in Rio de Janeiro: Exploring the Marvels of Brazil

Catalina Restrepo

12 Oct 2023

Join me on a thrilling 7-day adventure in Rio de Janeiro, where we'll discover stunning beaches, iconic landmarks, and vibrant cultural sites.

Trip to Rio de Janeiro

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1

$13

$ 4

Small beach protected by a headland, with coarse, reddish-colored sand and usually calm water.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

Free

21 - 26 min

Directions

Walking paths wind through this vast, tree- & plant-filled park featuring sculptures & scenic views.

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

20 - 24 min

Directions

Historic park featuring diverse flora & fauna, a scientific research institute & garden trails.

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

•

$13

Day 2

$45

$ 8

Rocky peninsula & a busy surfing spot, offering sunset views from its walking paths.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

11 - 14 min

Directions

Seafront observation deck on a beachside boardwalk, with palm-shaded cafes & sunset panoramas.

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

•

Free

16 - 20 min

Directions

Park with wooded trails, Christ the Redeemer statue views & a cafe & art school in an old mansion.

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

•

28 - 34 min

Directions

Cliffside lookout point offering expansive, panoramic views of Rio & the Christ the Redeemer statue.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

•

Free

32 - 39 min

Directions

Rising above Guanabara Bay, this stone mountain is reachable by gondola & offers expansive views.

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

•

$38

Day 3

$118

$ 6

Giant, 30-m-tall mountaintop statue of Jesus Christ, accessed by train & offering city views.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$63

44 - 53 min

Directions

Legendary home of Brazilian soccer hosting Olympic games, plus the opening & closing ceremonies.

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$25

22 - 27 min

Directions

Landmark interactive aquarium with 28 enclosures plus a surf museum, food outlets & gift shop.

12:30 PM - 2:30 PM

•

$30

20 - 24 min

Directions

Catedral Metropolitana de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro

Distinctive, modern Catholic cathedral resembling a pyramid, inaugurated in 1979.

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

•

Free

Day 4

$13

$ 2

Urban rainforest with hiking, waterfalls, birdwatching & vista points of Rio's iconic sights.

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$13

34 - 41 min

Directions

Belvedere at 380m featuring a 1903, Chinese-style pavilion with views of the mountains, city & sea.

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

Day 5

$15

$ 4

Long, narrow park with various sports fields & courts, plus streams, gazebos, trails & play areas.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

44 - 53 min

Directions

Wide, bustling stretch of sand lined with food kiosks, open sea views & a relaxing vibe.

10:30 AM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

44 - 53 min

Directions

Contemporary art museum with striking architecture & a water garden, plus a theater & lecture halls.

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

•

$15

Day 6

$33

$ 2

Waterfront applied science museum exploring humanity's future challenges & opportunities.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$20

12 - 17 min

Directions

Art galleries, cinema & theater in a 1906 neoclassical building, managed by the Bank of Brazil.

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

Free

16 - 20 min

Directions

Former headquarters of the Republic of Brazil, this site has art, documents, a theater & gardens.

12:30 PM - 2:30 PM

•

$13

Day 7

$ 4

Landmark public stairway adorned by artist Jorge Selarón with colorful & hand-painted tiles.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

4 - 6 min

Directions

18th-century aqueduct with 2 rows of arches, now serving as a bridge for a tram.

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

•

Free

11 - 14 min

Directions

Stately church with a mix of baroque & Renaissance styles, featuring bell towers & marble interior.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

Free

41 - 50 min

Directions

This 8.26-mile concrete bridge between Rio & Niterói is one of the longest in the world.

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

Budget breakdown: $263 In total

Activities & Food:$235

Transport:$28