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Rio & São Paulo Adventure

Angie Peña

Angie Peña

15 Jan 2024

Embark on a thrilling 12-day journey through the vibrant cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Immerse yourself in the natural wonders, cultural landmarks, and mouthwatering cuisine of Brazil. From Tijuca National Park to the iconic Christ the Redeemer, this itinerary will leave you in awe at every turn.

Trip to Rio de Janeiro

Day 1Nature's Majesty and Culinary Delights
+

$40

·

$ 1

Tijuca National Park
Urban rainforest with hiking, waterfalls, birdwatching & vista points of Rio's iconic sights.
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
•
$6
43 - 52 min

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Directions

Bráz
A Bráz nasceu com o objetivo de resgatar as raízes das receitas italianas e tornou-se referência quando o assunto é pizza em SP, Rio e Campinas.
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
•
$15
19 - 28 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.
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
•
$4
13 - 20 min

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Directions

La Carioca Cevicheria
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$15
Day 2Exploring Rio's Hidden Gems
+

$25

·

$ 1

Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca
Steep, forested trails, rock climbing & rare birds in a sprawling green space with city views.
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
•
Free
87 - 105 min

~

Directions

Catedral Metropolitana de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro
Distinctive, modern Catholic cathedral resembling a pyramid, inaugurated in 1979.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
•
Free
6 - 9 min

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Directions

Nova Capela
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
•
$12
3 - 4 min

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Directions

Contemporâneo Lapa
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$13
Day 3Conquer the Heights and Savor Brazilian Flavors
+

$51

·

$ 4

Pedra da Gávea
Massive, 2,769-foot stone mountain on the coast offering strenuous hiking & panoramic views of Rio.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
$6
27 - 33 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
•
$6
32 - 39 min

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Directions

Fazenda Culinaria Restaurant
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
•
$19
49 - 59 min

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Directions

Ponte Pres. Costa e Silva (Rio-Niterói)
This 8.26-mile concrete bridge between Rio & Niterói is one of the longest in the world.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
•
Free
29 - 35 min

~

Directions

Cais do Oriente
Restaurante com cardápio variado e refinado, ocupa antigo armazém de decoração rústica e estrutura aparente.
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$19
Day 4Royalty, Traditions, and Theatrical Marvels
+

$49

·

$ 1

Quinta da Boa Vista
Municipal park featuring a zoo & an archaeological museum housed in former royal palaces.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
Free
14 - 21 min

~

Directions

Centro Luiz Gonzaga de Tradições Nordestinas
Handicraft stalls & restaurants serving Northeastern dishes at a sprawling market with music.
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
•
Free
21 - 26 min

~

Directions

Aspargus
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
•
$19
3 - 4 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.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
•
$13
4 - 6 min

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Directions

Haishi Carioca
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$17
Day 5Iconic Landmarks and Artistic Marvels
+

$90

·

$ 1

Corcovado
Named for its hunchback shape, this 710-m. peak houses an iconic statue, a trail & viewing platform.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$25
2 - 3 min

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Directions

Christ the Redeemer
Giant, 30-m-tall mountaintop statue of Jesus Christ, accessed by train & offering city views.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
$33
39 - 47 min

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Directions

Metamorfose
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
•
$12
8 - 11 min

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Directions

Museu de Arte Moderna do Rio de Janeiro
Contemporary art museum with striking architecture & a water garden, plus a theater & lecture halls.
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
•
$8
7 - 10 min

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Directions

Xian
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$12
Day 6Art, History, and Breathtaking Views
+

$69

·

$ 4

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
•
$10
48 - 58 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.
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
Free
9 - 11 min

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Directions

Museu da República (Palácio do Catete)
Former headquarters of the Republic of Brazil, this site has art, documents, a theater & gardens.
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
•
$6
13 - 16 min

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Directions

Dois em Cena
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
•
$19
15 - 22 min

~

Directions

Sugar Loaf cable car
Rising above Guanabara Bay, this stone mountain is reachable by gondola & offers expansive views.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
•
$18
49 - 59 min

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Directions

Delírio Tropical
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$15
Day 7Museums, Culture, and Gastronomic Delights
+

$33

Museu do Amanhã
Waterfront applied science museum exploring humanity's future challenges & opportunities.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$7
12 - 17 min

~

Directions

Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil (CCBB)
Art galleries, cinema & theater in a 1906 neoclassical building, managed by the Bank of Brazil.
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
•
Free
4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Paço Imperial
Royal residence dating to 1754 that's now a cultural center with contemporary-art exhibits & events.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
•
Free
5 - 8 min

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Directions

Delírio Tropical
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
•
$12
2 - 3 min

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Directions

Casa Urich
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$14

Budget breakdown: $647 In total

Activities & Food:$623
Transport:$24

Trip to São Paulo

Day 1Nature's Majesty and Culinary Delights
+

$51

·

$ 3

Museu da Imigração do Estado de São Paulo
Brazilian immigration museum housed in former processing center, with interactive exhibits & garden.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$6
17 - 21 min

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Directions

Pinacoteca de São Paulo
Longtime museum featuring 19th-century Brazilian painting & sculpture, plus educational programs.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
$8
21 - 26 min

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Directions

Café Girondino
Instalado no meio do agitado centro de São Paulo, o Café Girondino resgata a história e os costumes da cidade, uma moldura perfeita para o encontro entre amigos, reuniões de negócios ou familiares.
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
•
$15
8 - 12 min

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Directions

Municipal Theatre of São Paulo
Built in 1911 in Renaissance & baroque styles, this theater presents operas, concerts & ballet.
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
•
$10
11 - 14 min

~

Directions

Japan House São Paulo
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
•
Free
4 - 5 min

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Directions

Instituto Itaú Cultural
Glass-clad tower with exhibitions on Brazilian history & the natural world, plus a theater program.
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
•
Free
3 - 4 min

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Directions

Aizome
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
•
$12
Day 2Exploring Rio's Hidden Gems
+

$38

·

$ 2

Museu do Ipiranga
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
Free
14 - 21 min

~

Directions

Aquário de São Paulo
Spacious aquarium with thousands of animals, plus a restaurant, cinema & occasional mermaid dives.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
$13
22 - 27 min

~

Directions

Aizome
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
•
$12
3 - 4 min

~

Directions

Sesc Avenida Paulista
Cultural center with a lending library & art exhibitions, plus a rooftop deck with city views.
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
•
Free
11 - 14 min

~

Directions

Catedral da Sé de São Paulo
Massive 20th-century cathedral with soaring gothic-style architecture & a Renaissance-style dome.
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
•
Free
9 - 14 min

~

Directions

Kenzo Sushi - São Paulo
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$13
Day 3Conquer the Heights and Savor Brazilian Flavors
+

$62

·

$ 3

Museu Catavento
Museum devoted to science, with a hands-on space aiming to provide social & educational experiences.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$5
13 - 16 min

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Directions

Museum of Art of São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand
Iconic building housing one of Latin America's most important collections of renowned art.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
$12
14 - 17 min

~

Directions

Bráz
A Bráz nasceu com o objetivo de resgatar as raízes das receitas italianas e tornou-se referência quando o assunto é pizza em SP, Rio e Campinas.
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
•
$19
9 - 14 min

~

Directions

Museu do Futebol
Sports museum with films, photographs & interactive exhibits documenting the history of football.
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
•
$6
12 - 15 min

~

Directions

Latin America Memorial
Designed by Oscar Niemeyer, this expansive outdoor complex features sculptures & an art gallery.
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
•
Free
11 - 16 min

~

Directions

Urbã Cozinha Vegana
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$19
Day 4Royalty, Traditions, and Theatrical Marvels
+

$50

·

$ 2

Parque Ibirapuera
Scenic park with museums, a planetarium, auditoriums & recreation areas with bike paths & courts.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
Free
9 - 14 min

~

Directions

Museu Afro Brasil
Ethnographic museum in an Oscar Niemeyer building, dedicated to the African diaspora in Brazil.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
$8
18 - 22 min

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Directions

Corrientes 348
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
•
$19
8 - 11 min

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Directions

Museu da Casa Brasileira (MCB)
Small collection of furniture, pottery & design objects, with an events program & restaurant.
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
•
$6
15 - 18 min

~

Directions

Parque Villa-Lobos
Large park featuring soccer fields, bike paths, playgrounds, an amphitheater, a library & more.
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
•
Free
24 - 35 min

~

Directions

Ráscal
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$17
Day 5Iconic Landmarks and Artistic Marvels
+

$69

·

$ 4

Zoológico de São Paulo
Big zoo in a forested area with more than 3,000 animals & invertebrates, plus educational programs.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
$15
40 - 48 min

~

Directions

Instituto Tomie Ohtake
Art space hosting major exhibitions of contemporary art & design in a striking, curved building.
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
•
$5
57 - 69 min

~

Directions

Applebee's
Autêntico Grill Americano
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
•
$12
14 - 17 min

~

Directions

Hopi Hari
Amusement park featuring 5 themed areas with roller coasters, a river raft ride & a kids' zone.
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
•
$25
13 - 16 min

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Directions

Café & Restaurante Malagueta
Localizado no Distrito Industrial de Vinhedo, atendendo desde viajantes e visitantes da cidade até Executivos das excelentes empresas que o Distrito possui.
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
•
$12

Budget breakdown: $647 In total

Activities & Food:$623
Transport:$24