By Audrey Tuttle | Posted: Dec. 26, 2025

My trip to Rio de Janeiro and the nearby beach town Arraial do Cabo was everything I hoped for and more — full of breathtaking views, incredible food, friendly people, and adventure. Whether you’re soaking up the sun on Copacabana, hang gliding over Sugarloaf Mountain, or indulging in Brazil’s best snacks, Rio is a destination that lives up to the hype.

If you’re planning your own trip, here’s my guide to the best activities, travel tips, and food experiences I discovered during my time in Brazil.

Travel tips for Rio de Janeiro:

Taxis and Ubers were a very affordable way to get around, and we also walked a lot. I have heard that Rio can be a dangerous city to walk around, but I was there with friends who were familiar with the area. Like any big city, it’s always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and keep your valuables secure.

We stayed in an area of Rio that was close to both Copacabana and Ipanema, and it ended up being the perfect location! We could walk to both of the beaches, and there were plenty of great restaurants and places to explore.

Depending on the time of year you’re visiting, be prepared for hot temperatures and very powerful sun! I live by the beach, so I thought I was ready, but the UV in Rio was the highest I’ve ever encountered!

Things to do in Rio de Janeiro:

Boardwalk from Copacabana to Ipanema! Walking along this boardwalk is fun and gives you the chance to see the city, admire the beach, and soak in the lively energy of Rio de Janeiro.
Santa Teresa Tram — Take a scenic trolley ride around the city
Christ the Redeemer Statue — A must-see! The statue was even more impressive than I expected, and the views at the top were amazing! Plus, the train ride up the mountain was an experience in itself!
Hang gliding — This was a childhood dream I’ve had since watching the animated movie Rio! Flying over Rio with views of Sugarloaf, Christ the Redeemer, and the beaches was unforgettable
Sugarloaf Mountain — Another one of Rio’s most classic tourist activities, and I’d say it’s worth the visit for sure! Riding the cable car to the top of this iconic landmark gives you incredible panoramic views of the city
Copacabana night markets — almost every evening, vendors set up their stands by Copacabana beach and sell a wide variety of goods! I bought tank tops, bikinis, pareos, and more! It’s a fun place to shop for some souvenirs
Arraial do Cabo — If you want to get out of the big city, you can try venturing to Arraial do Cabo! It’s a dreamy beach town about 2.5 hours from Rio, and easy to reach by bus. We actually ended up missing our bus, but we were able to find an Uber driver willing to take us there! Some people do this as a day trip, but we stayed in the area for a few days and loved it!
Rent an umbrella and beach chairs! Many beaches offer rental options for umbrellas and beach chairs for the day, and some even include a Brazilian BBQ meal or snacks with the rental! We loved taking advantage of this so we could lie back and relax on the beautiful beaches.
Boat tour — While in Arraial do Cabo, we went on a boat tour that stopped at several beaches. I’m a beach snob, and these were some of the prettiest I’ve ever seen! Some of these beaches remain pristine because you’re not allowed to bring anything to the shore, so there is no litter left behind
Scuba diving — We also went on a scuba diving tour in Arraial! I’m not scuba certified, so this was an exploratory dive where I was accompanied by an instructor. It was so cool to see all the different marine life here

Hang gliding!

View from Christ the Redeemer

Sunset in Arraial do Cabo

Boat tour in Arraial

Brazilian food I recommend trying:

Confeitaria Colombo: This restaurant is popular for a reason - not only was it one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had, but the aesthetic of the restaurant was great as well! It’s a beautiful building, and the European-style architecture is incredible
Acai: I thought I’d had good acai bowls before in the U.S., but none of them compared to the acai I had in Brazil! The acai here is so affordable, too, and very easy to find. There are acai shops on almost every street, and even carts selling acai at some of the beaches
Caipirinhas: A classic Brazilian cocktail, you won’t want to miss out on this refreshing drink
Parque Lage: Another popular restaurant in Rio that was worth the hype! The food was delicious, and the restaurant was stunning! It’s also surrounded by botanical gardens that are very nice to walk through
Beach snacks: if you’re enjoying lying out in the sun and start to feel hungry, you won’t have to look far to find snacks! On most beaches, there are carts and vendors selling snacks and drinks like churros, lemonade, empanadas, coconut water, cheese on a stick, hot dogs, and more!
Brazilian steakhouse (Churrascaria): Not to be controversial, but eating dinner at an authentic Brazilian steakhouse may have ruined Tucanos for me. Both the buffet portion and the meats served were 10/10.
Salgados: Brazilian salgados are savory snacks, and you won’t want to miss them! They’re usually some type of dough with a cheese or meat filling. Coxinhas and pastels are my personal favorites! You can find them at gas stations, farmers' markets, street vendors, and more!
Brazilian pizza: I’m not normally a huge pizza fan, but I loved the Brazilian twist on pizza! My favorite was “frango e catupiry,” which is topped with shredded chicken and a type of cream cheese
Bakeries (padarias or padocas): The pastries and coffee at the bakeries in Brazil were sooo good!
Churros: Many street vendors sell churros, and there are even options stuffed with fillings like Nutella or doce de leite!
Brigadeiro: This is my favorite Brazilian treat! It’s a type of chocolate truffle made with sweetened condensed milk. Yum!
Brazilian stroganoff: This wasn’t a meal I had ever heard of before visiting Brazil, but it was delicious! I would definitely recommend

Rio surprised me in the best ways - it’s vibrant, full of life, and offers something for everyone, whether you’re into city energy, natural beauty, or foodie heaven. From the iconic landmarks to charming beach towns and unforgettable meals, my time in Rio will be hard to top.