Getting to and From the Airport

Rio De Janeiro Galeao International Airport is located on the north side of the city, approximately 30 minutes by car from the heart of Copacabana. Taxis are extremely common throughout the city, with a trip from the airport to Copacabana setting you back around £22/€24/$30, however a cheaper and less stressful option is to utilise the Uber app. Uber is a great option for getting around Rio, as well as travelling to and from the city’s international airport, offering a speedy and reasonably priced service. A range of public buses also operate between the airport and the city, though these may be a cheaper alternative to taxis, they take much longer to reach the city centre and can often be extremely overcrowded.

This ultimate three day Rio De Janeiro itinerary is jam packed with the city’s best sights, activities and experiences. From hang gliding and hiking to sunbathing and partying, this itinerary truly has it all.

Things to Do

• Admire the world famous statue of Christ the Redeemer.
• Explore the wonderful Tijuca National Park.
• Climb the iconic Selaron Steps.
• Ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain.
• Party the night away in the lively Lapa neighbourhood.

What better way to kick off your time in Rio than by ticking off one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, the marvellous, Christ the Redeemer. Constructed in 1931, this exquisitely carved statue of Jesus Christ has proudly overlooked the vibrant city of Rio for almost 100 years. Hiking fans should also check out the nearby Tijuca National Park, a glorious urban park bursting with a wide selection of stunning trails, beautiful waterfalls and vibrant wildlife.

After snapping a few photos of Christ the Redeemer, it’s back down the hill to explore the other amazing sights on offer across Rio. Head over to the colourful Selaron Steps and admire the incredible work of Chilean artist, Jorge Selaron. This superb set of 215 steps are one of Rio’s most recognisable sights, made famous during the 2014 Soccer World Cup celebrations. The Selaron Steps are always a buzzing hub of lively activity and excitement, with an array of local vendors, street performers and party goers gathering here on a daily basis.

Another essential activity to enjoy in Rio is a cable car ride to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain. The journey up is a fantastic experience in itself, but nothing compares to the utterly outstanding city views on offer from the top of Sugar Loaf’s peak. Boasting a selection of purpose built viewing platforms and walkways, as well as a small variety of cafes and restaurants, Sugar Loaf Mountain is truly the ideal spot to spend a couple of hours. Time you’re visit right, and you’ll be able to witness an epic sunset glistening over the city, from one of the best views around.

After all that sightseeing it’s time to do what Rio De Janeiro is famous for, PARTYYY! The Lapa neighbourhood is home to some of the liveliest bars and craziest street parties on the planet. The extravagant nightlife here is totally insane, dance, drink and party your way into the early hours of the morning. With cocktail street vendors set up every few yards, you won’t have to walk far to grab your next pint sized caipirinha, trust me, these beauties will totally blow your socks off!

Things to Do

• Hike to the top of Pedra Bonita (Pretty Rock).
• Relax on one of the most famous beaches in the world, Copacabana.
• Indulge in a selection of delicious street food and tasty cocktails.
• Catch a soccer game at the spectacular Maracana Stadium.
• Try out your dance moves at a traditional Samba Club.

It’s time to shake off the De Janeiro hangover with a whole load of fresh Brazilian air and warm sunshine. Grab your walking shoes and prepare to take on the rewarding hike to the top of Pedra Bonita (Pretty Rock). Boasting spectacular panoramic views over Tijuca, Rocinha and Ipanema, the Pedra Bonita view point is well worth the climb. You’ll also be able to catch a glimpse of the hang gliders soaring through the skies below. The starting point for this 1.5km incline trail is located 20km west of downtown Rio, easily accessible by taxi along the coastal road.

After all that strenuous activity, it’s time to relax on the golden sands of Copacabana Beach, one of the most prominent beaches on planet Earth. Copacabana boasts an exhilarating atmosphere day and night, all year round, with an abundance of vendors roaming the golden sands offering fresh food and cocktails, there’s no need to even leave your sun towel! (P.S. Don’t forget to apply that sun cream, those caipirinhas and daquiris just go down wayyy too easy!)

No trip to Rio is complete without visiting a traditional Samba Club. This lively and exuberant dance style is packed full of ecstatic energy and originates from the vibrant backstreets of Brazil. Today the Samba is enjoyed and loved by millions of people from all over the world! The clubs scattered across the city are fantastic spots for witnessing the beautiful Samba in action, or even giving it a go for yourself. If dancing isn’t really your thing and you lean more towards being a sports fan, then don’t miss out on seeing the magnificent Maracana Stadium, either as part of a guided tour or better yet, as a spectator to one of the stadium’s local soccer matches.

Things to Do

• Run off the edge of a mountain and hang glide over the city.
• Join a guided tour of the notorious Rocinha Favela.
• Feast on a traditional Brazilian Barbeque.
• Witness a stunning sunset at Ipanema Beach.

Kick off day three with one of my all time favourite travel experiences, hang gliding through the skies of Rio De Janeiro! Run off the edge of a mountain, soar through the clear skies and glide down to the golden beach waiting below, trust me, this is some real bucket list shit! A number of companies operate hang gliding experiences, just make sure you prebook your slot through a reputable source, and keep in mind that the activity is weather dependant, meaning the activity won’t go ahead in the event of strong winds or heavy rain.

On a slightly sadder note, the world famous city of Rio De Janeiro, unfortunately has a darker side too. In order to get a real insight into the harsh reality some locals face across the city, you’ll need to join a guided tour of the notorious Rocinha Favela. Home to over 180,000 residents, Rocinha is the largest Favela in all of Brazil and is controlled by a number of criminal organisations. In recent years tourism has sprouted across Rocinha, visitors now have the opportunity to visit the favela, by means of a guided tour. These tours help generate money for the local residents of Rocinha and also helps support their struggling community.

After an action packed 72 hours, there’s only one way to properly wrap up a visit to Rio De Janeiro and that’s by watching a sensational sunset at Ipanema Beach. This incredible spot is truly up there with some of the best sunset locations around the globe. As you watch the sun fall behind the peaks of the Two Brothers Rocks and sit on the beach slowly sipping your Caipirinha, you’ll feel as though all your worries and stresses have totally vanished, a perfect ending to a perfect stay in the magical city of Rio De Janeiro.