Things to do in Rio de Janeiro

Rio bookings fall into four kinds: the two summits of Corcovado and Sugarloaf, the Tijuca Forest and the hang-gliding flights over it, samba in the evening, and full days out to Petrópolis or the coast.

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1. 01

   Book Christ and Sugarloaf as one guided day, or as separate tickets

   Full-day tours bundle hotel pickup in the South Zone, entry at Corcovado, both cable car stages and often the Selarón Steps and a lunch. Separate tickets let you time each summit yourself, such as Sugarloaf at sunset.

   Best for The guided day for a first visit with little time; separate tickets for timing each summit to the light

   Consider The skip-the-line tickets checked for this page are final once bought, while the full-day tours checked allow free cancellation.

2. 02

   Go up Corcovado on the rack train, or by authorized van

   The train climbs from Cosme Velho through the Tijuca National Park on a line running since 1884, and its ticket includes the monument. The Paineiras vans are the only transport allowed up the park road, boarding in Copacabana, at Largo do Machado or at the visitor center.

   Best for The train for the ride through the forest; the van for a start close to a South Zone hotel

   Consider The train starts in Cosme Velho, away from the beaches, while the vans take the road and miss the forest line.

3. 03

   See the Tijuca Forest on a guided hike, or by jeep

   Guided hikes lead to peaks, caves and waterfalls inside the national park. Jeep tours drive between lookouts such as the Vista Chinesa and the Cascatinha waterfall, with short walks at each stop.

   Best for The hike for fit walkers; the jeep for lookouts in a half day without the climb

   Consider A hike means steep trails that turn muddy after rain; a jeep sees more lookouts but less of the forest floor.

4. 04

   Fly with an instructor from Pedra Bonita to São Conrado beach

   Hang-gliding and paragliding flights launch from the Pedra Bonita ramp inside the Tijuca National Park, fly over the forest with a certified instructor and land on the sand at São Conrado.

   Best for Seeing Pedra da Gávea, the forest and the coast from the air in one short flight

   Consider Flights depend on the day’s wind and weather, so book an early day of the trip and keep a spare day free.

5. 05

   Book a guided samba night, a samba class, or a Carnival parade seat

   Pedra do Sal, in the port’s Little Africa, is a center of samba and choro where sambistas such as Donga and Pixinguinha played. A guided samba night takes you there, a class teaches the basic step first, and a parade ticket puts you in the Sambadrome stands for one night.

   Best for A samba night or class in any week of the year; a parade seat only if your dates fall on Carnival

   Consider Australia lists the Pedra do Sal area as a crime hotspot, which is a reason to go with a group. Carnival parade tickets checked for this page cannot be cancelled.

6. 06

   Choose Petrópolis in the mountains, or Búzios or Arraial do Cabo on the coast

   Petrópolis, 40km north, is imperial history: the Imperial Museum in Pedro II’s summer palace and his tomb in the cathedral. Búzios, 173km east, and Arraial do Cabo are beach days, and many tours include a boat trip and lunch.

   Best for Petrópolis for history and cooler air; the coast for clear water and a day on a boat

   Consider The coast means long hours on the road; Petrópolis is closer, but its mountain road is exposed to heavy summer rain.

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