48 Hours in Rio de Janeiro

City, sea and mountains Rio offers something for everyone

48 Hours in...

RIO DE JANEIRO

Come for the party beaches and samba, stay for the wild scenery, colonial architecture, seafood dishes, and of course a close-up encounter with an iconic monument – Christ the Redeemer

WORDS BY MEGAN BACKHEUSER

DAY 1

8AM

Start the day by enjoying a breakfast of pao de queijo and fresh fruit while savouring ocean views on the rooftop of the Sofitel q on Ipanema Beach. Afterwards, head out to start exploring some of the most iconic sites in Rio.

First stop is Corcovado Mountain where Christ the Redeemer w infamously looms over Guanabara Bay, stretching out his arms to welcome you; it’s a view so stunning that it has been declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

11AM

Continue with a visit to Sugarloaf Mountain e. Take the cable cars all the way up to the top for another perspective of the city. From this vantage point, it’s easy to see how Rio earned its nickname, the ‘Marvelous City’. I

recommend stopping for a refreshing caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail, at the relaxing outdoor lounge located at the top of the mountain, blessed with perhaps the best views of Rio.

2PM

No trip to Rio would be complete without adequate time to enjoy one of the city’s world famous beaches such as Copacabana or Ipanema. Most beach-front hotels will offer a beach service where towels and chairs are provided. Avenida Atlantica (the main street that runs parallel to the ocean) is also lined with kiosks selling snacks as well as full menus, making it the perfect spot to grab lunch and a local Brahma beer.

8:00pm

Head to the Palace r in Copacabana to enjoy a churrascaria, a traditional Brazilian steakhouse. Here you’ll dine like a king as the servers bring around various cuts of succulent meats,served on long metal skewers, right to your table. Save room for a picanha (top sirloin), a local – and visitors’ – favorite.

10:00pm

Tonight you will experience Rio’s raucous nightlife by visiting Rio Scenarium t, one of the city’s most iconic samba clubs. Make sure to visit the various floors of this music venue, all performing different styles of samba.

SPECIALISTS’ TOP TIPS

The white-sand beaches and samba rhythms of Brazil are now just a few clicks away thanks to the newly introduced e-visa for U.S. and Canadian citizens. Effective January 2018, a Brazil tourist visa is now available for purchase online for a reduced fee of $40. The time to go is now. Matt Nilsson

For adventure seekers,

I recommend rock climbing up the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain. The gentle slope on the backside of the mountain makes it perfect for novices and advanced climbers alike. Michael Schneider

If diving into local culture is what you’re after, then visiting Pedra do Sol is a must. This neighborhood, in the historic part of the city, hosts a street party every Friday night where locals gather to dance samba and celebrate life. However, I strongly recommend going with a guide since this is very much a local event and not many people will speak English. Rachel Robar

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Redeeming features (clockwise from this image) Christ the Redeemer; Old yellow tram in Santa Teresa district; jungle stream; Barra da Tijuca beach

RIO DE JANEIRO

Brazilian people. Of the more than 2,000 tiles that make up this work of art, over 300 were painted by Selaron, the others donated by other artists from around the world.

7pm

Complete your 48 hours in Rio with some fine dining and yet again incredible views at Aprazivel in Santa Teresa. Enjoy locally inspired dishes in a tropical garden setting, perfect for those warm Brazilian nights.

DAY 2

9AM

After a tasty breakfast, get ready for something entirely different: the Tijuca Forest y, the world’s largest urban jungle, covering 12.3 square miles. You will take in cascading waterfalls, tropical plants and a huge array of wildlife including toucans and capuchin monkeys.

1 PM

Next head to Santa Teresa u, a bohemian hilltop neighborhood that boasts Portuguese architecture with quirky galleries and cozy cafes and bars. Stop by Cafe Mineiro for their feijoada (a black bean and pork stew), said to be the best in town. Your guide will then take you to the Selaron Steps, the colorful stairs created by the Chilean-born artist Jorge Selaron as his tribute to the

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Flight information: A nonstop flight from New York City to Rio is about 10 hours. Other major U.S. cities that have nonstop flights include Miami, Atlanta and Houston. When to go: Rio is a destination that can be visited all year. However, Rio’s summer (December- February) is the most popular time to visit due to all of the festivities including New Years and Carnaval. Winter months (June-August) tend to be less crowded and slightly cooler in temperature. Get me there: A 10-day trip to Brazil’s Green Coast, including time in Rio, starts at around $2,300 per person. For more information, contact our Brazil specialists on 855-838-8610.

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