Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Trip Extension

Welcome to Rio de Janeiro, one of the liveliest cities in the world! Your first day will include visiting a number of Rio’s staples: 

Corcovado & Christ the Redeemer

Christ the Redeemer is an Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ situated atop the mountain Corcovado. It was created by French sculptor Paul Landowski and built by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa in collaboration with French engineer Albert Caquot. Romanian sculptor Gheorghe Leonida fashioned the face.

Santa Teresa Neighborhood

Santa Teresa is a hilltop district with a charming, village-like vibe. Steep, winding streets are lined with elegant old mansions, many housing chic boutique hotels, quirky cocktail bars, romantic restaurants with bay views, and artists’ studios. “Santa” has Museu da Chácara do Céu, exhibiting European and Brazilian art, and the atmospheric Ruins Park, with an art gallery built around the ruins of a mansion. 

Escadaria Selarón (Selaron Steps)

Escadaria Selarón, also known as the Selaron Steps, is a set of world-famous steps that are the work of Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón who claimed it as “my tribute to the Brazilian people.” 

Metropolitan Cathedral

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian, better known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro or the Cathedral of St. Sebastian of Rio de Janeiro, is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro. 

Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí (Sambódromo)

The Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí is a purpose-built parade area built for the Rio Carnival. 

Rio Scenarium (Carioca Nightclub)

This is a multilevel bar with eclectic, vintage accents for pub fare & cocktails, plus live music & dancing. Here, you’ll experience the charm of samba, beauty of Bossa Nova and the funk buzz. On this tour, receive VIP access with an exclusive table for your group and entry without a long wait.

After breakfast, you’ll dive into more of Rio’s famous sites.

Centro (Historic City Center)

Centro is a neighborhood in Zona Central. It represents the financial heart of the city and the crux of the Central Region. You’ll be able to see a wide range of architectural styles. Most of the colonial and historic buildings are in the City Center between Praça Mauá, Cinelândia, Lapa and Praça XV areas.

Kobra Panels (Olympic Boulevard)

Etnias, the art center in Rio, features the massive diversity-themed Eduardo Kobra mural that was created to celebrate the 2016 Rio Olympics. 

Museum of Tomorrow

The Museum of Tomorrow is a science museum designed by Spanish neofuturistic architect Santiago Calatrava and built next to the waterfront at Pier Maua. Its construction was supported by the Roberto Marinho Foundation and cost approximately 230 million reais. 

Mosteiro de São Bento (Saint Benedict Monastery)

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, more commonly known as the Mosteiro de São Bento, is a Benedictine abbey located on the Morro de São Bento in downtown Rio. The Mannerist-style church is a primary example of Portuguese colonial architecture in Rio and the country. 

Sugarloaf Mountain

Sugarloaf Mountain is a peak situated at the mouth of Guanabara Bay on a peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Rising 396 m above the harbor, its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined loaf sugar. 

Ginga Tropical (Philharmonic Hall)

The Ginga Tropical is the best place in Rio for a tour of the many festivals in Brazil. Experience Parintins Festival, Lambada, Carimbó, Xaxado, Forró, Frevo, Maculelê, Capoeira, Orixás Dance, Boleadeiras, Bossa Nova, Samba de Gafierira and the world-renowned Carnival!

Before your departure home this afternoon, be sure to check out these cultural attractions and integral pieces of the Brazilian lifestyle: 

Maracanã (Soccer Stadium)

The Maracanã, officially Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho, is the soccer stadium that is part of a complex that includes an arena known by the name of Maracanãzinho, which means “The Little Maracanã” in Portuguese. The stadium was the location of the infamous 2014 World Cup. Enjoy a tour here with exclusive access to the lawn! 

Carnival Experience

Gear up for the ultimate Brazilian cultural experience with percussion classes, samba dancing and much more!

South Zone (beaches and lookout points)

The South Zone is an area of the city situated between the Tijuca Massif, the Atlantic Ocean, and Guanabara Bay. Most of it is made up of neighborhoods along the Atlantic coastline, including São Conrado, Vidigal, Leblon, Ipanema, Copacabana, and Leme. Spend your afternoon lounging beach-side before your departure home and onward journey.