So, you’ve arrived in Rio de Janeiro and you’ve got a whole day to make the most of it. But what do you do? Here’s how to spend the perfect day in cidade maravilhosa. A note on the guide: As Copacabana is where the majority of tourists stay in Rio de Janeiro we’ve based the day from here, but it can easily be adapted if you stay elsewhere.
8 a.m.
First thing’s first. Breakfast and a little café de manhã. Wander along Copacabana Beach to the Copacabana Fort located on a little peninsula that splits the beach from Ipanema. The Café 18 do Forte’s al fresco dining area looks out over the beach and ocean. Brazilians tend to have light breakfasts and go heavy for lunch. It’s up to you whether you follow them with a coffee and little pão de quejo (cheese bread) or go for the more lavish farmhouse breakfast.
10 a.m.
Who could go to Rio de Janeiro for the first time and not get up close to the Christ Redeemer statue? The iconic figure towers over the city from Corcovado hill. The art deco statue, was created by Polish-French sculptor Paul Landowski, between 1922 and 1931. Made from soapstone and concrete it is now considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Grab a taxi to Cosmo Velho to take the cog railway up the steep hill. As you ascend the 700-metres to the top you pass through Tijuca, the world’s largest urban rainforest. At the top admire the statue up close and the impressive views over the city.
12 p.m.
Get the railway back down, jump in a taxi and head to the sophisticated district of Ipanema. After all that strenuous effort, take a dip in the refreshing sea and catch a few rays on the beach. Chill with a super cold chope (draft) beer or a caipirinha. If you don’t drink alcohol at noon, try a fresh água de côco, coconut water sipped straight from the shell. Bear in mind that this mile-long stretch of beach can get wildly busy on weekends, so stake out a spot.
2 p.m.
By now you’ve probably worked up an appetite. There are plenty of options along the beach, but for a little history try the Garota de Ipanema. While the food is unremarkable, this was the bar (then called Veloso Bar) that composer Antonio Carlos Jobim and the poet Vinícius de Moraes wrote the famous song The Girl From Ipanema, reportedly after seeing a young Carioca called Helô walk by.
3 p.m.
In the afternoon take a tour of the infamous favelas such as Rochinha. Though the slum districts have a fearsome reputation, now they can be visited safely. An introduction to life in the favelas and the people who live in them is fascinating. Ensure that you book with a company that is as non-intrusive as possible. It should be a genuine experience learn about the history, present life and future of the favelas.
6 p.m.
After returning back to Copacabana, wander along to the beachfront Porto Bay Hotel and take the elevator to the rooftop Bossa Lounge. Look out over the bay or watch the sun set over Copacabana with a glass of champagne or a caiprinha while listening to the sounds of Bossa Nova.
8 p.m.
Rio de Janeiro has no shortage of restaurants, but for something a little different try Siri Mole & Cia in Copacabana, one of the city’s best Bahian eateries. This northern Brazilian cuisine serves up excellent grilled seafood and moqueca stews.