How to spend 2 days in Rio | Rio de Janeiro Itinerary

Rio is one hell of an amazing city earning its name Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City)! It is as vibrant in personality as it is in picturesque views. Rio de Janeiro is the second-largest city in Brazil but is by no means small.

If you’re planning 2 days in Rio for your first visit, there are some obvious highlights I would recommend in this 2 Day Rio Itinerary.

Map For 2 Days In Rio De Janeiro Itinerary

DAY 1: Rio De Janeiro Itinerary

Wake Up To Ipanema Beach

After arriving at Che Lagarto Hostel Ipanema and taking part in the mingling with the guests with a few caipirinhas, a morning walk along Ipanema Beach was an amazing start to the day.

The long stretch of sun-drenched white sand between Arpoador and Leblon is a popular spot for Cariocas (Rio locals) to go surfing, wakeboarding, play volleyball, or simply indulge in some serious tanning time. The beach vendors will sing to you on the way past to make them more memorable than the last.

If I had more time, I would have loved to hire a bike and take advantage of the cycle path along the coast. I noticed there was a public bike system you can rent through an app called BikeRio which costs around $2 for the day. Next time!

Meet Christ The Redeemer

This guy doesn’t need any introduction. Christ the Redeemer is one of the largest statues of Jesus and the tallest art deco statue in the world reaching a height of 30 metres and an arm span of 28 metres.

Perched on the summit of Mount Corcovado in Rio overlooking Guanabara Bay, this is the most recognisable landmark of Rio. In 2007 it was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and quite rightly so!

You can avoid crowds by visiting Christ the Redeemer midweek before 8:30 am or after 3:30 pm. Also, weather can be a big factor in when to go. Both visits were made in December several years apart but the first time I went, the statue was hardly visible in the big rain cloud hence my return trip!

HOW TO GET TO CHRIST THE REDEEMER

There are a few ways to get to the entrance of Christ the Redeemer. Having visited Christ the Redeemer twice I have been by train and on an organised tour.

BY TRAIN: For the authentic experience, take the mountain train through the Tijuca National Park, alighting near the top of Corcovado Mountain. The train departs approximately every 30 minutes from Cosme Velho, and the ride up takes 20 minutes.

Big queues from December to March in peak season, best to purchase your ticket for the cog train in advance online. or purchase through Trem do Corcovado.

BY VAN: You can catch the van from Largo do Machado (outside the subway station), Lido Square (Copacabana by Cardeal Arco Verde Subway Station) and Barra da Tijuca (Citta America Shopping Center). Van is cheaper than the train, you can buy tickets online in advance.

TAKE A HIKE: Start the scenic trail at Parque Lage near the Botanical Gardens through the Tijuca National Park. It takes 2-3 hours depending on fitness level. Take care as there have been stories of muggings along the way, and have a small amount of cash to hand over in the unlikely event. You’ll need to keep your cash well hidden for your entrance fee.

ORGANISED TOUR: This is a simple way to do it as they usually pick you up from your hotel or meeting point in Copacabana. The tours normally visit a range of must-sees in Rio so work out what else you can pack into your day. Check out Rio tours including Christ the Redeemer.

Located at Parque Nacional da Tijuca – Alto da Boa Vista // Open from 8am-7pm

Stroll Around Santa Theresa

Meander around the narrow cobbled streets of Santa Theresa, you could easily spend a few hours there exploring the bohemian scene of cafes, museums, galleries, and bars.

You can get to Santa Teresa from Rio’s city centre by the bright yellow tram. It was built in 1877 and is the oldest electric railway in Latin America. The bondinho (tram) was closed in 2011 after a serious accident. Jambeiro, the Brazilian artist, remembers the driver who tragically lost his life in the accident in his mural in Santa Teresa.

Visit The Metropolitan Cathedral Of Saint Sebastian

The more popular name for this cone-shaped church is the Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro. The architect Edgar de Oliveira da Fonseca designed it in the style of a Mayan pyramid and has a diameter of 106 meters at its base and is 96 meters tall. It was constructed in 1964 and 1979 in honour of Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of Rio.

I felt a little indifferent standing outside this futuristic concrete cathedral but I entered and took a pew, my feelings changed. Looking up at the centre there is a Greek cross acting as a skylight and four majestic stained-glass panels floor to ceiling throwing beautiful vibrant colours into the cathedral as the light shone through.

Located at Av. Chile 245, Centro // Open daily from 7am-10pm 

Walk Up The Escadaria Selarón

When in Rio de Janeiro, you can’t avoid checking out the Escadaria Selarón (or Lapa Stairs), a 125-metre-long “tribute to the Brazilian people.” Jorge Selarón is a Chilean who built the Selarón Stairs was a world traveler, a painter, and a ceramic artist who fell in love with Rio. The 250 steps are adorned with over 2000 tiles with inserts from tiles from over 60 countries – it’s a real labour of love!

Located at Rua Joaquim Silva S/N, Centro

Sunset On Sugarloaf Mountain

Why was it called Sugarloaf? Back in the 16^th century, sugar cane was heavily produced and traded in Brazil. The Portuguese decided the mountain resembled the shape of a loaf of refined sugar.

Board a cable car and ride up to the Urca Mount station before continuing in another cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. If you have more time to play, you can hike the first part to Morro da Urca taking around 30 minutes.

At the top, you will be rewarded with some kick-ass panoramic views of Rio de Janeiro with Christ the Redeemer standing proud in the distance. Probably the most stunning city sunset I’ve ever seen!

If you fancy a more adventurous route, you can test your rock climbing skills on Sugarloaf mountain. With many routes, some more challenging than others, this sure would be a way to get a different perspective on making your way up Sugarloaf Mountain.

Located Av. Pasteur, Urca 

DAY 2: Rio De Janeiro Itinerary

Rocinha Favela Walking Tour

I was in two minds about taking a tour of the favelas and whether it was morally right. I rang Favela Walking Tours first who said the jeep tours feel like human safari but with the walking tours, you meet the locals, and hear their stories, and is just like taking a tour around any other part of the city.  The tour fee includes a contribution to the favela community so I was happy that the company paid it forward.

I headed out with Junior who was raised in Rocinha, the largest favela in Brazil. He gave us an insider’s perspective on history, daily life, and the challenges faced. Loved meeting people along the way and seeing the bright street art around Rocinha!

Wark Rocinha (AKA Marcos Rodrigo) pioneered the graffiti movement in Brazil’s largest favela where he grew up. His work inspires hope and his ‘angels’ are infamous. Whilst he has gained international acclaim, his passion isn’t to dominate the world’s art scene. He thrives at the grassroots level and spends time teaching kids in the favela the craft of art-making.

At the end of the tour, we passed by the Rocinha Sports Centre which was built to get kids into fitness. There is a Capoeira school based there called ‘Acorda’ (Wake Up) which relies entirely on donations from the city government, local businesses, and tourists. They train young students from Rocinha in Brazilian martial art which combines elements of dance and music to show the youth the right path in life. Now, I’m no expert but these guys had the moves!

BOOK YOUR 4 HOUR FAVELA WALKING TOUR WITH A LOCAL GUIDE

Go Hang Gliding Over Rio

Tandem Hang Gliding in Rio de Janeiro will put a smile on your face! Take off from Pedra Bonita ramp to catch a birds-eye view of the city and the UNESCO-listed Tijuca National Park. Fly your way to the landing spot on São Conrado beach. If you love an adrenaline fix, this is an activity you can’t miss on your 2 days in Rio!

>> BOOK YOUR HANG GLIDING ADVENTURE IN RIO

2 Days In Rio | Travel Essentials

Useful Links For Visiting Rio De Janeiro

Ready to get planning and check these links for visiting Rio de Janeiro.

• Explore day trips and tours with Viator and Get Your Guide 
• Explore what to do and where to eat with Tripadvisor
• Get your WATER-TO-GO Bottle with 15% OFF (Code WM15)

Where To Stay In Rio De Janeiro

Normally, you’d look for accommodation close to where it is all happening. In Rio, it’s happening everywhere. Each neighbourhood has its’ own character. Santa Theresa has a bohemian feel, Botafogo and Lapa are amazing for nightlife and Centro is perfect for the culture vultures.

For first-timers, the safest spots in Rio de Janeiro are Ipanema, Leblon and Copacabana. I’ve stayed in 3 neighbourhoods in Rio and enjoyed Ipanema the most. Whether you are staying in the amazing hostels around Rio or looking for something a little more pricey, here are some recommended options for accommodation in Rio;

BUDGET – Che Lagarto Hostel Ipanema is perfectly located, just one block away from Ipanema Beach. Having stayed there I can recommend that the staff are super friendly creating a fun vibe.

MID-RANGE – Casa Geranio is a charming oasis in the heart of Santa Theresa. This 4-star B&B is stylish accommodation that has a pool to relax in amongst the beautiful gardens.

LUXURY – JW Marriott Rio de Janeiro is located on Copacabana’s beachfront. The hotel has a private section on the beach or you can relax on the rooftop swimming pool.

How Safe Is Rio?

We have all heard horror stories about crime in Rio de Janeiro so it pays to be vigilant. On my first trip, I only went out with money hidden in various places around my body and ended up pulling it all out in the hotel at the end of the night. I know I sound a bit crazy but we were there for New Year’s Eve and I was careful about not walking any dark back streets.

REMEMBER TRAVEL INSURANCE! Always make travel insurance a priority for any adventure! 

Remember to get your travel insurance, and ensure that you are covered for any adventure activities you may be taking part in. Here are some tried-and-tested options;

• GET 5% OFF with HeyMondo Travel Insurance
• GET 5% OFF with IATI Travel Insurance
• REMOTE WORKERS & NOMADS: SafetyWing

What Is The Best Time To Visit Rio?

Rio has a tropical climate so it is warm most of the year. The peak season is from December to March with temperatures of 25-30°C to enjoy the sunshine on the beach. Normally it rains a lot in December due to the humidity but I got lucky.

The first time I visited was January and Christ the Redeemer were hidden in a mass of clouds. The coldest months are in their winter time (June-August) when the temperature in Rio can drop to 16-25°C.

Festivals In Rio Not To Miss

Rio can party all year round but there are some festivals and events you may want to mark in your diary!

• 20th January – Celebration of the Day of St. Sebastian
• Friday to Ash Wednesday – The city comes alive with celebrations all over the city with a huge Carnival parade being the highlight.
• 7 September – Brazil’s Independence Day is a public holiday as nationals streets with a large procession to celebrate their freedom from Portugal. 
• 25th December – Christmas is a big deal in Rio and you will find the world’s tallest floating Bradesco Seguros Christmas Tree in Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon.
• 31 December – Umbanda – Festival of the Goddess of the Sea
• 31 December – NYE Eve celebrations with fireworks, carnival procession, and fireworks

PIN FOR YOUR 2 DAY RIO TRIP!