RIO DE JANEIRO

Top 10 Highlights

1. Visiting Sugar Loaf Mountain

Named in the 1600s after the block of sugar it resembles, Rio de Janeiro's iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain is an attraction that no traveler to Brazil should miss. The mountain is an imposing cone-shaped granite rock that towers 1,300 feet above the water. From the summit, one can see Guanabara Bay, Copacabana, the city of Niteroi and spectacular tropical forests.   Read More

More Top Ten Highlights

Where to Sleep

BEST HOTELS  Rio de Janeiro boasts a handful of luxury 5-star hotels with beautiful ocean views, hip boutique hotels and several great budget-chic options located in the heart of Rio de Janeiro's picturesque Santa Teresa district:

1. Best Boutique Hotel - Santa Teresa Hotel

2. Best Luxury Hotel - Fasano Hotel

3. Best Guest House - Mama Ruisa

All Hotels

Where to Eat

BEST RESTAURANTS  Rio de Janeiro's food scene offers everything from glamourous restaurants to trendy, casual local cafes. Several new upscale restaurants have also been gaining the international spotlight:

1. Best Japanese Restaurant - Sushi Leblon

2. Best Chic Italian - Fasano Al Mare

3. Best Steakhouse - Porcao

All Restaurants

Where to Play

BEST NIGHTLIFE  From intimate cocktail bars to the ultimate see-and-be-seen nightclubs, Rio de Janeiro boasts a wide selection of nightlife places to party the night away. Here is our selection of the best nightlife places in Rio de Janeiro right now:

1. Best Trendy Bar - Baretto-Londra

2. Best Outdoor Terrace - Arpoador Inn Cafe

3. Best Samba Club - Rio Scenarium

All Nightlife

City Snapshot

A. Santa Teresa - A charming, picturesque colonial neighbourhood with leafy mountains, crumbling colonial mansions, boutiques and art galleries.

B. Ipanema - One of our favourite districts in Rio for its beautiful, vibrant beach, designer boutiques, trendy restaurants and bars. 

C. Leblon - A picturesque district is filled with green, leafy tree-lined streets, funky restaurants and bars, and within walking distance from scenic Leblon beach.

D. Copacabana - One of the most iconic cosmopolitan beaches in the world, very touristy though.

E. Centro - The commercial and business district of Rio de Janeiro, and home to the city’s best museums.

F. Lagoa - A beautiful saltwater lagoon which is popular with locals for walking, jogging and cycling.

G. Lapa - One of Rio’s most popular nightlife districts with fantastic samba dance clubs and live music venues.

 Detailed Google Map of Rio de Janeiro