Rio de Janeiro Brazil conjures up images of brightly coloured samba dancers, Christ the Redeemer towering over the city, Sugarloaf Mountain, spectacular beaches, and an exciting lifestyle. A city filled with fascinating Rio de Janeiro landmarks, there are plenty of sights to see.
Rio is an affordable city for many tourists. A non-stop adventure of engaging sights, delicious foods, and great entertainment.
Unfortunately, petty crime has marred this lively and enchanting city’s reputation. However, it doesn’t have to be an issue.
In fact, we followed the safety guidelines near the bottom of the page and, like thousands of other visitors, we had no problems. Don’t be so paranoid that you forget to have fun. Rio de Janeiro is a fabulous city.
And that’s where we want to start, with some of the impressive, interesting, colourful and unique Rio de Janeiro landmarks
Top 10 Rio de Janeiro landmarks
There are so many things to do in Rio de Janeiro. The highlights include:
- Christ the Redeemer
- Pão d’Açucar – Sugarloaf Mountain
- Selaron Steps
- Sambadrome
- Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian
- Lapa Arches
- Theatro Municipal
- Candeleria Cathedral
- Olympic Torch
- Rio’s best beaches
Christ the Redeemer
Christ the Redeemer, a huge statue of Jesus Christ stands tall at 671 meters (2,200 feet) above sea level on top of Corcovado mountain. It is an icon amongst the Rio de Janeiro landmarks and one of the most famous places in Brazil. There are five ways to get to the monument.
Completed in 1931 out of reinforced concrete covered in soapstone, it is the largest Art Deco statue ever built. For many, the visit is about a spiritual attraction. For others, it’s the view, which is nothing short of impressive. It is now listed as one of the seven wonders of the modern world.
It is crowded, often with long queues for the train to the top. Here, two of the 40 or so people in our tour encountered pickpockets. The action is swift, so be extra vigilant.
Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado mountain A views of Rio from the Christ statue
Pão d’Açucar (Sugarloaf) Mountain
Similar to visiting Christ the Redeemer, you will be in long queues for the cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, and often encounter a few shady people, so be aware of your surroundings.
As we had only two days in Rio and it was the crowded New Year’s Eve season, we opted to skip Sugarloaf and therefore missed the spectacular views from the top.
Sugarloaf is probably the second most famous of the Rio de Janeiro landmarks.
Selaron Steps
Believe it or not, this is the number three most visited destination in Rio after Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf.
The tile-covered steps are a passion project (rather than a commission) of Chilean artist Jorge Selarón who lived at #24. The steps have been made even more popular when Snoop Dog used them in a music video.
We went on December 30, a New Year’s eve weekend with over one million visitors to the city, and it was packed.
When you climb the stairs, be sure to notice the variety of tiles, many of which were sent to the artist from cities around the world. At one point very near the top, you will reach a large mosaic of the Brazilian Flag. This should be your stopping point. According to our guide, there is a blind spot just beyond it where many robberies take place.
Sambadrome
Having never been to Rio during Carnival, I had no idea that the main dancing takes place in the Sambadrome, a 700 meter long open stadium that seats 70,000 people.
Here 12 of the 200 city samba schools will each get a 45-minute opportunity to show off their talent.
Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian
Also called the Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro, it is round to symbolize unity. We entered from the main entrance in the front and went out on the side facing the Lapa neighbourhood.
It is one of the more unique Rio de Janeiro landmarks.
Here our guide instructed us to remove all our jewellery and put our cameras away. It is okay to take the camera out for a photo, but “immediately put it away after the shot.”
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian Inside the Metropolitan Cathedral
Lapa Arches
Sitting behind the cathedral are the Lapa Arches, an aqueduct built in 1723.
The concrete park-like area in front of the arches draws huge crowds of young people on Saturday nights. It’s a mix of rich and poor, a coming together of everyone in a festive mood.
Theatro Municipal
The Municipal Theatre offers daily tours except on some holidays and holiday weekends.
Candeleria Cathedral
Built for the wealthy population, Candeleria is a masterpiece. It was closed on New Year’s Eve weekend when we visited the city, so we couldn’t go inside.
Olympic torch
Rio de Janeiro was home to the 2016 summer Olympics.
As a result, the government cleaned up many areas of the city. The city had two Olympic flames. One is at the main stadium and a second flame for the people on the street nicknamed ‘Olympic Boulevard.’
Best beaches in Rio de Janeiro
No list of Rio de Janeiro landmarks would be complete without mention of some of it’s famous beaches.
Rio has 23 beaches lining its coastline. Take a safety tip from the locals. Notice they typically bring only a towel, sunscreen, and some small currency for snacks, drinks, and other items from beach vendors.
The top three beaches for swimming, people watching, popularity, safety, and nearby to some of the best hotels in Rio are:
- Copacabana Beach (this is the place for New Year’s Eve fireworks!)
- Ipanema Beach
- Leblon Beach
Ipanema Beach. Copacabana Beach.
More Rio de Janeiro landmarks
- The Museum of Tomorrow
- Colombo Coffee house
- Arco do Teles
The Museum of Tomorrow
A modern example of Rio de Janeiro landmarks, the Museum of Tomorrow is located near the cruise terminal. The building itself is a work of art. Good thing for us, as that was all we got to see.
It locks the doors to new entries one hour before closing.
Arco do Teles
Walking under the Arco do Teles brings you to an area of traditional houses from the 1700s including #13, home to Carmen (the famous Brazilian woman who was always photographed with fruit on her head).
Aside from prostitution, the area has a sordid past and may even be haunted by Barbara. As legend has it, Barbara stole local children, killed them, and bathed in their blood to stay youthful.
Colombo coffee house (Confeitaria Colombo)
If you haven’t tried a Brazilian coffee, you are missing a treat, and this is the place to get it. Opened in 1894, it’s where Queen Elizabeth enjoyed a cuppa in the 60s.
Staying safe in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is a city of 6.7 million people, of which nearly one-quarter of the city’s population live in favelas (the slums), with a reported average annual income equivalent to about $100 USD. I guess it is not surprising that thieves rip jewellery, cameras, cell phones and wallets off of unsuspecting tourists who wave them around.
After talking with officers on our cruise ship, local destination experts, and local tour guides, we concluded that everyone’s recommended safety list is similar. Also, most of these guidelines apply throughout Brazil and much of South America.
Note that pickpockets typically work in teams. One will distract you while the other robs you, so always keep your guard up.
The good news is that for the 2016 Olympics, many Rio neighbourhoods were cleaned up, and still have a high presence of tourist police. This helps in deterring some crimes.
Rio safety tips
- Avoid wearing jewellery, especially expensive-looking jewellery. We talked to one woman who had a necklace ripped from her neck by a passing cyclist and another man was jumped from behind. When he instinctively reached up, someone sliced off his watch.
- Carry only one credit card and the cash you will need. Keep your cash in multiple pockets, and only reach into the pocket with the proper amount for what you need to purchase.
- Depending on the neighbourhood, don’t bring a big camera. If you do carry an expensive camera, keep it in a backpack or zippered pocket except when you want to take a shot.
- Avoid using mobile phones in public. They are frequently grabbed right out of people’s hands.
- Carry your purse or backpack in the front, over one shoulder, and under your arm.
- Speak Portuguese, if you can.
- Yellow cabs (with meters) or uber are generally safer than the Metro.
- Remember if you take the bus, the language is Portuguese. Few if any bus drivers will speak English. Be sure to know the bus route, as many buses will enter the unsafe favelas.
If you are still wondering how safe is Rio de Janeiro, remember a lot of it is up to you. For more safe travel guidelines, check out our general South America travel safety tips.
Rio de Janeiro tours
We earn from qualifying purchases through partnerships or affiliate programs.
There is something to safety in numbers, as well as the inherent safety that comes from being with someone familiar with the lay of the land.
We recently gave Get Your Guide a try for tours and have been impressed. They offer a huge selection of Rio de Janeiro tours at a range of prices, often getting you up to the top of Corcovado Mountain (Christ the Redeemer) and Sugarloaf Mountain quicker than you can on your own.
Plus, with a driver, you can move easily and safely through various neighbourhoods.
Rio: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, & Selaron Day Tour
This top-rated 9-hour tour caught our eye. It includes the top city highlights: Christ the Redeemer statue, cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain, Maracanã Stadium, Sambadrome, Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Selarón Steps.
If this isn’t enough goodness, the tour includes a traditional Brazilian barbeque lunch. The day starts early, with the first pick up in Barra da Tijuca at 6:30 am. Check prices and reviews
Walking tours
If you are into walking tours, there are four companies that offer free city walking tours through the historic districts in exchange for tips.
We enjoyed a four-hour walking tour with Strawberry Tours although, in the heat some people bailed out early. These tours will NOT get you up to Corcovado Mountain (Christ the Redeemer), Sugarloaf Mountain, or out to the beaches, all top things to do in Rio de Janeiro. But, they will give you a lot of history and sights.
Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro
Many of the best places to stay in Rio de Janeiro are located on Copacabana or Ipanema Beach.
If I were staying in Rio, my first choice is the beautiful Belmond Palace Hotel on Copacabana Beach. Built in 1923, it is still considered the place to stay. Here are links to check the availability of our top choices:
- Belmond Copacabana Palace: a 5-star accommodation on Copacabana Beach.
- Hilton Rio de Janeiro: another 5-star option on Copacabana Beach.
- Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort: a 5-star resort on Leblon Beach.
- Ritz Leblon: 4-star option on Leblon Beach.
READ NEXT: Amazing Fireworks: Rio de Janeiro on New Year’s Eve
Final thoughts on Rio de Janeiro Brazil
- Rio’s two biggest parties of the year are Carnival (40 days before Easter) and New Year’s Eve. Plan far ahead if either of these is your target.
- The currency of Brazil is the Brazilian real. The local currency is needed in most taxi cabs and any public transportation.
- In many tourist areas of the city, there are QR codes on the sidewalks to get more information about the site.
- Portuguese is the official language of Brazil. While we found many people also speak Spanish, only a small percentage speak English.
- A 10% tip in restaurants is customary.
- Cariocas is the nickname of people from Rio de Janeiro.
- Rio de Janeiro is one of several coastal Brazilian cities we visited including Santos (coastal city for São Paulo), Paraty, Buzios, and Itajai. Check out our entire South American itinerary.
Photography on this page
Following my own advice, my primary camera (Olympus OMD-em5 Mark II) never left the cruise ship. Instead, I took my predecessor to the Olympus TG-6, a tough little shockproof, waterproof, dustproof, crushproof, and freezeproof point and shoot camera that has an option of RAW output. It’s the perfect camera to keep in my pocket, especially in questionable safety areas. I even went so far as to unbrand it with gaffer tape covering the brand name. I had no problems.
The fireworks shots were taken from the ship on my Olympus OMD-em5 Mark II using a slow shutter speed and a tripod.
Save for later
If you enjoyed this article, please share it on social media and save it for later on Pinterest.
Which Rio de Janeiro landmarks will you visit?
Rishi rathod
Some amazing safety tips there, Rio is an beautiful place to go, Thanks for sharing such beautiful post with us. Cheers!!!
hilary
What an amazing adventure you were on. I’m sure that it is beautiful and I’d love to see the famous sights, but I’m really turned off by the level of safety precautions required. I completely understand them, and appreciate they must be know, but at the same time it’s not appealing to me at all, which is why I’m grateful to read about your experiences.
Rhonda Albom
I was mostly bothered by not having my best camera with me, but other than that, you just have to be alert.
Kat
Great tips, Rhonda, on travelling in Rio. A blogger friend from the Philippines and her friend travelled to Rio in 2017, and they were robbed on their second day in Rio at Selaron Steps 🙁 They didn’t heed the hostel manager’s advice about not going there before 10am. Because they couldn’t sleep in due to jet lag, they went to the Steps at 7.30am to get good pics – within minutes, they were robbed. I’m aware that Rio is dangerous and the constant alertness to keep valuables safe is a hassle, but I wouldn’t mind travelling there anyway because there’s so much to see!
Rhonda Albom
Thanks for the added tip of time. Your friend’s story is way too common, but often from people who don’t heed the warnings.
Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields
I think Rio would be fabulous. I would love to see the Christ the Redeemer Statute but I confess the safety aspect does put me off a bit. Many of your safety tips would be useful anywhere.
Rhonda Albom
Remember, most people visit without incident. Plus, statistically, I would imagine it’s safer than where you just visited.
California Globetrotter
You just took me down memory lane! Though, I’d really like a do-over as I was a grumpy 17 year old when I visited and didn’t appreciate traveling with my parents so much at that point! Would love to see that staircase though!!
Rhonda Albom
I think Rio would be completely different through the eyes of an adult, than a grumpy teenager. 🙂
Katie
Great tips and a really thorough guide! I’ve never been to Rio but think I’d feel safer with guided tours also, they are a good way to stay safe and also learn more about the place you’re visiting.
Rhonda Albom
We had tours for the most part, but we did walk around a bit on our own. We followed the safety tips and had no problems.
JIll
I have felt the lure of Rio – the beaches, Carnival, the music and the food – for awhile but I have to admit that it being reported as unsafe kept me away. Good tips – and looks like many fun places to explore.
Rhonda Albom
In truth, most people visit safely. There is a bit of luck to it, but also, a lot of smarts. Just follow the tips, and you will most likely be fine.
beatravelling
Hoping to get to Rio some day, even though Brazil is not at the top of my South America to-do list 🙂
Rhonda Albom
It wasn’t on the top of my South America list either, but now I want to go back.
Sharon
These are great tips! I’m interested to read that you liked Get Your Guide. I’ve seen that company advertised but I’ve never used it. I do think about where I should carry my SLR camera. I put it away for sure on metros anywhere. But to think that phones are grabbed right out of your hands — wow!
Rhonda Albom
Remember, with Get Your Guide (and many tour companies) the guides are often independent, so always read the reviews or ask questions of your guide. We have been happy. As for the camera, for most of South America, I carry my bigger camera either in a camera bag that doesn’t look like a camera bag, or in a small bag in my backpack. In Rio, and a few other cities, I took the compact TG5 covered in gaffer tape, so it looks generic. Maybe that was over the top a bit, but better safe than sorry.
Tanja/The Red Phone Box travels
I’d love to visit Rio one day and see some of these places. Great post.
Rhonda Albom
I hope you get there someday, it’s and amazing city.
Amanda
Really interesting read! You sound like a smart and safe traveler. I’m sure tourists visit Rio all the time and never think twice about their valuables. After reading this I’m thinking I should find a smaller travel camera. It’s such a beautiful place – I’d so love to visit someday. Thanks for the advice!
Clare
We loved our trip to Rio. It was such a thrill to see the Christ the Redeemer statue, Ipanema beach and the samba dancers. We even did a tour of one of the favelas which was fascinating. It’s such a vibrant city. Thanks for helping me relive the memories. Your tips are spot on.
Rhonda Albom
You sure hit the best the spots when you visited. I love Rio too. We couldn’t do a tour of the favelas, as the ones we found had all be cancelled by the government as they are now too dangerous
Ashley Nicole Johnson
I have never really put much thought into visiting Brazil but you make me want to go! Beautiful things to see & your photography is great. It looks dreamy! I’ll have to add it to the bucket list
Rhonda Albom
Honestly, Brazil surprised me quite a bit. We went to five coastal cities, and each is so different from the others, and all lovely in their own way. Definitely add it to our bucket list.
Deb Nance
A beautiful place. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Jeff Albom
Rio is amazing and there is so much to see and do.
Carol
Great post and smart safety tips Rhonda
Jeff Albom
Thanks. The safety tips were the advice from several different sources and they worked well for us.
Jackie K Smith
Think I’ll enjoy it from a distance; your post was a great tour. Sadly, it sounds worse than Barcelona when it comes to street theft.
Rhonda Albom
Statistically, Rio is worse than Barcelona. However, we are cautious and didn’t have problems in either city.
Brooke
It’s disappointing when you hear you have to be very on guard visiting Rio de Janeiro, but it could be the case anywhere you go. I am very cautious about wearing jewelry when traveling and don’t even like to carry my camera with me. It’s a reminder to assess where you’re going and what you’re doing. It seems like in Rio de Janeiro you should do this not just because of safety but also because of convenience. With so many tourists it wouldn’t be as comfortable carrying around a large camera. It looks like you didn’t have as much trouble carrying your camera around based on your great photos!
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Brooke. I have an Olympus TG5 covered in gaffer tape so it looks pretty sad. It’s a compact point and shoot that has a RAW output option, so I can still edit in Lightroom. My big camera never left our ship in Rio. And while pickpocketing does happen everywhere, statistically Rio is one of the worst.
Karla
Thanks for the tips! I rarely bring expensive jewelry when I travel. It’s sad that most tourist spots have high crime rates. The good thing is we have bloggers like you to give useful advice.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Karla. It’s not just expensive jewelry, it’s anything that looks expensive that will attract unwanted attention.
Handmade Jewelry Haven
Looks just beautiful!
Thank you for sharing the highlights and the safety tips!
– Lisa
Rhonda Albom
Rio de Janeiro is an amazing city.
L. Diane Wolfe
I have always wanted to visit Rio. I’ll just hide my essentials in my bra. LOL
Rhonda Albom
Don’t laugh, that’s where my money lived. 🙂
Emily
This city has been on the top of my bucket list for a long time! But it is so important to be aware and know how to travel when visiting a city like this.
Rhonda Albom
Very true, that is why I shared the tips we heard over and over.
stevebethere
What a fab post loved the photos thanks for the tour Rhonda 🙂
Have a tanfabulous week 🙂
Rhonda Albom
Rio was amazing. I wish I could have stayed more than two days.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Amazing city, although the amount of theft is still scary.
I did know about Sambadrome, but only because I’ve seen the animated film Rio.
Rhonda Albom
While most people visit without any problems, you are right, the amount of theft is scary. I will have to watch that animated movie when we get home.
Bianca
This Rio guide is super thorough. A lot of people associate Europe with pickpocketers and crime so its good to have a heads up especially for a place so well known for its bright colours and parties.
Rhonda Albom
Rio is well known for its petty crime and you can avoid problems using my tips.
Lady Fi
Great tips and shots.
Rhonda Albom
I didn’t use my big camera in Rio. I used the predecessor to theOlympus TG-6 which looks like a point and shoot but has professional quality features.
Luci
Really great guide. I’m always paranoid when I go to other places as well. Visiting Rio de Janeiro is on my bucket list of places I want to go.
Rhonda Albom
There is so much to do in Rio. I followed the advice in my post for staying safe and had no problems.