View from Pão de Açúcar in Rio de Janeiro.

©Raphael Koerich/500px

Rio de Janeiro Brazil

Golden beaches and lush mountains, samba-fueled nightlife and spectacular football matches: welcome to the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City).

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Transportation
Free Things to Do

Transportation
As Brazil’s second largest city, Rio de Janeiro is vast and complex. Here’s how to get around.
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Free Things to Do
From world-famous beaches and generous green spaces to cultural centers and museums, there's plenty to do in Rio without spending a single centavo.
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Articles

Latest stories from Rio de Janeiro

People attend a samba concert in the area of Quilombo Pedra do Sal, backdropped by a graffiti depicting Zumbi Dos Palmares - the main leader of Quilombo dos Palmares in Alagoas state during the colonial period and who became a symbol of the fight against slavery in the country- in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on December 18, 2017. .In Rio de Janeiro, three communities of descendants of slaves who broke chains from their masters cultivate the memory of their ancestral struggle. Unlike other "quilombos", they are amid the city and their current fight is against real estate speculation. / AFP PHOTO / MAURO PIMENTEL (Photo credit should read MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images)
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TOPSHOTS, Horizontal, CROWD, SAMBA, CONCERT, EFFIGY, SLAVERY
People attend a samba concert in the area of Quilombo Pedra do Sal, backdropped by a graffiti depicting Zumbi Dos Palmares - the main leader of Quilombo dos Palmares in Alagoas state during the colonial period and who became a symbol of the fight against slavery in the country- in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on December 18, 2017. In Rio de Janeiro, three communities of descendants of slaves who broke chains from their masters cultivate the memory of their ancestral struggle. Unlike other "quilombos", they are amid the city and their current fight is against real estate speculation. Rights managed: Full editorial rights UK, US, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Canada (not Quebec)

Connections

Where to find and celebrate Rio de Janeiro’s Afro-Brazilian roots

Nov 23, 2022 • 9 Min read

Writer Georgina Lawton travels through Rio with a clear mission to venture off the tourist trail and uncover the city’s African heritage.

Public Transport
The 5 best day trips from Rio de Janeiro
Oct 23, 2022 • 5 Min read
See the wilderness-backed beaches, ancient sites and smaller-scale cities of Rio de Janeiro, whether you're using public transit or your own set of wheels.
Activities
The 25 best free things to do in Rio de Janeiro
Oct 22, 2022 • 10 Min read
From world-famous beaches and generous green spaces to cultural centers and museums, there's plenty to do in Rio without spending a single centavo.
Destination Practicalities
Getting around in Rio de Janeiro
Oct 20, 2022 • 5 Min read
As Brazil’s second largest city, Rio de Janeiro is vast and complex. Here’s how to get around.
Activities
The 8 best things to do in Rio de Janeiro
Oct 10, 2022 • 5 Min read
Planted between lush, forest-covered mountains and breathtaking beaches, Rio de Janeiro has many charms at its disposal. These are the best of the bunch.
Festivals & Events
Rio de Janeiro’s famous carnival will be postponed in 2021
Sep 28, 2020 • 1 Min read
The spread of COVID-19 has made it impossible to safely hold the parades for the first time in over 100 years.
History
5 city walking tours you can take right now on Google Maps
May 4, 2020 • 10 Min read
It’s undeniably one of travel’s greatest pleasures; wandering the streets of a whole new city, soaking up its character and exploring its hidden wonders…
Story
Brazil's Christ the Redeemer statue lights up with the flags of countries hit by coronavirus
Mar 20, 2020 • 1 Min read
The statue was illuminated with messages of hope during a special mass conducted by a Brazilian archbishop.
Budget Travel
Spending diary: what I spent on a two-day trip to Rio de Janeiro
Feb 15, 2020 • 7 Min read
In December, Joe Revill flew to Rio to visit his girlfriend for a romantic weekend. Here's how they stretched their Real.
Sports
Brazil: your guide to adventure activities
Oct 23, 2019 • 6 Min read
Home to Earth's biggest river, most immense jungle and 7400km of Atlantic-stroked beaches - Brazil is a sensationally sultry centre of exotic adventure.