Rio de Janeiro, located in Brazil, lies to the east of the Atlantic Ocean. It is also the second most popular and most populated city in Brazil. A huge city that is famous for its beautiful beaches, amazing landscapes and many more activities. There are many things to do in Rio de Janeiro, where the entire city is filled with celebrating festivals. The city is famous for parade floats, samba dancers, flamboyant costumes and Brazilian literature, music and cinema including art installations and ongoing cultural events.
10 Things To Do In Rio De Janeiro
Here is a comprehensive list of things to do in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil that offer an amazing trip experience.
1. Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car Ride

Photo: Donatas Dabravolskas / Wikimedia Commons
One of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro, expansive view of the city from cable car Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, is one of the highest peaks that is situated in the Black Mountains and offers a beautiful majestic view across South Wales. This place is famous for its crisscrossed path and beautiful scenery. A cable car ride at Sugarloaf Mountain is one of the best things to do in September, it offers a panoramic view of the entire city. It is one of the most famous tourist attractions where many tourists experience this ride to get on top of the mountain especially during sunset and nighttime for a stunning view.
Location: Urca, Rio De Janeiro – State Of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Timings: 9 AM – 8 PM
Prices: 110 Reais / ₹1600
2. Paragliding

Photo: Tiago Cobra / Wikimedia Commons
Paragliding in Rio de Janeiro is one of the adventurous activities that offers breathtaking views of the entire City. There are a few popular launch sites at different places in the city that offer a smooth take off along with all the security facilities with experienced instructors. It is one of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro in September. This activity is ideal for travelers seeking adventure to explore the beautiful scenery with an adrenaline rush. This is one of the best things to do if you are looking for thrilling experiences in one of the most iconic cities.
Places For Paragliding: Christ The Redeemer, Ipanema Beach, Samba City
Prices: Starts At $880 / ₹76,000
3. Surfing At Arpoador

Photo: Thales Ricardo Araujo / Pexels
Surfing at Arpoador Beach is one of the best things you can do in Rio de Janeiro. Arpoador Beach is situated between the 2 largest beaches, which are Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach. This beach is known for its vibrant atmosphere and beautiful views. With its amazing rock formations and incredible views, especially during sunset, makes it the best place for surfing. There are surfing schools for the beginners and also for professionals to do this interesting activity for an unforgettable experience.
Location: Arpoador, Rio De Janeiro
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM for surfing school
4. Hiking To The Gruta Dos Morcegos Cave

Photo: Boaventuravinicius / Wikimedia Commons
Hiking to the Gruta dos Morcegos Cave is one of the best things to do in Rio De Janeiro. You can explore the lush green rainforest trails along the way to the cave. The Gruta Dos Morcegos Cave is one of the best things to see in Rio de Janeiro. It is one of the hidden gems in the city, which is a small cave that is known to be a colony of bats. For environment enthusiasts this is the best place to get a glimpse of the region’s biodiversity with a well-preserved ecosystem.
Location: Gruta Dos Morcegos – Estrada Major Archer
Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM
Prices: $238 Per Person / ₹20,000 per person
5. Explore The Museum Of Tomorrow

Photo: Bruno Scramgnon / Pexels
Visiting the Museum of Tomorrow, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, is one of the best things to do in Rio De Janeiro. It is a science museum that was designed by a Spanish futuristic architect. The museum was opened in 2015. The exhibition at this museum has 5 areas– the Cosmos, Earth, Anthropocene, tomorrow, and experiments of the US. It offers a view of the collaboration of science with innovative ideas and designs that focus on sustainability and ecology. The main goal of this museum is to strengthen the culture and identity of the city.
Location: Praça Mauá, 1 – Centro, Rio De Janeiro
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
Prices: 30 Reais For Adults / ₹430
6. Walk Around The Bohemian Streets

Photo: Andrei Loan Mendes Brito dos Santos / Wikimedia Commons
Walking around Santa Teresa is one of the best things to experience in Rio de Janeiro. Santa Teresa is one of the most famous historic neighbourhoods in the city. It is famous for its vibrant bohemian streets. This place is known to have many colonial structures, beautiful old architecture, and lively nightlife that is rich in its cultural heritage. It is also known to be the artistic heart of the city, filled with street art galleries that exhibits the culture of the locals. Sometimes there are also a few cultural events and art performances that happen in these streets.
Location: Santa Teresa, Rio De Janeiro – State Of Rio De Janeiro
7. Visit The Cachoeira Do Horto Waterfalls

Photo: Renan Bomtempo / Pexels
Cachoeira do Horto Waterfalls is one of the best things to explore in Rio de Janeiro. It is known to have picture-perfect scenery. This is an ideal escape from the busy city life and explore nature by hiking to this place. There are hiking trails available to reach the waterfalls that are easy and accessible for visitors. Swimming at the waterfall which is surrounded by lush greenery offers a peaceful environment that is ideal for relaxing.
Location: Estr. Da Vista Chinesa – Alto Da Boa Vista, Rio De Janeiro – Brazil
Timings: Starts at 8 AM
8. Walk Around The Escadaria Selaron

Photo: Adelano Lázaro / Wikimedia Commons
Walking down the famous Escadaria Selaron is an amazing experience to take stunning pictures. It is popularly known as Selaron Steps, it is one of the most iconic places in Rio de Janeiro. These beautiful and artistic steps were created by an artist, Jorge Selaron. This staircase has 215 steps between the places Lapa and Santa Teresa. These steps are like giving tribute to the people of Brazil. Many unique tiles from all over 60 countries were brought and the staircase was painted with the Brazilian national colours.
Location: Escadaria Selarón – Rua Manuel Carneiro – Santa Teresa, Rio De Janeiro – State Of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Timings: 24*7
9. Visit Christ The Redeemer

Photo: Luan Gonçalves / Pexels
Catching the view at Christ the Redeemer in Rio De Janeiro is the most iconic thing to see. It is a famous statue of Jesus Christ. This statue is 98 feet tall and stands on the top of Mount Corcovado, which is 2,326 feet above sea level. The statue was built in 1931. It is also considered to be one of the wonders of the world. Activities like paragliding and looking at the city from the viewpoint at this statue offer an unforgettable experience.
Location: Parque Nacional da Tijuca – Alto da Boa Vista, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM
10. Hiking In Tijuca National Park

Photo: Cesar Vieira / Wikimedia Commons
Hiking at Tijuca National Park tops the list of things to do in Rio de Janeiro. This park is a part of the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Preserve. It has many well-maintained hiking trails for all levels of hikers. Visitors can choose the level of hiking they want along with the hiking trails to explore different places like viewpoints at the top or to reach waterfalls and caves. It is one of the most unforgettable experiences to enjoy nature.
Location: Estr. Da Cascatinha, 850 – Alto Da Boa Vista, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM
There are many things to do in Rio de Janeiro that offer an amazing blend of exploring nature, culture, and walking through the streets of beautiful structures. Whether walking on the streets, or hiking through thick dense forests, each activity promises a memory of lifetime. Discover more with TripXL’s travel packages and plan your extraordinary adventure to Rio De Janeiro.
Cover Photo: Wilfredo Rafael Rodriguez Hernandez / Wikimedia Commons