Sun, Samba & Sugarloaf: 10 Must-Do Experiences in Rio de Janeiro

Published on 18 February 2026 at 20:14

You don’t visit Rio de Janeiro — you experience it.

Here’s your ultimate must-do list to turn your Rio holiday from great to unforgettable.

Visit Christ the Redeemer

Towering above the city, Christ the Redeemer is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Book:

  • Skip-the-line tickets - it gets very busy and if you want to make the most of your trip this is an essential purchase

  • Guided sunrise tours - you can get involved with a guided tour or pick your own advantage point and watch the glorious scenes

  • Helicopter rides - expensive but WOW!!!!!!!!!

Book your trips through the link above for best rates.

Ride the Cable Car to Sugarloaf Mountain

The views from Sugarloaf Mountain are jaw-dropping.

Sunset visits are particularly magical. Get the cable car across for views and an experience you will never forget!! Thank me later.

Relax on Copacabana Beach

Spend a full day at Copacabana soaking up Brazilian beach culture.

Rent chairs, sip coconut water, try beach volleyball.

Watch Sunset at Arpoador

Between Copacabana and Ipanema, this rocky peninsula offers Rio’s best sunset applause moment.

Experience Carnival (If Timing Allows!)

If you visit during Rio Carnival, expect dazzling costumes, samba parades and street parties.

Explore Tijuca National Park

One of the world’s largest urban rainforests, Tijuca National Park is perfect for hiking tours if that is your vibe. I have not done this myself but is on a bucket list to complete.

Visit the Selarón Steps

Colourful and iconic, the Escadaria Selarón is Instagram gold. Insta will blow up with the photos you can get in this one location!! 

Try a Samba Night

Visit a traditional samba club in Lapa for live music and dancing lessons. We've been to a couple and I believe they are all as good as each other. A fascinating experience

Take a Favela Tour

Responsible, guided tours offer cultural insight and local perspectives. A cheap way to get a locals perspective in a fun environment and best prices are here.

Indulge in Brazilian Cuisine

Try:

  • Feijoada

  • Pão de queijo

  • Caipirinhas

Food and drink tours are a must do in Rio. Both my wife and I are foodies (and to a degree drinkees!!! so we've done a number of these tours and it really helps find the best locations for food and drink alike.


Rio is a city of contrasts — mountains and ocean, luxury and grit, tranquility and party. Do at least five of these and you’ll leave planning your return.

Once you have been to Rio, leave comments letting us know your best bits of RioDe Janerio! Enjoy and always come back to Uniquely Yours for more insightful blogs.

Add comment

Comments

There are no comments yet.