Rio de Janeiro
Brazil · Country profile
Rio de Janeiro is Brazil’s dazzling city between the mountains and the sea, where the Sugar Loaf, the Corcovado and the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema frame one of the world’s most dramatic skylines. The city sprawls along the coast and into the hills, with favelas climbing the slopes, the samba halls of the old centre and the botanical gardens of the north hugging the forest. The famous carnival turns January into a festival of spectacle, while the everyday rhythm runs on football, beach life, live music and the Sunday feijoada. The view from the top of the Corcovado, the sunrise over the Sugarloaf and the nightlife of Lapa are the experiences that define the city. Warm, loud, beautiful and resilient, Rio is a city you feel as much as visit.
About Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is a city in Brazil. The city's documented population is around 6,211,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Brazilian Real (BRL) and Portuguese is spoken; the dialling code is +55. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport.
The Sugar Loaf, the Corcovado and the Beaches
Rio de Janeiro is a city of beaches, hills and the sea, and its rhythm is set by the sun, the samba and the very Carioca art of living outdoors. The Corcovado and the Sugar Loaf rise over the bay, the beaches stretch along the coast and the neighbourhoods climb into the hills. It is a big, lively, chaotic city — traffic, favelas and inequality are part of the picture — but the energy is infectious, and the music and the beach life soften the edges. The classic sights are the views, taken from the peaks and the water, and the everyday highlights are the beach days, the feijoada lunches and the late nights out. It rewards those who come ready to move to its pace.
Carnival Tickets, the Peak Mist and the Golden Hour
Summer (December to March) is hot, lively and busy — and carnival makes it explode; the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are pleasant and quieter. Book the Corcovado train and the Sugar Loaf cable car ahead, and plan the peak for early morning or late afternoon when the light is golden and the crowds thinner. The beach is for swimmers and soccer, not just sunning — and the waves are real, so swim where the lifeguards are. Rio’s safety needs care: stick to the tourist districts, hold your phone and let the guides handle the favela tours. The real is the currency, cards work widely and the carnaval beads and the caipirinha are your souvenirs.
Metro, Copacabana and the Sunset Over the Lagoon
The metro is clean and quick and covers the south zone — the bayside beaches and the centre — while the buses fill the gaps; Uber is a practical fallback. The Corcovado and the Sugar Loaf are the great views, best taken as a loop with the forest train and the cable car. The samba halls of Lapa and the live music of the northern suburbs are the nightlife gems, and the Sunday feijoada is the city’s sacred meal, eaten slow with the family. The botanical garden is a peaceful, lush escape from the sun. Tipping is modest by US standards, and the beach vendors sell everything from drinks to sunglasses — bargain lightly and stay alert.
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- Country
- Brazil
- Population
- 6,211,000
- Coordinates
- -22.8099, -43.2506
- Capital
- Brasília
- Region
- South America
- Currency
- Brazilian Real (BRL)
- Languages
- Portuguese
- Calling code
- +55
- Country code
- BR
Getting to Rio de Janeiro
Airports we list for Rio de Janeiro:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in Brazil
Other cities we cover in Brazil:
Frequently asked questions
Is Rio de Janeiro the capital of Brazil?
No — the capital of Brazil is Brasília.
What currency do I need in Rio de Janeiro?
The local currency is the Brazilian Real (BRL). Languages spoken in Brazil include Portuguese.
What is the dialling code for Brazil?
The international dialling code for Brazil is +55.
Which airport should I fly into for Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport (GIG) is the airport we list for Rio de Janeiro.
How far is Rio de Janeiro from the nearest airport?
Rio de Janeiro is about 337 km from São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport.
Flying out of Rio de Janeiro? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.