Rio de Janeiro in 5 Days
Rio De Janeiro is a city that you’ll fall in love with at first sight and it will keep you yearning for more. Its stunning beauty is so captivating that once you’ve experienced it, you’ll never get enough. To get a taste of Rio’s unique charm, I recommend that you stay for at least four days. Fortunately, getting around the city is easy, thanks to its efficient public transportation and Uber. While safety is a concern in any city, as long as you exercise common sense and avoid venturing alone into favelas or walking alone on empty roads at night, you should have no issues.
Table of Contents
5-Day Rio de Janeiro Itinerary
Day 1
Have an easy day on the beach to combat jetlag
Lunch in one of the famous kiosks/bars with locals behind Copacabana or Ipanema Beach
A oneway walk from/to Copacabana to/from Ipanema
Try Acai to keep your body hydrated and fresh on the way
Catch the sunset on Ipanema Beach or Pedra do Arpoador with a cold beer
Dinner at the Churrascaria Palace for a medium-high range authentic Brazilian experience.
Day 2
Get up early in the morning to have breakfast with fresh papaya and mango and of course pão de queijo (famous cheese bread)
Take an uber and go to Sugarloaf Mountain.
Enjoy the cosy Beach Vermelha just under Sugarloaf Mountain and have your lunch from the beach vendors like skewered shrimps, picanhas or empanadas.
A tipical dinner at the Casa da Feijoada in Ipanema.
Day 3
Purchase your train ticket to reach Corcovado Christo Redentor.
Explore Santa Teresa zone and enjoy this Bohemian neighbourhood and its cafes.
See the famous Selarin Steps
Take the famous SantaTeresa Tram
Enjoy Lapa for the night and see locals dancing samba
Day 4
Start your day with a soul-refreshing visit to Parque Lage.
If you have time replace it with the largest urban rainforest Tijuca National Park tour.
To not ruin the natural vibe you are in, continue your day on a beach. Choose your beach at the Beaches in Rio section below
Grap a Uber to go to Tacaca do Norte Restaurant for a budget but interesting Amazon region dinner. If you like try an expensive but traditional treat try the Assador Rio‘s for Brazilian style all-you-can-eat grilled meat.
Day 5
Explore the centre of Rio and its history and origins.
Visit the iconic historical Caffe shop Confeitaria Colombo
Have a fun last night at the Rio Scenarium with samba and bossa nova
Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro
I think for a first-time visitor, the best accommodation choices in Rio de Janeiro are either Ipanema or Copacabana. There are also other districts like Santa Teresa and Lapa. If you’re looking for a quiet and bohemian place to stay, Santa Teresa could be a nice option. On the other hand, if you’re into nightlife, you might consider Lapa. However, it’s important to note that both areas are not very safe to walk around, especially at night — and sometimes even during the day.
The first three times I visited Rio, I stayed in Ipanema, and I was very happy with my choice. I used the metro to get around the city easily.
Another option I’d consider for future visits is staying in the Flamengo or Botafogo areas. These are modern, safe residential neighborhoods with good restaurants, a local beach, and convenient access to major attractions — especially Sugarloaf Mountain.
On our last visit to Rio de Janeiro, we stayed in Niterói because we couldn’t find affordable accommodation in Ipanema or Copacabana during Carnival week. It turned out to be an amazing surprise — close to many splendid beaches and offering a more local perspective of Rio, far from the Carnival crowds and usual tourist hotspots.
That said, because of its distance from the main attractions, I wouldn’t recommend staying in Niterói if it’s your first time in Rio de Janeiro. But if you’re looking for a relaxing beach holiday, Niterói is a great choice, with many beautiful beaches away from the hustle and bustle of central Rio.
The third time I visited during Carnival, I couldn’t find a place in Ipanema, so I chose to stay in Copacabana instead. I was a bit skeptical at first, but honestly, I loved the easy access to many of the city’s highlights from Copacabana.
To save time, I preferred using Uber over the bus or metro to reach the main attractions. However, every evening I went to Ipanema for the sunset views — and while it was always worth it, getting there could be tough because of the traffic.
Ipanema Vs Capocabana
1- Accomodation in Ipanema vs Capocabana:
Copacabana is more touristy since it is more central and easier to get around. There are more hotel accommodation options, better bargains, and more shops and services.
Ipanema has a cool aatmosphere, mostly being a luxury residential area there are more Airbnb options than hotels and they cost more than Copacabana Area.
2- Safety in Ipanema vs Capocabana
During the day both beaches and zones are safe, but generally speaking, Ipanema Beach and the streets behind are much safer at night.
3- Ipanema Beach vs Capocabana Beach:
Copacabana beach is bigger than Ipanema but can get rougher. It is easier to find isolated spots to relax on the beach however be careful with your bags and phones.
Both beaches are large white sand beaches however Ipanema Beach is more spectacular, especially during sunset.
As a tourist, Arpoador and Leblon beaches were also Ipanema Beach for me. Being the Arpoador just the entrance of Ipanema and Leblon is the end.
The beaches of Rio are divided into segments signed by numbered towers/lifeguard stations (called “posto”s)and under each there are public services like changing rooms and toilets for a small fee.
Beaches in Rio De Janeiro
There are an infinite number of beaches in and around Rio de Janeiro, and it’s impossible to visit them all at once.
If you only have five days in Rio de Janeiro, you’ll probably only have time to visit the first three beaches I’ve listed below:
Copacabana: The Heart of Rio’s Beach Life
Ipanema: Trendy, Scenic, and Always Buzzing
Praia Vermelha: A Quiet Gem by Sugarloaf
Barra da Tijuca: Spacious and Surfer-Friendly
Joatinga: Rio’s Best-Kept Beach Secret
Whenever we go to Rio de Janeiro, we get so distracted by Ipanema and Copacabana and all the things to do around them that it was only on our last trip that we discovered the beaches on the other side of Rio, in Niterói.
We stayed in Niterói because we couldn’t find affordable accommodation in Ipanema or Copacabana during the last Carnival we attended. It turned out to be an amazing surprise and allowed us to experience Rio de Janeiro from a local perspective, far from the crazy Carnival crowds at the must-do attractions.
If you finish seeing the main attractions in Rio de Janeiro and really want to enjoy a relaxing beach holiday, then you should head over to the Niterói side and enjoy these local-favorite beaches:
Here are the beaches in Niterói:
- Praia de Piratininga and Praia de Camboinhas – Both are large, stunning white sand beaches
- Praia do Sossego – A hidden beach tucked between Piratininga and Camboinhas, nestled in the mountains
- Praia de Itacoatiara – This one was my favorite
- Praia de Icaraí – Very close to where we stayed. It’s more like a city beach, but it gives you a unique view of Rio de Janeiro from across the bay
Top 5 Experiences in Rio de Janeiro for the First Timers
1- Rio Carnaval
Rio Carnival is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular events in the world. It might be something you’ve always dreamed of experiencing, but for some reason never actually pursued. The truth is, Carnival is incredibly well-organized—far from the chaos many imagine—and it’s open to everyone, no matter your age. Yes, you can participate, not just watch! I’ve put together a full guide on how to experience Rio Carnival on your own, including tips on budgeting, choosing the best days, finding the best seats, and everything you need to make it unforgettable.
2- Sunset at the Ipanema Beach
Apart from the top, top, top experience of Carnival, my favorite thing to do in Rio has always been watching the sunset at Ipanema Beach. No matter what season it is, I’ve tried to spend as many evenings as I could in Ipanema for the sunset. The colors behind the mountains seen from Ipanema Beach—I’ve never seen anything like them anywhere else in the world. Also, the atmosphere in Ipanema, with caipirinhas and joyful but respectful people all quietly taking in the beauty of the sunset, is really one of the best feng-shui moments in my life.
As I adore the sunset colors in Rio, I recently discovered that I could have joined a sunset sailing trip all these years—and I’ve never done it! This will be my top priority next time I’m in Rio. If you’ve already tried it, let me know in the comments below!
3- Sugarloaf Mountain Visit
Visiting Sugarloaf Mountain is my favorite—even more than Corcovado—because the views feel so close, almost like you could reach out and touch them. It’s called Sugarloaf, and to me, it’s truly the sweetest thing in Rio! I always pair this trip with a swim at Praia Vermelha, the beach near the entrance of Sugarloaf.
Pro tip: I found this Sugarloaf ticket online (entrance + 2 cable cars) saves money compared to buying it there, plus you avoid the lines – but don’t forget to print it before!
For a unique perspective, try a canoe tour around Sugarloaf to admire the jaw-dropping shape of this natural wonder up close.
4- Corcovado – Christ the Redeemer Visit
A trip to Corcovado can be a little painful since it’s Rio’s top attraction – but no doubt it’s a must-do. The views are amazing, and seeing Christ the Redeemer up close is truly impressive. Taking the cable car up Corcovado Mountain is also an enjoyable adventure as it runs throught the Tijuca National Park and it is the oldest railway in Brazil.
Once at the top, you won’t escape the selfie battles for a good photo spot – but at least with an online ticket, you can avoid wasting time in line at the bottom!
5- Rio De Janeiro Favela Tour
Visiting a favela in Rio de Janeiro made me feel like I was stepping into a film—one full of shooting scenes and thrilling action. That’s exactly why you should never visit a favela on your own. You must join an organized tour and be accompanied by a local guide to stay safe. I can’t recommend enough the tour I took in Rocinha, one of the most scenic favelas in Rio. It gives you the great opportunity to walk around and interact with the people who live there. I felt completely safe during the tour and came away with a much better understanding of the social and political circumstances that shape life in the favelas.
Best Time to Visit Rio de Janeiro
The best time to visit Rio de Janeiro depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for — beach weather, sightseeing, Carnival, or fewer crowds. Here’s a breakdown to help you choose:
For beaches & Carnival: December–March
For fewer crowds & mild weather: April–June or October–November
For budget travel: May–September
I have been in Rio de Janeiro in different seasons and always had unforgettable time.
