3-Day Rio de Janeiro Itinerary

Land at Galeão and check in

Arrive at Galeão International Airport, transfer into the city, and check into a hotel near Copacabana.

Açaí bowl and pastel by the beach

Cool off with an açaí bowl from a beach kiosk and a crispy pastel, Rio's classic fried snack.

First walk on Copacabana Beach

Stretch your legs along the wave-patterned Copacabana promenade and dip your toes in the Atlantic.

Feijoada welcome dinner

Try feijoada, Brazil's hearty black bean and pork stew, at a traditional botequim near your hotel.

Cog train up Corcovado

Board the historic cog train climbing through Tijuca Forest toward the summit of Corcovado mountain.

Christ the Redeemer summit

Stand beneath the towering Christ the Redeemer statue with panoramic views over Guanabara Bay.

Santa Teresa tram and cobblestones

Ride the yellow bonde tram into Santa Teresa's cobblestone streets, lined with artist studios and colonial mansions.

Dinner in a Santa Teresa bistro

Settle into a converted mansion restaurant in Santa Teresa for a relaxed dinner with city views.

Morning in Botafogo

Walk Botafogo's waterfront park with Sugarloaf Mountain framed across the bay.

Coffee and pão de queijo break

Grab warm pão de queijo cheese bread and a cafezinho at a local padaria before the climb.

Cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain

Take the two-stage cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain via Urca hill for sweeping bay views.

Sunset from the summit

Stay up top as the sun sets over Guanabara Bay, lighting up the Rio-Niterói bridge and city below.