When people think of Brazil, they often think of Rio de Janeiro and the infamous Copacabana Beach. Two days in Rio de Janeiro is a decent amount of time to see the main sites of the city and get a feel for what it has to offer. If you have more time, opt to spend even longer, especially if you want to relax on the beach.
Want a guided tour to start out your trip and get acclimated to the city? Then check out Guru Walks for a free guided tour. You can book online to reserve your spot and pay what you wish when you get there. Check out the tours in Rio here.
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History of Rio de Janeiro
Rio has a rich and diverse history dating back to the 1500s. The Portuguese founded Rio in 1565 as a military stronghold. It eventually grew into a vital port and became the capital in 1763. During the 1700s, Rio also grew due to the gold and diamond trade. In the 1800s, it became a cultural center and a haven for Europeans.
In 1822, it declared independence. Present-day, Rio is a vibrant cultural city with iconic beaches and landmarks that blend together Indigenous, African, and European influences.
When to Spend Two Days in Rio de Janeiro
December to March is the peak season for Rio when the days will be the warmest. September to November is warm but without the crowds. From April to August, it is the least busy time and the coolest weather. We opted to visit in June to beat the heat and the crowds.
How to Get to Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro has two airports, but the main international airport, Galeão–Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport, is most likely the one where you will fly into. This airport has flights from all over the world, especially throughout South America. Round trip prices from the United States are typically $600+. We used points to fly from Los Angeles with a layover in Santiago on LATAM. Skyscanner is my favorite way to search for flights.
How to Get from the Airport to the City Center
There are several ways to get from the airport to the city center. I opted to book an airport shuttle for ease of travel. Alternatively, it is very easy to order an Uber. It will take about 30 minutes to get from the airport to the Copacabana area. In South American cities, I highly recommend using Welcome Pickups! They are great with scheduling your ride and are very reasonably priced.
Transportation in Rio de Janeiro
The easiest and quickest way to get around Rio is by Uber or taxi. Uber is the easiest – you know the price from the start and all the rides are very affordable. While there are buses that run around the city, they take a while to get to all the main prices.
Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro has a ton of amazing hotels to stay in. I recommend staying near the Copacabana beach, as that is a very popular area and then you will have good access to the beach. We opted to stay at the Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana for about $160 if you paid cash for 42k points/night. Other options include the Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro and the JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro.
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. You can always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel.
Safety in Rio de Janeiro
Safety can be a concern in some places in Rio de Janeiro. All of our drivers and guides warned us to keep our cell phones put away and make sure to keep our bags close. In addition, do not go wandering around random streets and keep to highly populated areas. If you stay aware and follow these instructions, you should be fine (we had no problems).
What to do During Two Days in Rio de Janeiro
Spending two days in Rio de Janeiro is such a fun experience. To make things easier, you could always book a private tour, head out on this Rio tour or half day tour, or check out this bike tour.
Day 1
Copacabana Beach
Visiting Copacabana Beach is a must when spending two days in Rio de Janeiro! Whether you spend time relaxing on the beach or just taking a stroll along the waterfront, you cannot go wrong. Some hotels, such as the Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana, have their own area with beach chairs you can use. Alternatively, you can bring your own stuff.
Christ the Redeemer
Cost: $18-$23
Next up on your two days in Rio de Janeiro, head to the infamous Christ the Redeemer, built in 1931! This landmark stands atop Corcovado Mountain in Tijuca National Park. The statue was designed by Paul Landowski and stands about 98 feet tall and 92 feet wide.
It has since become a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Present-day, you can get to the top of the mountain either by a van (cheaper option) or the historical train. While you can hike to the top, it is not recommended.
Pro Tip: Make sure to check weather conditions prior to visiting to ensure it is not too foggy to see Christ the Redeemer.
Catedral Metropolitana de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro
Cost: Free
This prominent cathedral in Rio de Janeiro, completed in 1979, showcases modern architecture and serves as the Catholic hub in the city. The cathedral can accommodate 20,000 people and is one of the largest in the world. The highlight inside is the four large stained-glass windows.
Escadaria Selarón
Cost: Free
These vibrant and colorful steps are another must visit spot during your two days in Rio de Janeiro. This mosaic staircase, created by Jorge Selaron spans 215 steps and 125 meters and connects the Lapa and Santa Teresa neighborhoods.
The transformation into the stairs they are today began in 1990 and used fragments of tiles, ceramics, and mirrors from around the world. Fragments were continually added until Selaron died in 2013. Present-day, visitors come to walk the steps and check out the various vendors along the way.
Sugarloaf Mountain
Cost: $28
To end your first of two days in Rio de Janeiro, head to Sugarloaf Mountain to watch the sunset! These views cannot be missed and are perfect at sunset. To access the mountain, you will take two different cable cars that have been in operation since 1912.
Both parts of the mountain have many vendors and places to grab some food in addition to the breathtaking views of all of Rio. Rising 396 meters above the area, you cannot go wrong with a visit here.
Assador
Cost: $$
Tonight, grab dinner at Assador, one of the best places in Rio for Brazilian BBQ. Popular with both tourists and locals alike, you cannot go wrong with all-you-can-eat meats. Here, they bring all the meats around to your table in addition to some sides and salads. They also had the best garlic rolls. Make sure to make a reservation as they do get very busy during peak times.
Day 2
Petrópolis
For your second of two days in Rio de Janeiro, take a day trip to Petrópolis, the imperial city nestled in the mountains outside of Rio. This settlement was founded in 1843 and served as the summer residence for Brazilian royalty.
There are many sites that people can visit during their time in Petrópolis that definitely fill up the day. The most popular place to visit is the Imperial Museum, the main summer palace. Visitors will also not want to miss the Crystal Palace, a stunning glass building that was used for royal parties. Also make sure to stop at the royal family’s tombs, located in São Pedro de Alcântara Cathedral.
Other stops you may want to visit include the flower clock, a clock made from flowers, the Quitandinha Palace, which is now a hotel and casino, and the Bohemian Brewery. No matter what, a day trip to Petrópolis makes for a wonderful second day in Rio.
If you do not want to take a day trip to Petrópolis, you could also visit the Botanical Gardens of Rio de Janeiro and the football stadium Maracana today. Alternatively, spend some time relaxing on the Copacabana or Ipanema Beach.
La Trattoria
Cost: $$
Tonight, grab dinner at La Trattoria, a delicious Italian place located in the Copacabana area. Eating here will transport you to Italy and there are a wide variety of pizza and pasta dishes in addition to some of the other meat options.
Final Tips for Two Days in Rio de Janeiro
There are so many amazing things to do during two days in Rio de Janeiro, especially when using points. You could easily spend several days just relaxing on the beach. If you have more time, add in time in Sao Paulo or Buenos Aires or head to Bolivia, Peru, or Ecuador as part of this trip.
