Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro was Brazil's capital until 1960, when the government relocated to the newly built city of Brasília.

The Christ the Redeemer statue weighs 635 tonnes and stands 30 metres tall on Corcovado mountain, making it one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Rio's famous Carnival celebration happens 40 days before Easter and draws over 2 million people to the streets annually.

The city sits between forested mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, with Guanabara Bay forming a natural harbour that inspired its name—'River of January' from Portuguese explorers.

Copacabana and Ipanema beaches together stretch nearly 5 kilometres and define Rio's beach culture, which dates back to the early 20th century.

Favelas (informal settlements) cover Rio's hillsides and are home to nearly 1.4 million residents, with some now offering guided cultural tours.