The Top 10 Things to See and Do in Summer in Rio de Janeiro

The Cachoeira do Horto waterfall in Rio de Janeiro
The Cachoeira do Horto waterfall in Rio de Janeiro | © Mcalvet / WikiCommons
Sarah Brown

The hot and sunny days of Rio de Janeiro’s summer are perfect to explore the city’s great outdoors. With the temperatures soaring to 40 degrees Celsius and beyond, bringing sunscreen and plenty of water on outdoor excursions is a must. Discover the top things to do in Rio de Janeiro’s summer.

Party at the Carnival

Carnival, Rio de Janeiro’s most famous event, lasts one week and takes place in February or March each year. Don your favorite fancy dress, be liberal with the glitter, and head out to one of the hundreds of street parties throughout the city. At night, go to the Sambadrome to watch the magnificent parades of Rio’s biggest samba schools as they put on their best performances in hope of being crowned the Carnival champion.

The gatherings of people at Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival street parties

Dance to samba at Pedra do Sal

Hike the Pedra do Telegrafo

This easy hike is found in Barra de Guaratiba, a small, fishing neighborhood on the outskirts of Rio. The hike takes visitors up to the top of Pedra do Telegrafo, a viewpoint that has recently acquired fame thanks to a hidden ledge that allows visitors to take seemingly death-defying photos. Besides the Instagram-worthy snaps, the panoramic view from the top is awe-inspiring.

The seemingly death-defying stunt at Pedra do Telegrafo

Spend the day at the beach

Rio’s beaches are world-famous, especially Copacabana and Ipanema. They get crowded on the weekends but for golden sand, tropical views, and beach vendors serving cold drinks and fresh snacks non-stop, they’re ideal spots to spend a pleasant afternoon. Head to the west side of Rio as far as Recreio and Barra de Guaratiba for less-visited beaches and untouched nature.

Plunge into the cool waters of the Cachoeira do Horto

Located in the Tijuca forest, the Cachoeira do Horto waterfall is sheltered underneath the canopy of trees and requires a mild, 15-minute hike off the main road to get there. Stand under the icy cold cascade to cool down before slipping into one of the rock pools and relax among the unspoilt nature.

The Cachoeira do Horto waterfall in Rio de Janeiro

Stand-up paddle to Ilhas Tijucas

Hire a board from a surf school in Barra da Tijuca and stand-up paddle across the ocean to the Ilhas Tijucas island where turtle sightings are common. While you don’t need to be an expert, it does help if you’ve done stand-up paddle before as the journey across takes about 45-minutes and the sea may be a bit choppy.

Explore Santa Teresa

With its cobbled streets, colonial mansions, and palpable laid-back vibe, Santa Teresa encourages unrushed afternoons exploring the neighborhood and dipping into the artisanal shops, local art galleries, and traditional Brazilian restaurants. In the evening, sit with locals at Bar do Mineiro for cold beers and Brazilian snacks or relax at trendy Explorer Bar while sipping on cool, quirky cocktails.

The ‘bonde’ (tram) in Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro

Enjoy summer evenings at Bar Urca

One of the most traditional bars in Rio, Bar Urca is named after the sleepy neighborhood it’s located in. For summer evenings, there’s no place like it; grab a beer from the bar and cross the street to the wall next to the bay to drink, chat, and watch the sunset. Make sure to order a few prawn pies and cheese pastels; Bar Urca is famed for them.

Watch the sunset at Arpoador

Arpoador is the large flat rock that sits between Copacabana and Ipanema. Early mornings at Arpoador are a surfers’ paradise thanks to its neat, rolling waves and the afternoons bring calmer waters ideal for bathing. However, stay for the sunset; Arpoador provides the perfect platform to watch the sun go down across the ocean and is one of the most spectacular places to see it in Rio.

The sun setting at Arpoador, Rio de Janeiro

Cycle at Lagoa

Lagoa is a picturesque lake located in the neighborhood of the same name and next to Leblon. Circling the lake is a 7.2km cycle path and plenty of points to hire a bike, providing the perfect opportunity to cycle around, take in the natural surroundings, and soak up the summer sun.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Winter Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

X
Edit article