Roaming Rio: Top Tips & the Best Way to See Jesus
Rio de Janeiro, home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and location of one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the iconic Christ the Redeemer Statue or Cristo Redentor. If you love fiery sunsets on the beach, colorful neighborhoods, and unbeatable nightlife, Rio will steal your heart almost immediately.
While expensive to fly to from most places, Brazil is a budget backpackers paradise. Meals, Ubers, attractions, and drinks are about a third of the price of most areas in the United States. In this post, we’ll go over our top tips for visiting Rio as well as how to see Christ the Redeemer. We’ll also cover the best way to visit one of Rio’s favelas and the best hostels in the area. Let’s dive in.
Our Top Tips
Use Uber. We STRONGLY recommended Ubers over taxis when visiting Rio. Ubers are often more accountable for their riders and have an agreed upon price, while taxis are infamous for ripping off travelers and are often one of the few things you’ll actually need cash for.
Wait to Hit the ATM. Speaking of cash, you won’t need much! It’s truly baffling how many vendors have card readers in Rio. Even when buying things from street vendors, the majority will reach into their bags and a wireless card reader will magically appear. It was a struggle to spend even half of $120 USD worth of Brazilian Reals (pronounced hey-ice in Rio) in a week-long trip, so don’t take out too much from the ATM.
Rio is HOT. During the hottest parts of the day (12pm-3pm), temperatures often get above 90 F (32.2 C) and the city is very humid. Plan on doing your outdoor activities outside of this time to avoid the worst of the heat.
Where to Stay
There are quite a few areas to stay in Rio, and it can be difficult to decide between them. There’s the downtown Lapa area which is best for nightlife as well as the various beaches in the city that you won’t want to miss. Given that Ubers are very cheap in Rio, staying within walking distance to either the Copacabana beach or Ipanema beach and Ubering to any attractions/nightlife is highly recommended.
When deciding on the specific type of place to stay in Rio, Airbnbs or hostels are going to be the cheapest option. Many people had good things to say about Books Hostel and Mango Tree Hostel, but a clear favorite was a hostel named Aquarela do Leme. Located in a pacified favela in the Leme neighborhood, the beach views, hostel dog, and free breakfast were all unmatched. The hostel is owned by a very welcoming family and located less than a 10-minute walk from the famous Copacabana Beach, although if you aren’t in the best shape, getting up and down the hill can be a bit of a challenge. Finally, located between the beach and the hostel there is a grocery store which is perfect for a budget backpacker.
Things To Do in Rio
While there are a ton of things to do in Rio de Janeiro, we’re going to highlight our favorites: a visit to Christ the Redeemer as well as touring the Favelas.
Cristo Redentor Hike
Christ the Redeemer – one of the most iconic and recognizable landmarks in the world. The statue stands at 98 ft tall with an extra 26 ft given by the pedestal and weighs over 635 metric tons. Its sheer size and stunning design make it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Rio de Janeiro.
But beyond its impressive physical appearance, Christ the Redeemer holds significant cultural and historical value. The statue represents the deep faith and religious beliefs of the Brazilian people, and it has become a symbol of peace and unity for the entire world. Its location on top of Corcovado Mountain provides breathtaking panoramic views of the city, making it a truly unforgettable experience for visitors. Whether you're a devout Catholic or simply appreciate stunning architecture and amazing views, Christ the Redeemer is a destination that should not be missed.
There are three main ways to visit the Christ the Redeemer statue:
1. Hike from one of the various trailheads at the base of the mountain.
2. Take a small train which goes through the nearby forests.
3. Take a van from the main road.
Any combination of transportation methods can be done, but if you are up for a bit of a challenge and don’t mind one or two technical spots, hiking up the mountain, then taking the train down is highly recommended. The views and the difficulty make seeing the statue that much more magical, and you might even see a monkey!
Option 1: The Hike
Take an Uber to Parque Lage, then ask around for the trailhead. At the trailhead there will be a guard and you’ll write down your name in a log book. From there, you’re free to start the hike!
On the hike, you’ll be taken through lush jungle on a well-kept trail that can be slippery at times. The trail is great because you get a break from the crowds to be reminded of one of the best parts of Rio – being surrounded by nature. The trail winds up the mountain, crosses shallow streams, and eventually takes you to a technical part where rebar has been drilled into the rock to give hikers a makeshift ladder to get up and down. We saw a group of around six 50-year olds who were coming down it in sandals and, while they definitely weren’t prepared, they were still able to do it. If they can do it, who can’t!
When you get to the top, there is an entrance fee (as of 2022, around $16 USD) and drinks/food are expensive, so plan ahead. Be sure to take your time and walk all around the statue, soaking up every angle of the 360 degree view.
Option 2: The Train
To go up to see the Christ the Redeemer via train, go to the base of the mountain at Cosme Velho Railway Station. Tickets are around $15 USD each way but if you’re not feeling up for the hike, it’s very worth it. The train will move slowly, making the views and wow factor last even longer.
Option 3: The Van
While we can’t vouch for the van, there may be a convenience factor for the various departure locations the vans pick up tourists from. However, the van goes up a winding road to the top of the mountain and doesn’t get deep into the jungle, so the potential for motion sickness combined with the lack of nature likely won’t be worth it.
Favela Tour
Rio de Janeiro is a city of contrasts, where luxurious beachfront properties sit adjacent to impoverished communities known as favelas. While favelas have long been stigmatized as centers of crime and violence, they are also vibrant and diverse neighborhoods with a rich cultural heritage. For visitors seeking an authentic glimpse into the lives and experiences of those who call the favelas home, a tour can provide a unique and eye-opening perspective.
This tour operated by a resident of the Rochina favela was a perfect way to see some true examples of what everyday life is like in a favela.
Some of the highlights:
Café Viewpoint: Early in the tour everyone is taken to a café/bar with stunning views of the Favela and Cristo Redentor. It’s the perfect opportunity to take pictures of the surrounding landscape and great if you need water or a snack.
Learning Community Dynamics: The guide did a great job of explaining how tight the community is as well as the power dynamics of favelas. He told us how most of the residents have little trust in the police because they are dispatched from outside areas and treat every resident like they are a violent criminal. This is in contrast to the cartels who are the authority in the area, as they do a better job of keeping the peace. For example, during the worst months of COVID, the favela was hit hard. The guide told us the police completely abandoned the area and the cartel took over to make sure people weren’t going out at night and spreading the virus. While this is admirable, it’s worth noting the steep penalty for noncompliance — violence.
Home Visit: The guide took us into his home to meet his family. He told us his father had a heart attack and explained how it was especially scary given the location of the home – far from where an ambulance could get to. He said all of his neighbors rushed to help and carried his father to the closest road, saving his life.
Gaining Perspective: By engaging with a knowledgeable and respectful guide, a tour of a Rio de Janeiro favela can be an incredibly meaningful experience for visitors who want to gain a better understanding of the city's complex social landscape and the challenges and triumphs of life in the favelas. It's important to approach these tours with an open mind and a sensitivity to the residents' experiences, recognizing the richness of the cultural heritage as well as the resilience of the people who call these neighborhoods home. With the right approach, a tour of Rio de Janeiro's favelas can be a transformative experience that fosters empathy and understanding.
Ultimately, Rio de Janeiro is a city that will stay with you long after you leave. Sites like Cristo Redentor and the favelas amaze and inspire, while the city’s energy and nightlife, alongside the people you’ll meet make Rio a truly unforgettable experience.
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