Travelling to Rio de Janeiro for the first time can be overwhelming – vast districts, crowded beaches, and a humid climate can make it all seem like a challenge. Worry not, our local expert has put together a list of fun and free things to do in Rio de Janeiro.
In addition to the rainforest treks, you can find buzzing street parties, free museums, and historic buildings to visit the city without spending a penny. So if you are an adventurous traveller on a tight budget, Rio – aka the Marvelous City – is your perfect destination.
Explore MAR museum with a view
Learn about Rio’s past and present at Museu de Arte do Rio
Where the old meets the new: Rio’s art museum MAR (Museu de Arte do Rio) also meaning sea in Portuguese. As one of the first Porto Maravilha projects (old port’s rehabilitation), admire the museum’s extraordinary design, consisting of three buildings from different historical periods united under a great sinuous roof. On the top floor, MAR boasts an impressive view of the Guanabara Bay and the enormous 13-kilometre Niterói Bridge, as well as the newly renovated Praça Mauá waterfront plaza.
MAR has an interesting art collection, and since its opening in 2013, MAR has staged temporary exhibits with portraits of Rio’s landscape during the 1700s or the history of the city’s first favelas (slums). During the summer, MAR also organizes music and cinema festivals, often ending up as parties that spill out onto the plaza outside. Entrance is free every Tuesday.
Dance the samba like it’s carnival
It’s time to party with Samba da Ouvidor © Nico Kaiser
Carnival, on the top of the list of things to do in Rio de Janeiro, only happens once a year between February and March. However outside of carnival season, every Saturday, you can enjoy a street party with the samba collective Samba da Ouvidor. The concert attracts thousands to the corner of Rua do Ouvidor and Rua do Mercado, a gorgeous, slightly decaying area of the old centre of Rio, surrounded by bars and shops.
Rua do Ouvidor is the one of the oldest streets in Brazil. Very close to the Paço Imperial, former headquarter of colonial Portuguese administration, it’s no wonder it became one of samba group’s favourite streets – after all carnival is when Cariocas (Rio’s locals) mock power, forget rules, and take the streets. In Samba da Ouvidor you will learn Cariocas’ favourite samba songs and understand the true spirit of carnival. The party starts at around 5pm.
Take a Graffiti Walk in Prazeres
Street art stroll in Prazeres © Ieesean
Strolling through the Prazeres favela, take the hilly pathway decorated with street art from some 45 urban artists hailing from different parts of Brazil and the wider world. The walls of about 80 houses have been painted, all the way up to the top of the hill where you are rewarded with a spectacular view of the Sugarloaf Mountain.
Don’t forget to observe the intricate architectural style of the favela houses, all built by residents themselves. The walk starts at Rua Gomes Lopes street, just off Rua Almirante Alexandrino, one of the main roads that runs through the Santa Teresa neighbourhood. Local guides are available.
Imagine tomorrow at Museu do Amanhã
Visit the Museu do Amanhã designed by Santiago Calatrava
The Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow) is the jewel of Rio’s renovated old port area. The white skeletal building designed by Santiago Calatrava is in itself breathtaking with its wing-like structures encrusted with solar panels that move slowly towards the sun. Just sitting by the large reflecting pool on the end of the pier, enjoying a cold beverage from one of the nearby food trucks is a delightful experience.
The interactive exhibition has also been the subject of a lot of praise. The museum curators present five major subjects: Cosmos, Earth, Anthropocene, Tomorrow, and Now. Through experiments and exhibitions the visitor is encouraged to imagine the sustainable world we could all build for the future of human kind. Entrance is free every Tuesday.
Feel like a champion at Parque de Deodoro
Splash around in the giant pool in Parque Radical de Deodoro Olympic venue © Agência Brasil
This Olympic venue became an attraction to residents long before the games start. Built as a venue to host the canoe slalom, mountain bike, and eight other events, the Parque Radical de Deodoro became a popular location for locals to enjoy the sun, the hilly landscape, and the huge swimming pool.
The park will be closed to the general public in the months preceding the Olympics, but will reopen in October 2016. Get there early to reserve your lounger. The journey to the park is also a good opportunity to see the North Zone, a part of Rio that is often completely missed by tourists.
Ride the yellow tram to Santa Teresa
A scenic (and free!) tram ride to Santa Teresa © leesean
This historic Bondinho de Santa Teresa tram line will take you from the busy city centre to the heart of Santa Teresa, an old bohemian neighbourhood perched on top of a hill overlooking the city. The tram line starts near the Carioca subway station, rides across the arches of the Carioca Aqueduct, offering a view of the eclectic architecture of Rio’s business centre.
The little yellow tram then leads through the steep, cobbled streets of Santa Teresa, where visitors can find restaurants, bars, art galleries, and gift shops. The final stop is Largo dos Guimarães – a short walk from iconic neighbourhood bars such as Bar do Mineiro and Bar do Gomes. Trams run from 10am to 4pm every day and are free.
Get soaked in a waterfall
A forest hike with a rewarding view of Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon © Bruno Pinho
Six million people live in Rio de Janeiro, and yet sometimes the city feels like a small town – the Cachoeira dos Primatas waterfall is a case in point. The waterfall is just an hour’s walk from one of Rio’s busiest streets, Rua Jardim Botânico. From the end of Rua Sara Vilela, walk the 30-minute forest trail which takes you through to this beautiful hidden waterfall. Your reward will be the chance of a refreshing dip and a view of the huge Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon.
Be warned – as you follow the track you may be accompanied by small monkeys to show you the way, so hide your snacks! The best time to visit is between 8am and 5pm, during the rainy season when the pool is big enough for a swim. A popular option is to go after a visit to the beach in order to wash off the salt.
Be a bookworm at Real Gabinete Português de Leitura library
So many books at Real Gabinete Português de Leitura library © acmoraes
Caught in sudden rainfall or want to take a break from the busy city? Get lost between aisles of history in the fascinating Real Gabinete Português de Leitura library. Since 1887, the building houses an extraordinary collection of Portuguese literature and first editions dating as far back as the 16th century.
Flick through the pages of hundreds of books on the three storeys, or just admire the dark wooden interior design, both of which you can do for free. Get there on weekdays as it’s closed on weekends. Read our article for more information about this and other gorgeous libraries in other cities.
Watch the sunset on the beach
Sunset on Arpoador beach is nature’s free show every night
Rio de Janeiro is a naturally beautiful city, but you’d be wrong to think that Cariocas take that for granted. Beachgoers in Ipanema applaud the sunset every evening, as it dips below the horizon in a beautiful daily spectacle. To participate in this charming ritual, sit on the rocks of Arpoador (just at the end of Ipanema beach) with some ice-cold coconut water, and watch in awe as the sun slowly sets. But don’t leave when night arrives! Besides the free concerts and parties that are often held on the sand or nearby park on weekends, you could also go for a night dip. When the sun has faded, enormous floodlights are activated, turning the water an enticing shade of light blue and inviting late-comers for a warm swim.
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