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Rio de Janeiro: Natural Beauty
No other city can match the natural beauty of Rio de Janeiro. The landscape of the Cidade Maravilhosa (The Marvelous City) undulates in conical peaks, curlicue bays, and arcing beaches. The world’s largest urban rainforest—in excess of forty square miles—carpets Rio’s rippled granite backdrop. At dusk, its sky glows purple and crimson over the South Atlantic.
This otherworldly setting mesmerized early European visitors, inspiring Rio’s 16th-century foundation at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain. Rio served as the capital of Brazil for nearly 200 years and as the Portuguese Empire’s seat from 1808 to 1815. Imperial elegance lingers in the city’s historic churches, theaters, and palaces. The imperial city of Petropolis, home of the crown jewels, can be visited as a day trip from Rio.
Today, Rio is a capital of active, vibrant lifestyles. Within Rio’s city limits, one can surf, scull, rock climb, and hang glide. At the South Zone beaches—Leblon, Ipanema, Arpodor, Copacabana, and Leme. Preferred pastimes include soccer, volleyball, and paquera (flirting). Rio’s sandy promenades are its social heart—the place to shed stress; take sun; exercise; and melt into the friendly, forward culture.
New Year’s Eve and Carnival are the two most popular times to visit. During the New Year’s celebration, revelers clad in white enjoy beachside concerts and fireworks. Carnival is held soon after—falling on Ash Wednesday and marking the start of the Lenten season.
Most hotels require a five to seven-day minimum stay for the New Year’s Eve and Carnival booking seasons.
What to do in Buenos Aires
Over the years, we’ve assembled a collection of trusted friends—ambassadors, really—who open the city to our clients, helping them access the city’s leading galleries, studios, workshops, and kitchens.
Whatever your interests, we’ll make the introductions. LANDED can assist arranging the following among other signature experiences:
- Market visits, cooking classes, and chef’s table experiences
- A visit to the home of a musician and children’s book illustrator
- Sunset visits to Sugarloaf Mountain
- Street-art explorations with graphic designers and graffiti artists
- Inside-access tours of Corcovado Mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue
- Photo workshops with master photographers
- Jeep excursions (private) in the Tijuca Forest
- Surfing lessons and surf day trips
- Privately guided biking outing at the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon or the South Zone beaches
- Accompanied visits to samba clubs and live music venues in the Lapa neighborhood
- Visit to the Pereira da Silva favela and its Morrinho Project, a scale-model of the community made from bricks and recycled materials
- Samba school visits (seasonally available)
- Explorations of the city’s street food culture
- Soccer stadium visits or meetings with star players
- Museum and gallery visits with art collectors and curators
- Yoga, reiki, and energetic harmonization workshops
- Jewish cultural explorations
- Accompanied visits to soccer matches (January to December)
Rio is also known for its museums, restaurants, boutiques, and nightclubs. First-time visitors to Rio de Janeiro are surprised by the city’s artistic, culinary, and rhythmic range.
What is the Weather Like?
Rio is warm and humid year-round. Summers stretch from November to March with daytime highs typically range from 78–88 °F, peaking in January–February near 90 °F. The cool season, brings milder highs and cooler nights in the mid-60s.
Rainfall is heaviest from December to March, often with afternoon showers.
These averages are changing, please check extended weather forecasts using your favorite weather app prior to departure.
Getting There
Overnight flights from New York reach Rio de Janeiro in 10 hours. Other US destinations offering direct flights include Miami, Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta.
Trips to Rio de Janeiro are easily combined with visits to Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Colombia.
Start your journey today
LANDED delivers the finest in custom, private travel to Central America, South America, and Antarctica. These regions are our passion; we know them first-hand and by heart. Speak with one of our travel designers and let us create a tailored itinerary for you in Rio de Janeiro.
How to combine Rio de Janeiro
Have some extra time? Here are some options for you to combine with.
