Rio de Janeiro Holidays
An adventure in Brazil wouldn’t be the same without a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s heady tropical metropolis. Combining city life with natural beauty, rainforest-cloaked mountaintops surround a city nestled between jungle and sea. Once your Rio holiday begins, it won’t be long before you understand why the city’s nickname is Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvellous City).
The heartbeat - and soundtrack - of Brazil, Rio is pumping music and sensuous samba. It’s also glittering beaches, dense rainforests and lofty mountains - with some of the world’s most iconic attractions, such as Copacabana Beach and Sugarloaf Mountain, thrown in for good measure. Bring family, bring friends, or simply come alone - you won’t regret a holiday to Rio.
The city of sand, samba and spectacular scenery
Rio de Janeiro holidays provide ample opportunities for outdoor adventure, whether it’s sailing idyllic Guanabara Bay, rock climbing through the mountains or exploring the enormous rainforest. If you’re looking for rest and relaxation, why not settle down on one of Rio’s world-famous beaches? Indulge in some tropical fruit and watch the vibrant parade that blesses Rio’s beaches every day.
The most important annual event in Rio - and up there with the largest street parties in the world - Rio Carnaval is one not to miss. A kaleidoscope of colour and dance, music and drums, spend your days exploring the samba street parties and elaborate float parades, and your evenings with a cocktail and a spectacular view over the city.
We organise an array of holidays to Rio, and can get you there for February so you can experience the magic that is Carnaval for yourself. South America is the perfect destination for a multi centre holiday, so why not combine your samba soiree with a tango trip in Buenos Aires? Better yet, stop off in Lima, sampling the city’s world-famous cuisine, and continue on to El Calafate for an unforgettable adventure exploring Argentina’s icebergs. The possibilities are endless. Get in touch with our Destination Specialists today.
Destination Highlights
Great sample itineraries
From diving deep into the depths of the Amazon to shaking your hips at a samba street party, there are endless opportunities for adventure on a holiday to Rio. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, get in touch and we’ll create a unique itinerary, just for you.
Adventure in the Amazon Tour
Guide Price £1,099 pp
Head in to the Amazon by boat ride along the mighty Amazon river to your jungle lodge. Cruise into the Amazon and experience the wonder of the rainforest in an unsurpassed way. You will have the chance to spot caiman...
Adventure holidays
The Best of Argentina & Brazil
Guide Price £2,499 pp
Our tour featuring Tango and Samba takes you to the two fascinating cities of Buenos Aires in Argentina and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Both are famous for their love of dance and music, as raw and exciting as the...
Cultural holidays
Rio Culinary Tour
Guide Price £2,299 pp
Get a true taste of Brazilian culture on our Rio Culinary tour, which takes you to all of the city’s top sights, including Sugarloaf Mountain, Santa Teresa and Samba city. You’ll have the opportunity to tour downtown Rio and see...
Adventure holidays
Iguazu Waterfalls from Brazil
Guide Price £599 pp
The magnificent Iguazu Falls straddling the border of Brazil and Argentina are one of the most impressive and wonderful waterfalls to witness in the world. With 275 individual drops it is three times wider than Niagara Falls, in fact First...
Iconic journeys
Our favourite hotels
We’ve found the ultimate hotels in Rio so you can have a truly unforgettable stay in this vibrant city. Here’s a selection of what’s on offer. Get in touch to discover more.
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If you’re looking for one-of-a-kind experiences, you’re going to be glad you chose Rio. This coastal city of seven million people, known for its iconic Christ the Redeemer statue and forest-covered peaks, offers an abundance of intriguing things to explore. Discover its flamboyant carnivals and sweeping beaches to festivals that pulsate with Samba and Bossa Nova beats.
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![Statue of Christ the Redeemer Rio]( "Statue of Christ the Redeemer Rio")
Christ the Redeemer
Standing with wide open arms at the top of Corcovado Mountain, the Christ the Redeemer statue is Rio’s most famous iconic sight.
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![Sugarloaf Mountain over a body of water]()
Sugarloaf Mountain
You won’t regret taking the bondinhos (cable car) up the 394-metre Sugarloaf Mountain as the views you get from the top are incredible. It was the Portuguese who gave this monolith its memorable name and it’s believed to date back 600 million years.
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![Copacabana Beach]( "Copacabana Beach")
Beautiful Beaches
The scalloped shores of Copacabana Beach are some of the world’s most famous. So put aside a day to people watch, catch a volleyball game or bask in the Brazilian sunshine. We recommend you enjoy cocktail hour here with a cooling Caipirinha. Because when in Rome….
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Carnival
The Rio carnival, Rio's biggest party takes place every year in February or March and is not to be missed. Join the Carnival for 2019 on our Rio Carnival Package, 3 nights/4 days from 2nd to 5th March 2019. Call our team for further details and prices.
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![a plate of food on a table]()
Rio's culinary scene
The food scene in Rio rivals the best cities in the world. From delicious street food through to world class restaurants and everything in between.
Best time to go to Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro enjoys a year-round tropical climate, with temperature highs reaching 24-30˚C. The driest months are between June and August, with February receiving the most hours of sunshine. In October, humidity levels can reach up to 80%.
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Robert
Destination Specialist
“When you’re exploring the city, make sure you take a trip to Boulevard Olimpico, where you can get a feel for Rio’s urban art scene and glimpse some of the city’s most iconic street art. In the neighbourhood of Saude you can try samba for free, and while there visit the Museum of Tomorrow.”
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“Once you’ve experienced enough of the buzzing Rio city life, head north to the idyllic seaside resort Búzios. Known as the St Tropez of Brazil, this is one of the country’s most upscale resorts, with a variety of boutiques, fine restaurants and classy bars.”
Events & Festivals in Rio de Janeiro
Rio is home to Brazil’s most famous festival: Rio de Janeiro Carnaval. A huge, colourful and chaotic spread of people, music and costumes, the carnival happens every year and is the perfect time to visit Brazil.
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Rio de Janeiro Carnaval, Brazil
People flock from all over the world to join the throngs celebrating this colourful carnival from 21-26 February - the world’s biggest street party, clocking over two million attendees. From huge, dazzling float parades to samba street parties, dress in your best and get lost in the drums and the dancing.
Types of Rio de Janeiro holidays
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights to Rio de Janeiro take approximately 11-12 hours. There are currently five direct flights from London Heathrow to Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport each week with British Airways and further direct flights with LATAM Airlines and British Airways to Sao Paulo. Alternatively, there are indirect options from various UK cities.
Copacabana is the best beach in Rio, partly because it’s one of the most famous beaches on Earth. Set against the backdrop of Sugar Mountain, Copacabana has a particularly striking setting. Though, do not miss Vermelha, Ipanema and Leblon beaches, as these are equally as impressive.
