Planning a 3 day Rio de Janeiro itinerary can be slightly challenging.
It’s a HUGE city that offers so much to do and see, and you need to find a balance between experiencing as much as you can and taking your time to enjoy things. But don’t worry, because I’m here to help you plan the best 3 days in Rio de Janeiro.
Can I be honest with you? I wanted to travel to South America since I was a kid, but I did not expect to fall in love with Rio as much as I have.
I visited Rio after about five perfect weeks in Argentina (Buenos Aires, Patagonia, and the Iguazu Falls were seriously dreamy), and I didn’t know why, but I felt hesitant to arrive in this city. So I’m thrilled to say that Rio has completely won me over, and there’s really no other place like it.
Although the locals’ life is far from being perfect, they always seem to be happy and smiling. The entire city has that vibrant vibe to it, but it also feels super chilled and relaxed at the same time, so I get why it is one of Brazil’s highlights.
This city has given me some pretty memorable moments, and I know that even with only 3 days you can have the best time in Rio too.
*This post may contain affiliate links from which I earn a commission (for more info, read my disclosure). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
*I try to keep the information on this blog as updated as possible, but I still recommend consulting the latest prices, opening hours, and other details on the official website of each site, hotel, and tour, as well as checking the updated public transport routes and timetables.
Check out these free walking tours of Rio de Janeiro!
Table of Contents
3 Days in Rio – General Notes
Carnival
This itinerary is not suitable for carnival time in Rio.
The carnival has its calendar of activities, and the city is so crowded that you wouldn’t be able to do and enjoy some of the attractions on this itinerary as you would at other times.
If you do plan to visit during carnival time, here’s the beginner’s guide to Rio’s carnival!
Safety
Don’t be panicked about it (as I was) because that’s not going to help. BUT it is something to be aware of, and it goes without saying that you need to keep some safety rules like always walking in a group and sticking to popular areas at night.
I also recommend only carrying a small amount of money with you and placing your phone in a hidden pocket instead of wandering around with a backpack.
You’ll walk around with confidence instead of looking hesitant or like you have something to hide. Alternatively, find yourself a small travel purse (an anti-theft one if possible) but still only carry what you need for the day.
Other Notes
Youcaneasilyget aroundmostof Rio’spopularareas by Metro. If you’re also planning on visiting the beautiful Ilha Grande (like I did), be sure to pack for a tropical vacation.
Where to Stay in Rio
One of the best neighborhoods to stay in Rio de Janeiro is Ipanema. I’ve stayed in a few Airbnbs in Rio in different neighborhoods in the city, and Ipanema was by far my favorite neighborhood in terms of location and vibe.
Those specific apartments are no longer available, but you can browse other places to stay in Ipanema here or check out highly-rated accommodations like Ipanema Inn Hotel or Hotel Arpoador.
3- Day Rio de Janeiro Itinerary – Day 1
Full Day City Tour
When you only have three days in Rio de Janeiro, you should definitely take a full-day tour to see the city’s main landmarks.
Normally, I would prefer to go sightseeing by myself, but in a huge city like Rio, where each landmark is located very far from the others, a tour can save you a lot of time.
The specific tour I had taken was fantastic, but it is not available at the moment, so you can check out this similar full-day city tour. You can also browse this similar sunset tour.
Included on All Tours – Tijuca National Park and Christ the Redeemer
If you’re wondering “What is Brazil famous for?”, this landmark is one of the answers. The Christ the Redeemer statue is not only a religious symbol and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World but also a place where you can find the most amazing viewpoints of the city.
The 30-meter (98-foot) high monument was built between 1922 and 1931, about 70 years after the first suggestion to build a Christ statue in Rio.
Since it’s one of the New7Wonders of the World and the city’s most significant symbol, you can comprehend why it’s a Rio must-see.
Now, visiting this monument on a tour saves you the headache of buying tickets and getting there on your own.
It’s not impossible, but it is such a popular place that anything that can make your visit easier is helpful. Plus, the bus route through the Tijuca National Park all the way to the Corcovado mountain’s peak is super scenic.
That said, you can book a ticket with van pickup and drop-off, which can also be convenient.
INCLUDED ON some TOURS – Mirante Dona Marta
If you’ve ever seen a classic Rio postcard, the photo was most likely taken at this lookout point.
The views from Mirante Dona Marta are jaw-dropping, and guess what? It’s a lot less crowded than up there at Christ the Redeemer. So get ready to take your camera out and feast on Rio’s most iconic views.
Included on All Tours – Escadaria Selaron
There’s no staircase more famous and beautiful than Escadaria Selaron. The artist, Jorge Selaron, dedicated the last years of his life to making this staircase a colorful work of art.
While the steps are green, yellow, and blue as a tribute to the city, the sides and the walls of the steps are mostly red. The steps also feature tiles that were sent to Selaron from around the world as his project became famous.
Learning about the entire story of the artist and the history of this place during the tour was amazing. It gave a lot more meaning to my visit instead of it being just another photo spot.
If you don’t want to take a full-day city tour but still want to visit the steps with a guide, consider booking this free tour, this urban art tour, or this Santa Teresa & Lapa neighborhoods tour.
Address: Rua Manuel Carneiro (Cinelandia Metro).
Included on All Tours – Sugarloaf Mountain
On my tour, it was optional to take the cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain, another popular lookout point in Rio.
If you don’t want to take a full-day city tour, you can just purchase your tickets or book this guided tour.
Included on Some Tours – Mural Etnias
If you love street art as much as I do then Mural Etnias will blow your mind.
This incredible mural was completed just before the opening ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, and up until 2017 (when the artist broke his own record), it was the world’s largest spray paint mural by a team.
It showcases five colorful portraits of native people from the continents competing in the Olympics and tries to convey the message that we are all connected (isn’t that beautiful?).
Since not all city tours include this mural, consider booking this urban art tour or this free tour.
Address:Avenida Rodrigues Alves, 241.
Included on Some Tours – Rocinha
When you have the chance to visit Rio’s biggest favela with a local guide, you cannot refuse. During the tour, you’ll get in-depth explanations of the locals’ life and the history of the favelas.
I know it might seem a bit daunting, but the guide will only take you to safe areas. Getting to know other ways of life is always fascinating, and this is an amazing experience you do not want to miss.
Since not all city tours include this favela, you can book this tour with a local guide. You can also visit another famous favela, Santa Marta, with a guide.
Technical Details
As I’ve mentioned, the specific tour I had taken is not available at the moment, so you can check out this similar full-day city tour. You can also browse this similar sunset tour.
3-Day Rio de Janeiro Itinerary – Day 2
Downtown Rio (Centro)
Downtown Rio is where modern and traditional come together.
On one hand, you can see skyscrapers and modern cafes, and on the other hand, you can discover narrow streets full of historic buildings like the Municipal Theater and the Imperial Palace.
You can definitely explore the neighborhood and its landmarks by yourself, but consider taking a free walking tour.
Uruguaiana Market
Who says you can’t include some shopping time on a 3-day Rio itinerary? Besides, markets are one of my favorite ways to get to know the local culture.
At Uruguaiana Market you’ll find just about anything from clothing and jewelry to Carnival masks and souvenirs. It can get quite crowded there, but it’s worth an hour or two of exploring.
Address: Next to Uruguaiana Metro station.
Pedra Do Sal
Rio is the city of Samba, so what’s better than visiting the square where Samba was born?
In the 17th century, African immigrants that came from the state of Bahia to Rio settled in the area around Pedra do Sal.
Initially, it was a large slave market, and later on, it became a meeting point for the neighborhood’s residents and where Rio’s Samba was developed.
If you want to soak up some Samba vibes, the place hosts free live performances every Monday evening.
You can also get to know Rio’s African heritage with this free walking tour.
Address:R. Argemiro Bulcão.
AFTERNOONAND EVENING AT THE COPACABANA BEACH AND PROMENADE
After a long day of exploring, the Copacabana beach and promenadeare the perfect places to spend a tranquil afternoon and evening.
To get a better understanding of the area, know that beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema are a part of an 8km coastline.
The beaches are separated by 12 postos which are numbered lifeguard stations. People often use these numbers to mark the location of activities, events, accommodations, etc.
Take your time and walk along the promenade which is an iconic thing to do in Rio. After that, you can do a little bit of shopping.
The night market in front of Posto 5 sells souvenirs and clothing, items that are also sold by vendors on the promenade (and you can definitely bargain).
Another fun thing to do at the Copacabana at night is to enjoy some live music. Walking along the promenade, you’ll notice that it’s full of small open-air resto-bars.
Some of them host performances by locals, so you can enjoy great music while having dinner or sipping caipirinhas (or natural juices that are to die for and only cost about 1.5$).
3-Day Rio de Janeiro Itinerary – Day 3
Hang Gliding
I thought I would never do this, but hang gliding turned out to be one of the biggest adventures of my life.
I admit, in the first couple of seconds when you practically need to jump off a cliff, I might have damaged my guide’s hearing with my screaming.
But then you get to see the most stunning views of forested mountains and a beautiful coastline right beneath you, and that feeling is like no other. So if there’s ever a place to overcome your fears and engage with something extreme, this is it.
Company details: Though it can be pricey, I had chosen Asa Delta. With professional, English-speaking guides that make you feel safe and calm, transfer from and back to your accommodation or any other place,videos, and photos, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Book your hang gliding experience with Asa Delta here.
*Check with the company to see when is the best time to hand glide on that specific day. Since it depends on the weather, there could be a situation where noon would be a better time to hand glide than the morning and vice versa.
Ipanema Beach
Your Rio de Janeiro itinerary would not be complete without spending some time at one of Rio’s most iconic beaches, Ipanema.
There are plenty of other beaches in Rio, but if you don’t have a lot of time in the city, you can stick to the classics.
I also found Ipanema beach a lot more pleasant than Copacabana, and there are also convenient amenities like toilets and quality beach umbrella rentals. So if you’re not sure about where to spend your time, I’d definitely go for Ipanema.
Ipanema Neighborhood
After a couple of hours at the beach, you should explore the neighborhood itself. It’s one of the most expensive places to live in Rio and probably the trendiest when it comes to shops, cafes, and restaurants.
If you’re here on a Sunday, you can also check out Ipanema’s hippie fair where you’ll find food, clothing, and all kinds of artisanal goods.
Sunset at Arpoador
If there’s an iconic place in Rio de Janeiro to watch the sunset, it’s the Arpoador peninsula.
Located right between Copacabana and Ipanema, both tourists and locals love to spend their afternoon and evening there, and it’s very clear why. The sun setting behind the Dois Irmãos cliffs is a magnificent sight and a perfect ending to your last day in Rio.
Other Things to Do in Rio in 3 Days
If you want to change this Rio itinerary a bit, here are a few other things you can do:
- Take a free walking tour of the Santa Teresa neighborhood
- Visit the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden (on your own or with a guide)
- Take a sunset boat tour
- Visit the unique public park of Parque Lage
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