Things to Do and See for Free!
Description:
Many travelers are looking for cheap holidays in Rio, and with a little know-how it's easy to find things to do that won't cost a penny. There are some good deals to be had on flights to Rio de Janeiro and Rio de Janeiro hotels, and our four day guide gives you the lowdown on seeing the best of the city, even if your budget is supertight!
Author: Lucy
Day 1 - Rio de Janeiro
They say the best things in life are free...and that's certainly true when it comes to Rio's beaches. Copacabana and Ipanema are two of the world's most famous beaches, and with good reason. Most people hop on board flights to Rio de Janeiro with a beach break in mind, and you can enjoy these beautiful stretches of sand without spending a cent! Happily, it's also easy and relatively safe to walk between the areas by day, via Arpoador, Spend the morning at one beach, the afternoon at the other, and stop off at Arpoador to catch the magnificent sunset from the giant rock that juts out into the ocean.
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Copacabana Beach
Location:
view in google mapsAvenida Atlantica and Xavier da Silveira
22010-000 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
+55 21 2542 80803
Praia do Arpoador
Location:
view in google mapsCopacabana / Ipanema
22410-003 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
+55 21 2259 6165 (Tourist Information)Day 2 - Rio de Janeiro
Take a Metro to Carioca station, and check out the city's opinion-dividing cathedral, before jumping on board the little rattling bonde (tram) that will whisk you up to boho Santa Teresa. (Ok, it's not free...but at 60 centavos - around 30 US cents - it might as well be!). Spend some time exploring the winding cobbled streets of this charming neighbourhood, stopping off to take in the beautiful view from the top floor of the ruined mansion at Parque das Ruinas (entry to the park is freee!). From here, it's a short stroll downhill stroll to the Escadaria de Selaron (but be careful, especially after dark), which will lead you to Lapa. The lively party area is dominated by the mammoth Arcos do Lapa (arches), and hundreds of revellers throng here after dark, clutching cheap drinks from the many cocktail stands and beer sellers.
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Catedral Metropolitana
Location:
view in google mapsAvenida República de Chile, 245
Centro
20031-170 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
+55 21 2240 26692
Bonde de Santa Teresa
Location:
view in google mapsRua Professor Lélio Gama, 65
Centro
20031-080 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
+55 21 222 1003 / +55 21 242 23543
Santa Teresa
Location:
view in google mapsLadeira de Santa Teresa
20241-140 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Escadaria Selarón
Location:
view in google mapsEscadaria do Convento de Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa
20241-130 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
5
Arcos da Lapa
Location:
view in google mapsRua dos Arcos
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
+55 21 25447992 (Tourist information)Day 3 - Rio de Janeiro
Head to Centro in the morning, and check out the many free museums and cultural centres - Casa Franca-Brasil being one of the best, with consistently original and thought-provoking exhibits. The Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil is also well worth a visit. In the afternoon, head off to the Zona Sul and visit the beautiful Parque Lage before taking a stroll down to the city Lake, Lagoa, and admiring the views as you take a stroll around. The lake's many bars and restaurants are great spot for sunset drinks if your budget will stretch to it!
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Casa França-Brasil
Location:
view in google mapsRua Visconde de Itaboraí, 78
Centro
20010-060 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
+55 21 225353662
Lagoa
Location:
view in google mapsAvenida Epitácio Pessoa
Lagoa
22471-001 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
+55 21 25447992 (Tourist information)3
Parque Lage
Location:
view in google mapsRua Jardim Botânico, 414 - Jardim Botânico
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
(21) 2538 - 1879Day 4 - Rio de Janeiro
Entrance to the fascinating Museu da Republica is free on Wednesdays on Sundays, and you'll want to set aside a good couple of hours to take everything in. The building itself is spectacular, and there are some very interesting exhibitions held here too. Don't miss the immaculately-preserved room (complete with bullet-marked pyjamas) where former president Getúlio Vargas killed himslelf - eerily fascinating! Next door is the very interesting Folklore Museum, which gives an insight into pan-Brazilian culture and tradition through some colourful exhibits. Head back to the Zona Sul in the late afternoon and take a stroll alonf the beachfront, as it's Sunday, the beach roads are closed to traffic.
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Museu do Folclore Edison Carneiro
Location:
view in google mapsRua do Catete, 179
Catete
22220-000 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
+55 21 2285 04412
Museu da República
Location:
view in google mapsRua do Catete, 153
Catete
22220-000 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phone:
+55 21 3235 26503
Orla Marítima
Location:
view in google mapsLeme até Barra da Tijuca
22010-000 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
