In Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is known as the cidade maravilhosa wonderful city , and I completely agree. From the imposing granite peaks of Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Mountain, down to the white sandy beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro will ignite all your senses. The city truly feels alive with the beat of samba drums, the sip of a perfect caipirinha, the aroma of bolinhos de bacalhau , a glimpse of monkeys dancing in the tropical trees, and the sensation of that salty, sticky beach air.
Rio is a city that beats to its own drum, and no other major world city has the rhythm and character that Rio does. This Rio de Janeiro itinerary and guide will really set you up for an incredible trip to Rio de Janeiro, one of my favourite cities in the world. A quick heads up: This post may contain affiliate links. I only ever recommend products or services that I use and love!
Thanks for your support! Taxis are x the Uber price, but can be arranged for a set price from one of the booths inside the arrivals hall. This public transport option should really only be used by seasoned travelers who are comfortable working out the quirks of a foreign transport system after a long international flight.
Once you enter into the main arrivals hall, follow the clear Uber signage down to the Bossa Nova Shopping Mall attached to the airport where there is a dedicated Uber waiting area Uber Lounge , complete with seating. Expect to pay x the price of an Uber for an official taxi. Booking buses in Brazil used to be quite difficult, requiring physically visiting the bus station is advance to secure tickets, but nowadays most bus lines offer reservations online.
It can still be tricky for foreigners however, as many online systems require a Brazilian CPF number similar to a USA social security number in order to complete an online booking. It can be a bit overwhelming trying to figure out public transport in a foreign city, especially when not everything is in your native language and everyone else is in a rush to get somewhere, but fear not, public transport in Rio is plentiful and pretty easy to figure out.
