This post was updated on February 25, 2025
Okay, so you’re going to Rio. You’ve read the guidebooks, and you know you’re supposed to see Christo…The Copacabana beaches…Jardim Botanico…Sugar Loaf Mountain…and those are all definitely worth seeing.
But what else should you do in Rio? What do the locals do?
Well, after living in Rio for nine months, I like to think that I became a bit of a local. I saw and did a lot during my time there…but there were a few memorable, not-so-touristy experiences that topped my list. And I’d like to share them with you.
So with that, here are the top things that I think everyone should do when visiting Rio…
1. Grab an iced-cold beer at Bar Urca at sunset
Urca is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Rio. It’s also one of Rio’s safest.
Urca is known for its long, sinuous promenade that overlooks the bay, called Mureta da Urca. And at the end of the promenade is a tiny, hole-in-the-wall bar, called Bar Urca. On weekend afternoons (especially Sunday), people spill out of the bar and onto the streets, indulging in ice-cold beers and warm pastels. Directly across the street from the bar is a stone wall that lines the water, where many cariocas sit and watch the sun set behind the mountains.
Local Tip: Go Sunday afternoons just before sunset. Hit up the nearby beach, Praia Vermelha beforehand. It’s smaller than the other beaches in Rio and can get crowded — but IMHO it’s one of the prettiest beaches in the city (even on a cloudy day):
2. Listen to samba at Bip Bip in Copacabana
Bip Bip is another one of those casual hole-in-the-wall bars, where a table of musicians play samba (also known as a roda de samba). This place is super local and looks/sounds a little something like this (please excuse my crappy iPhone video)…
From 2014:
What a difference a decade makes in video quality, right?!
3. Mingle on the streets of Baixo Gávea on Thursday night
One thing that I love about Rio are the street parties–like the ones in Baixo Gávea.
On certain nights of the week (Thursday, Monday and Sunday), the streets of this affluent, former Bohemian neighborhood fill with young, beautiful Brazilians and gregarious street vendors selling caipirinhas and beers.
4. Hike Morro dois Irmãoes
Morro Dois Irmãoes is a mountain that’s home to one of Rio’s most popular hiking trails. And the top of the mountain boasts some pretty amazing views of the city. The hike itself is pretty easy and takes about an hour.
It starts in the (pacified) favela, Vidigal (which is just past Leblon). Like any favela, Vidigal sits on a hill. So to reach the entrance of the trail, you can either walk about a mile uphill (if you really want to get a workout in), or you can take a moto taxi or van up, which shouldn’t cost more than a couple of reais.
After the hike, I recommend rewarding yourself with some food and drink at Alto Vidigal, a rooftop bar which offers some more unbeatable, panoramic views of the entire city.
5. Listen to street samba at Pedra do Sal on monday night
Pedra do Sal is the place to go in Rio on Monday nights. The streets fill with rowdy Brazilians, who go to mingle and listen to the roda de samba ao vivo (a.k.a. live samba music performed by a group of people).
6. Wander along the streets of Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa is one of the most charming neighborhoods of Rio, thanks to its narrow, hilly, cobblestoned streets populated by old, colorful mansions and colonial buildings. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Rio, there are also loads of chic, boutique hotels that offer incredible views of the city.
While you’re there, be sure to stop by the Parque das Ruinas (Ruins Park), which is an art gallery built in the ruins of a mansion. If you go at the right time, you can even enjoy live outdoor concerts as well.
Tip: Just be sure to wander the streets of Santa Teresa during the daytime, not at night. It gets pretty sketchy post sunset.
7. Spend a night on the beach of Arpoador with friends and guitar music
I don’t know about you, but I actually prefer to go to the beach at night. I find it so relaxing, since you don’t have to worry about finding a place to sit amongst hordes of people–nor do you have to worry about getting sunburnt!
In Brazil, it’s pretty popular for friends to get together on a weekend night and hold a “luau” as they call it (which, for those of you who don’t know, is actually the Hawaiian word for “party”).
In Brazil, a “luau” refers to a party on the beach, generally accompanied by some food, drinks and good music. And it’s a whole lot of fun. Bonus points if you go and stay till the sun rises.
8. Hit up the blocos for Carnival
Carnival in Rio centers around blocos, which are basically massive street parties. Everyone gets dressed up (men dress up as women). And music, dancing and grabby men abound (so girls, watch out!). Locals go on kissing sprees and try to kiss as many people as they can.
While I’ve never seen a Carnival parade at the Sambadrome before, I imagine that it’s hard to beat the fun that can be had at Carnival blocos in Rio. Just be prepared for massive crowds and a lot of mayhem…and again, guard your belongings like a hawk.
9. Walk along Ipanema Boardwalk on Sunday
On Sunday, the roads that line Ipanema boardwalk shut down to cars and are replaced with bikers, dog-walkers, joggers and the like. There are even bands playing music on the street. Like so…
Perfect way to spend a Sunday.
10. Stay in a favela (for a *true* local experience)
A favela (aka “slum” in English) is a type of informal neighborhood in Brazil, typically characterized by densely packed, self-constructed homes, limited infrastructure, and economic hardship. They are often associated with drug trafficking, poverty and violence. But favelas are also known for their strong community ties.
When I visited Rio again in 2024, I stayed in a favela near Copacabana for a couple of days (in an Airbnb). Many people thought I was crazy, but I had a great experience and honestly felt very safe the entire time I was there.
I rented a room in a beautiful house hosted by a British woman. She told me that she had lived there for 10ish years and never had *any* issues. She even left her house unlocked—and while I was there, I left all my valuables inside (and nothing was stolen).
People say that you’re more likely to get robbed on the streets of Copacabana than you are in the favela. Because the favela has its own rules and no robbery (or rape) is allowed. If you break those rules… you’ll pay the price. Just look at the sign near the entrance of the favela where I stayed:
I even felt safe walking home by myself at midnight.
The only thing is… favelas can be unpredictable. So even if people within the favela don’t bother you, there is always the possibility that you could be in the wrong place at the wrong time and get hit by a stray bullet or something. I’ve even heard of some tourists being shot and killed after accidentally driving into a favela. The chances of that happening are probably small and maybe it depends on the favela that you stay in. But just know what you’re getting yourself into!
Also, don’t film the guys with guns (aka the drug gangs). I filmed a video while on the back of a motorbike going into the favela and captured them on video. One of the guys chased after me and kindly asked me to delete the video (he was super nice about it though).
If you decide to stay in a favela, it will be a truly eye-opening experience.
And you’ll be rewarded with some incredible views…
Here’s the view from the Airbnb where I stayed:
So there ya have it! Those are a few of my favorite (non-touristy) things to do in Rio.
Have you been to Rio? What’s your favorite (non-touristy) thing to do? I’d love to hear it. Share in the comments below!