Brazil Travel Guide | Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana Beach, Christ the Redeemer, Lapa Steps & Travel Tips

Rio de Janeiro is one of those cities that feels larger than life—from the famous Copacabana Beach and Atlantic Ocean to the mountains, colourful streets and iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.

During our Brazil adventure, we spent around 12 days in Rio de Janeiro, using Copacabana as our base while exploring some of the city's most famous sights. But our trip also came with a very unexpected lesson: tourist scams can happen even in the busiest and most famous places.

In this guide, we'll share our experience getting from Peru to Rio, where we stayed, how we got around, our visit to Christ the Redeemer, exploring central Rio, Lapa Steps, the famous street-art mural, food and drinks we tried, visa information and the important lessons we learned along the way.

If you're planning a trip to Rio de Janeiro, this guide will help you know what to expect before you go.

✈️ From Machu Picchu to Rio de Janeiro – Our Journey

Our Brazil adventure began immediately after our time in Peru. We travelled from Cusco to Lima and then continued to São Paulo before making our way to Rio de Janeiro.

From Cusco, we took an Uber to the airport and flew to Lima with Sky Airline. After a layover in Lima, we took our longest flight of the journey—around four and a half hours—to São Paulo.

We didn't spend much time in São Paulo. From the airport, we took an Uber into the city centre and then caught a bus to Rio de Janeiro. The bus journey took around 6.5 hours.

Finally, after taking another Uber from Rio's bus area to Copacabana, we arrived in Brazil. From Machu Picchu to Rio, the entire journey took us approximately 29 hours.

🏖️ Copacabana Beach – Our Base in Rio

Our first stop in Rio was the iconic Copacabana Beach, a roughly four-kilometre-long stretch along the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by hotels, apartment buildings, hills and mountains.

We stayed in Rio for around 12 days and used two different Airbnbs in the Copacabana area. Our first Airbnb cost around USD 48 per night and had views towards Christ the Redeemer, although the accommodation itself wasn't particularly impressive.

We later moved to another Airbnb that was slightly better decorated and cost around USD 54 per night. It didn't have the same views, but we preferred the overall accommodation.

⚠️ Our Copacabana Beach Tourist Scam Experience

One of the most important parts of our Rio experience happened on our very first day. We want to share it because it completely changed the way we approached the rest of our stay.

While we were at Copacabana Beach, a vendor gave us a large Caipirinha to taste. We repeatedly asked how much it cost, but the price wasn't clearly given to us. After the drink was already in our hands, the price suddenly became 400 Brazilian Reals.

We had seen what appeared to be a much lower price elsewhere and refused to pay the amount being demanded. The situation escalated, with verbal threats and physical intimidation. At one point, the drink was thrown over us, and the situation became even more uncomfortable.

We are sharing this as our personal experience, not as a statement about everyone working at Copacabana Beach. However, it taught us an important travel lesson: always confirm the price before accepting food or drinks from beach vendors.

We also learned how important it is to have a working phone connection when travelling. Having mobile data allowed us to navigate, communicate and document what was happening.

📱 Staying Connected in Brazil

During our South America travels, we used a South America eSIM from Billion Connect. According to our experience, the connectivity was excellent across most of the countries we visited, although coverage wasn't available everywhere, including Bolivia.

The eSIM we used covered more than 200 countries. We also had a promotional code, FOLLOW, which gave a discount on the first purchase at the time of our trip.

For maps and travel planning resources, we also used our own Follow The Imprints travel maps and resources.

🛂 Brazil Visa Information

Visa requirements depend on your nationality and can change, so always check the latest official requirements before travelling.

At the time of our trip, Canadian passport holders required an eVisa for Brazil. We received our approval within approximately one day. The visa we obtained was described as having five-year validity with multiple entries, at a cost of approximately USD 81.

For Indian passport holders, we were told that a visa was required and that it was a traditional sticker visa rather than the eVisa available to us. Requirements can change, so Indian travellers should verify the current process before booking flights.

🥥 Brazilian Drinks We Had to Try

We made ourselves a little checklist of Brazilian drinks and managed to try four during our stay.

• 🍹 Caipirinha – Brazil's famous cocktail, although our first experience with it was certainly memorable.
• 🥥 Coconut – refreshing in Rio's warm weather; ours cost around 12 Reals.
• 🍺 Brazilian local beer – an essential drink to try while in Rio.
• ☕ Brazilian coffee – Brazil is one of the world's leading coffee producers, so we couldn't leave without trying it.

✝️ Visiting Christ the Redeemer

One of the main reasons we came to Rio was to visit Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor), one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. For us, this was our fourth New Wonder after the Taj Mahal, Colosseum and Machu Picchu.

We took a cab towards the Christ the Redeemer complex. The taxi fare was around USD 3.50 from our area and the journey took approximately 17 minutes.

At the time of our visit, the ticket cost 128 Brazilian Reals per person. We found that buying online was useful because it allowed us to select a time slot. Unlike Machu Picchu, we didn't need to book months ahead and were able to purchase the tickets shortly before visiting.

🚞 Taking the Train Up Corcovado

The train ride from the lower station to the Christ the Redeemer area took around 20 minutes. The ticket included the train journey and entrance to the attraction according to the option we purchased.

We found the boarding process quite disorganised. There wasn't a clear queue system, and when the train arrived people simply moved towards the available seats. For a world-famous attraction that welcomes huge numbers of visitors, we felt the process could have been more organised.

🌄 Christ the Redeemer – The Views Are Incredible

Standing beneath Christ the Redeemer was an incredible moment. The statue stands on the summit of Mount Corcovado, providing spectacular views over Rio, the Atlantic coastline, surrounding hills and forest.

The statue was completed in 1931 and is approximately 30 metres tall, with its outstretched arms spanning around 28 metres. Its Art Deco design is one of the defining features of the monument.

From the summit, we could also see Sugarloaf Mountain, another iconic Rio landmark.

👥 Is Christ the Redeemer Too Crowded?

This was probably our biggest disappointment. The views were gorgeous, but the summit was extremely crowded during our visit. At times, there was barely enough space to stand comfortably, let alone enjoy the surroundings quietly.

Although there are scheduled time slots, the attraction can still feel very congested. We found ourselves taking photographs wherever we could and then moving along.

There is no single time we can confidently call the “best” time to visit based on our experience. Our biggest recommendation is simply to expect crowds and hope that conditions are quieter when you go.

You can use elevators for much of the ascent, or climb approximately 220 steps if you prefer.

🏙️ Exploring Central Rio de Janeiro

On another day, we headed from Copacabana towards the historic centre of Rio. The city offers several ways to get around, including Uber, bicycles, buses and the metro. We chose the metro because we wanted a more local experience.

At the metro station, we purchased rechargeable transport cards. At the time of our visit, a single ride cost around 7.90 Reals.

🕊️ Gandhi Square in Rio

After getting off at Centro, we came across a large bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi in a small square. The space commemorates Gandhi's legacy, his teachings and the idea of peace.

🎨 Escadaria Selarón – The Colourful Lapa Steps

One of our first stops in central Rio was Escadaria Selarón, commonly known as the Lapa Steps. This colourful staircase is one of Rio's most recognisable artistic landmarks.

The staircase is covered with thousands of colourful tiles sourced from many different places around the world. The result is a bright, artistic and highly photogenic corner of Rio.

We spent only a few minutes exploring the steps, but it was definitely one of the most Instagram-friendly places we visited in the city.

⛪ Rio de Janeiro Cathedral

From the Lapa Steps, we walked towards the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian of Rio de Janeiro. Unlike the traditional European cathedrals we've seen in our travels, this building immediately stands out because of its unusual pyramid-like shape.

Its architecture was influenced by Mayan pyramids, and the cathedral's enormous interior can accommodate a very large congregation. We found the building completely different from almost every cathedral we've visited before.

⚠️ Safety in Central Rio

Central Rio can feel very different from the polished tourist areas around Copacabana. During our walk, we encountered graffiti, run-down buildings and quieter alleyways.

We had already experienced the incident at Copacabana, so we were particularly cautious. Based on our experience, we recommend keeping your belongings secure, staying aware of your surroundings and avoiding unnecessary risks. Travellers who are uncomfortable navigating the area independently may prefer organised tours or group excursions.

🍫 Brazilian Churros

We also stopped for churros during our day in central Rio. They were a decent quick snack, although personally we still preferred the churros we had eaten in Havana, which were crispier, sweeter and filled generously with chocolate.

🎨 Kobra's Ethnias Mural

Another highlight was visiting the huge Ethnias mural by Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra. The mural celebrates ethnic diversity through enormous colourful portraits.

The mural covers a massive wall and became one of our favourite street-art stops in Rio. The colours have faded somewhat compared with photographs taken when it was newer, but the giant faces and eyes remain incredibly striking.

🚁 Drone Warning – Pay Attention to Restricted Zones

While filming around Rio, we briefly attempted to fly our drone and immediately received a warning indicating that the drone would automatically land. We landed it straight away.

This was a useful reminder that drone restrictions can apply around major landmarks and other controlled areas. Always check the current local drone regulations and airspace restrictions before flying.

🌊 Rio Port & Guanabara Bay

While walking from the mural area, we reached the port of Rio de Janeiro, part of Guanabara Bay. The bay opens towards the Atlantic Ocean and creates another impressive contrast between the city, mountains, water and shipping infrastructure.

We also passed the Museum of Tomorrow, whose futuristic architecture reminded us of a giant spine or DNA structure. The surrounding waterfront was a great place to see another side of Rio away from the beach.

🍽️ Food in Rio – Seafood, Steak & Coffee

Back near Copacabana, we visited a highly rated local restaurant called Chiquita, where we ordered a seafood and steak meal. We shared a large platter of fish, vegetables and fries along with Brazilian beer.

We also tried Brazilian coffee and dessert on our final day. After travelling across South America for several months, we felt that ending our Brazil experience with coffee and something sweet was the perfect way to finish the trip.

✨ Our Experience in Rio – The Good, the Bad & the Unforgettable

Rio was certainly an interesting chapter in our travels. The city has spectacular natural scenery, world-famous landmarks, beaches, mountains, street art and a unique energy that is difficult to describe.

At the same time, our experience wasn't perfect. The incident at Copacabana Beach was one of the worst travel experiences we've had, and the crowds at Christ the Redeemer made it difficult to truly relax at the viewpoint.

But that's also part of travelling. Some days are incredible, some days go completely wrong, and both become part of the story. Our biggest lesson from Rio was to stay alert, confirm prices before accepting anything from vendors, keep a reliable phone connection and always be aware of your surroundings.

✨ Travel Tips for Visiting Rio de Janeiro

• 💰 Confirm prices before accepting food or drinks from beach vendors or street sellers.
• 📱 Keep your phone connected with a local SIM/eSIM so you can navigate and contact help when needed.
• 🔐 Secure your valuables and stay vigilant, especially in busy tourist areas and central Rio.
• 🚕 Use Uber or reputable transport when it makes sense for your itinerary.
• 🚇 Consider the metro if you want an affordable way to explore the city more locally.
• 🎟️ Book Christ the Redeemer tickets online if you want to select a preferred time slot.
• 👥 Expect crowds at Christ the Redeemer, particularly around the main viewing areas.
• 🚁 Check drone restrictions before flying around landmarks, ports or other restricted areas.
• 🌧️ Check the weather before visiting viewpoints because clouds can significantly affect the views.
• 🇧🇷 Learn a few Portuguese words; even simple phrases can make everyday interactions easier.

💰 Our Brazil / Rio Costs (For Two People)

• 🏨 Airbnb: approximately USD 48–54 per night, depending on the accommodation.
• ✝️ Christ the Redeemer: 128 Reals per person at the time of our visit.
• 🚕 Taxi to Christ the Redeemer area: approximately USD 3.50.
• 🚇 Rio metro: approximately 7.90 Reals per ride.
• 🥥 Coconut: approximately 12 Reals.
• 🛂 Brazil eVisa: approximately USD 81 for the Canadian passport holders in our case.

Prices are based on our visit and may vary depending on the season, exchange rates, attraction pricing, accommodation and availability.

🎥 Watch Our Brazil / Rio de Janeiro Adventure

Rio de Janeiro gave us a little bit of everything: spectacular beaches, mountains, world-famous landmarks, colourful street art, great food and a few experiences we definitely weren't expecting. From arriving after our 29-hour journey from Machu Picchu to standing beneath Christ the Redeemer and exploring the colourful streets of central Rio, this was a memorable stop in our South American adventure. Our biggest advice is simple: enjoy the incredible scenery, but stay alert, confirm prices before accepting anything and don't let one bad experience stop you from exploring everything this fascinating city has to offer.