There is a lot more to do in Rio de Janeiro than getting a tan on Copacabana Beach, visiting Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf. In fact, there are tons of things to do in Rio. Read on to see some of them:

1. See the sunrise

If you don’t have a view of the sunrise from your hotel, you can head to Praia Vermelha (literally, Red Beach).

This is one of the most popular places to see the sunrise and one of the safest in Rio de Janeiro, since the beach is surrounded by military institutions. On summer weekends, you may find yourself joining locals as they finish a night out.

If you feel like moving your body after the sun rises, there is a walking and jogging path very popular with locals who live in the neighborhood. The entrance is located on the far-left side of the beach, looking toward the ocean. The gate to the path opens at 6 a.m.

2. Rent a paddle board

At the end of Copacabana, near Forte de Copacabana (close to Ipanema), there are several stands that rent paddle boards for a minimum of 30 minutes. That is enough time to paddle into the ocean and, after a few minutes, look back and see the whole Copacabana Beach.

The waters are usually calm on that section of Copacabana Beach, so it is also very popular with local families with kids. It is also a good spot for swimming.

Great eatery nearby: Marinho Atlantica, open from 7 a.m. until 1 a.m.
Address: Avenida Atlantica, 4206 (on the right-hand side of the Fairmont Hotel [looking at the hotel]).

3. Visit Copacabana Fort

Do you want to have a boat view of Copacabana Beach but don’t want to venture out on a paddleboard? Then, go to Forte de Copacabana (Copacabana Fort), which is at the very end of Copacabana (the same area as paddle boarding).  

There you have a comprehensive view of Copacabana Beach with Sugarloaf in the background. There is a small entry fee, which includes (optional) admission to a military museum.

On the premises, there are two cafés: Colombo (famous for pastries) and Café 18 do Forte (good for a drink, a snack, or a meal. Try the local craft beer Praya or Hell de Janeiro!). See menu.

The Copacabana Fort and the cafés’ operating hours are: Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Avoid weekends, if possible. Admission fee: R$ 6 (approximately USD 1).

4. Attend a live music concert at Coisa de Carioca

There are dozens of cafés along Copacabana Beach. However, they are not created equal. Most are good for a caipirinha, but if you want good food and live music, then Coisa de Carioca is the place to go.

It is particularly good Friday through Sunday nights, from 6:30 to 10 p.m., when a vibrant band plays live.

What to eat? Bolinho de feijoada (black beans stew croquette), aipim frito (fried manioc), among other options. What to drink? Caipirinha (they offer more kinds of fruits than the traditional lime).

Address: right in front of Pestana Rio Atlantica Hotel, across the street on the Copacabana Beach side.

5. Take a stroll on Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana

Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana (literally: Our Lady of Copacabana) is the main commercial avenue of Copacabana, with hundreds of stores.

That This is the avenue where that part some of the 140.000+ Copacabana’s 140.000+ inhabitants walk on or at least cross it almost daily.

The best days to take for a stroll on it are when shops are open: Monday-–Friday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The busiest section and most worth walking is from Rua Franscisco Sá until to Rua República do Peru.

On the corner of Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana with and Rua República do Peru, there is a local eatery called Conversa Fora, popular for grilled steaks and chicken, but also for a number of other dishes and appetizers. Order a chopp (draft beer) and you will instantly become a local.

6.  Eat and drink among locals at Pavão Azul

This is one of the most popular places to have a drink and eat something casual in Copacabana. The place is particularly famous for its well-served shrimp risotto (may even serve two people if you are not that hungry or order some finger food first).

As an appetizer, order patanisca de bacalhau (codfish coquette) or pastel de queijo com tomate seco (cheese and dried tomato deep-fried savory).

To drink? The omnipresent chopp (draft beer), or if you want something different, batida de coco (a drink made with condensed milk, coconut milk, ice, and cachaça [Brazilian rum]).

The place gets extremely crowded on weekends, and the service gets slow (especially from 1 p.m. on). Beat the crowd by arriving at 12 noon, or come in the late afternoon.

Address: Rua Hilário de Gouveia, 71 – Copacabana. Operating hours: 12 p.m. to midnight.

7. Try Brazilian ice cream

In Brazil, fruits arrive at the consumer’s table ripe and sweet. You may have a chance to taste some during your breakfast, but if you don’t, you have a second chance to try them as ice cream.

Some popular fruit ice cream flavors are mango, coconut, passion fruit, and caramelized banana.

Popular local ice cream parlor: Sorvete Italia at Rua Francisco Otaviano, 55 Arpoador (this street connects Copacabana and Ipanema—just follow the bike path).

Up for some gourmet ice cream instead? Try Momo Gelato at Rua Garcia d’Avila, 83 (Ipanema) or Av. Atlântica, 1702 (Copacabana). The Copacabana branch is just next door to Copacabana Palace, the iconic hotel where many celebrities such as Albert Einstein, Nelson Mandela and Lady Di, among many others, have stayed.

8. Check out a local market

In many countries, visiting a local market is a way to blend in with the locals, see with your own eyes what they eat, and even try some foods. Rio de Janeiro is no different.

Each day of the week, a number of streets and squares have markets. They start at around 7 a.m. and finish (or start finishing) at 1 p.m. Between 12 noon and 1 p.m. is when they are busiest.

Some of the local markets in Ipanema and Copacabana include:

Tuesday – Praça General Osório, Ipanema
Thursday – Rua Ronald de Carvalho, Copacabana
Sunday – Praça Serzedelo Correa, Copacabana

Try the extremely popular ice-cold caldo de cana (sugar cane juice).

9. Rent a bike

Rio de Janeiro is perfect for cycling, especially along the coast of Leme, Copacabana, Arpoador, Ipanema and Leblon, as well as around Lagoa (lagoon).

There are hundreds of kilometers of cycling paths in the city, but if you cover the neighborhoods mentioned above, you will have plenty of fun.

One of the most popular and centrally located bike-rental shops is Fiets Rio located at Rua Francisco Otaviano 55-A, right next door to the ice cream parlor Sorvete Italia.

To rent a bike you will need either a credit card (to pay a deposit) or an original ID (which they will hold while you are away cycling).

Post updated on November 11, 2022.