Chef Rafa Costa e Silva's extraordinary tasting menu restaurant in Botafogo — one of Latin America's 50 best. Brazilian biodiversity celebrated with precision and beauty.
A lush hillside terrace restaurant in Santa Teresa overlooking Rio's rooftops and bay. Refined Brazilian cuisine with extraordinary views and a magical garden atmosphere.
Rio's most beloved traditional botequim (neighbourhood bar) since 1934. Cold chopp (draft beer), petiscos (bar snacks), and Carioca atmosphere at its finest.
A converted colonial mansion in the bohemian Santa Teresa neighbourhood. Extraordinary city views, hammocks by the pool, and a true sense of Rio's creative soul.
The 30-metre Art Deco Christ the Redeemer statue atop 710m Corcovado mountain. The panoramic views of Rio, Guanabara Bay, and the Atlantic are unmatched.
🌟 Hodophs insider tipTake the Corcovado cog railway rather than the van — the ride through Atlantic Forest is beautiful. Go at opening time (8am) before clouds build around the statue. The view looking back toward Sugarloaf at sunrise is the shot.
Attraction
Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain)
Two cable car rides to the iconic granite monolith above Guanabara Bay. Go at sunset for the most spectacular views of Rio turning golden.
🌟 Hodophs insider tipRent a beach chair from a vendor (R$15) — they'll also watch your things. Never leave valuables unattended. The mate (iced tea) and biscoito globo (cheese puffs) sold by beach vendors are iconic Rio snacks. Try both.
Attraction
Santa Teresa & Lapa
Bohemian hilltop neighbourhood (Santa Teresa) and the legendary samba-and-nightlife district (Lapa) — the most authentically Carioca evening in the city.
Santiago Calatrava's extraordinary science museum on the revitalised Port Zone waterfront — one of the most beautiful contemporary museum buildings in the Americas.