Rio de Janeiro travel guide

The currency in Rio de Janeiro is the Brazilian real (BRL). Prices on TripRadr for tours and activities are shown in Canadian dollars (CAD). Check the current exchange rate before you travel.

Brasília Time, three hours behind UTC. Brazil no longer uses daylight saving, and some regions are in other time zones. Toronto is on Eastern Time, so check the difference for your travel dates. Toronto changes its clocks in spring and autumn, so the gap can shift during the year.

There are 2 seasons to plan around in Rio de Janeiro. Beach season: December to March. Fewer crowds: May to September. Check the weather and any local events for your dates.

Major airports include Rio de Janeiro/Galeão (GIG) and Santos Dumont (SDU). Routes and flight times depend on the season and the airline. Check with the airline or travel site you book with.

The Government of Canada publishes travel advice and advisories for Brazil. Check it before you book and again before you leave. The advice can change, so TripRadr links to it instead of repeating it.

TripRadr does not take bookings. The things-to-do section shows tours and activities from Viator when they are available for Rio de Janeiro. You book on Viator, and TripRadr may earn a commission.

The main language is Portuguese. Signs, menus and tours may also be available in English in places that welcome visitors. Learning a few local phrases is a polite way to start a conversation.

Popular things to do in Rio de Janeiro include see Christ the Redeemer, ride the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain, spend a day on Copacabana and Ipanema and take a samba or food tour. The things-to-do section on this page shows tours and activities from Viator. Open one to see its details and price, then book on Viator.