Rio’s Best Kept Secrets

Rio de Janeiro is known as the Marvelous City for its spectacular setting: sapphire Atlantic waters, verdant mountains, utopian beaches, and warm climate. Revel in all Rio’s beaches, samba, soccer, cachaza, and the jovial locals. If you’re wondering what else to see and do in Rio de Janeiro than the standard sights like Copacabana beach, and Christ the Redeemer, than you’ve come to the right place. Little known to travelers, here are a few secret gems you can’t miss during your Brazil vacation.

1) Favela Rochina: Rochina is the largest favela (shanty town) in Rio de Janeiro. The town is home to over 250,000 people and is built upon a steep hillside near the beach. Rochina can be visited on a variety of favela tours that operate in Rio. Experience the other side of life in Rio.
2) Praia da Joatinga: This well hidden beach is beautiful. You can only access it by car and it can be difficult to locate without someone showing you. The beach is wedged between cliffs and it is a steep hike to get down to the sandy shore. The tide must be low, otherwise there is no beach. Bring food, water, and beach toys as vendors are a rare sight.
3) Samba school: Carnaval isn’t the only time to watch the splendid samba. As soon as the festival is complete, many of these schools start rehearsing for the next year. These practice performance are far less expensive than Carnaval, yet you can practically experience the real thing during full-dress rehearsals. Watch shows that are as legitimate as what you see in the Sambadrome during Carnaval.
4) Rock Climbing: Rio is an excellent place for rock climbing. You can choose to do urban climbing around the city or rock climbing in Tijuca Forest. The best city climb is Sugarloaf Mountain, one of Rio’s biggest attractions. Your jaw will drop when you reach the top and see the views of Copacabana, Ipanema, and Flamengo beaches. The sights are especially picturesque at sunset when lights sparkle for miles.
5) Lapa after dark: This may be the world’s best street party. The unique neighborhood is at the historic center of Rio. It’s likely that you’ll visit Lapa during the daytime, but make sure to go back once the sun sets and the area really comes alive. There are a number of bars, clubs, and live music venues that can keep you up ‘til the wee hours of the morning.


This guide to Carnival was written by a Brazil travel expert at Brazil For Less available to help you custom design your exciting Rio de Janeiro vacation.