Start your cultural immersion experience with a visit to the Museu de Arte do Rio, located in the heart of the city. Admire the diverse collection of contemporary art and exhibitions that reflect the city's history, culture, and people. The museum also offers stunning views of the city.
Experience a taste of Rio's colonial history at Confeitaria Colombo, a 120-year-old café that still maintains its intricate decor, ambiance, and stunning glass vitrines showcasing the best of its pastries and cakes. Along with its rich history, its delightful menu is famous in town.
Witness the essence of Brazilian culture by visiting Cidade do Samba, the birthplace of Samba schools in Rio de Janeiro. Feel the rhythm of samba partnering up with professional percussionists and dancers to get lost into the Brazilian music culture. The vibrant costumes, music, and dance performances in here will make your visit a unique experience of Brazil.
Using public transportation or taxis will take you to any of these activities unless you want to book a private tour. Rio de Janeiro is a big city, and there is much to see, so there is more than one option for transportation, from buses to bikes to cars. It is wise to budget $10-$15 in transportation costs per day.
If you have more time, consider visiting other cultural sites such as Theatro Municipal, Flamenco historical and cultural center, and the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum. If you have less time explore the city using a bike or a hop-on-hop-off bus as it is an excellent way to see more of the city in a short time.
Rio de Janeiro's largest and main airport is the Galeão International Airport (GIG), located 20 km from the city center in the north part of Rio. It is the base for a majority of international flights. Another slightly smaller airport is Santos Dumont Airport (SDU), located closer to the city center (just 2 km away) and is mostly used for domestic flights.