Rio de Janeiro, Beyond the Beaches: 5 Days for Non-Beach Lovers

Book a ticket to Christ the Redeemer first thing in the morning so that you beat the crowds as much as possible. After, wander around the bohemian Santa Teresa neighborhood getting a coffee at Café do Armazém or lunch at Café do Alto.

Stop by Parque Glória Maria on your way to the famous Selarón stairs. Keep in mind, this is a touristy hot spot, so be aware of your personal items.

Next, Uber over to the Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar) cable car station in Urca neighborhood and take it up to the top in time to watch the sunset.

Afterwards, hang out with locals at Mureta da Urca (a seawall where people gather to hang out and drink beers) looking over Guanabara Bay and the city lights of Rio.

End the night with dinner close by your hotel. If you’re staying near Ipanema, I recommend Maska or Temakeria.

After breakfast at your hotel, go straight downtown (Centro neighborhood) to Real Gabinete Português de Leitura. Stop at Confeitaria Colombo for a coffee and pastry.

Then go to the Museu Nacional de Belas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts) and/or Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow)—focused on science and sustainability.

Stop for lunch at Edificio Touring, then take the ferry over to Niterói, the city across the bay, to visit the MAC (Museum of Contemporary Art) designed by the renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. Walk down to the beach in the Icaraí neighborhood for a quick drink at a beachside kiosk, then catch the ferry back to Rio.

Head to Botafogo for dinner and drinks, at either Galeto Sat’s or Bar Tero.

Did you know that the largest urban forest is in the middle of Rio de Janeiro? It’s what helps make the city so verdant and spectacular. Day three is dedicated to exploring the Tijuca Forest.

I recommend booking a “Waterfalls and Nature” tour that takes you through the forest, stopping at panoramic viewpoints, guiding you on a nature hike, and taking stops at waterfalls like Cascatinha Taunay.

After a rainforest reset, go to Arpoador (a small rocky peninsula between Copacabana and Ipanema) in time for the sunset over the Dois Irmãos mountains and walk along the beach to Leblon to have dinner at Bracarense.

Start with a leisurely morning at your hotel before joining a Samba fit class in Ipanema to learn a few moves of Brazil’s iconic dance. After which, stop for a light lunch at Padaria Ipanema.

Fueled up, walk around Ipanema to check out some of Rio’s most famous brands like Farm Rio, Havaianas, Grenado, and Panô. Make your way to Shopping Leblon, the city’s upscale shopping mall where you’ll find more cool Brazilian brands like Lenny Niemeyer and Maria Filó for women and Aviator, Reserva and Osklen for men. At Shopping Leblon, you’ll also find many global brands, but I recommend not buying here as prices may be more expensive than you’ll find back home in the U.S. or Europe.

Once worn out from shopping, spend the rest of the afternoon back at your hotel’s pool, relaxing and enjoying the views.

Rent a Itaú bike and ride around the "lagoa" (lagoon between Leblon, Ipanema, and Jardim Botânico neighborhoods), or more simply, order an Uber to reach the meeting spot for a mid-morning helicopter tour, which will take you on a birds-eye view tour of the city.

Then head to Horto for lunch at Eleninha, visiting Jardim Botânico afterwards—don’t miss the orchid exhibit! Note: Entrance to the Botanical Gardens costs R$80 and tickets should be purchased online if you want to use a credit card. You can buy tickets at the gates, but cash payments are only accepted.

Stop by Café Delas for an afternoon coffee, and admire this charming little coffee shop built in an old garage as part of an entrepreneurial women’s co-op.

Return to your hotel to relax for the rest of the afternoon before heading out at night for cocktails and bar snacks at Botafogo’s Salva Bar or Quartinho Bar, all while suppressing tears that your trip to Rio has come to an end!