How long you should stay in Rio de Janeiro will depend a lot on how much you want to see and experience Rio and nearby Rio. Bear in mind that Rio de Janeiro is a big city with lots of options for tourists and for locals.
Should you stay one day in Rio?
Honestly, one day in Rio de Janeiro is only to get a ‘taste’ of the city, to get a quick overview, to be able to say ‘been there, done that’. However, one day is not long enough to take advantage of all Rio has to offer.
If you stay only one full day in Rio de Janeiro you will get a quick overview of the city and see the famous landmarks: Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches, Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado Mountain as well as Sugar Loaf Hill.
If you have a copy of My Rio Travel Guide book in your hands then you will see much more (even on a single day) as the guidebook is packed with precise and practical instructions that allow you to see a lot in less time.
Should you stay two days in Rio?
If you stay two days in Rio de Janeiro you will see the classic spots mentioned above as well as many others as Maracana Football Stadium, Colombo Cafe, Selaron Staircase in Lapa, Botanical Garden, Sambadrome (where the Carnival parade happens every year), Favela Rocinha (or other), Centro (downtown), the colonial Rio, other beaches, and more.
Should you stay three days in Rio?
On a third day in Rio de Janeiro you would have seen all the hottest attractions mentioned above as well as covered some neighborhoods by yourself and on foot such as Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Leme, Urca, and Santa Teresa.
Should you stay four or five days in Rio?
On a forth and firth day in Rio de Janeiro you could take your time to chill out and enjoy the beaches, get a tan, have a couple of hurry-free no-visiting days, and possibly enjoying Rio’s musical nightlife.
Should you stay six, seven, or eight days in Rio?
After having stayed five days in Rio de Janeiro you would have experienced the city in several different ways without getting bored or feeling hurried. You could use other three days to visit either the sun coast (Buzios), or the green coast (Ilha Grande and/or Paraty). In addition, you could take a day tour to Petropolis (the Imperial City).
The bottom line is, if you can only stay a day in Rio de Janeiro you will see the basics but will miss a lot of interesting sites and experiences. On the other hand, if you stay a week, you will do a lot in and out of Rio, not regretting for staying this long.
Thinking of visiting Rio de Janeiro and Brazil in the near future? Whether you plan to stay one day or a week, get a copy now of My Rio Travel Guide, and get a much better understanding of the city before making any move.
Click on the e-book below to learn what you need before coming to Rio de Janeiro!
