Brazil is the largest country in South America and home to immense natural beauty and vibrant cities. Many visitors head to Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls, or other great places in Brazil. This Rio visitor guide will help first-time travelers figure out the top things to do and see in July.
Is July a good time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
July is considered part of the low season in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. However, the weather is still warm and temperate. There are fewer tourists during this season, as many come for Carnaval in the period before Lent. With fewer visitors, this is also one of the cheapest times of the year to visit.
As another bonus, you can also expect clear skies and little to no rainfall. Visiting in July has many advantages and you’ll have no shortage of things to do in Rio.
How many days should I spend in Rio de Janeiro?
When I visited, I spent five full days in Rio de Janeiro. This felt like a great amount of time to be able to both relax and see a lot of the major attractions in the city. Other guides usually recommend at least 3 full days in Rio de Janeiro.
Whether it is a working holiday or a vacation, Rio attracts lots of visitors. If this is your first visit to Brazil, you’ll also likely be interested in some of Brazil’s other major attractions like Iguazu Falls, São Paulo, and the Amazon. A 10-day Brazil itinerary (with three suggested routes) would enable you to see 2-3 of Brazil’s diversified regions.
Where is Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro is on the southeast coast of Brazil. The city is nestled around tall granite peaks, giving the city its unique landscape. Rio sits on Guanabara Bay in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Brazil has a total of 26 states and one federal district. Rio de Janeiro is the third most populous state in the country with a population of about 17 million people. São Paulo, the most populous city, is six hours away from Rio.
Weather in Rio de Janeiro in July
The weather in Rio de Janeiro in July is comfortable. There are highs of about 77 °F (25 °C) and lows of about 67 °F (19 °C). Compared to the rest of the year, the chance of rain is relatively low. I did not experience any rain the week I was there in July. I wore tank tops and long pants or a skirt during the day and would usually bring a light jacket or sweater for the evenings.
1. See one of the New Seven Wonders of the World: Cristo Redentor
Cristo Redentor, or Christ the Redemer, is one of the most famous landmarks in all of South America. It is located atop Corcovado Mountain. The two most common ways to get there is by taking the cog train or by hiking from Parque Lage. The red cog train is the more famous and time efficient method.
The statue is 98 feet (30 meters) tall, excluding its pedestal. Christ the Redemer was finished in 1931, but named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. It was a collaborative project between French and Brazilian artists and engineers.
Over time, lightning has made minor damage to the statue. The Brazilian government has made various repairs following the damages. In 2010, a massive restoration took place.
2. Take the cable car to Pão de Açúcar
Another first timer’s must-do is to take the cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar). Here you get a sweeping view of the city and landscape. One of the best views is of Baía de Guanabara, the second largest bay in Brazil. You can also expect food, drink, shopping, and bathrooms at the platforms.
Timing your visit will be important as it is one of the biggest draws in the city. Visiting early in the morning is when you’ll find the shortest lines. However, you may also be interested in visiting just before sunset for gorgeous colorful views. Be sure to add at least an hour to the plan to account for the line to get up to the top before sunset. Cars depart roughly every twenty minutes, but lines can be long.
You can also climb your way to Sugarloaf if you are feeling adventurous. This is an option best for experienced climbers.
Getting to Sugarloaf will require a ride to the Urca neighborhood. You can get there by bus or taxi, but I found Uber to be easiest. If you’re hungry when you come back down, Bar Urca is a top-rated spot to hang out.
3. Walk, bike, or jog around Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas
One of the most relaxing activities within the cityscape is biking Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. The paved, two-way path around the lake is about 7 km (roughly 4.5 miles) in total. There are shared bike rental stations around the lake. Download the app, Bike Itau, in advance for easiest use. You’ll need your phone number, email, and passport to sign up. During the weekends, the path is more crowded with walkers so if you plan to bike, it is best to go earlier in the day or on a weekday.
There are kiosks and small restaurants along the path at Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas where you can get water or a meal if you desire.
4. Explore Santa Teresa
Visiting in July means you’ll have a chance to explore this neighborhood during its annual festival, Portas Abertas. During this time, artists open their studios to the public. You can expect live music and a fun mix of art in this bohemian neighborhood.
One of the most iconic things about this neighborhood is the yellow trolley car. You can ride it through the neighborhood for a small fare. You may want to do this if you want to avoid walking the hilly cobblestone streets.
As you wander, be sure to stop at Parque das Ruinas. It is the somewhat preserved home of a socialite that now offers a good view of the city and houses a small art gallery.
Stop for drinks at Explorer Bar. They have an extensive list of unique co*cktails and bites. They also host live musicians on the weekends.
Keep an eye out for little marmosets, a tiny primate that looks like a monkey. They can be found throughout the city, but I saw the most in Santa Teresa. They hang out in the trees and run along electric lines.
5. Shop in Leblon
Leblon is one of the nicest areas of Rio. There are plenty of shopping options to include Brazilian founded and made brands such as Farm Rio. Shopping Leblon (as the name suggests) is a large mall with many stores, most of which are unfamiliar to North American travelers. Leblon is also where you can find high end luxury brand stores such as Louis Vuitton.
Related: Top 3 Cute Bookstores in Leblon and Ipanemema
6. Go for a swim at Copacabana or Leblon Beach
While it is still winter in July in Rio, the temperatures are usually warm enough for people to go swimming at these world-famous beaches. Whether you swim or not, these beaches are can’t miss attractions for a first time visit to Rio.
It is recommended that you do not bring your valuables to the beach if you plan to swim. While Rio felt reasonably safe to me in the South Zone, it is still wise to take precautions.
There are chairs and umbrellas for rent. People may approach you selling things like soda, beer, and snacks. You may also like to join in on a friendly game of volleyball or hacky. These beaches feature many people practicing and playing sports, volleyball and soccer being the most common. Keep an eye of another sport there: Footvolley. As the name suggests, it is a Brazilian created sport that combines the beach volleyball with the ball-touch rules of soccer.
Alongside Copacabana Beach and Leblon Beach are wide walking paths known for their characteristic artsy black and white tile mosaic patterns. On Sunday morning in Leblon, the road next to the beach closes for pedestrians, runners, and bikers.
7. Wander around the Botanical Gardens
The botanical gardens, located not too far from central Leblon, offer a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. Here you can find fountains, butterflies, and palm lined walkways.
The park was originally established in 1808 to nurture plants like nutmeg and cinnamon to adapt to the area during colonization. Later, the park became available to the public during daylight hours. Today, it also is an important research hub as it helps to protect many endangered plant species.
Marmosets and capuchin monkeys can also be found here.
8. Go hiking in Floresta da Tijuca
Floresta da Tijuca is a large nature preserve in the backyard of Rio that was officially established in 1961. The park was later declared a Biosphere Reserve byUNESCOin 1991. It is notably the most visited park in the entire country, despite being the smallest national park in Brazil. More than 60 types of mammals and 200 types of birds have been found in the park.
One of the most popular hikes is Pedra da Gávea. This is a steep 3 mile hike where climbing is required. You may want a guide for this trail. I found many local guides on GetYourGuide and AirBnB, all reasonably priced.
Another excellent trail is Pico da Tijuca. This trail is longer, at just over a 6 mile loop. It is also steep in some places. One of the cool things about this route is the ladder carved into the stone. This challenging trail rewards you with panoramic views of the landscape. The trail is mostly shady and well-marked.
Remember to not feed animals and bring any trash you create out of the park with you. I also recommend downloading your map in advance as signal in the park is weak.
Related: How to Leave No Trace
9. Visit the Museu Nacional de Belas Artes
This important museum houses more than 20,000 pieces of art from both Brazilian and international artists. It was officially established in 1937, but its history predates that. For example, King John VI of Portugal fled invading French troops by relocating to Rio de Janeiro. He brought with him many works of artwhich originally belonged to the Portuguese Royal Collection at the time.Today, many of them can be found in the museum.
The art includes modern and contemporary pieces. Notable Brazilian artists across the collection include work done by Pedro Américo, Victor Meirelles, Anita Malfatti, and Candido Portinari. It includes work by French artists Alfred Sisley, Auguste Rodin, andThéodule Ribot. Flemish work, such as paintings done by Jan Brueghel the Elder, can also be found here.
As many of Rio’s activities are outside, this is a great option if it is too hot or rainy during your visit. Luckily, this is unlikely in July.
The national art museum is free on Sunday.
Related: The Must-See Museums of Brussels
10. Have Caipirinhas on the Beach
No visit to Brazil is complete without sipping their national co*cktail. Made from lime, sugar, andcachaça(sugarcaneliquor), many local spots also offer fruit mix-ins such as kiwi, pineapple, strawberry, and more. Most agree the drink originated in 1918 in São Paulo. Others say its origins relate to the treatment for Spanish Flu, which consisted of drinking a blend of lemon, garlic, and honey. The remedy is still commonly used as a tonic for the common cold in Brazil and throughout Latin America.
The beach front kiosks in South Zone are the perfect spot to relax. There are plenty to choose from, each with a slightly different decor and style. They are shaded and most also serve snacks. If you want to be at the beach, but want to avoid being covered in sand or baking in the sun, this is a good option.
11. See the iconic Escadaria Selarón
These colorful stairs gained popularity after being featured in several international movies and music videos. Snoop Dogg and U2 have music videos with scenes on the steps.
There are 215 steps to the top and connect the Lapa and Santa Teresa neighborhood. The entire staircase is made up a constellation of over 2,000 tiles. The artist collected tiles from everywhere, including the trash.
The stairs are named after the Chilean artist that created them. His home is actually along the walkway itself. Selarón funded the creation of the steps by selling his paintings and considered the mosaic creation a gift to the Brazilian people. Go early if you want to get a picture without the crowds.
12. Watch a soccer game at Maracanã
Soccer, or futbol, is incredibly important to the culture in South America. Most soccer events have some strict rules in place about attendance. For example, it is often the case that only home team fans can attend games due to violence in the past. Because of this, attending a game requires a local guide who can get the local home team tickets.
The Maracanã Stadium is one of the most famous stadiums in South America. It was here in 1950 that Brazil lost to Uruguay in the FIFA World Cup. It was also here that the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Olympics were held. The local red and black club Flamengo and green and red club Fluminese play here.
Finding a guide to provide the tickets and enrich the experience can be done through AirBnB or GetYourGuide. Book your tickets at least 48 hours in advance to ensure there are enough left. We waited until the day before and they sold out. Prices vary based on who is playing, but they are generally $70-100 per person.
13. Visit Parque Lage
Parque Lage is a public park that was once the residence of businessman Henrique Lage and opera singer Gabriella Besanzoni. The land had been in the Lage family for several generations. Besanzoni was a star opera singer from Italy, but was based primarily at Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. An Italian architect remodeled the home when they moved in.
Today, the land is for public use, while the mansion is used by the Visual Arts School. They have a cafe in the courtyard that helps support the school. The National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute listed Parque Lage as a historical and cultural heritage site of Rio de Janeiro in 1957. More recently, the home appeared in Snoop Dogg’s music video for his song “Beautiful.”
Parque Lage can be found close by the botanical garden, making them a nice pair to visit the same day. It is also at the base of Corcovado, where Christ the Redeemer is perched on top.
14. Bike from Leme to Leblon
Rio has a bike share app like many major cities. You’ll want to download BikeItau in advance and set it up. It’ll require data, a phone number, and a passport number. While it is a bit cumbersome to set up, the pay off is great.
Rio has several nice areas for biking. You can bike more than 8 miles round trip of beach front bike pathways if you ride from Leblon to Leme. This route is great because it takes you through Ipanema and Copacabana too. There are also minimal interruptions from car traffic. Just be careful of pedestrians.
Leme takes its name from a prominent rock off the beach that resembles a ship’s rudder. It is also part of the Zona Sul area of Rio, like Copacabana, Leblon, and Ipanema. The area is known for its beaches, hotels, and nightlife. The protected bike lane makes it a perfect place to explore by bike.
15. Catch the sunset at Pedra Arpoador
Serving as a bit of a mid-point between Copacabana and Ipanema, this rocky point is a popular spot to catch the sunset. You can sometimes see people rock climbing the rock face as well. Round out the experience with drinks before or after the sunset from the many kiosks found along the beach front paths.
Good to Know Tips
- English is not widely spoken, even among restaurant staff in high end restaurants. Brushing up on your Portuguese (words like: Hello, thank you, check, bathroom, and basic numbers will go a long way). I recommend watching a few YouTube videos to practice pronunciation. Download a translator app and the Portuguese language for offline use in advance. Google Translate does the trick just fine. If you speak Spanish, you can often get by as I found more people to speak at least some Spanish rather than English.
- Venmo does not work in Brazil. During my visit in July 2023, I could not even open the app or transfer my remaining balance in Venmo into my bank account. If you are splitting bills with others in your group, you’ll need to use another app or keep track of purchases.
- Credit and debit cards work just fine throughout the city. You should have some Brazilian Reales on hand though just in case. At some restaurants, paying with credit card through my Apple Wallet did not work. You should bring a physical card and/or cash as a precaution.
- Inequality and poverty are pervasive issues in Rio do Janeiro. You should bring cash to give to the locals you see living on the street. While inequality and poverty are issues in other parts of the world including the United States, Brazil has one of the highest Gini indicators in all of Latin America. Give when you can.
Map of Things to Do and Places to Eat
Follow on Instagram!
