ACCOMMODATION / HOTEL
These are a few hotels we think you'll enjoy, but don't feel limited to these options! We recommend staying in Copacabana - it's the most vibrant neighborhood and really captures the best of the Rio experience.
Miramar by Windsor ($$)
Windsor California ($)
Arena Copacabana ($)
PortoBay ($$$)
Fairmont ($$$$)
- Miramar by Windsor ($$) - Best cost-benefit. The hotel sits right on Copacabana Beach, has a beautiful rooftop pool and bar with panoramic views, and the rooms are very comfortable.
- Windsor California ($) - A great option if you're looking to spend a little less. It's right on the beach, rooms are comfortable and well-kept.
- Arena Copacabana ($) - Another more affordable option, also right on the beach. Clean, well-located, and a good choice if you're sticking to a budget.
- PortoBay ($$$) - A beautiful hotel directly on Copacabana Beach, known for its stunning ocean views, spacious rooftop pool, and excellent service. A noticeable step up in comfort and scenery.
- Fairmont ($$$$) - The most iconic hotel in Copacabana. If you want to treat yourself, this is it - world-class service, high-end rooms with sweeping beach views, and an atmosphere that is hard to beat.
airbnb
Map
When searching for Airbnbs, we recommend staying in Zona Sul, preferably close to the beach; this will give you the best experience to explore, enjoy the beach, and be totally safe. The map above has the general area we recommend staying in.
As for the neighborhoods themselves:
Copacabana is the most lively and touristy, full of restaurants, bars, and energy at all hours - the buildings tend to be older and it can get noisy, but it's a great base.
Ipanema is a step up - quieter, more residential, and generally considered safer and more upscale, though it comes with a higher price tag.
Leblon is the most high-end of the three, with excellent restaurants and bars, but it's the furthest from the main action around Copacabana.
Leme, at the far end of Copacabana, is also worth considering - a quieter, more local alternative that can be a good middle ground if you find Copacabana too hectic.
If you're open to being a little further from the beach, Jardim Botânico and Gávea are lovely, residential neighborhoods, just a short Uber ride away from everything.
If you have any doubts or questions, feel free to reach out to me!
rio guide / Guia do rio
We are so happy to celebrate our wedding in Rio de Janeiro and hope you enjoy the opportunity to experience a little of this beautiful city. Below you will find some information to help plan your trip.
Airports
The main airports in the city are:
Rio de Janeiro International Airport – Galeão (GIG)
Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
Transportation
Ride-sharing services such as Uber and taxis are widely available and are usually the easiest way to get around the city.
Estamos muito felizes em celebrar nosso casamento no Rio de Janeiro e esperamos que vocês aproveitem a oportunidade para conhecer um pouco desta cidade tão especial. Abaixo reunimos algumas informações que podem ajudar no planejamento da viagem.
Aeroportos
Os principais aeroportos da cidade são:
Aeroporto Internacional do Rio de Janeiro – Galeão (GIG)
Aeroporto Santos Dumont (SDU)
Transporte
Aplicativos como Uber e táxis são amplamente utilizados no Rio e costumam ser a forma mais prática de locomoção.
places to visit / lugares para conhecer
Beaches / Praias
Some of the most beautiful urban beaches in the world / Algumas das praias urbanas mais bonitas do mundo
Ipanema Beach / Praia de Ipanema
Copacabana Beach / Praia de Copacabana
Leblon Beach / Praia do Leblon
Barra da Tijuca Beach / Praia da Barra da Tijuca
Must-See Landmarks / Pontos Turísticos Imperdíveis
Iconic sights that define the city / Os cartões-postais que definem o Rio
Christ the Redeemer / Cristo Redentor
Sugarloaf Mountain / Pão de Açúcar
Flamengo Park / Parque do Flamengo
Selarón Steps / Escadaria Selarón
Nature, Parks & Hikes / Natureza, Parques e Trilhas
Escape the city without leaving it / Respire ar puro sem sair da cidade
Tijuca Forest / Floresta da Tijuca
Botanical Garden / Jardim Botânico
Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon / Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas
Lage Park / Parque Lage
Telegraph Stone / Pedra do Telégrafo
Neighborhoods to Explore / Bairros para Explorar
Each with its own personality and charm / Cada um com seu próprio charme e estilo
Botafogo - waterfront promenade & shopping / orla e shopping à beira-mar
Leblon - tree-lined streets, restaurants & nightlife / ruas arborizadas, restaurantes e vida noturna
Lapa - music & nightlife / música e vida noturna
Day Trips by Car / Bate voltas de Carro
Worth the drive for a day or weekend away / Vale a viagem para um dia ou fim de semana fora
Búzios - 20+ beaches & charming nightlife / mais de 20 praias e vida noturna charmosa (~2h)
Cabo Frio - white sand dunes & turquoise water / dunas brancas e mar turquesa (~2h)
Angra dos Reis - 360+ islands & hidden coves / 360+ ilhas e enseadas escondidas (~2h30)
places to eat / lugares para comer
Breakfast & Brunch / Café da Manhã & Brunch
Start your day with breakfast / Comece o dia com o café da manhã
Pão & Companhia (Copacabana)
Nusa (multiple locations)
Empório Jardim (Jardim Botânico / Ipanema)
Bibi Sucos (multiple locations)
Confeitaria Colombo (Centro)
Lunch / Almoço
Great spots for lunch / Ótimas opções para almoço
Rascal (multiple locations)
Terra Brasilis (Urca)
Bibi Sucos (multiple locations)
Café 18 do Forte (Copacabana)
Brazilian Churrasco / Churrascaria Brasileira
For the full Brazilian steakhouse experience / Para a experiência completa de churrascaria
Assador (Botafogo / Aterro do Flamengo) - classic all-you-can-eat rodízio
Pobre Juan (Ipanema)
Clan BBQ (Leblon) - outstanding burgers, a cult favorite among locals
Asian / Asiático
Rio has a fantastic Japanese and Asian dining scene / O Rio tem uma cena asiática fantástica
Xian (Centro)
Gurumê (multiple locations)
Italian & Mediterranean / Italiano e Mediterrâneo
Classic options for pasta, pizza and more / Clássicos para massas, pizzas e muito mais
Pope (Ipanema)
Nino Cucino (Ipanema)
Fine Dining / Alta Gastronomia
For a truly special night out / Para uma noite verdadeiramente especial
Oteque (Botafogo) - 2 Michelin stars, one of the best restaurants in all of Latin America
Oro (Leblon) - 2 Michelin stars, avant-garde Brazilian gastronomy by Chef Felipe Bronze
Bars / Bares
From classic botecos to craft beer and cocktail bars / Dos botecos clássicos aos bares de drinques
Boteco Belmonte (multiple locations)
Brewteco (multiple locations) - (the Botafogo location has a rooftop with a view)
Bar Bracarense (Leblon)
Nosso (Ipanema)
