When to Go: Carnival (February)
Fall – Less tourists and the rainy season is now over
Things to Do:
Christ the Redeemer / Corcovado
Sugar Loaf Mountain
Copacabana / Ipanema Beach
Escadaria Selarón
Ferra Palace
Parque Lage
Lagoa
Museum of Tomorrow
Vidigal or Rocinha (If you’re adventurous, you can go on a guided tour of the pacified Favelas)
Restaurants:
Aprazível- Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, Great View, try the Fried corn-flour polenta risolle
Fogo De Chao Copacabana
Rancho Português – Try the octopus here, very good Portuguese Restaurant
Churascaria Palace
Cipriani
Lilia
Cafe Plage
Oro
Sud, O Pássero Verde
Grano & Farina – Best Coxinha, Pasteis, & Pão de Queijo in Rio. Stop there before or after you go to Parque Lage
Bars:
Check out Leblon ant Lapa at night. Both are great areas for nightlife with people drinking in the streets until late in the morning. Leblon is in a “safer” area, although Lapa is more than fine to visit at night but be extra vigilant with using your phone in public.
Alto Vidigal
Leviano
Bar Astor
Arp bar de praia (Arporador Hotel Beach Bar)
Bar e Restaurante Urca – Great for Sunset
Palapito Kitch
Bar Urca – Near Sugar Loaf mountain good for afterwards
Rooftop Bars:
Fasano Rooftop Bar- If staying at the hotel
Clubs:
La Paz
Where to Stay:
Copacabana Palaca
Hotel Fasano
Ipanema Beach House (Hostel)
Lonely Planet gives a good synopsis of where to stay based on what your preferences are.