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

Galeto Sats

Bars:

I think you can alternate between the main South Zones of Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabna for night life. Lapa is also very fun and tends to be streets of dancing, samba bars, drinking and places to bet good. Pedro Do Sal is another area like Lapa to go out drink and see life music, especially on Monday nights.

Alto Vidigal

Leviano

Bar Astor

Bosque

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

23 Ocean Lounge

Yoo2

Clubs:

La Paz

D-Edge – good for electronic music

Centaurus

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. Leblon is typically the safest.