Copa Rio Lux

Rio de Janeiro · Copacabana

3 Days in Rio de Janeiro

A curated itinerary to enjoy the best of Rio from Copacabana, put together by someone who knows the neighbourhood well. From the postcards to the Rio locals keep to themselves.

01

Copacabana & Ipanema

Morning

  • —Start early on the Copacabana promenade, nearly empty, with the morning light over the sea
  • —Breakfast at a neighbourhood café, then a swim near Posto 5 or 6, the calmest stretch

Afternoon

  • —Take the metro to Praça General Osório and arrive in Ipanema
  • —Wander Rua Garcia D'Ávila among shop windows and cafés, then spend the afternoon on Ipanema beach

Evening

  • —Sunset at Arpoador Rock, a Rio tradition since the 1960s, where everyone claps as the sun goes down
  • —Dinner at a local bistro and a cold draft beer to close the night
★

Bring sunscreen and cash. Beach vendors don't take cards.

02

Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf

Morning

  • —Christ the Redeemer early, on the Cosme Velho train. Before 10am there are fewer people and sometimes you're above the clouds
  • —A 360° view of the city: Guanabara Bay, Copacabana, Ipanema and the Lagoon all at once

Afternoon

  • —Lunch in Flamengo, on the way back
  • —Sugarloaf by the Praia Vermelha cable car, a two-stage ride up through Urca Hill

Evening

  • —Stay for sunset from the top, the best view in the city on a clear day
  • —Dinner back in Copacabana at a neighbourhood classic
★

Buy the train and cable car tickets online in advance to skip the queue.

03

Historic Centre, Santa Teresa & Lapa

Morning

  • —Confeitaria Colombo downtown, open since 1894, art nouveau and excellent coffee
  • —The Lapa Arches and a walk through the historic centre: Praça XV and the Imperial Palace

Afternoon

  • —Santa Teresa, a bohemian hillside district of artist studios and cobbled lanes
  • —The Selarón Steps, mosaics of tiles from 60 countries, and the Chácara do Céu viewpoint

Evening

  • —Lapa at night: live samba and bars that come alive after 10pm
★

Take a ride-hailing app back from Lapa at night. It's the easiest way.

Copa Rio Lux guests get the full guide, with 3, 5, 7 and 10-day itineraries, local tips and videos, in the private guest area.

Stay in Copacabana

An industrial-chic studio in the heart of Copacabana, steps from the beach. The ideal base for this itinerary.

Book on Airbnb