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Best Day Trips From Rio De Janeiro

Updated: Apr 13, 2022

Rio is a captivating city situated on the South Atlantic Coast. This dream-like city offers mesmerizing landscapes, beaches, architecture, history, and more. Due to its surroundings, the city is ideal as one of the best day trips from Rio de Janeiro is a few miles away from Rio.

The reason for its popularity among tourists is that aside from the city itself, the surrounding areas have tons of activities like hiking, boating, fantastic beaches, museums, everything that will make the trip memorable.


You can also look at our itinerary for the best day trips from Rio de Janeiro. Mentioned below are some places you can consider for Rio de Janeiro day trips.

Paraty

Paraty is a small town located 125 miles from Rio. It's a dream for those who enjoy an abundance of nature as the Bocaino Mountains provide fantastic jungles for hiking and exploration.

Artists, writers, and painters have the cobbled streets, beautiful sceneries, and peaceful aura this city provides. Aside from this, you can take a guided boat trip to beaches and waterfalls in the surrounding areas for an exciting view.


For a day trip, Paraty to Rio de Janeiro day tour is slightly far away as it's a 4-hour drive by bus.

Ilha Grande

This untouched island consists of sandy shores and rich forests, which are well-protected. The Ilha Grande is home to many endangered species like maned sloths and brown howler monkeys. In the South, 'Lopes Mendes', i.e., one of the best Ilha Grande beaches, is famous as a surfing spot.

If you are a fan of aquatic life, then 'Lagoa Azul' in the north is best for diving and snorkeling, where you will be able to get a glimpse of sea turtles and beautiful fish. If you are wondering how to get to Ilha Grande, it's a 3-hour bus ride from Rio to Angra dos Reis and then a 30-minute boat trip to the island.

Cabo Frio

Cabo Frio is the largest Lagos Region located 97.7 miles from Rio de Janeiro. It is popular among tourists because of its rich history. Cabo Frio is the 7th oldest city in the country, making it the place for history buffs!


Aside from the array of restaurants and hotels, the city offers beautiful beaches. The main Cabo Frio beach is Praia do Forte. Other tourist-friendly spots are Arraial do Cabo and Praia das Dunas.

Angra Dos Reis

Angra dos Reis is an archipelago with more than 365 islands and numerous beaches. It is one of the best day trips from Rio de Janeiro as it's only a 2-hour drive located in the south of Rio. The Angra dos Reis port serves as a good location for a day trip since it's full of beautiful churches, bustling markets, grand buildings, and of course, beaches.


Apart from these, there are trails for trekking, waterfalls, and all anyone needs to make a trip worthwhile. Aside from the tourist point of view, Brazil's only nuclear plant, the Angra dos Reis nuclear power plant, is also located in Itaorna Beach. This makes it a hub for many professions.

Best Day Trips From Rio De Janeiro To Rio Das Flores


Rio Das Flores is a municipality in Rio de Janeiro. You can get a glimpse of the local life and culture. Moreover, it has palatial churches, rich history, and local markets. Many museums are open to tourists, including 'Três Ilhas em Arte'.


Rio das Flores is also one of the best day trips from Rio de Janeiro because this is where you'll see the true face of Brazil, the nature, friendly people, and most beautiful historical coffee farms, all just a few hours of drive away.

The best part is the location, and if you are staying at Kings Boutique Hotel, you can get an insight into the authentic Rio culture and traditions within a 5-minute drive. So, contact us now to book a room!

Cristo Rio de Janeiro


When visiting Brazil, who can miss seeing the famous "Christ the Redeemer" statue built in the 20th century; this 30-­meter high statue of Jesus Christ is a beautiful landmark on its own. The statue is located at Corcovado Mountain in the Tijuca Forest. The statue's position at the top of a 700m high mountain makes it visible from all parts of the city.

It is approximately a 4-hour drive from Kings Boutique Hotel. A Cristo Redentor tour and transport services can be arranged on request. There are gauge-changing trains from the base of the mountain for public use; it will take around 30 minutes for these trains to reach the summit.

Maracana Stadium

If you are a football fan, you will regret not visiting Maracana Stadium. Named after the River Maracana. The stadium is Brazil's largest stadium, with a capacity to accommodate more than 78,838 viewers.

The stadium is only 5.3km away from the city center, making it one of the best day trips from Rio de Janeiro. You can easily plan a casual trip to the stadium while taking a stroll in the city center.

Buzios Brazil

When spending vacations in Rio, it is a must to plan day trips from Rio de Janeiro to Buzios, Brazil. Located 110 miles from Rio, it is a 3-hour drive and worth every minute of your time. Buzios, due to its immense scenic beauty, is a good escape from the city life of Rio.

From getting a glimpse of chic boutiques, nightlife while walking along the Rua das Pedras in downtown Búzios to snorkeling along the shorelines of beautiful beaches. The city provides activities for every age group.

Day Trips From Rio De Janeiro To Jardim Botânico

One of the best places on Rio de Janeiro tours is the botanical garden, located at the Corcovado's coast. It is on an area of 350 acres which stretches to Tijuca Forest. The garden includes Amazonian lilies, imperial palms, more than 2,000 orchids, etc.

The Japanese garden is home to over 8000 bird species, bonsai trees, koi ponds, wooden bridges, and cherry trees under the UNESCO biosphere reserve.

Museum Rio de Janeiro

Quinta Da Boa Vista is a public park in the North of Rio de Janeiro. It's a gem of a location in the heart of the city. The largest urban park in the city is here, consisting of the most beautiful imperial palaces in Brazil.

The park held great historical importance as the national museum served as the Emperor's residence in 1808-1889. Quinta Da Boa Vista is a place to cherish nature and history. There are many beautiful villas and gardens in the park, and a zoo rich in biodiversity, with more than 2000 bird species.

Final Words

Rio de Janeiro is one of Brazil's most beautiful and exciting cities. Aside from being the capital, it is famous for its scenic beauty and various tourist spots. Being in the center provides tourists with opportunities to go on day trips and absorb nature on a whole new level.


If you're looking for an affordable and all-inclusive hotel to stay in during your Rio de Janeiro vacation, get in contact with Kings Boutique Hotel. Our establishment is in the heart of Rio, at the perfect distance from all the tourist hotspots.

FAQs

Where can I go outside in Rio de Janeiro?

There are a lot of places you can visit. You can go to 'Paraty' for boating and hiking or 'Ilha Grande' if you are fond of snorkeling and diving.


In 'Buzios Brazil' there are more than 20 beaches to relax and soak in the sun while you'll see plenty of historical coffee farms in Rio das Flores along with scenic beauty.

How many days do you need to visit Rio de Janeiro?

If you want to visit Rio, then a 5–7 day trip is good enough. But if you want to visit the place like a local and want to visit some surrounding destinations, then a 10-day trip might be ideal.

What can you do in Rio for one day?

If you have only one day, then the best day trips from Rio de Janeiro are Ipanema Beach, Cristo Redentor, a landmark worth seeing.


You can either hike your way there, but it's best to take a cable car considering the time. You should end your day by strolling through the city center and visiting the national museum.

Can you visit the Amazon from Rio?

The Amazon is such a popular and wonderful place, it's critical to visit in a responsible manner. This entails taking a tour or getting a knowledgeable guide.


Local advisors are available on the top Amazon trips to assist you in navigating the forest and avoiding getting lost. Amazon is 11,196 km away from Rio, and it's 6 days 9h- drive from Rio to the Amazon rainforest.

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