It doesn’t take long to understand why the Portuguese dubbed Rio de Janeiro “The Marvelous City.” Fringed by gold sand beaches, verdant mountains and diverse tropical rainforest, Rio is one of the most uniquely beautiful urban landscapes in the world—and an absolute must-visit for anyone who loves outdoor adventures.
From world-renowned rock climbing to easy afternoon cycling, don’t miss these great outdoor activities on your Rio vacation:
Cycle
One of the best ways to
actively explore Rio’s most beautiful attractions is by bicycle.
Extra pedestrian friendly, the city has over 150 miles of bike lanes and 600
BikeRio bikes to rent. Once you’ve found your two wheels of choice, head to
Ipanema for an easy and enjoyable cycle past the bronzed beauties at the beach.
From here you can ride all the way down to Copacabana. Alternatively, the
Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon is one of Rio’s most beautiful attractions. You’ll
have plenty of company from fellow bikers and joggers as you enjoy the views of
Christ the Redeemer along the 3-mile path.
Surf
Rio de Janeiro might not
have the same legendary surf reputation as destinations like Bali or Hawaii,
but there are still plenty of places to catch an epic wave. Beginners should
start at the Arpoador, a giant rock that juts into the ocean between Ipanema
and Copacabana. Here surfers will find gentle but consistent waves, along with
plenty of locals renting boards for the day. If you’re looking
for something more advanced, Laje Shock is known for it’s huge
breaks and should only be attempted by extreme athletes.
Rock Climb
Considered to be one of the
best urban rock climbing spots in the world, you won’t have any
shortage of places to scramble or scale in Rio. Most climbers head to Urca,
where there are multiple routes for both climbing and bouldering. For the adventure
of a lifetime, sign up for the Via dos Italiano, which runs straight up the
face of Sugarloaf Mountain. While other tourists will be looking down at the
views from the gondola, you’ll be the star attraction as you traverse your
way up to the summit.
Hike
Any city surrounded by
dense forest and lush mountains is bound to offer exceptional hiking and Rio de
Janeiro is no different. But if you’re on a time crunch, these are the top two must-dos.
Two Brothers Mountain (Dois
Irmãos)
Just five years ago, it
wouldn’t have been possible to attempt this hike if
you weren’t a local of the Vidigal favela. But now,
tourists have nothing to worry about coming to the neighborhood to explore. The
climb up to Two Brothers Mountain is short but intense and if you’re
fit it will take just about an hour to reach the peak. The views from the top
are some of the most stunning in all of Rio, with extensive panoramas
overlooking Leblon and Ipanema.
Tijuca National Park
One of the largest urban
forests in the world, Tijuca contains hundreds of species of plants, wildlife
and Rio’s highest
mountain, Tijuca Peak. Hikers can enjoy two different lookouts on the trail
leading up to the main pinnacle. The first, Tijuca Mirim Peak, boasts
unobstructed views of downtown Rio and the newly renovated Maracana Stadium.
Rio de Janeiro may be known
for its beautiful beaches and riveting nightlife, but there is so much more to
the city than just sand and samba. Whatever level of adventure you prefer, you’re
bound to find it outdoors in Rio de Janeiro.