Explore Rio
Start in Humaitá. Go wherever the day takes you.
Food, green spaces, city views, nightlife and beaches are all part of a stay in Rio.
These are some of our favourite ways to begin.
Food and nightlifeEat and drink at Cobal do Humaitá
Start close to the hostel at Humaitá's best-known meeting place — a former tram depot that's now a market of produce stalls, flower shops, wine merchants and small restaurants. Browse it by day, then come back in the evening when the surrounding bars fill up.
OutdoorsWalk or cycle around Lagoa
Follow the 7.5km path around Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas on foot or by bike — you can rent one lakeside at Parque dos Patins — passing kiosks, sports courts and wooden docks with views towards Corcovado. There are pedal boats out on the water, and the bike paths carry on to the Botanical Garden and down to the beach.
Green RioPair Parque Lage with the Botanical Garden
Start at Parque Lage, a leafy estate at the foot of Corcovado built around a grand 1920s mansion with a café in its courtyard — and the trailhead for the uphill forest walk to Christ the Redeemer. A few streets on, Rio's Botanical Garden has been growing since 1808: a 54-hectare oasis of glasshouses, an avenue of towering imperial palms, an orchid house and little monkeys in the trees. Check current opening times and ticket requirements before visiting.
Rio iconVisit Christ the Redeemer
See the city from the top of Corcovado and stand beneath one of Rio's most recognisable landmarks. Book through an official provider and check the weather before choosing your time.
Rio iconWatch the city from Sugarloaf
Ride the cable car (bondinho) from Urca up to Morro da Urca and then Sugarloaf itself, high above Guanabara Bay. Prefer to earn the view? A free trail from Praia Vermelha climbs Morro da Urca past capuchin monkeys before the final cable car. On Sundays there's live samba on the hill at sunset. Always check current tickets and opening hours before you go.
NightlifeGo out in Botafogo
Neighbouring Botafogo has one of Rio's broadest selections of bars, restaurants and live music — from cocktail bars and craft-beer spots to live jazz and samba. The heart of the action gathers around Rua Arnaldo Quintela and Rua Fernandes Guimarães, and it's a welcoming, LGBTQ+-friendly night out. Ask our team what's on right now.
Beach daySpend a day at the beach
Choose Copacabana for energy, Ipanema for sunset or Leblon for a slightly more relaxed stretch of sand. Keep valuables to a minimum and ask the hostel team for current local advice before heading out.
Culture and nightlifeExplore Santa Teresa and Lapa
Discover hillside streets, historic buildings, art spaces and viewpoints in Santa Teresa before continuing towards the arches and nightlife of Lapa. Plan your return journey before staying out late.
Hidden gemEscape to Parque do Martelo
A hidden pocket of Atlantic Forest tucked into residential Humaitá and cared for by the local community. Follow the shaded paths, find a clearing for a quiet picnic, or catch one of the yoga sessions, art classes and events the neighbours run there. Wear good shoes and take repellent if you head deeper into the forest.
SunsetWander Urca at sunset
Right beside Sugarloaf, Urca is one of Rio's most peaceful corners — shaded art-deco streets, calm little beaches like Praia Vermelha and Praia da Urca, and the Mureta da Urca, a low sea wall where locals gather with a cold beer and snacks to watch the sun go down over the bay. Come for golden hour.
HistoryVisit the Cemetery of the Stars
Botafogo's Cemitério de São João Batista is one of the most striking cemeteries you'll come across — a hillside of grand mausoleums and tombs, opened in 1851. It's the resting place of a who's who of Brazilian culture, including bossa nova greats Tom Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes and singer Carmen Miranda. Entry is free.
Green RioHike in the Tijuca rainforest
Behind Jardim Botânico and Horto, Rio climbs into Parque Nacional da Tijuca — the largest urban rainforest in the world, laced with hiking trails, waterfalls and viewpoints. Cool off at the Cachoeiras do Horto or climb towards the Serra da Carioca's lookouts. Go with good shoes, water and repellent, and check trail conditions locally first.