You are traveling to Rio de Janeiro but have a small budget? Do not worry! In this post, we will suggest you some free things to do in Rio de Janeiro. And with these tips, we can guarantee that you will understand why Rio de Janeiro is the Marvelous City without spending a cent.
1. Go to the beach
Going to the beach is obviously the first of the free things to do in Rio de Janeiro. After all, the city has more than 70km of coastline with wild and urban beaches, which please Cariocas and tourists.
Cariocas’ favorite place, it is open 24 hours, and the age rating and access are free! Then, to enjoy a beautiful day, take a beach towel (or a canga) to stretch it on the sand, lie down and relax watching the waves come and go. From time to time, get up and take a bath in the sea or refresh in one of the many showers in the sand. If you are alone, leave everything organized and ask a local to watch your things (but do not leave your stuff alone).
–> Read our free ebook “Staying safe in Rio.”
Street vendors will be passing by to sell anything you need throughout the day. They will make sure you won’t need to leave your seat. For a real carioca experience, be sure to try Mate Leão iced tea and Lemonade (+ Globo biscuit), one of Cultural Heritage in Rio. And don`t forget the sunscreen!
To choose the beach that best suits you, read The 10 best beaches in Rio according to the Cariocas.
2. Visit one of the viewpoints in the city
Rio de Janeiro has its landscape recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site, and the title is well deserved! No place in the world has such natural beauty! The contrast between its green mountains, the blue sky and sea, and the architectural interventions give a unique aspect to the city, not found anywhere else on the planet. And to admire all this, there are free viewpoints scattered throughout the city.
Some have easier access than others. So choose your favorite in 6 free and easy to access lookouts in Rio de Janeiro. Some can be combined with a trip to the beach, others with our next item, Tijuca Forest. Or hire one of our Rio de Janeiro experiences that can take you to them.
• Sunrise at Mirante Dona Marta Lookout
• Pedra do Telégrafo Hike with photos
• Tijuca Forest Jeep Tour & Pedra Bonita Hike
3. Walk or Hike in the Tijuca Forest
Rio de Janeiro has an immense urban forest within its territory, and visiting it is also a free tour. You can choose between hiking and bathing in waterfalls, or taking a car ride to stop at the various viewpoints that appear along the way. These are some that worth the visit: Paineiras Park, Horto Waterfall, Chinese Viewpoint, Dona Marta Lookout, Cascatinha Taunay, Fairies’ Lake and Pedra Bonita Hike.
In the post ‘5 tours to enjoy Rio de Janeiro with children’ there is a suggested itinerary that the little ones (and the big ones too) love! And we always recommend a break at Bar da Pracinha to try the delicious feijoada they serve on weekends and holidays.
Explore Tijuca Forest with our Jeep Tour Pedra Bonita Hike (with photos).
4. Visit Cultural Center and Museums
Rio de Janeiro is also full of Cultural Centers with free admission. The Cariocas` favorite is Banco do Brasil Cultural Center, affectionately called CCBB. In addition to always hosting interesting exhibitions, the local houses a bookstore, a branch of the traditional Confeitaria Colombo, cinema and theater rooms, as well as a permanent exhibition. With so much to do there, it’s no wonder that the CCBB is also one of our suggestions for enjoying Rio on rainy days.
But, in addition to the CCBB, there are many other free Cultural Centers in the city. To name a few, the Correios Cultural Center and Caixa Cultural Center are close to the CCBB and can be reached on foot. Moreover, the main museums in the city also have free days to visit. Check out the post: 8 must-visit museums in Rio de Janeiro.
5. Visit Lapa, the Historical Center and the Olympic Boulevard
If you are one of those who enjoy sightseeing and learn more about the architecture and history of the places you visit, there is a lot to see for free in the Historic Center of Rio de Janeiro, notably in the regions of Lapa, Cinelândia and Boulevard Olímpico.
Draw your script from the posts 10 things to see and do in Lapa and Cinelândia, a historical and cultural tour in Rio. Remember that Tuesday is a free visitation day at the Museum of Rio and Museum of Tomorrow located at Praça Mauá, in the middle of Boulevard Olímpico.
–> Take a look at: Lapa and Santa Teresa Walking Tour
6. Experience a Samba circle show
In Rio de Janeiro, you can experience a local samba circle for free. If you are interested in Afro-Brazilian culture and music, be sure to join in the Samba Circle that takes place every Monday at Pedra do Sal. It happens from 7 pm to 11 pm and plays traditional samba.
This essential place for the history of samba and black culture in the country is very close to the Olympic Boulevard. So if you are visiting downtown, it can be a great way to end your day in a very carioca way.
–> Read also: Samba in Rio de Janeiro: A guide to enjoy the best samba shows.
–> Take a look at: Local Samba Circle and Botequim Experience
7. Watch the sunset at Pedra do Arpoador or Mureta da Urca
If, however, you prefer to end the day in a more romantic way or, at least, without so much excitement, choose one of the two preferred sunsets spots of Rio. The first is the sunset at Pedra do Arpoador, ideal for those who enjoy the beach, stripped environments, and beautiful landscapes. The second is the sunset at Mureta da Urca. This does not include sea bathing, but it has a bar directly in front to supply you with beer, caipirinha, and whatever suits you to end your day and please your stomach.
→ Read more details about this carioca point in this post here.
The two places are very worth visiting as they bring together the two things that Rio de Janeiro has to offer: beautiful landscapes and excellent people!
See how you can be happy in Rio de Janeiro without spending a cent? It is no wonder that Cariocas are always laughing for nothing! So what about you? What are you waiting for to visit this Wonderful City?
If you want help planning your trip, don’t forget that we can create a Custom Travel Itinerary for you. Or, you can also count on our Travel Consulting service. But if you prefer the company of a carioca, hire one of our Carioca Experiences.
