4 Days in Brazil can be short but significant since it is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world. Its list of hidden places to visit and things to do is so long, it is almost impossible to get it all. Brazil holds so many cultural wonders and fascinating landscapes that in 4 days you will only get a glimpse of everything it has to offer. However, if you are short on time, this next list shows you the best activities and sites this beautiful country holds.
Day one
Ipanema beach
Once you arrive at Galeão International Airport in Rio de Janeiro and head to your hotel, your morning will probably consist of resting and recovering from jetlag. A good cup of coffee, a fulfilling breakfast, and amazing city views. Still, if you’re feeling just fine, head to Ipanema beach, one of Rio’s most beautiful ones. Relax on the soft sand and have fun playing soccer or volleyball under the Brazilian sun.
Cristo Redentor
In the afternoon, it is time to meet Brazil’s most remarkable attraction: the statue of Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor). To get there, you need to board a train from the Cosme Velho neighborhood to the top of the Corcovado. This trip is filled with stunning views of Copacabana, Ipanema, Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico), and Leblon… in short, all of Rio. Once you arrive, the towering 710-meter statue will take your breath away, looking over the city with its stretched arms.
Brazil’s nightlife
Head back down from Corcovado while a live band plays samba on the train. The music lifts your spirit and gives you the energy you need for the night of partying that awaits in the famous Lapa, the nightlife capital of Rio de Janeiro.
Day two
Morro Dois Irmãos
Rise before dawn and head to the safe favela of Vidigal, since now it is time for some hiking. Usually, tours start at 4:00 am. The rather difficult hike to the top of Morro Dois Irmãos can take from 40 minutes to one hour. However, the views you get on the way up the forest make up for how challenging it can get. Once you get to the top, sit down and rest until the sun starts to rise from the horizon. At this time, Leblon and Ipanema are covered in a soft pink light, a once-in-a-lifetime experience you will only get in Brazil.
Pão de Açúcar
Go back down to lower ground and grab a taxi from the Urca neighborhood to the base of Pão de Açúcar. Here, you can take a cable car to Morro da Urca and then onto the peak. The views you get there are striking, but you should wait until evening to get up there for the real spectacle. Watching the sun setting from a whole different point of view will be engraved on your memory forever.
Day three
The Tijuca forest
Another early rise leads you to your next adventure: the Tijuca forest. Detach yourself from the busy city of Rio de Janeiro and dive into the verdant, alive forest. Keep your eyes open to spot some unique wildlife: birds, monkeys, sloths, turtles… the list just goes on and on. You should also be careful of any accidents since you have to climb a rock wall at some point, and remember to never do this without help. After a short hike, you get to the true highlight of the forest: the Cachoeira do Horto. In this small but charming waterfall, you can bathe and relax as if you were in a thermal spa.
Santa Teresa
Next, head to Santa Teresa and explore the neighborhood. Its restaurants, cultural spots, bars, and historical buildings transform it into a hotspot for artists to establish their residences and workshops. Visit Santa Teresa’s craft shops and take home some creative souvenirs as a reminder of your amazing trip.
Day four
Favela tour
The last of your 4 Days in Brazil starts with a favela tour, but don’t worry, this activity is not dangerous at all. Visit Rocinha, the largest favela in Brazil and the second largest in Latin America. With a local keeping you company, everything is certainly easier for you. Try some locally-made food, buy homemade produce, and get up close with the lifestyle of these closely packed houses. Eventually, this eye-opening experience will change your view on things.
Museum of Tomorrow
As your trip comes to an end, make sure to visit the Museum of Tomorrow (Museu do Amanhã) in the Praça Mauá, built right next to the waterfront. It doesn’t matter if you’re not really into museums. The futuristic architecture and the unique mix of science and design this museum holds, make it stand out from any other in the world.
For the last example of the man-made wonders Brazil holds, head to the Olimpic Boulevard and meet a Guinness World Record. The colorful “We are all one” is the largest street mural in the world. This 190-meter long mural was painted by the famous Eduardo Kobra. It represents indigenous people from the five continents, based on the five Olympic rings.
How to get there
Getting to Rio is fairly easy; being a popular tourist attraction, there are numerous flights from all over the world, you just need to spend some time searching online to get the best prices.
Inside Information
The official language of Brazil is Portuguese, but it’s important to know people mostly use Brazilian Portuguese, with its slang and pronunciation, so it’s recommended to learn at least a few phrases.
Last, but not least, even though the city is mostly safe, you can be at risk if you’re not careful enough. For security measures, make sure you leave your passport at your hotel and carry a photocopy of it. As for your debit or credit card, it’s recommended to not carry them with you on the street.
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