Rio De Janeiro, also known as 'The Marvellous City', is the second-largest city in Brazil. With its gorgeous beaches, towering mountains and enthralling landscapes, it's no wonder that Rio de Janeiro is one of the most visited cities in the world.
This city is 933 kilometers southeast of the national capital, on Brazil's South Atlantic coast. A dream weekend in Rio De Janeiro is possible year round – just make sure to book your flight to and hotel in Rio de Janeiro in advance.
Flights to Rio de Janeiro arrive at Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (GIG), which is the second-busiest airport in the country and has excellent connections to other major destinations. If you're visiting from the UK, you can take a direct flight from London or Manchester to Rio de Janeiro.
If you're a British passport holder, you likely won’t need a visa when travelling to Rio de Janeiro. While the official language is Portuguese in Brazil, you likely won't find a language barrier, as English is understood by many locals. The time difference is two hours between Rio de Janeiro and the United Kingdom. The currency is the Brazilian real.
With high temperatures year round and heavy rainfall, Rio's climate is undoubtedly tropical. In summer, the weather is hot and bring highs over 30°C, while daytime temperatures rarely drop below 18°C in winter.
If you opt for package holidays in Rio De Janeiro during December and March, you can experience warm and sunny weather, perfect for enjoying a variety of beach activities and sightseeing. If you're planning a weekend in Rio De Janeiro during this time, you can also enjoy some of Rio's most popular festivals, such as Reveillon (December 31), Fashion Rio (December and January) and Carnival (February).
There is plenty to do and explore during city breaks in Rio De Janeiro. Enjoy your time in Rio by soaking up the sun on gorgeous beaches such as Copacabana or Ipanema, immersing yourself in the bustling nightlife or taking a dance lesson at local Samba school. Other activities you can look forward to:
Kick off your city breaks in Rio de Janeiro by visiting iconic Christ the Redeemer, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and Sugar Loaf Mountain. You'll find plenty of fabulous beaches in the area to explore, with Leblon, Prainha and Icarai being some of the most popular.
Rio is also known for its outstanding history and science museums. Visit Museu da Geodiversidade, exhibiting the history of Earth, or the Museu de Ciências da Terra, displaying lovely geological and paleontological collections. You can also explore interesting religious sites such as the Cathedral of St Sebastian of Rio de Janeiro, dedicated to the city's patron saint, and Candelaria Church, which combines Baroque architecture and Neo-Renaissance interior elements. Package holidays in Rio De Janeiro can make your sightseeing trip uncomplicated.
Rio has a diverse food culture, influenced by African, European and Amerindian cuisines. Feijoãda, made with pork and black beans, is one of the area's popular dishes. Wash down your meal with a caipirinha, Brazil's national cocktail, made with cachaça (a Brazilian spirit), lime and sugar. Other popular dishes you can enjoy while in Rio include pão de queijo (cheese bread), churrasco (grilled meat seasoned with spices), salgados (deep-fried snacks) and empadas (delicious stuffed pastries).
Cachaça makes a perfect gift and serves as a memory of the caipirinhas you enjoyed during your holiday. Other memorable gifts you can bring home from Rio including dry-cured cigars, gemstone crafts, beachwear and Brazilian ceramics.
If a city break in Rio De Janeiro doesn't quite convince you, why not explore other exciting cities? Check out our amazing flight and hotel packages for your next holiday adventure!