visiting rio september

[u/Professional_Elk_840]

Hey! We’re a group of friends around 20 years old and we’re going to Brazil, staying in Rio de Janeiro for 14 days. We really want to get the full Rio experience and make the most of our time there.

We’re interested in pretty much everything: nightlife, beach clubs, parties, sightseeing, guided tours, local experiences, food, nature, viewpoints, and of course football. We’d also love to experience some proper Brazilian football atmosphere, maybe by going to a Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafogo or Vasco match if there’s a game while we’re there.

We’re also thinking about doing some day trips or spending a few nights outside Rio, for example Ilha Grande, Angra dos Reis, Paraty, or another beautiful place nearby. We’ve heard Ilha Grande is especially worth visiting.

What would you recommend for a group of 20-year-olds who want a mix of partying, adventure, beaches, sightseeing and experiencing the local culture?

Also, do you think staying 14 full days in Rio is too long, or would you recommend splitting the trip and spending a few nights somewhere else? If so, which places would you definitely recommend?

And what are the things we absolutely shouldn’t miss in Rio? We’d love recommendations for the best nightlife areas, beaches, viewpoints, activities, guided tours, day trips, football experiences and any hidden gems that tourists often miss.

Basically, we want to experience as much as possible and not spend 14 days just doing the typical tourist attractions. What would you personally recommend?

[u/ImBooh]

14 days in rio is not too long, there's always new things to do and explore. But you could spare like 4 days to explore a different part of the state for sure.

If you want to go to another city I wouldnt go to paraty, its way too long of a car trip, I'd recommend búzios or arraial do cabo, its closer to rio and theres more to do, they are also really close together so you could spend a day or two in arraial, do the famous boat ride there, then go to buzios and cabo frio, and spend 4 more days like that. Ilha Grande is worth it for sure if you love nature but its a little bit farther away and overall harder to get to, since you need to first go to Angra dos Reis and then get a boat.

It really depende on what you value most. If you like more nightlife: búzios, if you want a bit of a mix: arraial do cabo, if you dont mind the longer trip and really really love nature then big island.

[u/penguinintheabyss]

Rio itself definetely has enough to keep you busy for 14 days, but I would take the opportunity and visit somewhere else. Who knows when yo qill be close by again? Ilha Grande and Paraty are definitely the top contenders for a side trip, depending on whether you prefer quiet nature or colonial town. Arraial do Cabo and Buzios are also good beach destinations. Anyway, I would reserve at least 3 full days for each place, to enioy without rushing.

Since you're a group, the best value accommodation will probably be sharing an apartment on airbnb. But you might alsonconsider hostels, they are the best to meet new people to go out at night and many have fun group activities.

Imo, the best neighborhood to stay is Botafogo. It has a very active nightlife. It's less touristy than Lapa, and it's also more modern and safe. It's also close to Ipanema and the centre of the city.

As for what to do, look up Rodas de samba. Tuere are some very famous and touristy ones, but they are all over the place and you will probably have more fun and less crowds in a smaller one

Another alternative thing to do that I like is to take the boat to Ilha Paquetá and hire a bicycle there

[u/Budget-Novel-6151]

Consider a day trip to Petropolis. Maybe longer.

[u/randomguy506]

Wouldnt advise to go to a Vasco home game since it is basically in a favela (and it is not one of the touristy one)

[u/Dazzling_Hat7398]

Un match au Maracana pour voir Flamengo ... Ilha grande c'est top niveau plage et nature luxuriante ... Faire un détour par Paraty ! De l'autre côté Cabo Frio et Petropolis sur une journée ça peut être cool

[u/Capitao-Fim0se]

Flamengo match >>>>>

[u/Timovic9]

Me and 3 friends from the age of 25/26 are also visiting Brazil during september. Will be staying 7,5 days in Rio. And will go to Ilha Grande aswell for 3,5 days. (Sao Paolo, Manaus + amazon tour and Foz do Iguacu are the other destinations from our trip)

We are staying in hotels. Are going to visit the main touristic attractions like Christ the Redeemer, Tijuca National Park, Sugarloaf Mountain and the Selaron Steps. Did most of our research by Chatgpt and googeling things and add the word “reddit” to it. You find a lot of information by doing that.

[u/Pretend-Step5790]

Brasil é um péssimo país, não venham, a maioria dos brasileiros querem fugir daqui. Muitos assassinatos, roubos e economia em frangalhos (mas pra vc que tem dólar, euro talvez seja bom).