med4bike

Our cruise ship will be docking in Rio for about 8 hours. We plan on hiring a private tour guide once we arrive in Rio and touring Rio for about 5 hours (one never knows if the ship docks on time or if there could be a delay in returing to the ship with a private guide)

What sites are a "must see" for us? I know that the private guide will suggest an itin but we would like to know in advance, realistically, what we could expect to see in this time frame.

We have never been to Rio before and yes, we want to see the things most tourists cherish most about Rio.

Thanks

AngelaS

I would suggest going to the Corcovado (the big statue of Christ) & then the SugarLoaf. Afterwards have a really good lunch in Ipanema at the restaurant "Garota de Ipanema" - it's really good!! Maybe your guide will take you to these places, otherwise you can hire a taxi driver to take you to both places for about $80. Have fun!!

Dondiega

Angela gave perfect advice,time goes fast in Rio believe me I have been there over 50 times. You could do just the Christ statue (Corcavado) and see it all including Sugar Loaf all in one shot. If you only have 6 hours you don't need to do both. Then drive by Copacabana beach and enjoy the view then yes go for a nice lunch, Garota de Ipanema is a good choice but I would prefer the best restaurant in Copacabana, sit outside and enjoy the best view in the whole world at restaurant Dom Camillo Av. Atlantica, 3056 Copacabana Rio de Janeiro.

AngelaS

If I had to choose between the Corcovado & Sugar Loaf I would definitely do the Corcovado. It's much more impressive. Any food in Rio is amazing - I love Brazilian food!!

jcasale

I would second the choice to do Corcovado over Sugarloaf if you don't have time to do both (and that might be pushing it with only 6 hours). Leave yourself time to walk along Ipanema Beach and look for the "Girl (or Guy) from Ipanema"! Stop at one of the beachside stands and have a caipirinha (kind of a Brazilian Margarita). If you are there on a Sunday, catch a cab to the Hippie Fair in the Ipanema area. Great arts and crafts, jewelry, clothes, leather goods, etc. The one thing you will find is that your few hours will leave you wanting to come back and linger in Rio.

Elainee

We used excellent private guide during our 2 days in Rio in January. His name Sallyr Lerner with the Embratur agency. His email [email protected]. Intelligent, excellent English, retired engineer.

therealrio

HEre is what I suggest for a 6 hour tour. Since you will be picked up at the port in Praca Maua (Centro), I would spend a little time there. Visit the Sao Bento Monastery, Cathedral, Santa Teresa area and then continue on to the statue of Christ. After the Statue, you can cut through the forest (Paineiras) and return back to the boat via the beaches, and time depending stopping for a lunch somewhere.

Depending on when you're arriving in Rio, will also dictate your schedule. For example, during the busiest times in Rio, it is almost impossible to see the Statue and Sugarloaf on the same day, as the line ups are very long.

Just a suggestion, but definately get a guide, as you should not pay much more than having a taxi drive you around. Plus the guide will be able to explain everything to you. (well, a good one anyways!)

Good Luck, and have a great time.

courtenaymd

I would recommend Ipanema over Copa as Copa is rather run down and the beach is prettier at Ipanema.

The Garota de Ipanema is a nice open-air restaurant with a pleasant atmosphere and fairly good cuisine. It is a real landmark in Rio.

med4bike

Thanks guys.

We do have a guide and we plan on following the advice stated above. First visit Corcovado, then view Sugar Loaf from the base, visit either Ipanima or Cocacabana beach ( have a quick bite for lunch), some downtown sights and then back to the ship.

We will give this intin to the guide, ask their advice and we are off.

Thanks again for the suggested itin.

Dondiega

While what Courtenymd says that Ipanema is better than Copacabana might be true overall, it is not true about these restaurants. The Garota de Ipanema while popular because of it's name and being the place where Jobim and Vinicius wrote the song I feel that the food there is just ok and if I had just enough time to do one lunch in Rio it wouldn't be this place. The view of Copacabana beach is better than Ipanema in my opinion and there aren't many restaurants in Ipanema where there is a view of the beach especially Garota de Ipanema which is just situated on a congested corner. Mediocre food and no view, why?

drfhirsh

we have also been trying to connect with a private guide for our day and a half in Rio (prior to boarding a cruise ship). Which ship are you on and when do you depart? Appreciate the name of your guide and how you contacted him/her. Thanks!!!