What to do in Rio when it rains!

Did you plan your trip to Rio, but the weather forecast surprised you with rain? Don’t give up on your sightseeing – the city has wonderful spots that can also be visited in the rain.

We Cariocas often say that “Rio de Janeiro is beautiful, but not waterproof.” Unfortunately, the classic sightseeing options significantly decrease with rain because the city’s infrastructure often falls short. Beaches, hiking trails, and outdoor parks are out of the question, but don’t get discouraged – it’s not just cinemas and shopping malls that are available, and staying locked in your hotel isn’t the only solution!

Check out this list of places you can’t miss on rainy days.

Starting Your Day

In neighborhoods like Jardim Botânico, Leblon, Ipanema, Botafogo, and the city center, you’ll find many charming bistros where you can start your day in the wonderful city with the most important meal of the day. Cariocas aren’t fans of cloudy days, so to lift the mood, we’ve listed a few spots located in strategic places to make your sightseeing easier. After all, no one wants to deal with traffic or crowds on a rainy day.

Confeitaria Colombo

The city center offers the highest concentration of museums and churches, perfect for visiting, especially on rainy days. That’s why we recommend starting your day with a coffee at Confeitaria Colombo, the renowned classic restaurant that, in addition to its beautiful structure, has hosted numerous important figures throughout its 125-year history.

For more information: www.confeitariacolombo.com.br

Forte de Copacabana

If the day is cloudy or has light rain, the Forte de Copacabana is a great option! The Confeitaria Colombo is also present in Copacabana, so enjoying a delicious breakfast with the beautiful view of the beach makes the experience even better.

For More Information: Forte de Copacabana

Sightseeing Options for Rainy Days

Carnaval Experience

For a unique and exciting escape from the ordinary, head to the Cidade do Samba, which offers an immersive and distinct experience for those captivated by the world’s largest show: Carnival. The Carnaval Experience invites you to witness the creation of Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival from a privileged perspective. You’ll begin with a visit to the barracks of the Samba School Acadêmicos da Grande Rio, which is entirely enclosed and perfect for rainy days. Learn about the history of samba, the carnival parades, and the production of floats and costumes. Plus, you’ll get to enter the carnival spirit by trying on a real costume from previous years, enjoy a samba lesson, and a welcome drink!

Interesting Fact: This tour also supports Pimpolhos da Grande Rio – a samba school for children and an NGO dedicated to social interaction and education through carnival culture. The Carnaval Experience contributes to the preservation and future of Rio’s Carnival.

For more details: Carnaval Experience (Ticket Only) | Carnaval Experience Tour (With Round-Trip Transport)

AquaRio

South America’s largest aquarium is located in Rio, and it’s open every day for visits! The space is fully enclosed, making it an ideal option for rainy days. AquaRio features 28 tanks, 4.5 million liters of water, and over 2,000 animals from 350 different species.

Don’t forget to snap a photo in the iconic Tancão – the Oceanic Tank, which has a seven-meter-high ceiling and a tunnel running through it. You can also visit the touch tank, where visitors, especially children, can interact with some of the animals.

For more information: AquaRio Tickets

For Overcast Days

Rio Boat Tour

At Marina da Glória, the Rio Boat Tour offers daily catamaran trips around Guanabara Bay with stops in Rio and Niterói. Inspired by classic tours in places like Paris and New York, this tour offers a rich mix of history and beauty. Guests can enjoy around 20 attractions from a unique perspective, including the thrilling experience of watching an airplane take off right above the boat as it lands at Santos Dumont Airport. Tours depart at 11 am and 4 pm, providing the chance to witness a stunning sunset.

Considering the navigation limits set by the Navy, this is a wonderful option for overcast days. You’ll be able to marvel at the city, just like the locals. For more information: Rio Boat Tour

Loucos por Futebol

For those who love football, Loucos por Futebol is another great option. This tour takes you to two legendary places in Brazilian football: the Maracanã Stadium and the Flamengo Museum + Club Headquarters – home to Brazil’s most popular football team. Football fans and Mengão supporters will enjoy a fun and exciting experience learning about the history of Brazil’s football, visiting the stadium that has hosted historic moments, and reliving Flamengo’s great achievements.

Both visits take place on the same day, with round-trip transportation and a specialized guide, making it a very convenient option. For more details: Loucos por Futebol Tour

Parque Lage

One of Rio’s most Instagram-worthy spots, Parque Lage is a must-visit when the weather is overcast. If it’s raining heavily, it’s best to prioritize other attractions, as the park is entirely open and surrounded by nature. However, it’s still a great option if you’re traveling with kids.

Don’t miss the chance to visit the listed mansion, which has been featured in several films, TV shows, and music videos. Take iconic photos by the pool and beneath the mountain that houses the Christ the Redeemer statue. If time permits, take a break for a delicious snack at Plage Café, or explore the little shop in the mansion that sells art, design, and fashion items.

For More Information: Parque Lage – EAV

Escadaria Selarón

Arguably one of the most charming and colorful spots in Rio, the Escadaria Selarón (Selarón Steps) is a must-see. This iconic staircase features 250 steps covered in over 2,000 tiles from more than 60 countries, making it the world’s largest sculpture created by a single individual – the Chilean artist Jorge Selarón. The steps have also served as a backdrop for numerous music videos, movies, advertisements, and fashion editorials.

The best part? The Escadaria Selarón is always open to visitors at any time of day, rain or shine, with no entrance fee. However, we recommend visiting on overcast or sunny days for the best experience, as the vibrant colors of the tiles are most striking when the weather is clear!

Here, the photo opportunities are diverse explore your creativity and capture great shots! And if you prefer, you can visit other beautiful spots on the same day by taking a tour with us: Half-Day Tour in Rio.

Feira de São Cristóvão

One of the liveliest and most cultural spots in Rio! The Pavilion of Northeastern Culture is an excellent option for those wanting to learn more about Brazilian cuisine and music, especially on rainy days, as the space is nearly entirely covered. The Feira (Market) offers activities for all ages throughout the day, with live regional music performances in the morning and afternoon, accompanied by delicious typical restaurants. At night, it hosts some nightclubs, making it a favorite spot for young Cariocas.

In addition, it features a variety of shops. You’ll find spices, sweets, drinks, typical foods, handicrafts, clothing, all infused with good humor and irony. An interesting curiosity is that the alleys are named after states from Brazil’s Northeast region (e.g., Sergipe Street, Piauí Street, Paraíba Street).

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday | Free entry from Tuesday to Thursday.

For more information: Feira de São Cristóvão

Museums

How about taking advantage of the weather to explore the history of Brazil and the world? Here’s a list of some of the main classic attractions in Rio, perfect for cloudy, rainy, or even sunny days. After all, enjoying the national culture is always a good idea!

Real Gabinete Português

The library is considered one of Rio’s most traditional spots and one of the most beautiful libraries in the world! It’s also known as the “Carioca Hogwarts” because of its stunning architecture, making it a super cool and unique place for photos.

You can visit without an appointment, Monday to Friday, from 10 AM to 5 PM. (Mondays tend to be busier than usual.) However, to consult books, you must make a reservation via email, as it’s not allowed to pick books directly from the shelves.

Biblioteca Nacional

The National Library of Brazil is considered by UNESCO as one of the ten largest national libraries in the world and is also the largest library in Latin America. The original core of its extensive collection is estimated to contain around ten million items today.

For more information: Biblioteca Nacional

CCBB (Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil)

The famous Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil (CCBB) enchants visitors with its beautiful architecture from the moment they enter, especially when they look up at the ceiling. The museum hosts numerous interesting exhibitions, often with free entry. It’s a great cultural space to enjoy both art and history while staying indoors on a rainy day.

CCBB (Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil)

The CCBB operates every day and features a variety of exhibitions, both permanent and temporary, along with cinema rooms. It is a great place for cultural exploration and entertainment, especially on rainy days.

For more information: CCBB Website

Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow)

The Museu do Amanhã is the most technological museum in the city, making it an excellent choice for overcast and rainy days. With various permanent and temporary exhibitions, the museum caters to all ages and interests. It focuses on addressing environmental and social themes related to Brazil and the world in a dynamic and interactive manner, offering a unique experience that blends education and innovation.

Theatro Municipal

This theater is stunning both on the outside and especially on the inside. It is nationally and internationally recognized as Brazil’s premier performance venue and one of the most important in South America.
To explore the theater more deeply, you have two options: take a guided tour or attend a show.

Guided tours are more affordable and widely available, as they take place daily, except for Sundays and Mondays. On the other hand, performances are held on scheduled dates.

Museu Fiocruz

A hidden gem that many people overlook! The Museu da Vida at Fiocruz is breathtaking and definitely worth a visit, even though it is a bit farther from other major tourist attractions.

Fiocruz is internationally renowned for its influence in education and science, and its museum offers an integration of science, culture, and society. It welcomes all ages and explores themes related to life, health, and human intervention in life.

Besides its wonderful gardens, the museum features exhibitions and activities in eight different spaces, including experiments, theater performances, and even direct interaction with biodiversity through the Borboletário (Butterfly House).

Religious Temples

Igreja da Candelária

First, we begin this topic with the most traditional church in Rio de Janeiro. In addition to being the site of the city’s most important weddings, the Igreja da Candelária is an icon, a historical, religious, and cultural landmark of the city. The church has over 400 years of history, and the details of its structure are breathtaking.

For more information: https://www.candelariario.org.br/

Monastery of São Bento

If you enjoy delving into history and experiencing Brazilian culture from centuries past, you cannot miss visiting the Monastery of São Bento. The construction of the Monastery and its Church was the largest building project in the city during the 17th century, and is also considered the finest example of architecture and construction from the 1600s and 1700s.

The sculptures and carvings are regarded as some of the most beautiful examples of Brazilian Baroque, holding great artistic significance both nationally and globally.

For more information: https://www.mosteirodesaobentorio.org.br/ | (21) 2206 8100

Metropolitan Cathedral

With a striking construction that stands out among the buildings in the city center, the unique architecture of the Cathedral catches everyone’s attention and surprises those who visit it.

The visit is completely free and can be made every day from 7 am to 5 pm. However, if you prefer to explore other destinations on the same day, we are sure you will greatly enjoy this experience with us. (Christ the Redeemer Tour by Van and Selarón Staircase)

For more information: https://catedral.com.br/

What to do in Barra da Tijuca?

If you’re staying in Barra da Tijuca, it’s good to know that you’re a bit farther from the main attractions, most of which are concentrated in the South Zone of Rio. But don’t worry, we’ve got plans for you to enjoy the city even if it rains!

Breakfast at Boulangerie Carioca

To start your day, breakfast is a must. Inspired by the sophisticated bakeries of France, this spot opened in the gastronomic Olegário Maciel neighborhood. Throughout the day, the venue takes on the vibe of a Parisian bistro, perfect for a light meal in true European style.

For more information: http://www.boulangeriecarioca.com.br/

Bowling

Next, let’s talk about a classic option. Bowling is a popular activity at several locations in Barra da Tijuca and is a fun choice to enjoy with friends or family on rainy days. It’s also a great option if you’re with kids.

Cidade das Artes (City of Arts)

The City of Arts ushered in a new era for Rio’s cultural life. Between theater, art exhibitions, music, shows, fairs, and festivals, it showcases a wide variety of Brazilian and international artistic expressions, aiming to transform the area into a major cultural hub.

Additionally, you can visit the model of Rio de Janeiro made entirely out of LEGO! This permanent display at Cidade das Artes is a cultural legacy.

For more information: http://cidadedasartes.rio.rj.gov.br/programacao

Where to eat in Barra

Olegário

If you’re looking to enjoy Rio’s lively nightlife, why not check out this famous spot in Barra? Known for its wide variety of bars and restaurants, Olegário Maciel Avenue offers countless options to suit all tastes. It’s a great place to experience the bohemian culture of Rio.

Bar do Adão

Finally, one of the most traditional botecos (bars) in Rio, Bar do Adão is famous for its pastéis (Brazilian-style turnovers) and has become a favorite hangout for locals. The fillings range from the classic to the unique, like the “burrito carioca.”

Additionally, several of our tours pick up passengers from various hotels in Barra. Of course, we won’t leave you hanging!

Ensure your next trip to the wonderful city with C2Rio and discover Rio in a unique way! You can book these experiences by clicking here or via WhatsApp at +55 21 3828-0370. Enter or apply the coupon BLOG5 and get 5% OFF on this and many other experiences across Rio de Janeiro.

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