Rio is one of the most naturally beautiful cities we have ever visited. The towering rocks just off the coast frame miles of beaches against a sprawling metropolis, making for awe-inspiring viewpoints and “pinch-yourself” moments as you spend time along the boardwalk. It’s hard to believe this place is real.
The city is also known for its huge New Year’s Eve celebration. We visited Rio de Janeiro over the holiday to enjoy the spectacle and get away from a North American winter, so we have plenty of advice for people planning a similar trip!
New Year’s Eve Options
We spent a lot of time debating where to spend New Year’s during our trip to Brazil. Without a doubt, the biggest New Year’s Eve celebration in Rio happens on Copacabana Beach. While this experience is on many a bucket list, there are other ways to spend the holiday in Rio! Ultimately, we chose to attend a private party rather than joining the masses. Yes, the fireworks show from the beach at midnight is a site to behold, but there are a number of things to keep in mind if you elect to head to the beach. We’ve outlined some of the key considerations below. Full disclaimer: since we didn’t go to Copacabana for New Year’s ourselves, these considerations are hearsay based on the research we did.
No exaggeration, there are millions of people at Copacabana on New Year’s Eve. If crowds aren’t your thing, you may want to look elsewhere. In addition, we were told to leave everything back at our hotel when heading to the beach, as pickpockets take advantage of the large number of unsuspecting tourists. This means that all you’ll have with you are whatever drinks you bring and some cash that you hide in your shoe. With the elation and company on the beach, this may not matter, but it is something to keep in mind regardless. Lastly, transportation back from the beach can be difficult to come by. If you are planning to party until the sun comes up or are staying right on Copacabana Beach, more power to you. If you don’t fit into these categories, you should expect some difficulty finding a taxi or rideshare in the wee hours of the morning. One big benefit though – celebrating on the beach is free!
While we hate to miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime moment like the Copacabana fireworks at midnight, we decided that the experience wasn’t for us. For starters, we were staying a few miles from Copacabana, and we had no plans to stay out until 7:00 or 8:00 in the morning. In addition, we wanted more flexibility in restocking drinks and moving around throughout the night. We decided to attend the Reveillon party at our hotel: the Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort. While expensive (about $120 per person), the event included unlimited food and drinks as well as a variety of stages / music options. It also offered the unmatched convenience of being able to come and go as we pleased. There are a ton of similar parties all throughout Rio on New Year’s. The one at the Sheraton was fun and a better value than most, but we recommend looking into party options and choosing the one that best matches your price range and desire for convenience.
Other Things to Do
- Christ the Redeemer: Without a doubt our favorite tourist activity in Rio. This spectacle is likely already on your list, so we won’t try to sell you on it. Instead, some advice. Make sure to buy your ticket in advance, as you’ll save yourself a lot of time in line. The ticket may also include a shuttle from your hotel’s area to the base of the Redeemer, so be sure to take advantage of this option if you can. At the Redeemer, we decided to take the shuttle to the top rather than taking the train or doing a hike. The train, we were told, takes longer and can be uncomfortable, and the hike can be unsafe due to criminals waiting for tourists. No regrets with this decision, as we made it up quickly and got to save more time for other activities throughout the day. In addition, do yourself a favor and try to go during the week if you can. The Redeemer has a reputation for attracting large crowds, but we didn’t think it was too bad when we went on a Thursday morning. Weekends are sure to be worse. Also, make sure you take some time to admire the views from the platform. They are some of the best that Rio has to offer.
- Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar): While our timing for Christ the Redeemer was perfect, our timing for Sugarloaf Mountain? Not so much. We went the Sunday before New Year’s Eve, and it was PACKED. We waited in multiple lines that were over an hour long, as there is a queue at each of the two ascents up to the mountain. Going down wasn’t any better. Our advice is to, first of all, pick your day better than we did. Regardless though we recommend rushing to the top to get the best views. You can always get more pictures on your way down. In addition, sunset is supposed to be beautiful. We didn’t have the best view because it was a cloudy day, but it wasn’t hard to imagine how amazing the colors would be if the clouds had parted just a bit. Make sure to plan your timing accordingly, as sunset is the most popular time to go and waits may be longer.
- Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches: Even though we didn’t go to the beach for New Year’s, we spent plenty of time there during the rest of our trip! Both of these beaches are absolutely massive, and there are a ton of food and drink options along the shore. Make sure to drink plenty of caipirinhas because they are kind of the best thing ever. You can then sit back, relax, and people watch, as there are a ton of beach games and interesting characters that visit Copacabana and Ipanema.
Where to Eat
- Churrascaria Palace: It wouldn’t be a trip to Brazil without an unhealthy amount of meat. The Churrascaria Palace is a great choice for all your carnivorous needs. While maybe a bit overpriced due to the area (expect to pay a similar amount to what you’d pay at a Fogo de Chão in the United States), the meat was delicious. There is also ample seating and a lot of variety in the food choices, so you won’t have to wait long to try everything on your Brazilian meat bucket list. That also includes Brazilian sushi, which is much more fruit-focused and strawberry-filled than traditional sushi.
- BB Lanches: Looking for a cheap and delicious eat in Rio? Look no further – BB Lanches is the place for you. Located in the Leblon neighborhood of Rio, it’s an order-at-the-counter and cash-only establishment, and be prepared to wait in line. BB Lanches is popular among locals and tourists, but definitely for a good reason. They have a variety of juices and sandwiches to choose from, and the juices are fresh and not to be missed. We shared a mango juice and had burgers for dinner. There aren’t any tables to eat at once you receive your meal, but feel free to sit on one of the nearby benches or stand and enjoy your meal at their counter. Everything is delicious.
Happy traveling!
Kitrina & Jordan
