Rio de Janeiro Cruise & Stay
"Big, bright and beautifully diverse, Rio de Janeiro has a lot to offer visitors, both during the world-famous Carnival and throughout the rest of the year."
Welcome to Rio de Janeiro
Cruise Nation are delighted to bring you our great range of Rio De Janeiro Cruise & Stay Holidays. This means that Cruise Nation bring you massive choice on cruise lines to sail with throughout the year. Our Rio De Janeiro Smart Packages feature FREE stays in one of many handpicked hotels which are all centrally located in Rio De Janeiro providing you with the ideal base from which to explore all that this exciting destination has to offer.
With our Rio De Janeiro Cruise & Stay packages, your flights will always be included. We also offer flights from a number of regional airports throughout the UK giving you much greater flexibility and making your holiday experience as smooth as possible.
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From the city's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue to the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, the world-class science and art museums to leafy green spaces, forest hikes and a vast and varied nightlife scene, Rio has something to inspire awe in everyone.
It's not just the world-class attractions and easy access to nature that draw thousands of visitors to Rio de Janeiro each year - this is a city which has music and food in its soul. From art deco fine-dining to easy beachside eateries, traditional Brazilian "botecos" to VIP poolside restaurants, you'll find yourself spoilt for choice when it comes to eating and drinking in Rio. As the sun goes down, order a cocktail at one of the panoramic sunset bars before dancing the night away at one of the city's stylish clubs.
If you are lucky enough to find yourself in Rio during the Carnival, prepare for a world of colour, costume and celebration like you’ve never seen before. This is the biggest and brightest carnival of it’s kind on the planet, with parades, live music and a party atmosphere that you’ll remember being a part of for the rest of your life.
Weather in South America
Things to do in Rio De Janeiro
Christ the Redeemer
Rio de Janeiro's most iconic attraction, Christ the Redeemer, is known as a symbol of Christianity across the world…
Christ the Redeemer
The Cristo Redentor or Christ the Redeemer statue stands at 30m tall, on the peak of the 700-metre Corcovado mountain in Tijuca Forest National Park. Created by French sculptor Paul Landowski, the statue is listed as one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World" and attracts thousands of visitors from across the globe every year.
Sugarloaf Mountain
Rising almost 400m above Rio de Janeiro's harbour, Sugarloaf Mountain is one of the city's most recognisable peaks…
Sugarloaf Mountain
Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, visitors can take a glass-walled cable car to Sugarloaf's summit for awe-inspiring panoramic views of the Rio de Janeiro and the National Park.
Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden
Located at the foot of Corcovado Mountain, below the right arm of the Christ the Redeemer statue, Rio de Janeiro's Botanical Garden covers more than 54 hectares…
Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden
Founded in the early 1800's by King John VI of Portugal, the garden is home to more than 6000 different kinds of plants and trees, as well as 140 species of birds.
Museum of Tomorrow
Located on the waterfront, the Museum of Tomorrow is a science museum designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava…
Museum of Tomorrow
The futuristic building is home to five main exhibitions focusing on the Cosmos, Earth, Anthropocene, Tomorrow and Us, with a focus on sustainable cities and an ecological world.
Rio de Janeiro Zoological Garden
One of Rio's most popular family attractions, the Zoological Gardens of Rio de Janeiro City are located within the grounds of Quinta da Boa Vista Park…
Rio de Janeiro Zoological Garden
With animal exhibitions from Brazil and all over the globe - including elephants, lions, tigers and gorillas - as well as plenty of lush, green space to play in, kids and adults alike will love the Rio de Janeiro Zoological Garden.
Restaurants in Rio De Janeiro
Sushi Leblon
The most popular of Rio's many sushi restaurants, Sushi Leblon serves up perfectly presented, small portions with global influences. Known for their experimental ingredients, including foie gras, this is sushi like you've never tried it before.
Aprazível
One of Rio de Janeiro's most famous restaurants, Aprazível is located in the trendy Santa Teresa neighbourhood. With great views from the outside decking areas and some of the best, if not most expensive, cocktails in the city, start with alfresco drinks before sampling the contemporary Brazilian menu.
Café Lamas
The charming Café Lamas serves up one of the city's most delicious filet mignons, with a side of political history. It was within this salon that the underground Communist party met in secret during the 1964-85 Brazilian military dictatorship. Today, you'll find elegant waiters attending stylish guests, rather than revolutionaries.
Pergula
Keep your eyes peeled for celebrities at Rio de Janeiro's most glamorous dining experience. Located poolside at the famous Copacabana Palace Hotel, Pergula is known for its excellent brunch, as well as seafood and pasta dishes. Past guests have included Will Smith and Madonna, as well as the Obamas.
Rio De Janeiro Nightlife
Pavão Azul
One of Rio's most popular "botecos", or traditional Brazilian bars, head to Pavão Azul in Copacabana for no-fuss service and extra cold beer. Famous for their fishcakes, you'll need to arrive early if you to grab a seat and table. From 6pm onwards most nights, both the bar and pavement outside will be packed with people.
Bar Astor
Offering one of the best sunset and drinks views in Rio, Bar Astor is located on the waterfront between Ipanema and Arpoador. The trendy bar serves award-winning chopps (draft) beer alongside traditional bar snacks and cocktails. With a direct line to the beach and the ocean, you'll find it hard to beat this incredible location.
Atlántico Rio de Janeiro
You don't need to dress up, or even leave the beach, to try some of the best cocktails in Rio. Atlántico Rio de Janeiro, helmed by Argentinian bartender Tato Giovanonni and partner of Buenos Aires’ Florería Atlántico, serves up innovative cocktails from this beach kiosk in Pepê Beac.
Fosfobox
One of Rio's most popular clubs, Fosfobox is located in the heart of the Copacabana neighbourhood, next to the Siqueira Campos metro station. Attracting a crowd of hip, young music-types, the club DJs play everything from electronica to hip-hop and rock and roll. If the dancefloor gets too packed for your tastes, head upstairs to the bar and balcony for a quiet cocktail.
Circo Voador
One of Rio's best live concert venues, this multi-functional location also hosts some of the top club nights in the city. Found in the heart of the Lapa neighbourhood, this unique venue is popular with young hipsters looking for an affordable night out.
Events in Rio De Janeiro
Rio Carnival
The famous Rio Carnival draws visitors from all over the world. Kicking off on the Friday before Ash Wednesday and continuing through Ash Wednesday at noon, the carnival's most famous event is the huge parade. Filled with colourful floats and costumes, performers from samba schools, live music and dance, this is Rio's unmissable event.
Independence Day
Along with the rest of the nation, Rio de Janeiro celebrates Brazil's Independence Day on September 7th each year. The public holiday sees thousands of people come out onto the streets to celebrate the date of their freedom from Portugal. Head to the city square for parades and a spectacular firework display in the evening.
Umbanda - Festival of the Goddess of the Sea
On 31st December every year, people of Umbanda religion gather at the Rio's beaches to honour the sea goddess, Iemanjá. As the event takes place on New Year's Eve and Iemanjá is also the goddess of Carnal pleasures, followers and non-followers alike have taken to marking the occasion with dance and trance.
Festa Junina - June Bonfire Festival
One of the largest and most traditional events in Brazil, the June Bonfire Festival centres around the saints’ days of 13th, 24th and 29th of June. Clubs, schools and organisations arrange their own events, with live music, bonfires, dancing and traditional food.