Hi, I have long overnight almost 24 hours layover in Rio de Janeiro on my way back to Europe.
I have never been to Rio and need to setup some reasonable and doable plan.
I will land at GIG airport at 20:19 on Saturday 9th April from IGU and leaving at 19:50 next day to AMS.
What "itinerary" would you suggest. What is the best area to stay in Rio to make my visit in Rio most convenient?
I suppose I can leave my luggages in lockers at the airport.
The major sights and the hotels in Zona Sul or closer to downtown (Botafogo, Catete, etc) are all really in a fairly compact area. You can taxi around pretty cheaply. There is also a shuttle bus you can use into the city, but suggest a taxi back
Your biggest concern is getting back to GIG with enough time in rush hour traffic and getting through security. There is luggage check at the airport if that's what you choose to do.
The train up to the Cristo statue starts at 8am, or you can take one of the shuttle vans from Copacabana most of the way up to meet the official van. Best to be there early, if indeed it is a clear day.
"Itinerary" depends on what interests you, and you haven't given any clue. Another vista point (Sugarloaf, Vista Chinesa)? Historic downtown? Stroll along the beach? Museum?
In 24 hours you could stay at either Copacabana or Ipanema beach. A friend of mine did a day-tour of Rio in which they went up the Corcovado, Pão de Açucar, visited the Sambodromo and the Maracanã museums and went to the beach. This is, imho, too much of a good thing. I would skip one of Corcovado and Pão de Açucar (probably Pão de Açucar, because if the weather is cloudy, at least you'll see the Cristo on the Corcovado), and not bother with the Sambodromo either. If you aren't into football skip the Maracanã too. You could instead spend some time wandering up and down Ipanema and Copacabana beach, or even visit Centro to see the horrendous architecture that is the cathedral, the Selaron stairs, and some of the prettier colonial churches. You could go into a museum. Regardless, there is more to do in Rio than you will have time for in 24 hours, and what should be the highlights depends on what you want. Hell, if you want to party, head to Lapa at night, and sleep in the next day ;)
A day trip with all those things is often recommended but I think its overkill. Rio is an outdoors city so if its a fine day - head up to Cristo first thing in the morning or up to Pao de Acucar). Personally, I'd prefer sugarloaf, but choose what you want. Then go down to Copa/Ipanema and wander about or visit the beach for a few hours. Theres a few trilhas about that might be worth doing.
Again, the issue is getting back to GIG for your flight. You'd probably need to leave at about 4-4:30ish to get there by 5:30 (depending on traffic).
Dear yks82
If you can leave your luggages in lockers at the airport ok. You arrive 20:19 on a Saturday night and leaves 19:50 next day, a sunday. Passport control, customs, change some cash, get a taxi, so you arrive at a hotel around 22:00. Well what to do?
1. Go to bed.
2. Supposing you are in a hotel at Copacabana/Ipanema (I know, it is very expensive, especially four months before the Olympics) wake up early in order to see the sun rising in one of the beaches. A less expensive option is stay at Catete, near subway station but, pay attention sundays the subway is crowded with peopke going to the beaches.
3. Christ Redeemer (Corcovado) or Sugar Loaf (Pão de Açucar) or both in the same day?
It is possible if you arrive at the ticket box as soon as it opens, have some light lunch to spare time, taxis, expensive but you will see the two most important brazilian attractions in a same day. But if it is a rainy day? Forget both, perhaps visiting Maracanã stadium.
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