Why go
Rio brings beach, mountains and a big city together in one setting. In a few days you can go up to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, walk along Copacabana and Ipanema and watch the sunset at Arpoador.
When to go
From May to October it rains less and the heat is milder. Summer (December to March) means crowded beaches, intense heat and late-afternoon showers. New Year's Eve and Carnival require booking well in advance.
How long to stay
4 to 5 days cover the highlights at a relaxed pace.
Getting there
Rio has two airports: Galeão (GIG) and Santos Dumont (SDU). The flight from São Paulo takes about one hour.
