Brazil: 6 Things To Do In Rio With Kids

We visited Rio when our boys were 5 and 8 years old. We’d heard Rio with kids wasn’t safe and was crowded, but we found the city and the people to be fun, safe, and very kid-friendly. Now granted we were not clubbing in the Lapa neighborhood (a place that makes Mardi Gras look like afternoon tea), but we managed to get a sense of the culture, the beaches, the Brazilian lifestyle, and we LOVED it.

Here are our 6 Things To Do In Rio With Kids!

1. Visit Christ the Redeemer

This iconic statue is a bucket list item for many, and most certainly was at the top of ours. At nearly 30m tall, Christ the Redeemer is the world’s largest Art Deco sculpture and weighs 1,145 tons.

He keeps a watchful eye on life below, and has been voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

rio brazil christ the redeemer
He watches over the whole of Rio de Janeiro

We took the cog train to the statue as it was the most scenic route, climbing slowly up the Corcovado mountainside through the green forest of the Tijuca National Park.  When we reached the top, we had the option of taking an elevator or 222 steps up to the statue. Given the number of Caipirinha’s we had the night before, I made the executive decision we’d all climb the steps. The view from the top was indescribable. Magnificent and unbelievable. I didn’t realize the statue was so large that you are sometimes higher than the planes!

rio brazil christ the redeemer
The views from the visitor centre are incredible, but are even more spectacular once you ascend to the statue. You can take steps or an elevator to the top, and we opted for the steps to soak in the different views. The top gets extremely crowded and sometimes makes it difficult to take pictures, so I’d suggest trying to arrive as soon as the statue opens.

rio brazil christ the redeemer

The views of Rio are spectacular from the top – a must see. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

rio brazil christ the redeemer

2. Ipanema Beach

Ipanema, the place made famous by the ’60s song “The Girl from Ipanema,” was named by The Travel Channel as the sexiest beach in the world.

The 2-mile stretch of sand has stunning views of mountains, beautiful Brazilian people, and endless turquoise water.

rio brazil christ the redeemer copacabana beachIpanema’s vibrant and fun atmosphere is the place to see and be seen, and we spent hours sitting here people-watching.

3. Copacabana Beach is fun when you vist Rio with kids!

Copacabana is often referred to as the world’s most famous beach.

rio brazil copacabana beaches
The days would often start out foggy, and in the afternoon the clouds would lift to reveal brilliant blues skies

It runs 3 miles along a densely populated residential area of Rio and is always crowded and bustling.  It’s filled with coconut water sales people, street vendors, pick-up games of beach soccer and of course beautiful people to watch as you soak in the sun.

The iconic waved boardwalk design, girls in tiny bikinis, and striking landscape, make for a classic Brazilian experience. I have to be completely honest however, I was a little shocked at the crowds, old food, and trash on the beaches and in the water.

rio brazil beaches

4. Sugarloaf Mountain and Cable Car

Sugarloaf Mountain is a peak rising 396 meters abovce sea-level offering a bird’s eye view of Rio and stunning views of the the surrounding beaches, mountains and forests. Sugarloaf Mountain is one of the top attractions for tourists who visit Rio.

rio brazil beaches sugarloaf mountain

To reach the top, you have to take two cable cars. The first one takes you to the top of Urca Hill which is 220 meters above sea level, and the second cable car takes you to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain. Once you reach the top you are greeted with breathtaking 360 degree views of Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara Bay.

rio brazil beaches sugarloaf mountainrio brazil beaches sugarloaf mountainrio brazil beaches sugarloaf mountain cable car

rio brazil beaches sugarloaf mountain
You can see Christ the Redeemer in the background

We were in awe of the views as we hiked along the trails at the top of the mountain – honestly these were the most incredible views we have ever seen.

Warning: If heights are not your cup of tea, you might want to skip this… you are VERY high and VERY exposed to nature.

rio brazil beaches sugarloaf mountain

5. Football

Football is the most popular sport in Brazil and is the epitome of Brazilian culture.

You see kids and adults playing football on the streets, on Futsal courts, on the boulevards, and there are endless pick up games of beach soccer on the beaches.

rio brazil beach football soccer The boys were in heaven and spent most days kicking a ball around with Brazilians.

6. Fresh coconut water in Rio with kids 

The most popular drink in Brazil (after the caipirinha of course!!)  is ‘água de coco’ – coconut water fresh from a young green coconut.

rio brazil beaches coconut water

There are two different types of stands: the ones that open the coco with a machine that drills a hole in the top. And the more authentic stands where the coconut seller chops the top off the young coconut with a machete and sticks a straw inside the coconut.

Once we finished the delicious fresh coconut water, we took the coconut back to the seller who quickly opened up the coconut with a machete so we could enjoy the delicious coconut flesh. Yum!

rio brazil beaches sugarloaf mountain
I had to capture this moment as they were for once getting along!  😉

Have you been to Rio with kids?

Let me know in comments below and Join me on Instagram and Twitter!

About The Author

Samantha

I’m a travel and health writer, digital and brand consultant, breast cancer survivor, and supermom to two active boys! I keep it real and share stories of raising teenage boys, family life after a cancer diagnosis, and family travels around the world! Each story is shared with my dry, and sometimes naughty sense of humor.

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