There are many things to do in Rio de Janeiro; an abundance of historical sites, and museums are there in the travelers pleasure. More often than not though visitors come to Rio de Janeiro for one reason only, its world-famous beaches. Warm clear water meets bright sandy shores of the renowned beaches of Rio. Residents and tourists alike spend much of their free time at the beach soaking in the sun and catching the waves. Part of the fun of vacationing in Rio and experiencing the beaches is experiencing the locals laid-back attitudes about their bodies and fun. More conservative travelers may at first be put off by the fact that most Brazilian swimsuits color as little skin as possible however when in Rome do as the Romans do so when in Rio expect to see a lot of skin at the beach and don't complain.

Rio de Janeiro shopping is a fun experience and one that all tourists should engage in at some level. There are two main types of shopping in Rio, the shopping that takes place in malls and stores, and the shopping that takes place in an outdoor market places. When shopping in malls and stores it is considered not polite to barter for cheaper prices, however when shopping an outdoor market places it is expected. By bartering for a cheaper price tourists can expect to save a nice amount of money on most items. Keep in mind however that Brazil has relatively high import taxes so any imported items such as electronics are likely to be very expensive therefore when possible shop locally produced goods to get the best deal.

Much of Brazil is thoroughly modernized, this is especially true in Rio where travelers will have no problems finding car parking, and will find ample opportunities to car hire in Rio de Janeiro. In fact for some instances renting a car is preferable to the other means of transportation just on a cost savings basis. For instance when traveling outside of the main city center it is sometimes easier to rent a car than to use a taxi or bus especially if the lines do not run that far out. Tourists should be warned however that street naming is not rigidly adhered to throughout much of Rio de Janeiro in fact any places have street signs after the actual street intersection making them next to worthless.

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire world, therefore there is a wide range of Rio de Janeiro hotels available. Nearly any budget can be accommodated for, from the high class high-priced luxury suites on the beach, to the lower-priced those still clean and comfortable rooms available farther away from the beach. Rio de Janeiro restaurants will accommodate any palate imaginable. This city has an international flair that is highlighted in its cuisine. Tourists should still try some local dishes that are mainly made out of pork however just to get the full Rio de Janeiro experience.