Rio is a city that buzzes with music, beach life, and culture. To really take it all in, you'll want to dive into the Carioca lifestyle and spend time in the neighbourhoods where locals live, eat, and hang out.
There’s so much more to see beyond the usual sights. From a relaxed beach day with locals to a unique night out at a hidden jazz club on a hill, we list 15 non-touristy things to do in Rio de Janeiro that you won’t want to miss.
15 Unique Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only recommend products or services we have used or that we believe will add value to our readers. Thank you for supporting us!1. Have a beach day with locals at Ipanema Beach
Made famous by the Bossa Nova classic "Girl from Ipanema," Ipanema Beach is the place to be - and it’s less touristy than its neighbour, Copacabana.
We hung out around Posto 7 (that’s the lifeguard station marker), which tends to be a bit quieter than Posto 8 and 9. We rented a beach umbrella and two chairs for around $7 USD for the whole day.
The water’s colder than you would expect, but it’s the perfect way to cool off in the blazing sun.
✔️ Top Tip: Stay at an apartment or hotel near Ipanema Beach so you can leave your valuables at home and enjoy the beach without worrying about your stuff.
We walked over to Posto 9 to find the famous beachside sandwich stand featured on Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. It’s called Barraca do Uruguai, a small, no-frills spot right on the sand.
We ordered a chicken sandwich with chimichurri to share and immediately wished we had ordered two.
⚠️ What to avoid: We saw what looked like ice-cold fruit juice being sold by people walking up and down the beach with trays. Curious, we bought one only to take a sip and realize it was actually an alcoholic drink with a strong, artificial sweet flavour. A local nearby saw us try it and quickly gestured not to drink it. We're not exactly sure why, but we tossed it to be safe.
Read our article on 14 things to avoid in Rio de Janeiro.
2. Get an açaí bowl at Tapí Tapioca
A local we met told us Tapí is their favourite spot for açaí, and after trying it, we can see why.
Their açaí bowls are made from frozen, blended açaí berries with no added syrups or fillers, so the taste is rich and naturally sweet, just as it should be.
If you haven’t had one before, açaí bowls are topped with healthy ingredients like banana, chia seeds, brazil nuts, granola, and honey, and they’re a go-to for locals on hot days.
We loved starting our day with these before heading to the beach.
3. Experience Rio’s coolest jazz night at The Maze
If you’re in Rio the day of The Maze's monthly event, you don't want to miss it - it’s one of the best jazz nights in the city and easily one of the city's top hidden gems.
Perched on a hilltop with sweeping views, The Maze is a guesthouse with an amazing outdoor patio that transforms into a lively music venue.
To get there, vans shuttle guests from the bottom of the favela, and staff guide you through the maze of streets to reach the party.
The crowd was a mix of hip locals and visitors, young and old, and the atmosphere was electric.
The event ran from 10 pm to 4 am with a full jazz ensemble: trumpet, sax, piano, upright bass, jazz guitar, and a powerhouse vocalist.
See our list of the 12 best bars in Rio for socializing and music.
4. Explore the bohemian neighbourhood of Santa Teresa
As Anthony Bourdain once put it, Santa Teresa is “the most magical neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro.”
Start your exploration of Santa Teresa by climbing the colourful Escadaria Selarón - the iconic tiled steps and one of the most Instagrammable spots in Rio.
At the top, hang a left and you’ll find yourself in the heart of this bohemian neighbourhood.
Keep walking and you’ll come across Bar do Serginho, a quirky bar/convenience store with graffiti-covered walls and plastic tables spilling out onto the street.
We grabbed a caipirinha and a cold beer. It has that neighbourhood bodega feel that makes for a perfect stop.
From there, wander down the street and check out the mix of funky bars and shops along the way.
If you need a pick-me-up, pop into Zola Pizza for a proper espresso, roasted in-house. They also serve the BEST pizza we had in Rio - Neapolitan-style, made with Italian tomatoes.
For cocktails, check out Explorer Bar, a 1920s teal-coloured mansion perched on the side of a hill with views over the main strip. The cocktails were delicious. It’s a popular spot, so we recommend making a reservation in advance.
5. Try a Caipirinha, Brazil’s national drink
Brazil's national drink, the Caipirinha, is a simple yet refreshing cocktail made with muddled lime, sugar, and Cachaça - a sugarcane based Brazilian spirit.
It’s the perfect drink for a hot day in Rio and a great go-to when you’re not in the mood for wine or beer. You’ll find it just about everywhere!
They are so refreshing, we started making them back at home for summer.
6. Catch live music with a local crowd at Armazem Cardosao
In the up-and-coming neighbourhood of Laranjeiras, Armazém Cardosão feels like a slice of old Rio with a creative edge.
Housed in a former 1950s neighbourhood warehouse, it’s one of the city’s best spots for live music without the tourist crowds. Tuesdays are for jazz, while Thursdays come alive with samba that spills out into the street.
When we went on a Tuesday, the place was packed and the music was incredible. The crowd was a cool mix of all ages.
Arrive around 5:30 pm to grab a seat, order some petiscos, and enjoy the lively setting.
Check their Instagram for music events.
7. Explore the Leblon neighbourhood
Leblon is one of Rio’s most upscale neighbourhoods - and it’s packed with some of the city’s best restaurants and bars.
Head to Rua Dias Ferreira, the main strip, where you’ll find a long lineup of buzzy spots to eat and drink.
We had dinner at CT Boucherie, a steakhouse that was one of the best steak experiences we’ve ever had. Ari ordered the ribeye, and I went for the prime rib. Each cut was distinct and delicious, like they were teasing us to come back and try the other next time.
Throughout the meal, servers came by offering a rotating selection of freshly made sides. We paired it all with Brazilian sparkling rosé, which was so good we ordered a second round for dessert.
Leblon comes alive at night, so after dinner, we kept the evening going with a little bar hopping down the strip.
8. Take a walking tour through Rio’s largest favela
Although you'll mostly see tourists on this tour, this is a unique thing to do in Rio de Janeiro since not many visitors do it.
Rocinha, the largest favela in Rio, is an eye-opening place to visit. We joined a tour with Favela Walking Tour, led by a guide who lives in the community.It was interesting to see everyday life inside the favela, hear stories from someone who grew up there, and get a sense of the people and place beyond the headlines.
One of the most memorable moments was visiting a local school, where a group of kids put on a drum performance. Their joy was infectious. At one point, a student asked Ari if he was filming for YouTube, then pulled a friend in and started dancing like crazy for the camera!
We always felt safe during the tour. While there were drug dealers around, our guide explained that they’re part of the community and coexist with mutual respect. “No photos here,” he’d say as we passed certain areas.
Read the reviews.9. Drink the coldest beer in the world!
Cariocas love their beer cold, brain freezing cold. It was an amazing fact that often led to ordering another.
The coldest bottled beer we found in the city was at Bar Urca, an award winning seafood restaurant.
The coldest draught beer we found was at Armazém São Thiago, a century-old bodega in Santa Teresa famous for their mortadella sandwiches.
10. Eat ceviche with your toes in the sand on Rio's quieter stretch
We tried plenty of beachside kiosks in Rio, but our favourite by far was La Carioca en La Playa.
Set on Leblon Beach, a quieter stretch than Copacabana or Ipanema, it serves delicious Peruvian fusion bites.
Grab a table in the sand, order the classic ceviche with a fresh coconut, and you’ll feel like you’ve really arrived.
We found Leblon Beach to have fewer vendors than Copacabana and Ipanema.
11. Shop Rio’s minimalist swimwear brand
Minimal swimwear from Haight
If you're looking for a chic bathing suit, head to Haight in Leblon, a Rio-born brand known for its minimalist, high-quality swimwear.
The boutique feels like an art installation, with its sculptural, cave-like design. I picked up a couple of swimsuits and a beach net dress that I just love.
See our full list of the top things to see and do in Rio de Janeiro.
12. Take a boat to Ocya Ilha for a lagoon-side lunch
Most visitors never make it out to Ilha Primeira, a tiny island off Barra da Tijuca that’s only accessible by boat.
That’s part of what makes Ocya Ilha such a gem - it feels a world away from Rio’s busy beaches.
This Michelin-recognized seafood spot sits on a tranquil lagoon lined with colourful bars and houses, and the pace here is slow in the best way.
We ordered the addictive shrimp bread and shared the deboned whole fish with a cold glass of white wine. The flavour from their on-site smoker takes it to the next level.
✔ Top Tip: Reserve ahead and go for an early lunch to score one of the sought-after lagoon-side tables.
13. Watch hang gliders land at Praia do Pepino
Hang gliders landing at Praia do Pepino | Musa Cafe overlooking the beach
Tucked away in São Conrado, Pepino Beach has a relaxed feel you won’t find at Copacabana or Ipanema. There are hardly any vendors, the crowds are small, and the backdrop is stunning.
It’s also the landing spot for hang-gliders from Pedra Bonita, so you can watch them drift down over the ocean and touch down on the sand.
After your time at the beach, walk up to nearby Musa Cafe for a smoothie and a view.
It might seem far away from Rio's centre, but it's very easy to get an Uber to and from the beach.
14. Head to Quartinho Bar on Thursday for cocktails and dancing
Quartinho Bar in Botafogo
Hidden between two streets in Botafogo, Quartinho Bar mixes mismatched chairs with erotic art and serves the best cocktails we had in Rio.
The crowd is an edgy mix of creatives and locals, and the crispy tuna bites are a must.
On Thursdays, the chairs make way for a packed dance floor, and the resident DJ keeps it going late.
See our full list of fun things to do in Rio de Janeiro at night.
15. Experience a rivalry football match at Maracanã Stadium
Seeing a football match at Maracanã is pure Rio energy - especially if you catch a rivalry game between Flamengo and Fluminense. The stadium seats over 78,000 people!
The atmosphere is electric. Flamengo fans light red flares and belt out chants that shake the stands, while Fluminense supporters answer back with booming drums and full-on songs. It’s wild, loud, and extremely entertaining.
For safety (and to really understand what’s going on), we recommend booking a guided experience - they’ll handle tickets, transport, and get you into the right section so you can just focus on soaking it all in.We hope you enjoyed these non-touristy things to do in Rio de Janeiro!
🎥 See what it was like in our Rio vlog.
Bonus: Our top hotel picks in Rio de Janeiro
We recommend staying in the Ipanema neighbourhood - it's less touristy than neighbouring Copacabana, and has a great local scene. It also has some of the best beaches, restaurants and bars in the city.
Our top hotel picks close to Ipanema Beach:
- Hotel Arpoador - bright, contemporary rooms next door to the beach.
- Ipanema Inn Hotel - a cute boutique hotel half a block from the beach.
Get started on planning your trip to Rio de Janeiro
- 💡 Travel tips: see our list of 14 things to avoid in Rio de Janeiro
- 🏖️ Classic sights: see our list of the 10 most Instagrammable spots in Rio
- 🛏️ Accommodation: Booking.com is our go-to for finding places to stay. Sort by top reviewed.
- 🚆 Cog Train: Reserve your train ticket to see Christ the Redeemer
- 🚡 Cable Car: Reserve your cable car ticket for Sugarloaf Mountain
- 🛫 Flights: use Skyscanner to compare flights across different airlines (we recommend booking direct with the airline however)
Don't forget about travel insurance
👩⚕️ For affordable travel insurance: go with SafetyWing - it's budget-friendly and you can even buy it while abroad, but note the max medical coverage is $250,000 USD. 🏥 For comprehensive travel insurance: go with World Nomads - it's more expensive, but the max emergency medical coverage is $5-10 million, depending on the plan.Planning a tour of South America? Check out our other SA travel guides:
- 1 Week Argentina Itinerary for the Wine & Food Lover
- 12 Unique Things to Do in Buenos Aires
- 2 Week Itinerary in Chile for the Adventurer
- Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu Travel Guide
Save and pin these alternative things to do in Rio de Janeiro for later:
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Are you a food lover? Don't miss our list of Outstanding Culinary Experiences Around the World.