The Right Destination

Rio de Janeiro for children and families

One of the best Brazilian destinations to go with the family, enjoying a holiday or a weekend, all year round.

By Sut-Mie Guibert

The Wonderful City continues to be beautiful and is already regaining its position as one of the preferred destinations for tourism in Brazil. During New Year’s Eve and Carnival, hotel occupancy in the city is expected to range from 80% to 100%. The destination has also been one of the most searched on major search engines. Rio doesn’t need to make an effort: its natural beauty is breathtaking! With its green hills of Atlantic Forest in the middle of the city, the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and legendary beaches as far as the eye can see, it has attractions for all ages, styles, and family tastes.

A SUNNY Rio de Janeiro

A city with so many natural attractions calls for sunny days that can be widely enjoyed outdoors.

The ascent to the famous Corcovado can be done by van or taxi, but the most fun is to go up by train that passes through the forest. Remember to sit on the right side on the way up, to see, at a given moment, “the most wonderful view in the world.”

The visit to Sugar Loaf can also be different: sporty families can climb the trail that starts at Gago Coutinho track (in Urca). The walk has many steps but is of medium-easy level. Children will surprise you and often go far ahead! Upon arrival, there are bar and restaurant structures to drink, have an ice cream, and take many photos. Afterwards, it is possible to buy a ticket to go up by cable car to the highest point, on the second hill. Rio de Janeiro is a very visual city, so all views, at any time of day, blue sky or sunset, will be worth it.

The Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, located in the center of Zona Sul (south zone of the city), can be visited in different ways: by pedal boat (at the Cantagalo cut), by rented bike or quad bikes to go around the entire 7.5km circumference. The kiosks around the Lagoon are beautiful and renovated, and are ideal places to have a snack after the tours. The Terrazza Garden Rio (from the São Paulo-based group of the same name) has a beautiful view of the Dois Irmãos Hill and Pedra da Gávea. There are several grassy areas around the Lagoon where it is possible to have a picnic. Take the opportunity to relax with the children, play and have a nice conversation.

The beaches… oh, the beaches…! It’s hard to choose between the vast stretch of sand at Leme, the view of the “Little Princess of the Sea,” Copacabana, the sunset at Ipanema Beach, or the best facilities for small children at Geneal Baixo Bebê, in Leblon, with a “playroom” on the sand and a diaper changing area. Enjoy playing on the sand, diving, jumping waves, and even “riding the alligator” (bodysurfing without a board). Here, the kiosks are also renovated, and some are true “Beach Clubs” and sophisticated restaurants, such as Sel d’Ipanema, from the Accor group, the de Lamare restaurant at Posto 8, or the Arp Bar at Arpoador. If you want to enjoy the view without getting sand in your feet, new restaurants like Boteco Belmonte, in Farme de Amoedo, or Boteco Boa Praça, at Arpoador, are good options for after the beach. The beaches in Barra da Tijuca and Recreio are farther from the South Zone, but they also have white and endless sand with a boardwalk and kiosks.

The Botanical Garden celebrates its 215th anniversary and displays its famous imperial palms, orchid house, Japanese garden, Amazonian Samaúma trees, and for children, there is a large playground at the back of the garden, with a café, restrooms and sand. It is not uncommon to see little monkeys.

Nearby, the Instagrammable Lage Park is a free activity if you only visit the gardens, playground, and caves. There are tables to have a pleasant and bucolic picnic, or you can eat at Plage Café, inside the 19th-century mansion, which offers breakfast and meals with a view of Christ the Redeemer; however, the waitlist is always considerable.

For different programs that showcase all this lush nature, consider a helicopter tour, departing from Morro da Urca (Sugar Loaf) or at the Lagoon, or a boat tour, starting from Marina da Glória.

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A CULTURAL Rio de Janeiro

The nature and greenery surrounding Rio are so vast that we tend to forget about cultural outings that are only remembered on rainy days. But the city center contains treasures! For example, the award-winning Museu do Amanhã (of Tomorrow), which won the Oscar for Best Museum in Latin America, deserves all of your attention. It is an unmissable visit with children and teenagers to understand the importance of sustainability in our current lives and the impact of our actions on tomorrow. Take the opportunity to teach and talk more about the subject with your family. It is a pleasant outing with many interactive rooms, and the architecture of the building itself is very distinctive. Outside, there are tables for a picnic with a view of Guanabara Bay. Across the street, the Museum of Art of Rio offers galleries with diverse exhibitions. Still in the area, at Pier Mauá, you can see the famous graffiti artist Kobra’s mural and visit the Rio Aquarium, an interesting outing with young children.

Also in the area, CCBB Rio de Janeiro always has interesting exhibitions and is located in a historic building with a glass dome that illuminates everything. On the second floor, there is a branch of Confeitaria Colombo, but if you want to visit the original, it is not far away on Rua Gonçalves Dias. But we warn you: since it became an “instagrammable spot,” you have to arrive early to get a table.

Five minutes away is the Real Gabinete Português de Leitura: an unmissable, free, and quick visit that shows a very old library (XIX century) with distinctive and beautiful architecture, considered one of the most beautiful in the world.

Another different outing is the Santa Teresa Cable Car, which can be taken in the Center, at Carioca Station, behind the Petrobras headquarters building. Everyone will enjoy this different outing that passes over the Lapa Arches and goes to the artistic neighborhood of Santa Teresa, with laid-back shops and restaurants (get off at Largo dos Guimarães).

The marvelous city of Rio will conquer you! It’s interesting to spend more than a weekend to catch what goes beyond the view: the tree-lined streets, the laid-back atmosphere, the main avenues of the beaches that close on Sundays, for more people and families to stroll along the boardwalk. Don’t forget to try the Globo biscuit and the Leão mate, sitting in a beach chair and enjoying the sunset… This slowdown with the family will be very good. A total disconnection from day-to-day life and a true vacation connection with the kids. Surely, you will want to come back.