Everything else on this site costs nothing. These cost a little, and we list them because what you get is far bigger than the price.
R$ 5The modern tram runs at street level from Santos Dumont airport through the business district to Praça Mauá and the port warehouses, every day from 5:00 to 23:00.
Sightseeing for the price of a fare. Ride it from Cinelândia to Parada dos Museus and you pass the Theatro Municipal, Candelária church and the waterfront boulevard. You pay by card at the reader on board, not in cash.
Source: VLT Carioca
R$ 20The yellow tram leaves from a station beside Carioca metro, crosses the top of the Lapa Arches and climbs into Santa Teresa. It runs daily from 8:00 to 17:00.
The ride over the arches is the reason to go, and it is also the safe way up to Parque Glória Maria and Chácara do Céu. Get off at Curvelo for both. Queues are long after 10:00 on weekends.
Source: Riotur
R$ 10Santiago Calatrava's science museum on the pier charges R$ 40, but on the 10th of every month everyone pays R$ 10, a promotion for its tenth anniversary. No half price applies on top.
If the 10th falls during your trip, go then and book a time slot on the museum's site, because the cheap day can sell out. On any other date, admire the building from the square for free and spend the money elsewhere.
Source: Museu do Amanhã
R$ 10A covered pavilion with hundreds of stalls and restaurants from Brazil's Northeast, with live forró. Entry is R$ 10 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, paid in cash at the gate.
Go on a Saturday night, when the music runs until 4:00 and the dance floors fill. The fair's site lists a charge only from Friday to Sunday; Tuesday to Thursday it opens 10:00 to 18:00 and is much quieter. Take a taxi both ways.
Source: Feira de São Cristóvão
Tickets start at R$ 205, and it is the one view in Rio that no trail or terrace replaces: the whole bay, Copacabana and Corcovado from 396 meters as the lights come on. Go up around 16:00 and stay for dusk. If the budget is tight, hike Morro da Urca for free and decide at the top.
Everything above is free. This is the only paid pick on the page, chosen because no free option replaces it.
See tickets and prices
