What currency is used in Rio de Janeiro?

Rio de Janeiro uses the Brazilian real (BRL).

What is the emergency number in Rio de Janeiro?

In Rio de Janeiro, call 190 for police, 192 for an ambulance, 193 for the fire service.

How much does a day in Rio de Janeiro cost?

Roughly $35-55 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $90-160 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Rio de Janeiro?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Rio de Janeiro without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Rio de Janeiro travel guide

Brazil

Granite peaks, rainforest and long beaches all sit inside one city. Rio's days revolve around the sand and the sea, and its evenings around samba, street bars and fresh juice stands.

Essentials

Language: Portuguese; English is limited outside hotels and tourist businesses, so a few phrases help
Currency: Brazilian real (BRL)
Plugs: Type N (older Type C also fits), mostly 127 V in Rio
Emergency number: 190 for police, 192 for an ambulance, 193 for the fire service
Tipping: Restaurants usually add a 10% service charge to the bill, which is optional, and little more is expected.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $35-55, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $90-160, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro

Ipanema: a beach neighbourhood with good food, shops and easy metro access.
Copacabana: the long curving beach, with plenty of places to stay and eat.
Santa Teresa: a hilltop bohemian quarter of old houses, studios and small bars.

Getting around Rio de Janeiro

The metro links the beach neighbourhoods with Botafogo and the centre, and ride-hailing apps are widely used. Keep your phone out of sight on the street and take a car rather than walk empty streets at night.

Best time to visit Rio de Janeiro

May to October, drier and less humid than the hot summer months.

Top things to do in Rio de Janeiro

Ride the cog train through Tijuca Forest to the Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado
Take the two-stage cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain, ideally late in the afternoon
Climb the tiled Escadaria Selarón steps between Lapa and Santa Teresa
Walk the palm avenues and glasshouses of the Jardim Botânico
Hike up Morro Dois Irmãos from the Vidigal side for a view along Ipanema and Leblon, with a local guide

What to eat in Rio de Janeiro

Feijoada: a slow-cooked stew of black beans and pork, traditionally eaten on Saturdays
Pão de queijo: small, chewy cheese breads made with cassava (tapioca) starch
Açaí: frozen açaí pulp blended thick and topped with granola and banana
Caipirinha: cachaça, lime and sugar muddled over ice

Day trips from Rio de Janeiro

Petrópolis: the old imperial summer city in the mountains, about an hour and a half by road
Ilha Grande: a car-free island of jungle trails and beaches, around three hours by road and boat
Paraty: a well-preserved colonial town on a bay of islands, roughly four to five hours by bus

Local etiquette

Friends greet with a kiss on the cheek and a thumbs-up is used for everything, but avoid the OK hand sign, which is offensive here. At the beach, locals bring a light canga to sit on rather than a towel.

Staying connected

Prepaid SIMs from Claro, TIM and Vivo are registered with a passport in operator shops, eSIMs are an easier option, and Wi-Fi is common in cafés and accommodation.

Staying safe

Phone snatching and beach theft are the most common problems, so take only what you need to the sand and avoid walking empty streets or beaches after dark. Some beaches have strong currents; swim near the lifeguard posts and follow the flags.

A local tip

Watch the sunset from Arpoador rock, between Ipanema and Copacabana, where the crowd often applauds.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Rio de Janeiro on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Rio de Janeiro for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Rio de Janeiro, you could be one of the first hosts.

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Questions about Rio de Janeiro

What currency is used in Rio de Janeiro?: Rio de Janeiro uses the Brazilian real (BRL).
What is the emergency number in Rio de Janeiro?: In Rio de Janeiro, call 190 for police, 192 for an ambulance, 193 for the fire service.
When is the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro?: May to October, drier and less humid than the hot summer months.
How much does a day in Rio de Janeiro cost?: Roughly $35-55 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $90-160 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Rio de Janeiro?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Rio de Janeiro without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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