Places to Visit & Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro
With stunning beaches, a dramatic coastline, and jutting mountains, Rio de Janeiro’s natural elements alone make it a world-class destination. Add in the laid-back vibe, modern cosmopolitan setting and pulsating rhythms of samba and bossa nova, and you’ve got the location for a vacation made in heaven.
Sights & Attractions in Rio de Janeiro
From the Christ the Redeemer statue to Sugarloaf Mountain, most of Rio’s bucket-list sights involve scaling mountains to soak up the views. To outsmart the crowds in high season, book ahead, go early or hop on a 20-minute helicopter ride from Lagoa to marvel at the city’s spectacular topography. No trip to Rio is complete without a day spent soaking up the stunning beach scene of Ipanema. Watch beach volleyball games while sipping from cold coconuts, before soaking in the setting sun along with the crowds that gather on Arpoador rock. Then, when you tire of the sand, there are the world-class Botanical Gardens, trendy restaurants, bars and boutiques of Jardim Botanico to explore. Before wandering through the bohemian, cobbled stone streets of Santa Teresa, with its yellow bonde (tram) and artist’s ateliers. Finally, don’t miss a football game at Maracanã Stadium, the magnetic atmosphere is worth the trip alone.
Art & Culture in Rio de Janeiro
Rio’s focus has traditionally been on its naturally stunning geography. However, the city now boasts The Modern Art Museum (MAM) with its impeccable curation of artwork and the sustainability-inspired Museum of Tomorrow. They both form part of the regeneration of the docks, which has taken the city to new cultural heights. Hot on their heels comes the much-anticipated Museum of Image and Sound in the Centro. To experience lingering vestiges of Rio’s grand colonial heritage, take in a coffee at Belle Époque café Confeitaria Colombo. Next, visit the Baroque Monastery of São Bento hidden in the heart of the financial district and marvel at the elaborate Portuguese Library. Not to be missed is a visit to the colonial mansion of Parque Lage, now an art school hosting a dynamic roster of cultural events. Then there’s Rio’s iconic Samba music – catch nightly performances at intimate Carioca da Gema in Lapa, or experience with the locals the authentic alfresco Monday and Friday night sessions at Pedra do Sal.
Shopping in Rio de Janeiro
Surrounded by gorgeous beaches, it’s not surprising that one of the popular things to buy in Rio is beachwear. While Brazil’s big-name brands, including aspirational beachwear designer Osklen, can be found in the shopping malls, many leading independent designers showcase in ateliers in Jardim Botanico. For the best of Brazilian fashion and design, check out chic boutique Dona Coisa, and the furniture atelier of Fernando Jaeger, all set along and around Lopes Quintas street. Elsewhere, the Rio Design Mall with locations in Leblon and Barra as well as Fashion Mall in São Conrado offer an array of swimwear and other high-street retailers.
Food & Drink in Rio de Janeiro
A clutch of innovative contemporary Brazilian eateries have opened in recent years adding a new level of sophistication to the market. Oro and Oteque both have two Michelin stars for their ingenious fusion of flavours and excellent wine pairings. For fine dining, Brazil’s big name chefs include Roberta Sudbrack and Claude Troisgros and for a special occasion, book into atmospheric Aprazivel, where Brazilian classics are served in a stunning tiered garden. Buzzing Dias Ferreira is Rio’s destination dining street, and is home to sophisticated snack bars like Boteco Belmonte, and the chic Japanese spot Sushi Leblon. Organic Marius Degustare ensures the quality of its food by raising its own seafood and growing its own vegetables. For local favourites, head to Zazá Bistrô for cocktails and fusion flavours or Braseiro for succulent picanha steak. There’s a health-conscious restaurant scene, inspired by vegan restaurant Teva. For a quintessential Brazilian dining experience, tick off the feijoada (black bean and pork stew) at Bar do Mineiro, or a churrasco (all-you-can-eat meat feast) at Fogo do Chão.
Unique to Rio de Janeiro
While Rio’s reputation as a fun-loving, beach city rings true, this is balanced by an incredible connection to nature that few global cities can compete with. For a gentle approach to Rio’s sporty side, wake early to stroll the deserted sands of Ipanema, hire a bike to ride around the lake, take a paddleboard out from Copacabana beach, or walk one of the many jungle trails in the Tijuca National Park. Adrenaline seekers should try mountain biking up Vista Chinesa, climbing Pedra da Gávea, kitesurfing on Barra Beach and hand-gliding over São Conrado. For a special experience, locals love to hike up the jungle trail that starts at the top of Vidigal favela and weaves up the back of Dois Irmãos Mountains to watch dawn break over the city.
Membership Rewards® Programme
Cardmembers enrolled in the American Express Membership Rewards® programme will earn one additional bonus Membership Rewards point in addition to their standard earn rate (for a total of 2 points) for every full £1 spent on flights, prepaid hotels, car hire and experiences booked through the American Express Travel website americanexpress.com/en-gb//travel. Specific Card products or limited time promotions may offer additional Membership Rewards points, please see individual Card or promotion Terms and Conditions for more information. Additional Membership Rewards points cannot be earned on products which are not prepaid but are paid directly to the supplier, including cruise bookings and select hotel bookings. These bookings will not earn two Membership Rewards points for every £1 spent but will be earned at the normal rate of one point for every £1 spent. Full Terms and Conditions apply, please visit americanexpress.co.uk/termsandconditions.
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Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, Business Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, the Dedicated Centurion® Team or American Express Travel (americanexpress.com/en-gb/travel/) with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Platinum Cardmembers or Centurion® Members and excludes Platinum Credit Companion Cards. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. The average total value of the program benefits is based on prior-year bookings for stays of two nights; the actual value varies. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 Credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amont will be applied at check-out.
Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay).Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and
amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more made through American Express Travel (americanexpress.com/en-gb/travel/), Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, Business Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge or the Dedicated Centurion® Team, with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Preferred Rewards Gold Cardmembers, Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Cardmembers, Platinum Cardmembers or Centurion® Members and excludes Platinum Credit Companion Cardmembers. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
International Airline Program (IAP)
1. Current International Airline Program Partners: Air Europa, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, Etihad Airways, Emirates Airlines, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.
2. American Express reserves the rights to change these conditions from time to time with 21 days prior notice and/or to discontinue the whole program.
3. Airlines reserve the right to change, cancel or restrict flight operations without notice. IAP upgrades or specially negotiated fares may be limited by airlines to certain flights and/or dates (“blackouts”). IAP is subject to the terms and conditions of each participating carrier. American Express does not guarantee that seats or tickets will be available. Cabins of service and discounts vary by airline and route. Discounts are applicable to adult fares however some airlines extend savings to child fares.
4. To qualify for the IAP upgrades or specially negotiated fares:
a) Your journey must start and end at the same port as designated by the participating airline and be completed within the period during which your selected carrier participates in the program. You will be advised of any applicable dates at the time of booking;
b) IAP tickets must be purchased through the Platinum Travel Service and must be charged to a valid American Express Platinum Card which is in good standing;
c) The Platinum Cardmember who purchases the ticket(s) must be one of the travellers;
d) IAP tickets are non-transferable and non endorsable.
5. Any travel on non-participating airlines must be ticketed and paid for separately and is not part of the IAP. Certain code share or flights on the worldwide partners of the participating airlines may not apply.
6. Certain IAP airlines or non-participating airlines impose restrictions such as ticketing time limit on advance booking to indicate a timeline for ticketing upon making your reservations. For each individual airline Terms & Conditions, please check with the Platinum Travel Service for details.
7. IAP upgrade offers or specially negotiated fares may not be combined with any other promotion, discount, negotiated or corporate rate.
8. American Express acts only as an agent for travel service providers and does not own or operate any airline or means of transportation. American Express is not liable for service deficiencies on the part of airlines or other service providers, including but not limited to: accidents and injuries; delays; changes in routes or itineraries; loss, theft or damages to possessions. American Express strongly advises travellers to insure themselves against travel risks. Travellers are responsible for ensuring that they have valid documentation and for complying with the health, customs, currency and other laws of any country they enter or attempt to enter.
9. IAP is available to Platinum Cardmembers from a variety of participating airlines each with specifically designated ports of departure and arrival. Please refer to the Platinum Travel Service for details of participating airlines, applicable routing and timetables and fares in force at any particular time.
10. Other International Airline Program Terms & Conditions may apply.
For full Terms and Conditions for Global Lounge Collection®, please visit our Global Lounge page.
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