This year started with a bang, and the first weekend of 2024 promises to be full of fun for the whole family in Rio de Janeiro. If you are looking for lively activities around Pier Mauá and the city center, here are some suggestions to ensure your vacation is unforgettable.
We have listed below some unmissable activities in the city that you can do for free or on a budget!! Oh! And we don't leave the children out either, as they are on vacation at this time of year!
Located close to Pier Mauá:
Praça Mauá – Boulevard Olímpico: It is a revitalized area that houses several points of interest.
Museum of Tomorrow: It's a different science museum. Activities for children are scheduled to take place on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, from January 9th to 30th, involving both the internal and external areas of the museum. Offers free entry on Tuesdays. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm (with last entry at 5pm). Address: Praça Mauá, 1 – Centro. Know more: https://museudoamanha.org.br/
Rio Art Museum (MAR): It is installed in two buildings with heterogeneous but interconnected styles. The former palace of D. João VI joins a modernist building. The first building houses the exhibition rooms, which host national and international exhibitions, covering subjects from the past and the present. In the second, the Escola do Olhar operates, which develops academic programs on art, culture and education. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 11am to 6pm. Address: Praça Mauá, 5 – Centro. Know more: https://museudeartedorio.org.br/
Navy Cultural Space: It's a really cool ride for both children and adults. It has several museum ships in its external area such as the submarine, destroyer and helicopter. This is where the Escuna Nogueira da Gama also leaves for those who want to take the trip to Ilha Fiscal. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 11am to 4:30pm. Address: Av. Alfred Agache, S/N – Centro. Know more:https://www.ingressocomdesconto.com.br/atracao/154/espaco-cultural-da-marinha.html?term=espac
Morro da Conceição: It is a region of significant historical and architectural importance, with charming streets and cultural atmosphere.
Bhering Factory: Located in the Santo Cristo neighborhood, it is a cultural space in an old chocolate factory. On Saturday, 6th, there will be the first Samba Roda of 2024. Opening hours: Monday to Friday, from 10am to 6pm and Saturdays, from 1pm to 8pm. Address: R. Orestes, 28 – Santo Cristo. Know more: https://www.instagram.com/fabrica.bhering/?hl=pt
Aquarium: It is a modern and educational aquarium. It has 26 thousand square meters with more than 4 and a half million liters of water. In space, more than 10 thousand animals of more than 360 species from Brazil and the world live, divided into more than 40 enclosures. The place is running a promotion until 15/01, where tickets for Rio residents cost R$ 99. The promotion is exclusive to residents of the State of Rio (upon proof) and is not valid for half-price tickets. Opening hours: open every day from 9am to 5pm. Address: Praça Muhammad Ali – Via Binário do Porto, s/n – Gamboa. Know more: https://ingressos.aquariomarinhodorio.com.br/
Yupi Star Ferris Wheel: It is the largest Ferris wheel in Latin America with panoramic views of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Open daily, from 10am to 6pm. Address: Porto Maravilha – Av. Rodrigues Alves, 455 – Santo Cristo. Know more: https://rio.yupstar.com.br/
Cultural tours located in the city center:
Banco do Brasil Cultural Center (CCBB): It is an important cultural space with exhibitions, theater and various activities. CCBB Educativo do Rio de Janeiro's free holiday program will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, at 1pm and 4pm, in addition to Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, at 3pm. Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday, from 9am to 8pm. Address: R. Primeiro de Março, 66 – Centro. Know more: https://ccbb.com.br/rio-de-janeiro/programacao/
National Library: Located in the Center, it is possible to schedule free visits to explore this important literary and cultural collection. It is considered by UNESCO to be one of the ten largest national libraries in the world and the largest in Latin America. Free visit: Monday to Friday, from 10am to 5pm and guided tours: Monday to Friday, at 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. Free visitation. Address: Av. Rio Branco, 219. To schedule, contact the email: visiguia@bn.br . Know more: https://www.gov.br/bn/pt-br
Municipal Theatre: An imposing century-old construction that draws the attention of those who pass through Cinelândia. Theatro Municipal is one of the main concert halls in Brazil and Latin America that has received and receives great international artists and important names in Brazilian culture, including representatives of dance, music, opera and performing arts. From January 10th, another edition of the Drawing Workshop for children begins. It has guided tours. Visiting hours: Tuesday to Friday – 12pm, 2:30pm and 4pm*/ Saturdays and Public Holidays* – 11am, 12pm and 1pm. Address: Praça Floriano, S/N – Centro. Know more: http://theatromunicipal.rj.gov.br/ It is https://www.instagram.com/theatromunicipalrj/
Selaron Staircase: It is an architectural work located between the neighborhoods of Santa Teresa and Lapa, decorated by the long-time Chilean artist based in Brazil, Jorge Selarón, who declared it a “homage to the Brazilian people”. Free visitation. Address: Next to Sala Cecília Meireles (R. da Lapa, 47 – Centro – Lapa).
Royal Portuguese Cabinet: It is a Portuguese-speaking library and cultural institution with charming architecture, listed by the State Institute of Cultural Heritage. Open from Monday to Friday, from 10am to 5pm. Address: R. Luís de Camões, 30 – Centro. Know more: https://www.realgabinete.com.br/
More tours located close to the Center:
Santa Teresa Tram: The famous Santa Teresa trams, which connect the center of Rio to the Santa Teresa neighborhood, are not just a real means of transport for residents of the neighborhood or even tourists who want to visit the place. They are an attraction in the city, they are part of the local scene and have even become a postcard.
The starting station is on Rua Lélio Gama, close to the Carioca metro station. Departures occur at average intervals of 15 to 20 minutes. The cost of the tour is R$20, the amount is paid on the way out and the return is included. It is open from Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays, from 9am to 4pm.
Parque das Ruínas (or Parque Gloria Maria): Located on the slopes of Santa Teresa, Parque das Ruínas has one of the most beautiful views in the neighborhood and a cultural center with activities for the whole family. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9am to 6pm. Entry is free.
Lavradio Fair: The century-old street, which is home to historic mansions, bars, antique shops and concert halls, offers a relaxed schedule for those who want to learn about the city's history and have fun without spending anything. The event, despite being free, functions as an ode to shopping. Hundreds of stalls offer a variety of products, from furniture to clothing, and accessories to decorative objects. Leaving there empty-handed is almost impossible. And from January 6th, the shows start at 4pm, in front of Emilinha Borba square. Opening hours: every Saturday, from 10am to 7pm. Address: Rua do Lavradio, – Lapa. Know more: https://www.instagram.com/feiradolavradio/
Quinta da Boa Vista: It is one of the largest urban parks in Rio, with around 155 thousand square meters. Located in the São Cristóvão neighborhood, one of the most traditional in Rio, it maintains preserved gardens created by French landscaper Auguste Glaziou. For many years it housed the Rio Zoo, founded in 1888, which recently closed its activities giving way to Bioparque, a new zoo concept. The Park is open daily from 6am to 5pm. Entry is free. Address: Avenida Pedro II, s/n – São Cristóvão.
Biopark: Former Rio de Janeiro Zoo, it is a place for species conservation in Brazil and a great option for a family outing in the capital of Rio de Janeiro. Located in São Cristóvão, known as Bairro Imperial, the zoo occupies an area of 55 thousand square meters of Quinta da Boa Vista. Open from Tuesday to Sunday. Opening hours: 9am to 5pm – last entry time 4pm. Address: Quinta da Boa Vista Park S/N – São Cristóvão. Know more: https://linktr.ee/bioparquedoriooficial
Northeastern Traditions Fair: Also known as Feira de São Cristóvão, it is a cultural and commercial space dedicated to northeastern traditions in Rio de Janeiro. It usually attracts visitors who want to experience the culture, music, dance and cuisine characteristic of the northeast region of Brazil. Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday, from 10am to 6pm; Friday and Saturday, from 10am to 4am; Sunday, from 10am to 8pm; does not work on Mondays. Address: Campo de São Cristóvão – São Cristóvão. Know more: https://www.feiradesaocristovao.org.br/
With these suggestions, your first weekend of 2024 in Rio de Janeiro will certainly be full of fun. Enjoy every moment and create unforgettable memories in one of the most vibrant and enchanting cities in the world.
