Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro

Brazil

Ride the cable car up to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue for breathtaking views of Sugarloaf Mountain and the Atlantic coastline below.

Currency Brazilian Real (BRL)
Language Portuguese
Time Zone BRT (UTC-3)
Best Time to Visit Oct–Apr
Typical Duration 7-24 nights
Price Range From $72 pp
Port Type Departure & Port of Call
Tender Port No

Rio de Janeiro is celebrated for its iconic landmarks including Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, vibrant culture, and as a gateway to South American cruise itineraries.

Cruises that visit Rio de Janeiro

Build Your Day in Rio de Janeiro

Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.

Ships typically depart around 6:00 PM
Usually about 10 hours ashore
Embarkation port — worth arriving early
Getting around:
Christ the Redeemer One of the best attractions in Rio de Janeiro and all of Brazil. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 131k Closes soon · 7 PM
Shopping Nova América Lovely place, full of great brands located in a nice place Shopping mall · ★ 4.6 · 114k Open · Closes 10 PM
Museu do Amanhã It’s quite worth to visit there if you go to Rio de Janeiro. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 105k Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Escadaria Selarón Interesting place to visit while being in Rio de Janeiro. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 94k Open now
AquaRio A must go in Rio de Janeiro. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 89k Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Shopping RioSul Amazing location, great brands, fair prices. Shopping mall · ★ 4.6 · 70k Open · Closes 10 PM
Barra Shopping Food options were plenty, including well known brands and local faire. Shopping mall · ★ 4.7 · 70k Open · Closes 10 PM
Parque Lage Must see in Rio de Janeiro. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 51k Closed · Opens 8 AM Thu
Copacabana Fort (Army History Museum and Copacabana Fort) Ft Copacabana is a little-known Rio attraction with lots of history. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 47k Closes soon · 7 PM
Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil (CCBB) Should be in the top 5 of Rio… one of the best cultural centers in ... Museum · ★ 4.8 · 47k
Paineiras Corcovado (Cristo Redentor) A must see attractions in Rio De Janeiro. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 38k Closed · Opens 7:30 AM Thu
Fogo de Chão Excellent food, service, atmosphere, music and overall attention. Barbecue · ★ 4.8 · 35k
Shopping Leblon Great shopping, you will find quality products at good price. Shopping mall · ★ 4.6 · 34k Open · Closes 10 PM
Pedra do Arpoador One of my better experiences in Rio de Janeiro. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 33k
Catedral Metropolitana de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro Something to see if you are ever in Rio de Janeiro! Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 29k
Arcos da Lapa Attraction in Rio de Janeiro. Bridge · ★ 4.4 · 26k
Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro The architectural crown jewel of Rio de Janeiro. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 24k
Shopping Boulevard Very very nice and clean Shopping mall · ★ 4.4 · 24k Open · Closes 10 PM
Tijuca National Park Beautiful experience, definitely go there when in Rio Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 22k Closed · Opens 8 AM Thu
Rio Museum of Art Go see it if you're in Rio! Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 22k Closed · Opens 11 AM Thu
Pedra do Sal We had a person from Rio De Janeiro give us a tour of this area. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 20k
Mirante do Leblon Mirante de Leblon is a must do activity in Rio. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 19k Open now
Marius Degustare The decor was beautiful, the food was great, and the atmosphere was perfect! Seafood · ★ 4.8 · 18k
VillageMall Stores like Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Hugo Boss and many more. Shopping mall · ★ 4.7 · 18k Open · Closes 10 PM
Shopping da Gávea Great shopping for all price ranges. Shopping mall · ★ 4.3 · 18k Open · Closes 10 PM
Bossa Nova Mall Impressive mall design with full facilities within. Shopping mall · ★ 4.4 · 17k Open · Closes 10 PM
Parque das Ruínas A must top 10 places to visit when in Rio. Park · ★ 4.7 · 16k Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Bar e Restaurante Urca Couldn't do a stop in Rio without visiting Bar Urca. Bar · ★ 4.5 · 13k
Pavão Azul Bar Best bar in Copacabana!!!😍 Bar · ★ 4.4 · 12k
Mirante Dona Marta One of the must-sees in Rio de Janeiro Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 10k Temporarily closed
Rio Design Leblon A mall with some upscale shops Shopping mall · ★ 4.5 · 10k Open · Closes 11 PM
Fashion Mall Nice mall, full of art galeries, fadhion stores and the best theatre. Shopping mall · ★ 4.2 · 8k Open · Closes 10 PM
Aprazível Attentive waiters, relaxing ambiance and great food choices. Restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 6k
Joaquina Absolutely delicious food, great service, nice cocktails. Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 5k
Jobi This is a classic of the night of Rio. Bar · ★ 4.4 · 4k
Bar da Laje A muat if you are in Rio de Janeiro, highly recommended! Bar · ★ 4.5 · 4k
Bar Carioca da Gema If you want an authentic Rio night, this is the place to be! Cocktail bar · ★ 4.6 · 3k Closed · Opens 7:30 PM
Zazá Bistrô Tropical Everything was perfect, our drinks, the food, dessert, atmosphere, service. Bistro · ★ 4.6 · 3k
Casa Nossa Lounge I'd like to say that this is one of the best places in Rio I've ever been. Bar · ★ 4.7 · 3k
Nosso The best, most attentive service, amazing food, and delicious cocktails! Restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 2k
Restaurante Pérgula Delicious food, lovely atmosphere and excellent service! Restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 1k
Térèze The dinner itself was excellent and reasonably priced. Haute French · ★ 4.5 · 1k
Booze Bar Ipanema Nice bar in Ipanema. Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 1k
Lasai Delicious food, beautiful presentation. Fine Dining · ★ 4.7 · 1k Opens soon · 7 PM
Sky Leme | Rooftop & Lounge Upscale restaurant in a 5-star hotel Bar · ★ 4.4 · 1k
Liz Cocktail e Wine Absolutely amazing cocktail bar in Rio de Janeiro. Cocktail bar · ★ 4.8 · 1k
Marine Restô Amazing food, drinks, view, music and service! Restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 0k Opens soon · 7 PM
Isabel Lounge Delicious food, tasty caipirinha and again, the view is outstanding! Bar · ★ 4.6 · 0k

Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.

Rio de Janeiro is an embarkation port. Many cruises start or end here — it's worth arriving a day early or extending your stay to explore beyond a single port day.

Next Departures from Rio de Janeiro

About Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro stands as one of South America's premier cruise destinations, with ten major cruise lines calling at this vibrant port. With 257 upcoming cruises and a strong presence year-round, Rio offers exceptional variety for cruise travelers. Most voyages are seven-night itineraries that use Rio as a port of call, making it an ideal stop on longer South American cruises heading to destinations like Buenos Aires, Montevideo, and Ushuaia, or even transatlantic crossings to Barcelona. The peak season runs from January through April and again in November, when the port welcomes ships from prestigious lines including Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, and Silversea.

Stepping ashore in Rio, cruise passengers discover a city of legendary natural beauty and cultural richness. The iconic Christ the Redeemer statue and dramatic Sugarloaf Mountain provide unforgettable backdrops, while the city's pulsing energy, world-class beaches, and vibrant neighborhoods offer endless exploration. Whether you're seeking adventure, culture, or simply soaking in one of the world's most spectacular settings, Rio delivers an unforgettable port experience that captures the spirit of Brazil.
Explore

Reasons to Visit

1

Christ the Redeemer Icon

Ascend to one of the world's most iconic statues atop Corcovado Mountain for breathtaking panoramic views of Rio's beaches, mountains, and Guanabara Bay. The 125-foot Art Deco monument offers spiritual significance and unforgettable photo opportunities that capture the essence of this vibrant city in just a few hours.

2

Copacabana Beach Culture

Experience Rio's legendary beach lifestyle along the golden sands of Copacabana, where locals play volleyball, sip fresh coconut water, and enjoy fresh seafood at beachfront kiosks. This iconic 2.5-mile stretch perfectly captures the relaxed, vibrant energy that defines Rio's coastal charm and social scene.

3

Sugarloaf Mountain Views

Ride the scenic cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain for stunning 360-degree vistas of Rio's dramatic landscape, including Copacabana Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. The two-stage journey offers spectacular photo opportunities and a unique perspective on the city's geography and natural beauty.

4

Authentic Brazilian Street Food

Savor Rio's culinary treasures including fresh pão de queijo, acarajé, and grilled churrasco at local markets and street vendors near the port. Sample traditional brigadeiros and fresh açai bowls while mingling with locals, experiencing the authentic flavors that define Brazilian coastal cuisine.

5

Lapa's Historic Bohemian Quarter

Wander through Lapa's colorful colonial streets adorned with street art, vintage architecture, and the iconic Selarón Steps—a stunning mosaic staircase created by a local artist. This vibrant neighborhood pulses with live samba music, galleries, and cafés that showcase Rio's artistic soul and creative spirit.

Cruise Lines at Rio de Janeiro

Cruises Departing From Rio de Janeiro

Cruises Visiting Rio de Janeiro

Ship Schedule at Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro Location

Other Cruise Ports in Brazil

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rio de Janeiro best known for?

Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Carnival, and famous beaches.

Which sights should first-time visitors see?

Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, and the Lapa arches.

What language is spoken and what is the currency?

Portuguese is spoken; currency is the Brazilian real (BRL).

When is the best time to visit?

March-May or Oct-Nov offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds.