May 4, 2023
Rio de Janeiro Family Travel: Top 7 Things To Do With Kids
Every year we welcome families with children ready to discover Rio and create adventures they’ll remember together for a lifetime. With a well-planned itinerary, you can combine relaxing moments, historical discoveries, and fun for every age — all in maximum comfort. Rio is one of the most family-friendly big cities in the world, but it works much better when you know where to go, where to stay, and how to pace your days. Below, I share my suggestions for wonderful family days in the Marvelous City.
What to See
The classics are classics for a reason, and kids love them too: Christ the Redeemer with its train ride through the forest, Sugarloaf and its cable cars, the beaches, the parks, and the mountains wrapped in rainforest. Rio’s magic for families is that nature and city mix everywhere — you can see monkeys in the morning and build sandcastles in the afternoon.
What to Do
Here’s my main advice, and it goes against most itineraries you’ll find online: don’t try to see everything. In 2 days you can comfortably cover the main attractions — Christ, Sugarloaf, Santa Teresa, the historic center. Then save 2 or 3 days to simply live the city like a local family does: mornings at the beach, fresh coconut water in the sand, a bit of shopping, long lunches. Kids remember the day they learned to bodyboard far more than the third viewpoint of the trip. Slow travel works beautifully in Rio.
Where to Stay
For families, I recommend three areas — all places where I regularly pick up my guests:
Fairmont Rio
Located right between Arpoador Beach and the Copacabana Fortress, at the calmest corner of Copacabana. The ocean water here is protected and calm, with surf schools offering lessons and stand-up paddle boards for rent right on the sand. It’s simply the perfect stretch of beach for kids.
Sheraton Grand Rio
On Niemeyer Avenue, between Leblon and São Conrado. The big advantage: the beach in front of the hotel is almost exclusive, and the open leisure areas — pools, gardens, kids’ facilities — are among the best in the city. Great choice if you want the resort feeling without leaving Rio.
Hilton Copacabana
At Leme, the quieter end of Copacabana. Leme is a calmer neighborhood, more residential, with a relaxed family atmosphere. The beach and the walk along the Leme rocks (Caminho dos Pescadores) are wonderful areas to enjoy with kids.
Where to Eat
Eating with kids in Rio is easy — this is genuinely not something to worry about. The tourist areas are full of options for every mood and budget: thousands of pay-per-kilo buffets (my recommendation for families — everyone picks exactly what they want, kids included), casual restaurants, and sandwich shops on every corner. Brazilians adore children, so families are welcome everywhere.
How to Make It Unforgettable
The secret formula: mix the main attractions with activities that are genuinely fun for the kids. Some favorites from years of family tours:
- Maracanã Stadium behind-the-scenes tour — walking through the players’ tunnel is a guaranteed hit with kids and teens
- Pedra Bonita hike — an easy trail that children handle well, with a huge reward at the top
- Waterfall baths in Tijuca Forest — swimming in a rainforest waterfall inside the city
- Pedal boats at Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas — swan-shaped boats with Christ the Redeemer watching from above
- Rio Star — the giant Ferris wheel at the port, with views over the bay
- AquaRio — South America’s largest aquarium, with a walk-through shark tunnel
- BioParque — Rio’s modern zoo, completely renovated with immersive habitats
Visit Rio with a Family Specialist
Our private family tours are built around your kids — flexible pacing, snack stops, bathroom breaks, and a guide who knows how to keep every age engaged, from toddlers to grandparents. Private car, door-to-door pickup, no crowded buses. Check our Family Friendly Tour and let’s plan days your family will talk about for years.
