One day in Rio
 

I am attending a three-day conference in Rio. My husband and I will have one day to explore (Sunday) before the conference starts. We will have the evenings after the conference ends each day, but probably won't be able to do a lot in the evenings other than go out to eat. Any suggestions for what should be on our must see/do list for our one free day? Our hotel is in Copacabana. Thanks.

I have been to Rio a few times for business and generally haven't had a lot of time to explore. On one trip, I chose an easy (and fairly expensive but safe) option. I hired one of the drivers I'd met who I quite liked on one of my trips and had him show me around a bit. We covered the basics in the free afternoon I had - i.e., trip to Sugarloaf and the Christ the Redeemer Statue, plus we explored a few interesting, photogenic neighborhoods (not favelas) because he knew I wanted to take some photos.

Try venturing out to Lapa in the venings to one of the samba clubs. Scenarium, Carioca da Gema etc You can dine at both.

Day time there is so much to see but the typical tourist sites like Pão de Açúcar and Corcovado are well worth the visit, especially if it's your first time in Rio. You can access both by public transport of by taxi, no need to book a tour or driver.

Thank you for the suggestions. We would like to visit Corcavado, but don't want to use the whole day to do this. How long does this usually take? What would be the best transportation option if we are interested in a short visit? I have read that the train sometimes has a long wait on the weekends.

Take a ceab. Depending on how glued to the view you are you could accomplish the whole thing, there and back in 2-3 hours.

cab.

I just got back from Rio and had a great time!

I spent 4 days by my own and I booked 1 day private tour with Rio Experience Tours (www.rioexperiencetours.com) My tour guide was really nice I had a perfect day.

I think you will spend around 3 hours at Corcovado, so you have plenty of time to go to Sugar Loaf and even more. You should go to Santa Teresa as well. A really cool neighborhood.

If you have only one day, I'd go to either Pão de Açúcar or Corcovado, and then maybe a visit to the Botanical Gardens or a museum in the afternoon (Museum of Modern Art or across the river to Niterói to see the Oscar Niemeyer building of MAC).

Include a walk around the historical centre. The Cathedral is interesting and Confiteria Colombo has the most amazing pastries. Then take the tram up to Santa Teresa for dinner.