We want you to have the full Rio experience while you're here. Eat amazing food, sip caipirinhas with a view, and hit up a few spots you'll be talking about for years.

Iconic Landmarks

Christ the Redeemer - The 38-meter-tall statue is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, offering sweeping views over Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the Atlantic beaches. (We’re hosting a tour on Monday for everyone who wants to join)

Sugarloaf Mountain - Take the cable car up for breathtaking panoramic views of the city, beaches, and bay. The ride itself is an experience, and the views at sunset are particularly stunning.

Beaches

Barra da Tijuca Beach - Rio's longest beach at 18 kilometers, popular with surfers, windsurfers, and kitesurfers. This is where we’ll be for the wedding weekend!

Ipanema & Copacabana - These iconic beaches are perfect for people-watching, swimming, and soaking up the sun. Grab fresh coconut water from beach vendors and enjoy the vibrant beach culture. Ipanema is known for beautiful sunsets, while Copacabana's 4-kilometer stretch offers endless energy.

Praia Vermelha (Red Beach) - A small, picturesque cove at the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain with calm waters and stunning mountain and ocean backdrop. It's surprisingly overlooked by many visitors but offers a more tranquil beach experience.

Nature & Outdoors

Tijuca National Park - One of the world's largest urban forests covering about 32 km². Great for hiking with trails leading to viewpoints over the city.

Parque Lage - A beautiful public park with gardens and a mansion, offering a more relaxed outdoor experience.

Activities

  • Shopping - Barra da Tijuca is Rio's modern shopping district, offering everything from luxury malls to local markets. Here are some great options near the Grand Hyatt:

    • Barra Shopping: One of Latin America's largest shopping centers, featuring over 700 stores including international brands, Brazilian designers, electronics, and a massive food court.

    • Village Mall: Rio's most upscale shopping destination with luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Tiffany & Co. Great for high-end shopping and people-watching at stylish cafés.

  • Paragliding - For the adventurous, tandem paragliding offers incredible aerial views of the city and coastline

  • Bike rentals - Many areas have bike rental stations for exploring the beachfront paths. The Grand Hyatt offers complementary bike rental.

  • Beach sports - Try frescobol (beach tennis), beach volleyball, or just watch the locals play football on the sand

  • Surfing - Several beaches offer great surf conditions, especially Arpoador and Barra da Tijuca

Food & Drinks

Barra da Tijuca:

BEACH KIOSKS: The beach kiosks (quiosques) along Praia da Barra are the quintessential Rio experience. Most are lined up right on the sand, a short walk from the Grand Hyatt. No reservations needed — just walk up, grab a table, and soak it in.

What to order:

  • 🍺 A large Original or Antarctica beer — They'll bring it with multiple small cups (copinhos) so you can share and keep it ice cold. This is how locals do it.

  • 🍽️ Menu Executivo — A fixed-price lunch combo (usually a protein + rice + beans + salad + drink). Great value and a legit Brazilian lunch experience.

  • 🍹 Caipirinha — The classic. Cachaça, lime, sugar, ice. Order it "bem gelada" (extra cold). Some kiosks also do variations with vodka (caipivodka - Ashley’s preference) or sake (caipissake).